Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!pacbell.com!pacbell!indetech!vsi1!zorch!amiga0!mykes From: mykes@amiga0.SF-Bay.ORG (Mike Schwartz) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.misc Subject: Re: Digital Workshop? Message-ID: Date: 25 Jun 91 19:06:13 GMT References: <1991Jun24.042509.13390@disk.uucp> Organization: Amiga makes it possible Lines: 76 In article <1991Jun24.042509.13390@disk.uucp> specter@disk.uucp (Byron Max Guernsey) writes: > >But the idea I want is not the 16 bit quality, but rather a program that >can take say, a 600 meg hard drive, and sample any audio I want directly to >it or into large files, maybe even in tracks. Then, allow me to go through >the large file or disk and modify sections, playback sections, sample >over sections..etc...combine sections..etc. > This is quite feasible with the Amiga. I'm sure there is something in the PD that plays sounds from disk. However, I haven't seen anything exactly as you describe. >Right now I have only seen simple MEMORY limited programs like this with >little capacity (since most amiga's are limited to 9 megs with hacks it >only accounts for about 7 minute samples with any decent sampling rate. >(also I remember samples being limited to chip ram also, I suppose a software >genius has already hacked a solution...IE Audio Master..) ) > I'm not familiar with Audio Master III, but their ads claim the ability to at least play from disk. The A3000 is expandable to gigabytes of RAM, theoretically, so maybe you should look for the right member of the Amiga family to use... Also, the SLOOOWWWW 68000 Mac's (pre-classic) were able to do 22KHz mono sample playback, and it only had like 400 bytes of "chip" ram (for audio). This implies that a 7MHz Amiga can easily move memory from FAST RAM to CHIP RAM fast enough for your requirements. For what it's worth, I've written a driver that does 4 voices of 11.1KHz audio using only 2K of CHIP RAM, and it plays samples as long as you have memory for. >Also from what I understand you would require a high speed hard drive to do >any worthwhile editing. Wouldn't it be in commodores best interest to work >up some 16 bit sound station hardware and software to do what these rather >expensive workstations do? Thats what got them in the video spotlight..doing >for 1000's what normally costed 10's of thousands. > Theoretically (meaning with the right software), it is possible to play 20KHz mono samples directly from floppy disk on the Amiga. The "high speed" hard drive you mention might easily go 100 times faster than required for 20KHz mono sampling, and would go 10 times faster than required for full stereo 16-bit 44.1KHz sampling/playback. >I could see "packages" being sold already assembled for specific tasks... >"The Amiga Video Station" - which includes the amiga, a hard drive, a >video toaster, a tbc, a sampler, etc... >"The Amiga Audio Station" - boasting a 16 bit sampler/playback board, a >high speed large capacity hard drive, software to do the editing I described, >a midi interface, perhaps some form of software/hardware combined sound >board, etc... > Computer stores already provide complete packages like this. >Right now it looks like the "Next" computer will get the audio market as far >as digital disk editors goes...but thats not a very informed opinion. > The NeXt has a DSP, while the Amiga doesn't. Whatever the DSP does for the NeXt in real time, the Amiga's CPU can also do - but not necessarily in real time. I wouldn't bet on the NeXt solely based upon what you've written here, because where there is a demand for software, the Amiga can fit the bill. In fact, there is a 16-bit audio board for the Amiga, including a DSP, which sells for about $2K. Add in the price of a 600Meg Hard disk and an A3000, and it still costs less than $10K. -- **************************************************** * I want games that look like Shadow of the Beast * * but play like Leisure Suit Larry. * ****************************************************