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From: ed@plx.UUCP
Newsgroups: rec.music.synth,comp.sys.amiga,comp.sys.mac
Subject: Todd Rundgren & Computers & Amiga
Message-ID: <577@plx.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 30-Mar-87 13:42:50 EST
Article-I.D.: plx.577
Posted: Mon Mar 30 13:42:50 1987
Date-Received: Wed, 1-Apr-87 05:15:48 EST
Organization: Plexus Computers, San Jose, CA.
Lines: 41
Keywords: West Coast Faire
Xref: utgpu rec.music.synth:506 comp.sys.amiga:3117 comp.sys.mac:2080


While far from a lecture or a performance, Todd Rundgren's "Master's Demo"
at the West Coast Computer Faire was interesting nonetheless.  

The theme of the presentation was "Crackpot Software" or unconventional
approaches to music composition/performance using a computer.  Todd
used a Macintosh and a new Mac II to demonstrate some really *NEAT*
software like "Studio Session Player". Rundgren thought this a "Crackpot"
piece of software because of the almost overdone graphics (it looks like 
a casette player on the screen). 

Crackpot is not inherently a negative discription. Todd made no complaints
about the software he demoed other than the fact that they were not yet 
available.

An interesting demo involved a package called "M".  M is a transition-table
based tool for exploring permutations of a musical theme.

Another interesting package, whose name escapes me now, used a grid to
display and manipulate chords.  I think he said that someone at the MIT
media-lab write it.

Todd seemed annoyed with the fact that AMIGA had blown him off completely.
He was expecting an AMIGA rep to show up with some software to demo.
While he did not think the AMIGA was a Crackpot machine, he suggested
that those who were involved with marketing the AMIGA may be so since
AMIGA was happy to have Todd's AMIGA serve as lampstand during the demo.
TODD NEVER EVEN BOOTED THE THING UP!

I was SHOCKED by the quality of the "Studio Session Player" package
from  BOGAS <<---(that's their name folks!).  Considering the fact
that there was *NO* additional hardware required to get SAMPLED SOUNDS
on a Mac. Is this really true?  I swear, it sounded better than the 
AMIGA.  Drum sounds too! Electric Guitar! WOW!

OH, Todd briefly played some sampled sounds on the Mac II! WOW!
Todd said he heard someone had completely downloaded a copy of
Peter Gabriel's "SO" album on to a Mac II hard disk.  This same 
someone was able to play it back through the Mac II's 16-Bit D/A's!!

-ed-