Conference hydra::amiga_v1

    You can try using FutureSound.  I'm not sure what the cost is, but
    you can find an advertisement for it in AmigaWorld.  The number
    $199 keeps coming to mind, but I'm not sure if that still applies.
    I've used FutureSound before, and I find it an adequate package.
    
     - Chris
    

I'm also interested in the ability to sample and play back sounds, particularly
with some sort of a script, and have them controlled by an external set of
inputs through one of the ports. Specifically, I'd like to store railroad sounds
(locomotive, bell, whistle, sawmill, other industries, etc.) and then play them
back on demand, adding one sound to another. I'd also like to be able to edit
the sounds into a continuous loop so, for example, the sound of a sawmill could
be edited into a 10 second loop where the "splice" couldn't be heard. Additional
sounds (eg. bells and whistles) could then be triggered by a sensor sending a
signal to one of the Amiga ports. 

Any recomendations on the best hardware/software to accomplish this? 

Dave 

    re .2	Just the kind of thing the folks over in NOVA::COMMUSIC
    are into.  Have fun there and don't let 'em laugh at your node name.
    
    	Reg
    

I, too, have been wanting to do this.  From what I've seen and heard, it looks
like Perfect Sound is the best way to go for hardware with Aegis AudioMaster as
the software.  The Perfect Sound software is included, but AudioMaster looks
better.  Also, Perfect Sound doesn't have a pass-thru connector for the printer,
but I use an ABCD switch ($30) on my serial port so I don't need it.

The one thing that I have heard and everyone seems to agree on is to avoid
the digitizers that plug into the joystick port instead of the RS-232 port.

If anyone knows a better setup, post it here before I drop the $$$.

Thanks,
...richard

Re: .0, .4

I have Perfect Sound and like it (but my interest in digitizing sound
has decreased with time, but that is no fault of the digitizer).

Perfect Sound wants line level input.  That means you can connect it
to a stereo component or a VCR using RCA cables.  Future Sound includes
an amp and can have a microphone directly plugged in to it.  For recording
live sounds, I just use plug my camcorder into the Perfect Sound and
use the camcorder's microphone.  Plugging tape deck would work as well.

Perfect Sound was redesigned for the Amiga 500 and 2000 (as opposed to
the 1000).  I have the 500/200 version.  It has better specs as to
bandwidth, etc.

The software with Perfect Sound is adequate, but Audio Master seems better.
I bought Audio Master plus a lot of other software about a month ago at a
show.  I haven't had got a chance to use it much, but Audio Master does
make certain editing tasks much easier.  I recommend it, but it isn't a
requirement that you have it.  (Well, at least it's no requirement for
dilettantes like me :->.)

Actually, if you have Sonix, AudioMaster can produce "RFF" format instruments
(Sonix's native format which sounds better than IFF instruments).  The
Perfect Sound software is capable of producing normal IFF instruments.

Aegis has just released AudioMaster II.  I believe the upgrade to AudioMaster
II from AudioMaster is about $30.  You may want to order AudioMaster II
directly from Aegis if you cannot find anyone who carries it yet.

There are a few PD utilities for playing digitized sounds.  The format
of sampled sound files is documented (it's IFF, of course), so you
can also roll your own.

    How much memory do you need?  I believe digitising sounds chews
    up RAM like there's no tomorrow.

    I heard Audiomaster allows you to have 2 minutes of digitzed sound
    with 512k

                      Matt
    

    It all depends on the desired resolution (actually dynamic range
    also, but I believe you are stuck with 8-bit dynamic range for the
    Amiga).

    Suppose you want to be able to record sound up to 5kH.  You will
    need a sampling rate of at least 10kH, i.e. you will use up
    10kbyte/sec.  So 400k (512k machine - software) will give you about
    40 seconds worth of med-fi sound (sorry, no violin overtones).

    A sampling rate of 2kH will allow you to record about 200 seconds
    worth of deep snoring.

    FYI, CD was a sampling rate of 44.1kH.

    Chong.

Re: .8

>but I believe you are stuck with 8-bit dynamic range for the Amiga).

There's a trick that can be played to improve the dynamic range.  The
audio hardware has an independent volume control that can be varied while
playing a sample.  The result is (I read) similar to 12 bit sampled sound.

    Re: .9

    That is true.  You could dynamically alter the volume control, which
    has a 6 bit range, and that would bring the dynamic range to 14 bits.

    As far as memory usage is concern, it depends on how a sampling
    software records this volume change "command" in its data file,
    or if the IFF standard include this command.  So I do not know how
    much memory is needed for each change in the volume register.  But
    if it is changed often enough, memory requirement could easily be
    doubled for a given resolution.

    I wonder if any of the Amiga sound samplers is smart enough to play
    with the volume control register.

    Chong.

    Altering the volume will indeed increase the dynamic range, but
    it'll do so in a fashion that's just as (un)pleasant as a one band
    analog expander.  I really wouldn't start making straight bit count
    comparisons here.

Re: .11

Maybe that's why the article claimed only 12 bit resolution instead of
14 (8 + 6) bit resolution.

    8 bits sample + 6 bits volume does equal to 14 bits dynamic range,
    if done correctly.  The trade off, as compare to straight 14 bits,
    is that some processing is needed, not to mention the additional
    volume register and logics.  You save on memory usage and the use
    of > 8 bit D-A converters, which are expensive.

    The above is what I understand of sound represented in digital form.
    How, exectly, is it done on the Amiga, I am not quite sure.  It
    should not be too far off though.

    Chong.

    I am considering buying perfect sound because of its low cost. 
    Would I need to buy any special cables that do not come with perfect
    sound?
    
    matt (I own a A500)

re: -.1

>    Would I need to buy any special cables that do not come with perfect
>    sound?

Perfect Sound plugs into the parallel port and takes input from standard RCA
stereo plugs, the kind most commonly used to connect component stereos.

JO

    Does it come with a mih!crophone?
    RESET NC 144
    {
    
    matt
    

>    Does it come with a mih!crophone?

No- a microphone would require a preamp to drive Perfect Sound at the
level it needs, I believe. 

JO

I picked up Perfect Sound over the weekend - along with the A2000 upgrade (sigh).
The hardware I have has input for a microphone, and works just fine with an
el-chepo $10 Sony Mic from Fry's.

	<mike