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We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

1​-​bit Mechanistic

by Tufty

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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.

    As well as the music in much higher quality, supporters will also receive the ZX Spectrum music demo to play on a real ZX Spectrum or Vega / Vega+

    Also included are the source Beepola music files and a few other goodies.
    Purchasable with gift card

      name your price

     

  • 1-bit Mechanistic CD edition
    Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Limited run Factory printed CDr in a card wallet.

    Music demo version of the album to play on a ZX Spectrum or Vega/Vega+. Coded by 1-bit maestro, Irrlicht Project.

    (Obviously no CD player included, I just wanted to show the 3D effect of the Speccy keys on the CD)

    Includes unlimited streaming of 1-bit Mechanistic via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Sold Out

1.
LOADING 00:21
2.
3.
Fascinated 03:11
4.
5.
Tweeper 01:05
6.
7.
8.
Robotix 03:13
9.
10.
11.

about

Remember the ZX Spectrum?
It's characteristic loading noise and beepy, buzzy sound ?

Welcome to 1-bit Mechanistic.

**************************************************
New Deluxe CD edition available June 2021

CD available to buy here:
kunaki.com/Sales.asp?PID=PX003C3O17&PP=1
**************************************************

All tracks EQ's for a slightly less harsh sound, recorded directly from a 48k Spectrum or Spectrum next (48k mode)
Track 7 elongated
4 extra tracks
New Jewel case design and artwork

1: Loading
2: Beepsong
3: Fascinated
4: That Old Magic
5: Tweeper
6: So Cold The Night
7: 1-bit Mechanistic
8: Robotix
9: Fascinated Down Low
10: Lazy Synth
11: Beeper X
12: 1-bit
13: Xenoblast theme
14: Moritz the Striker theme (recorded from a spectrum Next in 48k mode)
15: Moritz (YNWA) theme (recorded from a spectrum Next in 48k mode)


This is an album of 1-bit Synth-pop ZX BEEPER music recorded in real time from a vintage 1983 rubber keyed 48k ZX Spectrum.
I recently discovered the computer in my attic where it had been for the last 25 years. Using a PC cross-platform music package called Beepola I created the tunes utilising one of the modern 1-bit sound engines, Qchan (written in 2011 by Shiru). This engine is an attempt to recreate the one used by Tim Follin, back in the day, for his classic speccy tunes.

For those new to the terms 1-bit or BEEPER I'll try to briefly explain: 1-bit music is digital music at it's most basic. On the Spectrum, 1-bit music is created by sending either an on or off signal to its tiny speaker(beeper) to create a sound. As it doesn't possess a sound chip, software sound routines (engines) were written, both back in the day and new ones recently, to create simulated multi-channel sound with rudimentary 'click' drums. They use clever coding (sending very fast sequences of 'ons' and 'offs') to produce the characteristic synthy sound the original 48k Spectrum is known for.


If you like this album, why not try these too:
irrlichtproject.bandcamp.com/album/dat-fuzz
garvalf.bandcamp.com/album/one-myth

The 1bit Music forum:
randomflux.info/1bit/

To download the Beepola Application and lots more 1bit stuff:
shiru.untergrund.net/1bit/

credits

released September 24, 2014

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Tufty UK

Rich 'Tufty' Hollins has been interested in making music on the ZX Spectrum and Atari ST since the mid 1980s. Active in the Atari ST demo scene in the early 90s and now in the 1-bit ZX Spectrum and chipmusic scene

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