DK’Tronics Three Channel Sound Synthesizer

The DK’TRONICS Sound Synthesiser is a hardware and software combination using the AY-3-8912 programmable sound generator integrated chip — the same as that used in the 2068.

The hardware portion comes attractively packaged complete with feed through connector for other peripherals. Also included is a four inch speaker in its own separate cabinet. A volume control sticks out the top which controls overall volume as well as the BEEP volume.

The chip itself has 14 internal registers, each dealing with a specific function of sound output. To create your own sound and noise effects, you must first enable the desired register and then fill it with the data for the sound you wish to make (same as with the 2068).

To enable a register, this interface uses OUT 63, register number (0-13). To send data, it uses OUT 95, data. The registers are used to control the tone of the three channels, the white noise frequency, the volume for each channel, the envelope period, the envelope shape, and the enabling of all channels.

The manual gives a good summary of all the register functions and musical note data. Also included in the manual are several short routines for you to use to program the synthesiser and instructions for using the software which comes with the package.

The software that comes with it allows you to set all the registers to any mode and enter on a piano-like keyboard displayed on the screen the music you wish to play. The program allows the use of a joystick supporting the DK’ TRONICS, KEMPSTON, and INTERFACE 2 types.

The program comes up running and greets you with a menu at the top and a piano keyboard at the bottom. In the middle is a window for all three sound channels. You have the ability of programming three tunes each holding up to 768 notes (256 per channel). If you select tune 1 and choose the play option you will hear a pre-programmed tune. In my case it was Simon and Garfunkel’s Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Tyme.

As the tune plays, the current notes being played are displayed in the window, so you can easily find where the mistakes are while working on your own composition.

To program your own music, you would select the RECord option which turns joystick control (or arrow keys) to an arrow which can be moved to point to each of the keys on the piano-like keyboard. When you come upon the key which you want, you simply press fire or “0” and it is recorded into memory and is displayed in the window of the current channel being programmed. If you choose middle C which is in the third octave, it would be displayed as C3. Middle C# is displayed as C’3.

Available from DAMCO ENTERPRISES, 67 Bradley ct., Fall River, MA 02720 (617) 678-2110. Also available from ENGLISH MICRO CONNECTIONS and several dealers in England.