December 11th, 1pm to 3:30pm
Come learn how to make video game music with four 8 bit music tool demonstrations on four platforms – Gameboy trackers, Vic20 MIDI, Petsynth, MSSIAH for Commodore 64. The world of 8 bit music is growing internationally, spawned by the love for old video game consoles and home computers of the 80’s and 90’s. What is supporting this movement is a growing number of music tools for the popular platforms. These demonstrations will cover some of the tools available and in development.
Instructors:
Jake Moolenbeek (DEADBEATBLAST) www.deadbeatblast.com
Leif Bloomquist www.leifbloomquist.net
Rob Adlers www.auralplane.com
Chiron Bramberger www.petsynth.org
Where:
THEMUSEUM – Kitchener, ON, Canada
www.themuseum.ca
Admission is the price of entry to the museum for the RAM exhibit.
Jake Moolenbeek
Subject: Video presentation on basics of tracking, old hardware/brief computer sound history etc.
Bio:
DEADBEATBLAST is a low tech, high energy audio/visual act from Ontario, Canada. A composer and visualist who’s work focuses on the generation imagery and sound using limited technologies. Re-purposed GameBoys and old computers are pushed to their limits to create heavy music and chaotic visuals. His music has been featured on many websites and internet charts, with dozens of performances over the last 3 years.
His lecture will explore chiptune and demo scene music, and some of the respective hardware that is used in it’s creation.
Leif Bloomquist
Subject: A new MIDI Interface for the Commodore VIC20 computer (1981).
Bio:
Leif Bloomquist has always been fascinated by the potential of electronic and computer-generated sounds and music. Classically trained in clarinet and percussion, he now composes using sequencing software while incorporating eclectic and home-built hardware.
His material can be heard in such diverse environments as on CBC Radio 3, ambient music festivals, gothic nightclubs, and churches. Leif is a founding member of the Independent Electronic Musicians Collective, and has released
five albums to date through his Schema Factor and Interweaver projects.
This presentation covers the motivation and history behind the history of the VICMIDI device, with technical details on its implementation and a demonstration piece.
Rob Adlers
Subject: Commodore 64 MSSIAH (with MIDI) Cartridge
Bio:
Rob Adlers (Auraplane) has had a fascination with electronic music and computers since an early age. Rob has performed and written pieces for many different genres, but has always had a love for electronic based music. A pilgrimage occurred in the mid-90’s to better understand the history behind electronic music and the sounds he was using. This led to web mastering for www.hughlecaine.com, and a dip back into keyboard history to the pipe organ age. This evolved into the ORGANic Evolution series in Toronto. The side hobby that came from this exploration was repairing and restoring old keyboard instruments.
You can find Rob’s videos and music on YouTube and Sound Cloud.
Chiron Bramberger
Subject: A demonstration of the original, and the latest version, of
Chiron’s PetSynth software for the Commodore PET computer (circa
1977-1984).
Bio:
Chiron Bramberger has a great affection for vintage computers, computer history, and music. After searching the software landscape for a music program for the Commodore PET, and found none that met his needs, he decided to create his own software. This program, PetSynth, allows the playing of the Commodore PET like a musical instrument. Chiron is currently working on a short animated film that incorporates music created using PetSynth, as well as other vintage computers and video games.
