Ñ Fully Functional Calculator with Memory Function
Unregistered users are able to use Groove Buddy in a fully functional DEMO mode. However, there are a reduced set of functions. Registering today will give you access to all of the great Groove Buddy functions listed above.
HISTORY:
Groove Buddy is an emulation of the Casio VL-1 musical keyboard, available in the early 1980s. Despite its demure nature, the VL-1 has been featured on recordings by the Human League and Trio (of Volkswagen commercial fame), to name a few. Furthermore, the original machine offers 6 sounds, a fully operational ADSR envelope, those cool drum patterns, and a step/real-time sequencer. In addition to these marvelous sound functions, the VL-1 also had an operational calculator (it was originally intended to be used on a business executive╒s desk, after all).
Enter 1998. Purple E Software (spearheaded by Erick Tejkowski) decides to port the whole thing to the Macintosh. While making the transition, it was decided that the original machine would be followed as closely as possible. There have been, however, some improvements along the way. First, you will notice that the original instrument sounds have been exchanged for the newer (and hopefully better sounding) QuickTime instruments. Secondly, additional drum loops have been added (while the original drum sounds have been preserved in their entirety). Thirdly, you are now able to choose from a number of color schemes, allowing you to customize your Groove Buddy. Lastly, the sequencer has been upgraded from a 100-note capacity (on the original machine) to a whopping 1000-note capacity on the Groove Buddy! You might also notice a few other modifications (necessary when converting to a computer application), but remaining true to the original machine was always a goal. In fact, some of the quirkier aspects of the Casio VL-1 have made their way into the Groove Buddy. Thus,
It is imperative that you read the instructions if you want to get the most out of Groove Buddy!
Instructions
OVERVIEW
Groove Buddy is a musical keyboard for your Macintosh desktop. The ╥machine╙ operates in one of 4 modes: Off, Cal, Rec, and Play. To choose one of the modes, simply slide the mode selector to the appropriate mode.
Here╒s a picture of Groove Buddy with an arrow pointing to the mode selector (Play mode is selected).
The modes operate as follows:
Mode Function
Off Turn Groove Buddy off. Memory remains intact (unless you quite the app, of course)
Mode Function
Cal Calculator Mode. Groove Buddy operates as a calculator.
Rec Record Mode. Groove Buddy allows you to enter up to 1,000 notes in step-time into the sequencer in Record Mode.
Play Play Mode. Play music with the mouse or computer keyboard. Sequences recorded in Record Mode are playable from Play Mode.
MODE SPECIFICS
Each mode has a few ╥quirks╙ (found on the original model) that need to be explained if you want to take full advantage of Groove Buddy.
Calculator Mode- The calculator is relatively easy to use. Just click on numbers and operators with your mouse, or use the numbers on your computer keyboard. In addition, square root and percentage keys are available. The Calculator Mode also has a memory function. You can store in memory and manipulate them with the standard calculator controls. One significant feature is that the number stored in memory is also used in calculating the ADSR sound in Play Mode. This gives you access to the ╥secret╙ sounds available on the Groove Buddy. In essence you are able to ╥program╙ sounds. To do so, simply follows these quick steps.
1. Put Groove Buddy in Calculator Mode.
2. Enter an 8-digit number.
3. Store it in memory.
4. To hear your sound, put Groove Buddy in Play Mode and select the ADSR instrument.
Different numbers produce different sounds. This is an excellent place to experiment!
Record Mode - To begin recording, put Groove Buddy in Record Mode, and press the ╥MC╙ button (directly to the left of the yellow button). This clears the sequencer memory and allows you to begin entering up to 1,000 notes with the mouse or computer keyboard. To hear the sequence you recorded, simply put Groove Buddy in Play Mode and press one of the blue buttons for playback (more on this below in the ╥Play Mode╙ section)
Play Mode - To play music or a recorded sequence, put Groove Buddy in Play Mode. In Play Mode, using the sliders on top, you are able to:
1. adjust the volume
2. adjust the balance between the drums and instruments: slide left to emphasize the drums, slide right to emphasize the instruments.
3. change the octave
4. select an instrument-the selected instrument appears in the display window
In Play Mode, using the row of grey, yellow, and blue buttons, you are able to:
1. Reset Button- Stop currently playing drum loops, sequences, or the demo.
2. Tempo Up-Increase the tempo of drum loops, sequences, and the demo
3. Tempo Down-Decrease the tempo (on a scale of: -1,0, or 1)
4. Rhythm Button- Press this button, then select any of the white keys on the keyboard (except the bottom & top 2 keys) to begin playback of a drum loop.
5. Music Button (Yellow Button)-Plays the demo song, pushing again will also stop it.
6. AutoPlay Button (Small Blue Button)- Plays the stored sequence in Real-Time
7. One-Key Play Buttons (2 Large Blue Buttons)- Plays the stored sequence one note at a time.
In addition to the various Modes, Groove Buddy has a few extra functions in the menus.
The Appearance Menu allows you to change the color of Groove Buddy.
The Options Menu allows you to toggle the computer keyboard on and off. When the keyboard is ╥ON╙ the appropriate key names appear on the Groove Buddy keys and you can:
1. Play music from the computer keyboard in Play Mode
2. Play the stored sequence one note at a time using the ╥[╥ and ╥]╙ keys (serves the same function as the One-Key Play Buttons accessed using the mouse- see Play Mode above).
3. Enter notes using the computer keyboard in Record Mode. In addition to the usual notes you can enter, you can also enter musical ╥rests╙ by hitting the ╥space bar╙. See, now aren╒t you glad you read this manual? (-:
Thank you for trying out Groove Buddy. Hopefully you find it useful and fun as a calculator, a musical instrument, a quick musical notepad for ideas, or as an excellent musical learning tool. As always, be sure to
SUPPORT SHAREWARE BY REGISTERING TODAY!
When you register, you will gain access to all of the features detailed in the above manual. While running in DEMO Mode, several features are disabled, plus, when you support a shareware author, you will be funding the development of future upgrades to this software. Future upgrades will be available for FREE to registered users.
