C64 Datasette – you remember it. The Datasette embodies Commodore cheapskatery from start to finish: it was a cheapo alternative to a proper disk drive, it’s got a crudely thrown-together connector with wires hanging out and it’s even got a skinflint mono drive head apparatus. All expenses spared, so that Jack could keep the costs down!

So it turns out they last pretty well. And in this age of 1541 emulators, MMC64 interfaces and the like, it’s sad to see a Datasette sitting unused and unloved. So I decided to lavish about four quid on mine and turn it into a block-rocking pimp star supreme with:

# an internal speaker
# internal 9v battery power
# an external in (for when I eventually get the recording head to work)
# a line/headphone output
# a switch/knob for power and drive motor speed control (though this doesn’t really work yet)
# an unfeasible amount of mystery line noise, which I’m going to pretend is intentional and adds ‘character’.

(more…)

Been done before, but rarely so well. Lots and lots of nice. Reblogged from Trace.

soundtoys.net -

Me and evilpaul of ate bit released this basic but fun demo entitled Ribbons, Tunnels & Techno at Sundown 08 in Devon a few weeks ago. I did the music over a couple of evenings and he did the code and artwork as a trial-run of his new PC demo engine.

Got a mixed response on pouet, needless to say We couldn