ALF / Apple Music synthesizer Source: Advertisement in the April 1982 issue of Creative Computing by one of ALF's dealers, Peripherals Plus (owned Dave Ahl, the publisher of Creative Computing magazine) Complete text provided by Phil Tubb, January 2013. ## ALF Music Synthesizer The ALF Apple Music Synthesizer (AMS) is an easy to use peripheral which allows you to program music into an Apple II computer using standard musical notation. The ALF kit includes the synthesizer board (plugs into any peripheral slot), exceptional quality software, and an extensive user manual. Sophisticated Music Entry Program Sheet music is easily entered using the Apple game paddles. The high-resolution ENTRY program features the familiar music staff with a "menu" of musical items listed beneath it (note lengths, rests, edit commands, acciden- tals, etc.). One game paddle moves a cursor up and down the music staff and is used to select the note pitch; the second paddle chooses from the menu items (note length, etc.) With the ALF hi-res ENTRY program, you won't have to use cryptic codes to select note parameters. As you program sheet music with ENTRY, measure bars are inserted automatically (and note values are tied over the bar where necessary). Key signatures are also automatic — you don't have to keep writing in every sharp or flat! Three monophonic, individual parts can be programmed with each ALF Music Synthesizer. Two boards are required for stereo. A total of three synthesizers can be used simultaneously for a maximum of nine voices. By controling the envelope (or shape) of each voice, many different instrumental sounds can be simulated. Eight-octave Range The ALF Music Synthesizer has a pitch range of eight octaves — a wider range than a grand piano. The ALF can also play semitones — "blues notes" or the pitches in between the keyboard notes of a piano. (The pitch range is from 27.5 to 55,000 Hertz, well beyond the limits of human hearing.) Tuning accurancy is virtually perfect within two cents of pitch value. Every parameter of the ENTRY program can be changed again and again during a musical piece. For example, you can make changes in key, time signature, volume, and timbre (envelope). Parts can be edited at any time, also. Notes can be added or deleted, note length can be changed, as well as pitch, volume, etc. You can save songs on either cassette or disk, and play them back using either ENTRY or PLAY. The playback speed is adjusted with one of the game paddles, and can be varied during the playback, if you wish to change the overall tempo. Colorful Playback Display The ALF Music Synthesizer features a 16-color low-res graphic display during song playback. Each musical part is represented on a stylized piano "keyboard" — the intensity of the note determines the color, and the pitch is shown in relation to "middle C". The ALF Music Synthesizer requires the use of an external audio amplifier. Stereo programming is possible with the use of two or three synthesizer boards. The ALF software includes the ENTRY and PLAY programs, sample songs, an introduction to "envelope shaping", and demonstrations of advanced uses of the synthesizer. With the ALF software, entry ot music is easy. fast and accurate. Nine Voices for only $198 The new ALF "AM-II" music synthesizer offers an unbeatable value for the Apple owner who is a music hobbyist. With nine voices on a single music board for $198.00, the AM-II is the most economical device for creating music with the Apple. The AM-II uses the same excellent ENTRY and PLAY programs as the more sophisticated ALF Music Synthe- sizer (AMS); the same hi-res graphic display from which notes are selected with the Apple game paddles (not typed with cryptic codes). All of the conveniences of the ENTRY program apply— easy editing, playback with low-res display, ability to save songs on cassette or disk, etc. The AM-II has stereo output (3 voices in left, 3 voices in the middle, 3 voices in the right). How can the AM-II offer so much for only $198.00? The two basic differences between the AM-II and the ALF Apple Music Synthesizer (AMS) are pitch accuracy and dynamic range. The AM-II has an accurate pitch range of about six octaves. Pitch values above the treble staff become increasingly inaccurate. Also, the AM-II has a dynamic range of 28db, with 16 different volume levels, (the AMS has a dynamic range of 78db). The AM-II is manufactured with the same high quality standards as other products from the ALF Corporation. No sacrifice has been made in reliability; the new AM-II is simply a great bargain. Professional musicians will still want to use the original Apple Music Synthesizer (AMS) for its extended range and volume controls (the AMS has a range of 8 octaves). But for the Apple owner who is interested in music as a hobby, the AM-II is the best music peripheral value available today. Requires : 16K Apple II or Apple II Plus, cassette or Disk II, and an external audio amplifier (all necessary patch cords are included). AM-II ALF/Apple Synthesizer $198.00 AMS ALF/Apple Synthesizer 268.00 To order, send payment plus $3.00 shipping and handling to Peripherals Plus, 119 Maple Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960. Credit card customers should include card number and expiration date of Visa. MasterCard or American Express. Credit card customers may also order toll-free: 800-631-8112 (In NJ call 201-540-0445) Peripherals Plus 119 Maple Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960