MISTER BEEP MICROMUSIC CHIPTUNE
LO-TEK LOW-TECH TIMEX ZX SPECTRUM SINCLAIR 1-BIT MUSIC
ONE BIT MUSIC (MP3)
(plus... ATARI!!) DEMOS
and co-produced GAMES.
(Click screen$ to download)
NEBULA FIGHT (01.2012, TIMEX COMPUTER 2048 / SPECTRUM 48)
Music: MISTER BEEP, code: Shiru, graphix: TRIXS
Another demo for unexpanded Spectrum48. It has been made to show how diverse Spectrum48 sounds. Therefore I used many various beeper engines, with various sounding, possibilities etc. As a music instrument, Spectrum48 has limitless abilities, and every engine sounds different, which is unparalleled in comparison to other 8-bit computers. That's because all the music is actually generated by Spectrum's CPU - Z80 chip - that produces all sounds and sends them into beeper and audio-out connector of ZX Spectrum (the ‘MIC’ jack-port) through 1-bit transducer – ULA chip.
FUTURE LOOTER (12.2011, TIMEX COMPUTER 2048 / SPECTRUM 48)
An arcade/shooter game for Timex/Spectrum (in style of Jet Story or Cybernoid), made by Timmy. Contains my music.
BEEP'EM ALL III (11.2011, ATARI XL/XE!!)
One more co-production with guys from Atari XL/XE scene, containing also my songs (among other 1-bit tunes).
***THE MUSIC DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY ON EMULATORS!!*** REAL HARDWARE REQUIRED!!!!!!
BEEPER music can be played now also from 8-bit ATARI computers (from 6502 & GTIA chips - the second one is for... keyboard's click!! :) ) thanx to a cool coder-guy named XXL. :)
Now Atari-freaks can admire 1-bit music too! :-)
BUZZSAW+ (10.2011, TIMEX COMPUTER 2048 / SPECTRUM 48)
A logic/arcade game for Timex/Spectrum, made by Jason J. Railton. It contains my BEEPER music.
BOZXLE (10.2011, TIMEX COMPUTER 2048 / SPECTRUM 48)
A logic game for Timex/Spectrum, made by Polomint, Chev and Einar Saukas. It contains my BEEPER music.
9 CHANNELS DEMO (08.2011, TIMEX COMPUTER 2048 / SPECTRUM 48)
Another mega-demo for unexpanded ZX48K/Timex2048.
Intro AY music by Yerzmyey, intro code/gfx by Factor6. Further main code by Hellboj, further main gfx by Trixs,
the main BEEPER songs of course by MISTER BEEP.
The demo contains NINE (9!!) channels BEEPER music made on the most powerful 1-bit engine for
ZX Spectrum 48K - OCTODE (8 channels of tones + 1 channel of drums).
REDUCTIO AD NIHILUM (09.2011, TIMEX COMPUTER 2048 / SPECTRUM 48)
A logic game for Timex/Spectrum, made by Rafal Miazga. It contains my BEEPER music.
ZYWIEC (08.2011, TIMEX COMPUTER 2048 / SPECTRUM 48)
A basic-joke-demo made in "real-time" ;) while IVP 2011 party. Contains my music (press "M" key).
Coded by FACTOR6, HELLBOJ, gfx by FACTOR6,
ideas and scrolltext - FACTOR6, HELLBOJ, TDM, YERZMYEY, IRRLICHT PROJECT, music by MISTER BEEP.
Sid Spanners 4: Timeloop (04.2011, Timex Computer 2048, ZX Spectrum)
A platform game for Timex/Spectrum, made by Digital Prawn and R-Tape. It contains my BEEPER music.
Sid Spanners 3: The Nuthouse (03.2011, Timex Computer 2048, ZX Spectrum)
A platform game for Timex/Spectrum, made by Digital Prawn. It contains my BEEPER music.
Marbles of Wisdom (03.2011, Timex Computer 2048, ZX Spectrum)
A logic game for Timex/Spectrum, made by Rafal Miazga. It contains my BEEPER music.
Forest Raider Cherry (12.2010, Timex Computer 2048, ZX Spectrum)
A labyrinth game for Timex/Spectrum, made by Timmy. It contains my BEEPER music.
PHAETON (12.2010, Timex Computer 2048, ZX Spectrum)
A space-ship/arcade game for Timex/Spectrum, made by Ralf. It contains my BEEPER music.
Ghost Castle 2 (11.2010, Timex Computer 2048, ZX Spectrum)
A labyrinth game for Timex/Spectrum, made by CodeNameV and Binman. It contains my BEEPER music
(this version of the song is without drums, for a coding sake).
Horace In The Mystic Woods (09.2010, Timex Computer 2048, ZX Spectrum)
A platform game for Timex/Spectrum, made by Bobs. It contains my BEEPER music.
Safecracker (08.2010, Timex Computer 2048, ZX Spectrum)
A logic game for Timex/Spectrum, made by Ralf. It contains my BEEPER music.
BINARY (07.2010, Timex Computer 2048, ZX Spectrum)
A platform game for Timex/Spectrum, made by Mulder. It includes my BEEPER music.
TROOPER: Point 5 (06.2010, Timex Computer 2048, ZX Spectrum)
A platform/arcade game for Timex/Spectrum, made by BiNMaN, CodenameV and Mulder. It includes my BEEPER music.
HEART STEALER (04.2010, Timex Computer 2048, ZX Spectrum)
A great platform-game for Timex/Spectrum, made by Timmy. It includes my BEEPER music.
TS-2068 DEMO (03.2010, Timex Sinclair 2068 - also works on Timex Computer 2048 and ZX Spectrum)
I don't know if there was ANY demo ever written especially for Timex Sinclair 2068 (that is almost incompatible with ZX Spectrum), but supposedly this is the first real demo for the TS2068 machine. It contains 3 digital songs for the BEEPER and 2 chiptunes for it. DO NOT use emulators, their sound emulation SUCKS big time. The demo works also on TC-2048 and ZX Spectrum, so use the real machines, not emuls. This is my very first demo for the TS, so forgive me its visual crapness. ;)
ALL PRESENT AND CORRECT (12.2009, Timex/Spectrum 48K)
A new
game for ZX Spectrum /
TIMEX 2048 by Bob Smith.
Music by MISTER BEEP. Levels also by Graz & Andrew Owen.
Loading screen by Fikee.
8 CHANNELS DEMO (11.2009, TIMEX / SPECTRUM 48)
...and the same demo for ZX Spectrum with TR-DOS (thanks to Activator!!)
Music: MISTER BEEP, code: FACTOR6, graphix: TRIXS
ZX-7 editor was the most
powerful one (to 2011) because it got 8 software channels from the
hardware 1 channel.
The editor has no drums at all (only tones) however I managed to generate
drums-simulation in some songs.
I made it with some noises made of many dissonant tones (try to imagine hitting
piano's keyboard with your fists - that's the idea :) ). Generally it was close
to torture because I had to make every drum with about 6 tones. So you count the
drums now and multiply them by 6. ;) Only THEN I was able to compose the proper
songs. The drums themselves took me mostly one day of work then, hahaha. :)
In 1991 Jan Deak - the author of ZX-7 - thought that it's impossible to use ZX-7
songs in own programs because the songs required too big RAM space. So he made
no compiler for it. But 17 years later, the Atari XL/XE coder named XXL managed
to make a proper compiler, and Factor6 - with good compressing methodes -
managed to gather even 8 such songs in 48K memory.
ISORA (06.2009, ATARI XL/XE!!)
An isometric logic
game by XXL.
Graphic: Vidol
Beeper music - Mister Beep
Pokey music - Miker
One more co-production with guys from Atari XL/XE scene.
***THE MUSIC DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY ON EMULATORS!!*** REAL HARDWARE REQUIRED!!!!!!
BEEPER music can be played now also from 8-bit ATARI computers (from 6502 & GTIA chips - the second one is for... keyboard's click!! :) ) thanx to a cool coder-guy named XXL. :)
Now Atari-freaks can admire 1-bit music too! :-)
BEEP'EM ALL II (05.2009, ATARI XL/XE!!)
Another co-production with guys from Atari XL/XE scene, containing also my songs (among other 1-bit tunes).
***THE MUSIC DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY ON EMULATORS!!*** REAL HARDWARE REQUIRED!!!!!!
BEEPER music can be played now also from 8-bit ATARI computers (from 6502 & GTIA chips - the second one is for... keyboard's click!! :) ) thanx to a cool coder-guy named XXL. :)
Now Atari-freaks can admire 1-bit music too! :-)
W*H*B* (04.2009, Timex/Spectrum 48K)
An isometric logic
game by Bob Smith
Beeper music: Mister Beep
Levels: Jumping Stack, Karl Gillott, Mulder, ZnorXman, Bob Smith.
1-BIT ATTACK (11.2008, Timex/Spectrum 48K)
...and the same demo for ZX Spectrum with TR-DOS (thanks to Triebkraft)
BEEP'EM ALL! (11.2008, ATARI XL/XE!!!)
Co-production with several guys from ZX/TC & Atari.
***THE MUSIC DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY ON EMULATORS!!*** REAL HARDWARE REQUIRED!!!!!!
BEEPER music can be played now also from ATARI XL/XE (from 6502 & GTIA chips - the second one is for... keyboard's click!! :) ) thanx to a cool coder-guy named XXL. :) He ported "The Music Studio" zx-engine into Atari 8-bit. :) He's gooood! ;)
Now Atari-freaks can admire 1-bit music too! :-)
BEEPER DEMO (2006, Timex/Spectrum 48K)
MISTER BEEP – „SHPYON” (JANUARY 2006)
The song is 2-channels (including poor drums) BEEPER composition, made on The Music Studio editor, on Timex 48Kb
MISTER BEEP – “MANTRA” (JANUARY 2006)
You can find here 3 channels but without any drums (only tones). Made on Music Maestro, on Timex 48Kb
MISTER BEEP – “Escape from 16-Bit-Land” (JANUARY 2006)
3 channels (including really cool drums). Made on Orfeus Music Assembler, on Timex 48Kb
MISTER BEEP – “Music from the box” (JANUARY 2006)
2 channels of tone. Drums also are present but when drums are playing, nothing more can play on this program.
Which prog, you could ask. 2 editors used to make this song - The Music Box and Synthesizer KX-5. Still for Timex 48Kb.
MISTER BEEP – “System damage” (JANUARY 2006)
2 channels. Used software: The Music Studio and Loop Synthesizer. Machine – still the same. ;)
MISTER BEEP – “Evil laugh” (JANUARY 2006)
3 channels music and 1-bit sample! Soft used: Orfeus Music Assembler and Sampler. Hardware – as usual.
MISTER BEEP – “One Bit Sound” (JANUARY 2006)
2 channels song and 1 bit speech-synthesizer! Made on programs: The Music Box and Sintetizador De Voz, on Timex of course.
MISTER BEEP – “CPU's Explosion” (JANUARY 2006)
8 channels song, only tones, no drums. The 3,5Mhz CPU was working to death while playing this tune. ;)
This time I used software: ZX-7 Polyphonic Musical Instrument, Virtual Synthesiser and some stolen routine in machine code. Everything on Timex 48Kb.
MISTER BEEP – “Single Jingle” (JANUARY 2006)
It’s not a real song, it’s rather something like short jingle. 3 channels, including drums. Innovations: kinda 1-bit filters on the beginning (made on Loop Synthesizer). But that’s not all. Theoretically it’s impossible to make any envelopes, delays and stuff in case of one-bit sound. Surprisingly Music Synth program allows to make them.
The problem is, false notes and detuning are everywhere in the prog. You can hear them also in this song. (Whatta pity). For outro I used KX-5 too.
MISTER BEEP – “Play, Beeper, play!” (FEBRUARY 2006)
3 channels (including drums). This time I used again Orfeus Music Assembler
and also made a small routine in BASIC (with BEEP commands).
As Orfeus has some envelopes (not editable ‘though) I made attempt to do a delay effect in 1-bit music. Sounds pretty cool.
MISTER BEEP – “Digital World” (FEBRUARY 2006)
Believe or not: real ONE BIT SAMPLES, real digital music from BEEPER!!!
MOD for BEEPER? Almost. :) You can find here 3 digital channels of 1-bit music. Program SAMPLE-TRACKER requires only 48Kb of RAM and... BEEPER of course. :) So you can make MOD-like songs for your hardcore configuration!!! ;) Hardware: Timex Computer 48Kb of course.
MISTER BEEP - "FREAK (Play, Beeper, play! part II )
MISTER BEEP - "A CRAZY BOY IS JUMPING" (APRIL 2006)
A song dedicated to Pinokio/Tristesse (Atari XL/XE), as he loves this engine (which is ZX-7 Polyphonic Musical Instrument but this time I used only 5 channels). A sample on the beginning is made with Sampler program. Anyway - enjoy!
MISTER BEEP - "KICK THE DRUMS" (APRIL 2006)
Once again I used ZX-7 Polyphonic Musical Instrument. This time I tried to generate some drums on this program (that doesn't allow to make such noises!!) And... I succeeded!!! :) Although I used all 8 virtual channels for music and the drums. 3,5 Mhz CPU and 1-bit sound-generator are enuff!! :)
MISTER BEEP - "COMPLICATIONS" (APRIL 2006)
Orig. by DANKO (Amiga
500). This is 1-bit version of the famous MOD song. :)
Editors/Processors used in the
song: The Music Box, The Music Studio, Orfeus Music Assembler.
All mixed to one song in a
play-routine made in BASIC. :)
MISTER BEEP - "RUN MAD" (APRIL / MAY 2006)
As
usual - it's one bit generator from TIMEX 48Kb computer. This time - in some
places of the song - I made...
A 1-bit REVERB! :) Not on the whole tune (it
would be too weary) but anyway... it IS. ;) Software I used was The Music Studio
and Synthesizer KX-5. Well... enjoy!
MISTER BEEP - "WHO'S THAT ROBOT?" (a bit delayed song - APRIL 2006)
The song has been made using Timex 48Kb computer with its 1-bit sound system (which stands for BEEPER :) ).
Software used: The Music Studio and Sintetizador De Voz. Two channels.
MISTER BEEP - "I BRING YOU FLOWERS" (MAY / JUNE 2006)
This time I used Drum Machine (a 1-bit and 1-channel program that is able to generate various drum-like noices and put them into its on-board sequencer) and The Music Studio to make main part of the music. Once again I made some experiments with delay and I surmounted one bit limitations again - the cool delay works. ;) Enjoy the song!
MISTER BEEP - "File Not Found" (JUNE 2006)
This song has been inspired by famous ZX Spectrum game's music: "AnoGaia" by Andy Mills. It's title is: "File Not Found". :) For intro I used ALBERT EINSTEIN DRUMS (one-bit drum-machine) and for main part of music I used 3-Channel Synthesiser.
MISTER BEEP - "Unbearable bee" (FEBRUARY 2008)
One more 1-bit synthesis 8-channels song, this time recorder not from TIMEX 2048, but from its twin-brother
ZX Spectrum 48Kb. Software used: ZX-7 and my new asset - OPUS 1.
MISTER BEEP - "Living in a fuse box" (MARCH 2008)
Well, it's just a short toying with OPUS 1 software synthesizer for TIMEX 48Kb and with The Music Studio.
MISTER BEEP - "1-bit is enuff!!" (FEBRUARY/MARCH 2008)
A digital song made on SampleTracker, for 1-bit Spectrum music-compo of FOREVER 2008 party.
MISTER BEEP - "Kaerlek vid brunnen" (MARCH 2008)
It's 1-bit cover of chiptune made by musician named... ZX81. :-) He uses Amiga and Atari ST for his music though. ;)
This song has been made on Orfeus Music Assembler.
MISTER BEEP - "MACHINES' ESCAPE" (MARCH 2008)
A 2-channels song made on The Music Box, for 1-bit Spectrum music-compo of FOREVER 2008 party.
MISTER BEEP - "LOGOS Part One" (APRIL 2008)
It's 1-bit cover of Tangerine Dream's great song. :)
Made with TIMEX COMPUTER 2048 (as usual) and software: Orfeus Music Assembler &
Synthesizer KX-5.
MISTER BEEP & TDM/AY-RIDERS - "INSANE ORGANIST" (NOVEMBER 2008)
This is a co-production with TDM. ;)
I used Orfeus Music Assembler and Virtual Synthesiser. TDM used Tim Follin's 3-channels engine but there is no eidtor for the engine so he had to type instructions in assmebler. :) Real hardcore.
This song has at most 3 channels and various envelopes and synthetic instruments. No drums this time as we wanted to make it in style of classic ZX songs (don't know why but chiptunes without drums were pretty popular in ZX games, in 80s).
MISTER BEEP - "ATARI CAN DO IT TO! ;) " (NOVEMBER 2008)
This is another my annoying 1-bit chiptune. :) But there is a story behind this one. ;) The tune is made on
TIMEX COMPUTER 2048 but the main part can
be played also from ATARI XL/XE (from 6502 & GTIA chips - the second one is
for... keyboard's click!! :) ) thanx to a cool coder-guy named XXL. :) He ported
"The Music Studio" zx-engine into Atari 8-bit. :) He's gooood! ;)
Now
Atari-freaks can admire 1-bit music too! :-) Therefore this tune is dedicated to
all Atari XL/XE users. :)
This time, apart from The Music Studio, I used also two Z80 speech-synthesizers:
Sintetizador De Voz and SoundCom S-Synth.
MISTER BEEP - "Romantic Central Processing Unit" (DECEMBER 2008)
This time something 'softer' (maybe because of oncoming
Christmas? ;) ).
This is kind of '1-bit chiptune ballad' and as you know - music on ZX 48K is
being played by its Z80 CPU. Because of these reasons I entitled this tune "Romantic
Central Processing Unit". :) :) :)
It has 2 channels at most but I used to say that songs made on "Music Box" have
only 1,5 of channel. :) It's because when tones play - you have 2 chnls but when
drums are playing - nothing more can, so then it's only 1 chnl. That's why
actually the tune has not full 2 channels of sound. ;) Making such music reminds
me embroidering a tapestry or a carpet: you must put sounds among lonely drums.
;) Kind of back-breaking work but can be done. ;)
Software used: Orfeus Music Assembler and The Music Box.
Btw, this time it's rather a simple tune but I noticed it can glue into your
brain. ;)
PS: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to ALL! :)
MISTER BEEP - "A crazy boy is jumping - part 2" (JANUARY 2009)
Z80 chip strikes once again. ;) This time it's a second
part of my previous song. Soft used: Virtual Synthesiser for a short intro, ZX-7
Polyphonic Musical Instrument for the main composition. The last mentioned prog
has 8 channels but it has no drums. In this case I simulated drums with some
noises made of many dissonanced tones (try to imagine hitting piano's keyboard
with your fists - that's the idea :) ).
Recorded from Timex Computer 2048.
MISTER BEEP - "A piece of disaster" (JANUARY 2009)
I like this song especially. I made in on ZX-7 editor. This time it's in style of celtic/art-rock and reminds me songs like "StarTip2" by Tim Follin or "Power Pyramids" by Andy Brown. I hope you like it. Recorded from Timex of course.
MISTER BEEP - "Cosmic Escape" (FEBRUARY 2009)
As I always say - you don't need Amiga 500 is you already have ZX Spectrum 48K.
Another tune to prove it. ;) It's a digital 3-channels song in style of KOTO/LaserDance, made on Sample-Tracker 2.0.
A chiptune intro has been made on GarageBEEP 1-channel editor by Andrew Owen.
Btw, it took 4th place on Atari XL/XE music compo in March 2009. ;) (YES: I wrote "ATARI"! ;) ). Thanks for voting, guys!
MISTER BEEP - "MINE IS TWICE BIGGER! ;)" *TWO beepers!* (MAY 2009)
This 1-bit chiptune has been made on
*two* ZX Spectrums 48K (Timex) playing simultanously. :)
It gave me 6 channels of sound (4 channels of tones and 2 channels of drums).
It's totally first test of such an idea so I wasn't experiment with stereo this
time (it would be possible but more difficult to mix both Spectrums).
Sometimes I used additional channels to make more "wide/deep" 1-bit sound (all
channels plays different notes) but sometimes I used them to achieve effects of
reverb/delay - then you can hear 2 tones and drums but with additional effects
and evnvelopes, as you can notice.
Also I can state that making one half of a chiptune and THEN another half - is a
pain in the ass. ;)
This is kind of a new approach to ZX48K music, I hope you like the experiment.
:)
PS: Actually it's possible to get such an effect on one Spectrum - in Tim
Follin's music engine - but there is no editor for it so I had to use this funny
way. :)
MISTER BEEP - "MONOPHONIC GENERATOR" (2009)
1-bit chiptune/digital music album published by German independent music-label BERLIN HQ
Tracklist:
01. Mister Beep - Ohm Sweet Ohm (Kraftwerk)
Sintetizador De Voz and Orfeus Music Assembler
3 channels of sound (2 tones plus drums). The editor has several envelopes, also
I often use two the same (or two slightly different) tones simultaneously to
obtain more interesting instruments. Sometimes it's really hard to do. :)
02. Mister Beep - Alpha (Vangelis)
Sonido 48K and The Music Box
It has 2 channels of sound at most but I used to say that songs made on "Music
Box" have only 1,5 of channel. :) It's because when tones play then you have 2
chnls, but when drums are playing - nothing more can, so then it's only 1 chnl.
That's why actually the tune has not full 2 channels of sound. ;) Like I said
before, making such music reminds me embroidering a tapestry or a carpet: you
must put sounds among lonely drums. ;) Kind of back-breaking work but can be
done. ;) Also, to achieve delay and reverb effect that you can notice (it's
normally impossible on this editor) I put two the same tones simultaneously
which gives me 2 levels of volume and better depth of sound.
03. Mister Beep - Logos Part 1 (Tangerine Dream)
Synthesizer KX-5 and Orfeus Music Assembler
3 channels of sound (2 tones plus drums). As I wrote above, the editor has
several envelopes, also I often use two the same (or two slightly different)
tones simultaneously to obtain more interesting instruments. Also in this way I
can achieve delay effect (with 2 levels of volume).
04. Mister Beep - Dom w Dolinie Mgiel (Marek Bilinski)
Sonido 48K and The Music Studio
It has 2 channels but here drums can work along with one channel of tones which
makes the work a little bit easier. Also I still can use tricks described above
(with 2 levels of volume and additional envelopes).
05. Mister Beep - Kometenmelodie 2 (Kraftwerk)
Sonido 48K and Orfeus Music Assembler
3 channels of sound (2 tones plus drums). Rest like above.
06. Mister Beep - Ucieczka z tropiku (Marek Bilinski)
NoiseFX Machine Code Sound Effects and ZX-7 Polyphonic Musical Instrument
This is an 8-channels engine although this time I used not more than 6 voices (I
didn't feel like I needed all powers here). It has only tones, no drums. Drums
can be done by some special tricks but then sound might be kinda noisy, so I
resigned this time.
07. Mister Beep - SLL3 (SLL)
Orfeus Music Assembler
3 channels of sound (2 tones plus drums). Really hard additional work with
mixing tones (like I described above) to get this typical "fluent" Spectrum48
sound which I like the most from 80s games. :)
08. Factor6 - The Robots (Kraftwerk) /BONUS TRACK/
Hlas and The Music Studio
2 channels, where drums can work along with one channel of tones.
09. Mister Beep - Cosmic Escape /BONUS TRACK/
Sample Tracker 2.0 and GarageBEEP
The only MOD-like music here. 3 channels of fully digital sound. All samples
must fit in about 35Kb of RAM. :) But can be done. ;) The chiptune-intro has
been made on GarageBEEP 1-channel editor, for really hardcore fans of Speccy48
music (1 channel, square wave only ;) ).
MISTER BEEP - "3-channels Insanity" (OCTOBER 2009)
Wow! I was beeing tortured by Music Synth from 1989 and suddenly... ;)
Russian coder (and musician) Shiru made a new - NORMAL - version of the Music Synth! :) Made in 2009!
3 channels, many levels of volume, freely editable envelopes, delays - and everything in a tracker form! :)
This is a song made in a new version of Music Synth. Intro has been made in
'Sintetizador de Efectos Sonoros Acusticos' program. Enjoy!
MISTER BEEP - "1-bit Chase" (OCTOBER 2009)
Another song made in Music Synth 48K S.E. - an excellent BEEPER editor made by Shiru.
You can fine here, like above, 3 channels, many levels of volume, freely editable envelopes and delays.
Intro has been made in NoiseFX program.
MISTER BEEP - "Less bit - more fun!" (NOVEMBER 2009)
I used two pieces of Z80 software: a beeper speach-synthesizer TextSpeak for the intro and Orfeus Music Assembler for the music (3 channels: 2 tones plus drums). :) Recorded as usual from Timex Computer 2048.
MISTER BEEP - "Clock Mechanism" (NOVEMBER 2009)
This time I used a Virtual Synthesiser for intro and ZX-7
Polyphonic Musical Instrument for the main song.
The song can be interesting because ZX-7 has no drums at all. However I wanted
it to have drums, haha. :) I *forced* it! ;) Some time ago I made some ZX-7
tunes with drums but this time I wanted to make some song with more complicated
drums simulation. So here it is.
Like before, I simulated drums with some noises made of many dissonant tones (try
to imagine hitting piano's keyboard with your fists - that's the idea :) ).
Generally it was close to torture because I had to make every drum with about 6
tones. So you count the drums now and multiply them by 6. ;) Only THEN I was
able to compose the proper song. The drums themselves took me one day of work
then, hahaha. :)
Recorded from Timex Computer 2048.
MISTER BEEP - Jump to next platform! (Part 1) (DECEMBER 2009)
Some more 1-bit noises again. ;) This is music made for a platform-game "Heart Stealer". It might sound like 3 channels but this engine is actually 2-channels only. I just put sounds very densely to cheat human ears. ;) Also in every empty space I had to put bass twice to boost it. Originally ZX/TC has only one channels so the more additional channels added (software mixing) the less bass, therefore it was kind of tricky. I used programs: The Music Studio and DK TRONICS Sound FX (the second one for ZX Spectrum 16K! :) ).
MISTER BEEP - Jump to next platform! (Part 2) (MARCH 2010)
This is the second part of the previous song. For so-called: "level complete" situation, for the same ZX game. I used two music programs this time: The Music Studio and Virtual Synthesiser.
MISTER BEEP - Where the hell is volume control?!? (MAY 2010)
Well, 1-bit generators have many limitations. We all who
use them, we try to overcome the limitations. But you can't jump higher over
your own dick - a rule of physics.
This time I used 3-channel music engine called MusicSynth (in its the best
version "T.E" made by Shiru). The engine is powerful and you can find here
interesting 1-bit synthesis examples as well as simulation of volume,
implemented on tones' generators (normally there's no volume in 1-bit sound at
all).
Despite of the above, still the engine has absolutely no volume control over the
drums. Annoying but true. Hence the title. ;) Of course I could make a song
without the drums but then dynamic of the song is none. So I used it after all,
however I'm not very pleased of the chiptune.
Well, probably that's some twisted charm of using old, vintage and limited
hardware, isn't it? ;) To try to overcome numerous limitations? :)
MISTER BEEP - "Synchronized Machines" *TWO beepers!* (MAY 2010)
OK then, the next year, the next May. So - this another 1-bit chiptune that has been made on *two* ZX Spectrums 48K (Timex) playing simultanously. :) This time - ZX BEEPERS IN STEREO!! :) Not the last such song, surely. :)
A cross-platform 1-bit "Beepola" tracker appeared (by
Ccowley), emulating ZX Spectrum's BEEPER on Windows. The tracker can use an
original BEEPER engine from "Fire Fly" (different than the one from Orfeus!!)
and several more.
I wanted to make something more serious with the new utility, so I made this
song - two BEEPERs playing stereo, simultanously. 6
channels (4 tones, 2 drums-channels). Both "halfs" of the song have been
recorded from
Timex Computer 2048, synchronized to one initial tone (that
was deleted after a proper sync set up).
In opposite to ZX-7 engine, this one plays bass louder and higher tones - more
silent. In addition to that - the second channel plays sounds a little bit
louder then the first one. Because of that and because of taking 2 different
recordings and combining composition in a special way, I was able to achieve
something like almost a real volume control. Enjoy the song. :)
MISTER BEEP - Massive Implosion (JUNE 2010)
Another 1-bit chiptune. This time I tried again to do something in Tim Follin's famous style (however only in 3 channels :( ). Intro has been made with Sonido48 and the main song - with Shiru's Music-Synth TE. This BEEPER engine is very powerful because it alowes to make various envelopes and volumes (that is normally impossible on the BEEPER) but it has some troubles with a proper tunning. Luckily there is a possibility to tune every single note/sound manually and in this tune I had to tune manually most sounds, hahaha. :) Now - that's troublesome! :) Anyways. If blackmetal/viking bands used Spectrum48 - they would sound like this. :) With greetings to Derris-Kharlan. :) :)
MISTER BEEP - Sonido Electronico (JUNE 2010)
Again: the intro has been made with Sonido48 and the main
song - with Shiru's Music-Synth TE.
However this time I used the "manual tunning" option to achieve new insteresting
instrument with nice 1-bit synthesis (a solution suggested by Shiru himself).
That sounds really better than original MS TE instruments.
MISTER BEEP - Binary Universe (JULY 2010)
Another minimal lo-fi track from me. Made using Loop Synthesizer and The Music Studio. Two channels only so - binary. :) Also I wrote this track for "Binary" platform-game for ZX Spectrum 48K
Recorded as usual from Timex Computer 2048. Enjoy. ;)
PS: Warning - like somebody said, the song likes to glue in people's mind.
MISTER BEEP - Nebula Fight (JUNE/JULY 2010)
This is my new chiptune (supposedly it has won the DiHalt 2010 party), made for ZX Spectrum 48K of course. I used two programs: Virtual Synthesiser for a short intro and Phaser1 (by Shiru) for the main song. Another example that Z80 chip can sound however you program it to sound. This time - it sounds like the SID from Commodore 64. :)
Recorded - as usual - from real hardware.
MISTER BEEP - Greetings to C64 (JULY 2010)
Another chiptune song composed by me in Phaser1 editor capable of playing music in SID style on Z80 chip.
3 channels, including digital drums. And everything - only ONE BIT! :)
Recorded from real hardware of course.
MISTER BEEP - The LO_west FI_delity" (2010)
Micromusic in 2 channels.
1-bit chiptune music album published by German independent music-label BERLIN HQ (thanks again).
Tracklist:
01. MISTER BEEP - Horace's Adventure
02. MISTER BEEP - The 90s have never come here!
03. MISTER BEEP - Binary Universe
04. MISTER BEEP - Press the corresponding number
05. MISTER BEEP - The game is over
06. MISTER BEEP - Romantic Central Processing Unit
07. MISTER BEEP - Pacman will eat you alive!
08. MISTER BEEP - One Bit Sound
09. MISTER BEEP - In the Mystic Woods
10. irrlicht project - L'autre valse d'Amélie (BONUS TRACK)
11. irrlicht project - Another Music Studio Hit (BONUS TRACK)
Info:
This time only 80s music-editors has been used while making my music.
The songs are really oldschool 2-channels chiptunes with 1-bit quality of sound
(no envelopes, no volumes even). Generated by Z80 chip, played through ULA chip
and recorded from real hardware.
The chiptunes have been composed with use
of two classic Spectrum48 programs:
The Music Studio (1989)
Music from this editor might sound like 3 channels but the engine is in fact
2-channels only. I just put sounds very densely to cheat human ears. Also, in
every empty space one should put bass twice to boost it (originally ZX/TC has
only one channel so the more additional channels added - software mixing - the
less bass) therefore making music on it is kind of tricky. Only notation, only
linear editing, no copying, no patterns, no nothing. ;)
The Music Box (1985)
It has 2 channels max. but I used to say that songs made on Music Box have only
1,5 of channel. It's because when tones play - you have 2 chnls but when drums
are playing - nothing more can play, so then it's only 1 chnl to use. That's why
actually Music Box tunes have not full 2 channels of sound. Like I wrote once,
making such music reminds embroidering a tapestry or a carpet: you must put
sounds among lonely drums. Kind of backbreaking work but can be done. Like above:
only notation, only linear editing, no copying, no patterns, no nothing. ;)
Also:
intros for the songs have been made with
other 80s sound-programs for ZX: “NoiseFX Machine Code Sound Effects”, “Percy
The Rhythm Interpreter”, “Albert Einstein Drums”, “Sonido 48K”, “Loop
Synthesizer”, “Sintetizador De Voz “ and “Orfeus Music Assembler”.
MISTER BEEP - The Ninth Fighter-Ship (FEBRUARY 2011)
Another step in a world of ZX Spectrum 48K and its BEEPER music.
That's my very first song made with OCTODE engine that makes from a single BEEPER: 8 tones + drums!! :) So we have 9 audible software-channels from one hardware channel of Z80 chip!!! It's A LOT of work for the chip, so the engine has sometimes problems with tunning, however it has been mostly repaired already by the engine's programmist - Shiru.
Anyway, it makes the OCTODE the most powerful engine in 1-bit world.
It works on every ZX Spectrum, starting from the ZX48K. The engine has not so big selectivity but instead it can make a very powerful sound-wall, well-known from the best Tim Follin's 1-bit songs.
Recorded from real hardware.
*NEW* MISTER BEEP - Psionic activity (MARCH 2011)
That's my second song for ZX48 made with OCTODE - 9 channels engine for a single BEEPER
(8 tones + 'interrupting' drums, to be exact).
Recorded from real hardware.
*NEW* MISTER BEEP - Spring is coming (MARCH 2011)
That's my third song for ZX48 made with OCTODE - 9 channels engine for a single BEEPER.
It ends a bit suddenly but everything indicates my song "ate" all the 48K RAM of ZX.
So I gave the "fade out" on the end. Ah well.
This time I wanted to make something more melodical and cheerful, using the engine. Hm.
Recorded from real hardware.
*NEW* MISTER BEEP - The nuthouse (MARCH 2011)
To take some rest from ZX multichannel chiptunes, I used another Shiru's new 'child' - he also reverse-engineered a well-known oldschool 3-channels engine by Lyndon Sharp. I like the sound, so I quickly made
an attempt to use it. That's how it went. The engine has expressive sound and many cool drums.
The song appeared in "Sid Spanners 3" ZX platform-game by Digital Prawn
*NEW* MISTER BEEP - Galactic coursing (MARCH 2011)
This is my first song made with QChan engine (programmed by Shiru again).
The engine has 5 channels, envelopes and volumes.
This song is kind of melodical and dynamic stuff for a game, however in the middle
it contains also kind of a calm ballade. Enjoy. :)
*NEW* MISTER BEEP - Triton and mermaid (MARCH 2011)
Another 'first attempt'. This time I was testing new Shiru's engine (YES - HE MADE IT AGAIN! ;) ) named Tritone.
The engine's name is a joke because it provides _three tone_ ;) channels plus one track for drums
(which gives 4 channels from a single beeper). Also it gives various modulations and volumes
plus very rich base of drums.
MISTER BEEP - "A thousand furious bees" (2011)
1-bit chiptune music album published by Italian independent music-label COUCOU.
Tracklist:
01. MISTER BEEP - Psionic activity
02. MISTER BEEP - Love Quest
03. MISTER BEEP - White-hot iron
04. MISTER BEEP - Bee-Droids attack!
05. MISTER BEEP - Galactic coursing
06. MISTER BEEP - Carry out your duty!
07. MISTER BEEP - The ninth fighter-ship
08. MISTER BEEP - The prince’s return
09. MISTER BEEP - A thousand furious bees
10. MISTER BEEP - Spring is coming
Info:
After my previous minimal chiptune album - 2 channels only - I decided to make on my ZX Spectrum 48Kb something as developed as possible with the machine.
I must admit I'm pretty proud to give you my the newest album containing 10 multichannel 1-bit chiptunes, having from 5 to 9 channels.
Original idea was to make 6-channels chiptunes playing from 2 synchronized Spectrums (3 channels from each ZX, using Special FX engine).
I managed to make 4 such songs but meanwhile it appeared that Shiru programmed several totally new BEEPER engines: they were highly powerful and capable of playing even
NINE channels from a single ZX Spectrum 48K.
Therefore finally you can find here:
- 4 stereo songs made on two synchronized Spectrums (Special FX engine, 2 x 3 channels)
- 5 mono songs coming from a single Spectrum (Octode engine; 9 channels)
- 1 mono song coming from a single Spectrum (QChan engine, 5 channels).
Like I used to say, mostly I don't make actual chiptunes - I just make music on a soundchip. :)
Hence, generally this album is in art-rock style (called 'progressive rock' sometimes), because the most well-known gamesongs from 80s from Spectrum48 were kept in this genre, and they have been written mostly by Tim Follin.
Anyways. Because of that, I would like to dedicate my album to Tim Follin, as he was the best 1-bit musician on ZX Spectrum 48K in 80s.
Z80 chip can actually generate whichever sound however ZX fans prefer mostly the characteristic Follin's sound (hard to stand for other 8bit computers' users :) :) ) and because we have a lot of accessible channels, our chiptunes remind mostly something like a furious swarm of hornets or bees. ;)
Now you can guess where the title came from. ;)
And believe me, real ZX48 fans would have _never_ exchanged 'Z80 swarm' sound to anything else. :)
From the 'technical' side..
Normally 1-bit sound from ZX consists only of a square (more/less) wave tone without any volumes, without any white noises - simply just beeps. However we use various software-synthesizers called "sound engines". Technical details about the engines are as follows:
- SpecialFX gives me 2 channels of tones + one track of drums. It is PWM-synthesis based (PulseWidthModulation) and it has various envelopes, setup of drums and 2 steps of volume: one channel is louder than another. With clever composing you can get even delays and echoes, which is normally impossible on 1bit sound. This engine keeps tempo perfectly, so I was able to synchronize two ZX Spectrums and have more channels +
stereo.
- QChan gives 4 channels of tones + one track of drums. Its possibilities are in general similar to the above engine however it's more powerful because - except mentioned envelopes - it has almost twice more channels and also more steps of volume (16 - you can chose from them to place the volumes for every tone-channel).
- Octode is the most powerful 1-bit engine contemporary. It gives 8 channels of tones + one track of drums. 9 channels is a huge effort for Spectrum's Z80 CPU, so the engine can make detunes sometimes. It's not easy to compose music without false notes here, however it is possible. It has an additional feature - tunning command E5x. It changes the notes' frequency and can be used for achieving more interesting 'fat' instruments. I use it often as it gives me some slightly detuned pads, like from analogue synthesizers.
Huge thanks go to contemporary programmists making new 1-bit software (or hacking the old one) for ZX composing: Shiru, Ccowley, XXL, FrankT.
Also to the classic programmer - Jonathan 'Joffa' Smith (R.I.P.) - who designed Special FX engine.
Enjoy the swarm.
You have been stung.
*NEW* MISTER BEEP - "Z80" (2012)
1-bit chiptune music album published by UK independent music-label Kittenrock.
Tracklist:
01. MISTER BEEP - 1 bit synthetic
02. MISTER BEEP - Save the Kingdom
03. MISTER BEEP - Spiral space Part Z
04. MISTER BEEP - Noises Part 1
05. MISTER BEEP - Greetings to C64
06. MISTER BEEP - Enemies from outer constellation
07. MISTER BEEP - Spiral space Part Y
08. MISTER BEEP - Triton and mermaid
09. MISTER BEEP - Noises Part 2
10. Factor6 - Firefly’s Revenge (guest song)
11. irrlicht project - What’s dat fuzz (guest song)
Info:
Hi. This is my the 4th album. As usual, entirely made for ZX Spectrum 48K (all recorded from real hadrware).
No any special assumptions this time. Maybe just to show how diverse Spectrum48 sounds. Therefor I used many various beeper engines, with various sounding, possibilities etc.
Engines used:
- OCTODE (9 channels)
- QCHAN (5 channels)
- TRITONE (4 channels)
- PHASER 1 (3 channels)
- LS (3 channels)
- Special_FX (3 channels)
- Huby (2 channels)
As a music instrument, Spectrum48 has limitless abilities, and every engine sounds different, which is unparalleled in comparison
to other 8-bit computers.
That's because all the music is actually generated by Spectrum's CPU - Z80 chip - that produces all sounds and sends them into beeper and audio-out connector of ZX Spectrum (jack) through 1-bit transducer - ULA chip.
Sometimes it does it better, sometimes - worse. ;) The "Noise" series songs for instance have been made on Huby engine, constructed especially for ZX-game designers (outcome file is very small and doesn't take too much of RAM) and this one makes - indeed - a lot of _noises_, which is audible on recordings. ;)
Anyways. Most of these songs come actually from numerous games I made music for. Yes, yes - people still make many new ZX-games. :) You can also find my tunes in computer-scene demos.
This time I have two guests on my album.
"Firefly's Revenge" song has been composed by Factor6 (Czech) of AY-RIDERS band.
"What's dat fuzz" song has been composed by irrlicht project (Germany).
GUEST SONGS:
Voxel - My soul crying (two beepers) July 2010
A very cool ballad made for 2 Spectrums, in Beepola editor.
Shiru - River City Rancor (June 2010)
A great 1-bit song made in Beepola tracker.
Shiru - Streets of Rain (May 2010)
Made in Beepola tracker.
irrlichtproject - phazzurro (April 2010)
A cool stuff made on Phaser 1 tracker.
Ccowley - Cars /Cover of Gary Numan/ (2010)
A cool cover made on Beepola Tracker by its own author. :)
Ccowley - Chuck Rock /Cover/ (2010)
A cool cover made on Beepola Tracker by its own author. :)
Shiru - Butterfly Catcher (May 2010)
A nice song made on Beepola Tracker.
Shiru - Formation X (May 2010)
A cool song made on Beepola Tracker.
Shiru - Fase Tres (2010)
Shiru made this music on his own 1-bit music tracker for ZX Spectrum / Timex Computer - "Phaser 1".
This engine has 3 channels (two tones + digital and synthetic drums) and incredible synthesis sounding like a SID chip.
Again we can notice that the only limitation of Z80 chip - is mind of programmer. :)
Shiru - Fase Uno (2010)
Like above. Great music, astonishing BEEPER engine.
Shiru - Fase Dos (2010)
Like above. Great music, astonishing BEEPER engine.
Factor6 - Squeeker (2009)
A 4-channels chiptune made in Zilog's engine "Squeeker".
Factor6 - SnakeMania (2009)
Like above.
New F6 song recorded from ZX Spectrum 128+ (Music Box & Kecal Speech Synthesizer)
One more new song by F6, a cover of KRAFTWERK. Recorded from ZX Spectrum 128+ (Music Studio & Hlas speech synthesizer)
Another F6 song recorded from ZX Spectrum 128+ (Music Box & Spectrum Sound Compiler)
That's a cover of Eurhytmics, made with The Music Box and recorded from Timex Computer 2048.
Andrew as usual squeezed The Music Box to make more channels. :-)
This is a song made for FOREVER 8bit party 2008 1-bit music compo. The chiptune has been made on ZX Spectrum and recorded from TIMEX 2048. The peculiarity is, that this sound-engine was originally made by Tim Follin. After about 20 years Czech coder POKE disassembled the engine to find how to make music in it nowadays. And - here is the first result. :) From 1-bit and 1 channel of square wave sound we have 3 channels as well as interesting envelopes and synthetic instruments. :)
Factor6 - Beeporgy (March 2008)
A beeper song made on The Music Studio, for 1-bit Spectrum music-compo of FOREVER 2008 party. Made on ZX Spectrum and recorded from Timex 2048.
psb/halloween^triumph - TAP MUSIC (from DiHalt 2007 party)
An incredible thing. The guy CODED ZX Spectrum to SAVE program on tape in rhytmical & melodical way! :)
What you hear is ZX Spectrum saving its program in musical way. :)
Dioniso (Alfonso D.C.) - BEEPERTRON (2007)
It's a cool 1-bit chiptune made on MSX computer. :)
ZILOG – “Jet Set Willy – the cover”
That’s a great BEEPER song made by a cool Czech guy, named ZILOG. He’s mostly a coder/programmer, and he coded this 1-bit and 4 channels engine ZX Spectrum by himself (!!!). Then he wrote this music – a cover of famous song from Atari XL/XE game.
Sadly he was to lazy to make a proper editor for his engine ;) (he wrote the JSW cover using some strange commands, he’s a freak!! ;) ) so sadly I’m not freak-enough to use his great BEEPER engine.
Factor6 – “Good Old 48K” (FEBRUARY 2006)
This time AY-RIDERS chiptune-band’s member made a song on ZX SPECTRUM 48Kb and its BEEPER. :)
Program used: The Music Box.
2 channels (no drums used).
One Bit Chiptune, made on ZX SPECTRUM 48Kb and its BEEPER. This music-editor/processor (Music Box) allowes to use only 2 channels. How Andrew did manage to play 4!!?? I have no idea. Respect!! Also you can find here experiments with sounds' volumes (which is formally impossible on 1-bit music, as you know).