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MyAtari Magazine

I am a monthly contributer to the on-line MyAtari magazine. Below you will find links to my past articles covering many applications. I tend to review programs that are not well known in order to bring them to the public's attention. It has been a rewarding experience.The actual programs are also downloadable as it is an on-line magizine. MyAtari are still looking for contributers. Check out the contributer page on the main site.

An Atari MIDI Studio
Recently a friend came over to my studio and decided to bring his digital camera with him. He took a variety of pictures. After reviewing the collection, I thought it might make a good subject for an article to depict a home project studio with descriptions and methods on how it all works... for me anyway.
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/jun2003/astudio.htm

MAY 03
The Atari-MIDI Toolbox
Below in the file section you will find a special compilation of Atari MIDI tools covering SysEx, groove machines, alternate mouse controllers and MIDI monitors. These are what I call "tools", while the sequencer of choice is the bread and butter of the system. The file is meant to fit on a single 720 KB disk. So you might call it the "cover disk" for this month!
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/may2003/amtb.htm

APRIL 03
MIDI-ax: Mouse of a Different Color
This month we are continuing our review of Dr T products from last month's PVG experience to an unusual algorithmic system called MIDI-ax
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/apr2003/midiax.htm

MARCH 03
The PVG Experience
PVG. A new type of plumbing? It is for MIDI enthusiasts! PVG stands for Programmable Variation Generator. It was created by Emile Tobenfeld, AKA Dr T
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/mar2003/pvg.htm

JANUARY 03
AEX: Tangerine Dream Machine Version 2!
In MyAtari's March 2002 edition (see link section), I reviewed Dr Ambient's program called AEX, the Tangerine Dream Machine. I have had the pleasure of being beta tester, in which we have now completed version 2, which has major updates from version 1.
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/jan2003/aex2.htm

DECEMBER 02
Pulsar: Pulse to a different drummer
Back in the year 1996, a certain Neil Wakeling coded a unique MIDI program for the Atari platform called Pulsar. It has received many reviews from the UK's Sound on Sound magazine. Today, 2002, it is still going strong, with many new updates as the new version was completed in September of this year
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/dec2002/pulsar.htm

NOVEMBER 02
I had a dream: The Grid Sequencer!
To my wonder, Matucana (also know as Hellmuth Schomberg on the list) replied and actually created a program based on my dream! The result is Grid Sequencer
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/nov2002/gridseq.htm

OCTOBER 02
The 30 Ataris of the JosTosBond
While pondering what to write about for this month's column, I received an e-mail from Atari-MIDI forum member Jos Vlietstra (who we know affectionately as "JosTosBond"... and don't ask!) with an attachment of several pictures of his classroom in Dordrecht, the oldest town of Holland from which he teaches music education.
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/oct2002/jostos.htm

SEPTEMBER 02
Atari and the DX7
It was 1983. Yamaha revealed the milestone synthesizer, the DX7.Atari was just starting to make its name in the music industry. Many software firms quickly made editors and librarians for the Atari platform that would support the DX7.
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/sep2002/ataridx7.htm

AUGUST 02
Algorithmic Jewels
Not long ago I was searching the internet for more Atari MIDI programs and came across Wolfgang Martin Stroh's site (see link section) where he describes his MIDI Planetarium program. Seeing that it was originally written for the Atari platform, I contacted him. He responded very favorably by releasing an entire package of algorithmic music programs
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/aug2002/algojwls.htm

JULY 02
CAMUS: Cellular Automata MUSic generator
It has always been the tradition of this column to explore and bring out into the open some of the more unusual Atari MIDI programs that have recently become available. This month is no different in that we will be exploring a very interesting application called CAMUS. CAMUS was never a commercial program but was the result of a project by composer Eduardo Reck Miranda
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/jul2002/camus.htm

JUNE 02
Seasoning with MSG
A member of the Atari MIDI mailing list pointed me in the direction of Matucana's web site where he describes his software called MSG (MIDI Sequence Generator) for the Atari platform. I contacted him, informing him of the Atari MIDI mailing list where Atari is still very much alive. Needless to say, he joined, and then produced for the group a new version of his program as well as taking out the shareware code thus releasing it as freeware to the Atari MIDI community.
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/jun2002/msg.htm

MAY 02
Mouse of a Time
Back in the late 1980s a certain Laurie Spiegel coded a new type of music software called Music Mouse that turned your computer into a musical instrument. It created quite a stir in the computer music world in that it allowed non-musicians as well as accomplished ones to make music just by moving the mouse.
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/may2002/mmouse.htm

APRIL 02
MIDIGEN
A little-known application comes back to life as Tim Conrardy explores the left-hand side of MIDI
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/apr2002/midigen.htm

Also of interest:
Setting up a MIDI system
Matthew Bacon explains the ins and outs of setting up your own MIDI system
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/apr2002/midi.htm

MARCH 02
ACE: World Exclusive!
Now the first demo version is released, come and explore the decks with Tim Conrardy
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/mar2002/ace.htm

I want my AEX!
Analog sequencers go to a new level
Atari-MIDI forum member Guido Goebertus (also known as Dr Ambient), has created an excellent application called AEX, which simulates in an intelligent fashion, the analog sequencers of yesteryear made famous by the works of Tangerine Dream, the exploratory electronic music group
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/mar2002/aex.htm

FEBRUARY 02
Full Steem Ahead
Atari MIDI programs acquire a new following with the advent of Steem, as Tim Conrardy explains...
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/feb2002/steem.htm

JANUARY 02
M: Interactive Composition
M was one of the first algorithmic applications developed which we can still use today as Tim Conrardy explains
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/jan2002/m.htm

DECEMBER 01
Put some Charm in your Chaos
Tim Conrardy explores Electronic Cow's algorithmic application Charming Chaos and a first impression of Clarence Barlow's Autobusk
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/dec2001/chaos.htm

NOVEMBER 01
The Hots for the HOTZ
Tim Conrardy reviews a unique software and MIDI controller made by Atari itself!
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/nov2001/hotz.htm

OCTOBER 01
Ludwig: Bones for an Obscure Dog
This month Tim Conrardy looks at an obscure algorithmic program from Hybrid Arts
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/oct2001/ludwig.htm

also of interest:
The Notator SL user-group
Hallvard Tangeraas reveals all
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/oct2001/notator.htm

SEPTEMBER 01
The 12 Rows of Schoenberg
Tim Conrardy reviews an algorithmic application which recently has picked up some interest
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/sep2001/tone_row.htm

Also of interest:
Tripping the MIDI Fandango
With the advent of Steem, the Atari emulator for PC, Atari MIDI programs can now be run in tandem with other PC applications with a little help from the Hubi as Tim Wilson explains
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/sep2001/fandango.htm

AUGUST 01
Those Musical Magical Arpeggiators!
MIDI arpeggiators are getting more popular in today's electronic music, the Atari platform is well-represented as Tim Conrardy explains
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/aug2001/arp_art.htm

Also of interest:
Dr T's keyboard controlled sequencer
Ross MacIver takes a look at a powerful MIDI package
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/aug2001/kcsomega.htm

JULY 01
The making of an Atari musician
Tim Conrardy tells his tale
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/jul2001/music.htm

JUNE 01
Matrix Keyboard Tunesmith Instruments
Tim Conrardy finds a new way to look at music with the help of an algorithmic program called Tunesmith
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/jun2001/matrix.htm

JANUARY 01
Exploring algorithmic music
Tim Conrardy gives us an overview of Atari MIDI applications on the more "exotic" end of the musical spectrum
http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/mirror/myatari/issues/jan2001/music.htm

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Tims Atari MIDI World recieves outstanding Contributer runnerup award from MyAtari for 2003

outstanding Award 2003

ATARI NOTES PAGE
Also of interest is my tribute to Derek Johnson of SOS ( Sound On Sound Magazine) for his Atari Notes Colomn. He mentioned TAMW quite a bit. Unfortunatly, the colomn was removed from the magizine but at least the articles are on-line. The articles are well written and informative.Check it out!

Atari Notes: Tribute to Derek Johnson.