KCS: Application of the Month for September, 2001 =================================================== Looks like the grp has picked a good one. I am looking forward to learning this program in more depth as I have only tiped the iceberg on this one. We have many KCS users here and would like to hear TIPS, COMMENTS and QUESTIONS from all of them. For those who have not tried it, PLEASE DO as this is a powerful package and can do a lot in shaping your music. Even Cubase users here: please download and try this program out as it can do things that Cubase cannot do (and visa virsa of course)I plan to put aside Cubase for a while and learn KCS more in depth, as this is what AOTM is for: to focus on a certain application and learn more about it. Here are some links I put together as well as some general info about KCS. There are two places you can download it.On my Page and on the Midi Axe page on the archives where it is bundled with KCS. VER4 does NOT have PVG or the master editor, but those with ver 5, please feel free to ask Qustions on these or other ver 5 functions. I am hoping the DR (T) will come aboard this month as I wrote and asked him. Also hope to get some input from Chas Stoddard who is a major KCS head. please check out Chas's page on KCS and PVG from the link below. OK...lets explore KCS...don't be shy...NO LURKING THIS MONTH! (please :-) Tim C. ================================================= KCS links and downloads: KCS page on TAMW http://sites.netscape.net/timconrardy/omega.htm Download for KCS ver 4.0 http://sites.netscape.net/timconrardy/kcs4.zip Download for KCS ver 4 bundled with Midi Axe: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/atari-midi- archives/files/APPS/ALGO/MIDIax/ Atari-Midi AOTM folder. Includes KCS16txt.zip. The manual for ver 1.6 of KCS, but can be used for many functions of ver 4 such as track mode and open mode.There are also three folders for KCS ALL files, Midi files and VRY files. Please feel free to upload your results to these folders. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/atari-midi/files/AOTM/SEPT01_KCS/ Emile Tobenfelds (Dr T)Web page which includes the DR T Software Faq Page. http://www.foryourhead.com Ross Maclvers article in My Atari magizine on KCS: http://www.myatari.net/issues/aug2001/kcsomega.htm Chas Stoddards Microtonal Pages Click on the PVG tab where you are presented with an excellent overview of KCS and PVG as well as VRY files for Microtonality http://www.sweeney-todd.freeserve.co.uk/temper/index.htm Algorithmic Music and KCS Describes Algorithmic music using Dr T's KCS and PVG. Excellent page! http://www.stillspace.co.uk/algfrm.htm Mr Chimps Atari Stuff Excellent Atari-Midi page with COLOR screen shots of KCS and more! http://members.aol.com/MrChimps/AtariStuff/Music.html ================================================== Except from Ross Maclvers article in My Atari magizine on KCS: Enter KCS Omega from Dr. T. The "Keyboard Controlled Sequencer" is one of the most powerful MIDI sequencers ever developed on any platform. It provides the user with a combination of graphics and text screens. The graphics interface is easy to use and covers the MIDI recording and playback operations. For advanced editing features you switch over to a text based editing screen, which is more difficult to learn, but offers flexibility and power. KCS is made up of two basic work areas. "Track Mode" operates like a standard tape recorder, with Record, Stop, Pause buttons, and various other functions that are activated by clicking with the mouse. "Open Mode" is where you rearrange your tracks in a more generalized way, independently looping up to 128 separate sequences ========================================================== Program Overview (from the 1.6 TXT file manual) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Keyboard Controlled Sequencer provides three distinct modes of operation: Track mode, Open mode, and Song mode. In Track mode, the program acts as a 48 track tape recorder with many special functions that make it far more powerful than an actual tape deck. Open mode is a more generalized sequencing system which allows for completely independent looping of up to 128 separate sequences. Song mode is used to chain sequences created Track and Open modes into complete songs much like a drum machine. The three modes allow different approaches to be used for different pieces of music depending on the requirements of the piece or the mood of the composer. An entire song can be done in Track or Open mode without ever going to the other two modes or a composition could be started in one mode, edited in another, and completed in a third mode. Individual notes, phrases sequences or entire songs can be easily transferred between the various modes using special copy commands, or with cut and paste techniques. Sequences and tracks can also be merged, unmerged, split, or appended to other sequences or tracks. ======================================================= Tim C.