First post, by Jo22
- Rank
- l33t++
Hello everyone,
As the title says, this thread is about SpaceQuest music on the Casio Casiotone CT-460.
What is a CT-460 ?, you may ask now.
Well, let me explain. The CT-460/MT-540 belonged to a series of semi- professional synthesizers,
which were kind of popluar in the mid-late 1980s. They also had a little brother, the CSM-1.
Think of it as the MT-32 of the Casio line. Just a bit more rare (like LAPC-I)..
Even though the keyboards weren't intended as playback devices in the first place, some game devlopers used them
as keyboards for composing. So it apparently made sense for the guys at Sierra to also add them to the sound card's list.
Remember, this was before General MIDI was born.. So I should probably note, that these synths contained
a rather unique feature for a MIDI device of that time: a rich sound bank of special effects for various themes
(forest, ocean, street, starwars, rainy day, evening, concert hall, wild western)..
"Back in the 80's, having an electronic keyboard was a huge deal.
You could entertain your guests at a party or simply fool around with the demo songs."
Source: PiscoMantis YouTube Randomness
Backround
About then years ago I wanted to finish a little recording project with my MT540,
but I had to sell it (to support my family) shortly before I was able to record anything with it.
After a while I tried to get another MT-540, but without success. I've never seen one again.
And so the years passed by.. Until just recently.
Now, about ten years later I was finally able to do finish my project with a CT-460, the MT's bigger brother.
In some way or another, this one is even better (complete sound bank) but it somehow sounds a bit different to me.
Don't know how to describe it, I guesss this how real musicans feel when they have to play with a replacement instrument
(awgod I'm probably talking nonsense again). 😊
Recording
Albeit the recording equipment on my side is still lackin' (poor stereo separation),
I decided to attach them here for historical preservation and for you, fellow vogoners and vogonians. 😀
Hope that's okay, 'cause I don't want to wait another ten years. So it's now or never..
If you're interested and would like to hear what these keyboards are truely capable of, please hear the demo song.
It was based on the wonderful song "Nightbirds" by Shakatak.
(In comparision, the Sierra MIDI driver doesn't do justice. It just plays them like an Adlib.)
And please keep in mind: It sounds much better on the real thing!
Okay, that was enough talking of mine! Here are a few more Nightbirds for you! 😀
Nightbirds by Shakatak: Yamaha Electone FX-20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i945fsY59Pg
Casio MT-540 Demo Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUAHru53P0w
Shakatak - Nightbirds (piano solo) by Bill Sharpe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRxMRvtzVso
Shakatak - Nightbirds [ExRemix]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5RKTuTbcRw
Nightbirds by Shakatak (Sniper's version)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsM75DmpMnA
I hope you enjoy listening to SpaceQuest in a way you haven't before. 😉
Have fun!
Note: The recordings below where done with an MT-540 patch map. I'll leave them here for comparison.
For the (hopefully) correct sounding recordings please scroll down or <<click here>>
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