Music created using the Tandy Radio Shack TRS-80 Microcomputer, Orchestra-90 and the MIDI/80.
What is Downpoly?
Downpoly, a musical project child utilizing the often-overlooked and undervalued Tandy Radio Shack TRS-80 Microcomputer as a powerful synth and sequencer. This project breathes new musical life into these iconic machines, demonstrating their potential to create rich and unique music.
At the heart of Downpoly’s setup are the RadioShack TRS-80 Microcomputers, augmented by two key attachments: the Orchestra-90 and the custom-designed MIDI/80. Developed by Michael Wessel, with some z80 wizardry from George Phillips the MIDI/80 provides essential MIDI input and output capabilities, connecting the vintage TRS-80 to modern musical instruments and software.
The sound is centered around the Stereo Orchestra Organ, a custom 2-row, single-octave keyboard, created by George Phillips. It leverages the TRS-80’s built-in keyboard to control a 2-note software organ, transmitting real-time data to the external Orchestra-90 attachment. The Orchestra-90, a stereo music synthesizer, generates sine, saw, square, and triangle waveforms, with adjustable volume and waveform selection.
The audio output from the Orchestra-90 is bussed through a pedal chain for shaping and effects, normally reserved for a guitar. This chain includes a Dunlop Crybaby Wah, BlackFinger Tube Pre/Compressor, Mutron III, three distortions all processed through different amps and post effects gear like the Memory Man, Super Pulsar, POG3 and more.
The signal is routed through various guitar impulse response (IR) mic/amp combinations, yielding a diverse range of sounds from the single TRS-80 machine. This innovative approach allows Downpoly to create a wide spectrum of sounds, from deep, chorused bass sine tones to screaming, tube-squashed wah saw waves.
The other half of the sound comes from the extreme power of the MIDI/80 and the TRACKER sequencer. The software allows the sequence of MIDI tracks, 6 per pattern that can control modern MIDI gear. Using the TD-6 808/909 emulation coupled with the S2 McFish wave tables, and the Waldorf Blofeld Downpoly creates a unique but post-modern-80s-like-fusion of synth and rythm with the edge of a rock style.
Clock_Cycle_Logs
1. The “Sync” Diaries (Technical Troubleshooting) – covering the ups and downs of using these classic systems and the hardships that inevitably come with them, and how I address them.
2. Gear Spotlight: “The 8-Bit Signal Path” – covering the hardware used by Downpoly from the Pedalboard to the DAW,
3. “Live-on-the-Floor” Sessions (Process/BTS) – about the process, gear configurations and setup, performing these songs live and what is needed to make it happen.
4. Anachronism Prompts (This just is what it is) – Philosophical post about the “beauty of constraints.” and the reasoning behind the music_ or not. What the music is about, covering they why for those who need that part of the brain scratched.
What is the TRS-80?
TRS-80 Models III, 4, and 4P:
The TRS-80 Micro Computer System was an early line of personal computers from Tandy Corporation, sold through Radio Shack. The name combines “Tandy Radio Shack” and “Z80”, the model of its microprocessor. The original TRS-80 became known as the Model I. The line evolved to include the Model III, Model 4, and Model 4P.
- Released: July 26, 1980.
- Design: All-in-one unit with built-in keyboard, monitor, and disk drives.
- Processor: Zilog Z80A @ 2.03 MHz.
- Memory: 4-48 KB RAM / 4-14 KB ROM.
- Improvements: Included built-in lowercase, a better keyboard, enhanced character set, real-time clock, faster cassette interface, and a quicker processor.
- Released: April 26, 1983.
- Design: Desktop unit with a 12-inch display. It was notably white, unlike the Model III’s grey.
- Processor: Zilog Z80A @ 4 MHz (operates at 2 MHz in Model III mode).
- Memory: 64 KB RAM, expandable to 128 KB.
- Display: Supported 80 x 24 or 64 x 16 modes, or double-width characters.
- Features: Expanded keyboard with function keys, TRSDOS 6, Microsoft BASIC, and CP/M compatibility.
- Connectivity: Supported cassette operation, a parallel print port, an RS-232C serial port, and a buffered input/output bus.
Model 4P
- Released: November 15, 1983.
- Design: A portable version of the Model 4 with a 9-inch display.
- Features: Included most Model 4 features, but lacked external floppy drive support and a cassette tape interface.
- Drives: Came with two internal 180KB drives.
- Display: Monochrome white/green-screen.
Music applications
The TRS-80 had limited built-in sound, but third-party developers created music add-ons:
- Orchestra-80/90: Popular stereo music synthesizers that added four voices over a six-octave range. Orchestra-80 included a synthesizer, a music language compiler, and other tools.
- DIY Music: Users found creative ways to generate sound, like causing radio interference or controlling the cassette interface for sound effects.