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Today we will review two works by our domestic authors.
Continuing the musical theme raised in "S"N13, we pass the word to the author of the new music editor "PRO SOUND MAKER," Denis Dratov from Nizhnevartovsk.
PRO SOUND MAKER
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(C)1995, Denis Dratov
Nizhnevartovsk
I would like to present to you my new development - the music editor PRO SOUND MAKER. My editor is a kind of blend of two well-known editors "ASM" and "SOUND TRACKER." I tried to take the best from both. During the development process, some ideas were suggested to me by my brother Vlad.
I started with the pointer since it is the main tool. I had to deal with one unpleasant issue - the disappearance of the pointer at the top of the screen on some computer models. This is related to the fact that the INT signal starts when the beam has already reached the very edge of the screen. The old pointer is erased, the beam draws it, a new one is set, but it’s already too late. This problem was solved in two weeks.
Then I made a grayscale frequency analyzer. Next, a keyboard scanner. I still had to get rid of one more problem - the "AFTER CAPS" effect. A hardware solution to this problem was proposed in one of the issues of "ZX-REVUE." I decided to solve it programmatically. The chance of a digit popping up is reduced by 90%. A lot of time was spent on the sound editor. I had to redo it several times. Sometimes I had to redo everything else. A compiler, disk options, and a service menu for working with PATTERNs still need to be made. By the way, for each PATTERN in PSM, you can set your own speed. And also: there are 32 ornaments in the editor (from 00 to 1F) - just in case. The number of sounds is the same as in S.T. There is still one unpleasant issue: during modulation, the envelope frequency does not change. Thanks to the fact that the volume changes from 1 to F, another effect became possible - the transition between a simple sound and the envelope (as in ASM). For more details on the capabilities of PRO SOUND MAKER, see the program itself.
"S": We got acquainted with the demo version of the music editor "PRO SOUND MAKER" by Denis Dratov. We consider this development to be one of the best to date. Undoubtedly, it requires further refinement, but we must give credit to the author - the final product, if it appears, will deserve the warmest words. We hope that the full version of "PRO SOUND MAKER" will be published in the pages of our magazine. In the "APPENDIX," you will find the demo version of "PSM."
VISUAL DECOMPRESSOR v1.2
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(c)1995, Timothy St. Petersburg
I present to your judgment my utility Visual decompressor v1.2, which is a screen compressor that adds a visual effect to the decompression process. The process of creating the output file is quite simple and clear - a selection from the menu.
"S": Different ways of displaying screensavers ("by points," "top to bottom," "from the left corner," etc.) are used in programs by many authors, and you have probably encountered them repeatedly.
This utility offers you to use these effects in your developments, freeing you from the need to compose your own or break someone else's procedures for the beautiful appearance of images on the screen. It should be noted that the author's collection of effects is quite representative, and working with his program is indeed very convenient.
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Contents of the publication: Spectrofon #14
- Expertise - Алексей Литвинов, Андрей Бусыгин
Analysis and Russian adaptation of the game 'Academy' by CRL Group, highlighting significant program modifications and the addition of a new game ending.
- Archive - Андрей Школьников
Analysis of the game Archon, its appeal, mechanics, and strategic elements. Detailed exploration of its characters and their battle properties. Overview of magical spells and game tactics.
- Debut - Андрей Школьников
Analysis of the game 'Emerald Isle' by Level 9, contrasting linear and global adventures. Describes gameplay, puzzles, and strategy for success. Concludes with tips for navigating challenges.
- Overview
Overview of new games on Moscow's radio market, including 'Star Legacy' with its full release, 'UFO: Enemy Unknown' conversion, and others.
- From World to Bit
This article provides guidance for several ZX Spectrum games, including tips for overcoming challenges and critiques on the influence of games on players.
- Championship - Matthias
The article covers the Open Virus Championship, detailing the selection cycle, changes in rules, and highlights of the matches. Participants from different cities and countries competed with their virus programs. Key winners have been determined for the Final League.
- System - Chung Software
Analysis of compatibility issues in ZX Spectrum models like ATM Turbo and others, detailing solutions for port #FF and INT signal. Emphasis on practical adjustments for various models, ensuring optimal compatibility with original ZX Spectrum 48k. Critical examination of DIY computer upgrades and potential issues with software compatibility.
- Premiere
Review of two software tools: Pro Sound Maker, a music editor by Denis Dratov, featuring solutions to technical challenges, and Visual Decompressor v1.2 by Timothy, offering visual effects during decompression.
- Advertisement
Advertisement of Spectrofon magazine, offering licenses and calls for collaboration. Contact details for buying games and software. Studio Logros promotes Russian programmers.
