Amiga Music Preservation -

Interview

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Handle:

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Group:

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Date of birth:

1-How did your interest for computers start? Which year was that?

I got a Sinclair ZX81 in 1981 or 1982. I became interested in trying to accomplish things using the built in Basic language.

2-What machines did you previously have? What did you do with them?

Apart from the ZX (and the Amiga computers), I had an ABC80 and a C128. All of them where used as lab equipment while I learned to code. I also used Sound-Monitor on the C128 (in C64 mode of course) to make music.

3-For what specific reason did you end up making music rather than gfx, coding?

I did end up as a coder, professionally, but music (with or without the Amiga) was a hobby.

4-Which composing programs have you been using? Which one in particular?

Actually, while the Amiga folks where using Soundtracker on the Amiga, I was still using Sound-Monitor on the C64. I did never produce anything using Soundtracker. If I remember this correctly, you couldn't create complete modules using Soundtracker, just song files that referenced to sample files. That made distribution a problem for me. Also, I hade more knowledge of how to work Sound-Monitor. Later on, when Protracker was released, that became my tool of choice. I have worked with all major trackers, but Protracker was my personal favourite.

5-With which module did you feel you had reached your goal?

Well, I am haunted by the fact that I didn't reach my goal. I was very productive, there must be about 50 songs out there that I have made, but I can't put the music-making behind me. Perhaps it's because I feel that I was not able to make songs that had the sound I wanted. But if I have to mention one, that must be a nameless song that resides in a file called MOD.HORNY. A realistic piano playing a music hall song. I am very proud of how I created the illusion of a real piano player. I wish I could get hold of it today.

6-Is there a tune you would like not to remember? For what reason?

That would be the other 49 tunes. Or at least 30 of them, for the reason I mention earlier.

7-In your opinion, what's the value of a music in a demo, game?

It's hard to play a good melody with nice harmonics. And if you do find something while playing the keyboard, I truly admire the persons that have the patience to lay it down in the tracker. What you do with the piano keyboard, the pitch wheel and the modulation wheel can be really tricky to recreate using the tracker.

8-At present, are you still composing? For professional or leisure purposes?

Yes, I still make instrumental synthetic music at home, and I try to supply local rock bands with songs. Also, I help out mixing and producing others, on an amateur level. Sadly, coding became my carrier, not music.

9-What do you think of today's pieces of music such as mpeg,wave,midi,etc...?

The tracked modules are tracked modules. Today, the tool for making music can be an analogue recording studio, as well as a concert of software driven synthesizers. In my opinion, it is more available to make an MP3 file with your song today, which is good. In the eighties, only "nerds" made computer music.

10-Could you tell us some of your all times favourite tunes?

One song that made an impression on me is the soundtrack from the Mental Hangover demo by Scoopex. Another one was from an Enigma demo, composed by Henrik Bertilsson (Deelite) I think. It is much easier to point out a favourite SID tune than an Amiga module.

11-Are you planning to make an audio cd with some of your music remastered?

No. However, a few of my songs have been remixed by others, and released as Amiga modules. My trivial cover version of Yellow Submarine that is hosted on AMP is a remix. Also, I have covered two SID tunes by Rob Hubbard. Somewhere in cyberspace, my version of Action Biker and my version of a power ballad from Synth Sample 2, might exist. Exciting, isn't it?

12-What bands are you currently listening to?

My all time favourites include Yes, Queen, Kansas and Journey. I also like Proto-Kaw, Jellyfish, UK and Saga.

13-What does/did the amiga/c64 scene give you?

This is terrible. It gave me something to live up to, that I could never do. I am, like thousands of others, a "module wannabe".

14-Are you still active in the scene these days?

I would like to be. I make better music today, than I did on the Amiga days.

15-Anyone to greet? Anything left to say? Feel free...

Thank you for the Amiga Music Preservation Project! Also, a big thank you to the few groups that actually used my modules in demos (that is, thank you for letting me play with the big guys).

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please note: this interview is ©opyrighted in 2006 by crown of cryptoburners
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