February 3rd, 2016
New ZX Spectrum Beeper Engine: wtfx
In my search for a more accurate, distortion-free PCM wavetable playback on the ZX beeper, I’ve come up with a new engine. Named “wtfx”, the routine mixes 2 channels with 4 volume levels each at a blazing 17.5 KHz. This time, I’ve followed the advice by introspec and implemented 8t output alignment in order to work around the Spectrum’s I/O contention issue. wtfx also features tick-based effects, meaning you can change pitch and instrument settings within a row of song data. Unfortunately this means there is will be no XM converter for this engine, and until the routine is implemented in a proper editor, the only way to make music with it is to code it by hand, in assembly. So, it’s more of a tech-demo than an actual music making package. For now, you can watch a short demonstration video, view the source code on github, download the package for further inspection, and upvote the entry on pouet.
January 31st, 2016
irrlicht project featured on IOUT Open Mixtape 2015
I’m pleased to announce that my ZX Spectrum track “Showdown” is featured on the brand-new Interpretation Of Universal Transmissions’ Open Mixtape 2015 compilation, which was released yesterday. The special thing about this compilation is that each of the artists was also asked to submit a few thoughts in writing. So, if you’re interested, read my latest rantings on 1-bit music. Anyway, stream and/or download the compilation on IOUT’s bandcamp.
January 22nd, 2016
Website Version 5.0 Launched
More than five years after the last major overhaul of this website, it was about time for a new irrlichtproject.de layout. As I have since adopted “Digital Minimalism” as my artistic credo, a minimalistic layout seemed appropriate. The new site has been hand-coded from scratch, like all the previous versions.
read more...January 13th, 2016
XM Converter for Squeeker Beeper Routine
Making an XM converter for Zilogat0r’s infamous Squeeker 1-bit routine has been on my to-do list for a long time. I absolutely love the sound of this four channel ZX Spectrum routine and it’s unique synthesis core, but so far the rather cumbersome BASIC editor by Factor6, which was the only available interface until now, has put me off actually doing some music with it. Now I finally got around to making an XM converter for it. It’s based on the 2012 version of the routine (the original having been written back in 2000) and uses a new data format of my own design, which is less memory efficient than the original, but loads faster and allows in-tune tempo changes. Download the converter here.
January 10th, 2016
New Track for DiHalt Lite Beeper Music Competition
Managed to finish a new ZX Spectrum beeper music track, just in time for the 1-bit music compo at DiHalt Lite 2016. Decided to give my own quattropic sound driver a whirl this time. I actually came in second in an overall very strong competition, so thanks to everybody who voted for me! The track is called “Frozen Flames”, you can stream/grab it for free on the official vote page as long as it’s still online.
December 28th, 2015
New Doppelplusungut Album Ready
The same procedure as every year James… At the end of the year, tradition requires that I meet up with DJ dat zekt to record a new album for our trash-punk project Doppelplusungut. The new album contains 28 tracks (plus the obligatory “hidden” bonus material) with a wide range of styles ranging from Blues to Speedcore, made on an even wider range of mostly obscure instruments. This year’s setup even included a refrigerator. Of course Doppelplusungut’s trademark multi-dimensional space radio play epos is continued as well. Amazingly, we finished the whole thing in just three weeks, including production of the initial run of 50 CD-Rs. As usual, the album is only available through personal contact, or via a certain record store in Berlin.
November 11th, 2015
Computer Music in 1949?
As some of you know, researching the origins of computer music is one of my long-running side projects. Earlier this year, I was able to confirm that the first public demonstration of computer music had in fact taken place a few months before the events surrounding the Australian CSIRAC machine in 1951. Now however, I’ve discovered a spectacular source that pushes the date back as far as the year 1949. read more on Ancient Wonderworld…