[linux-audio-user] old school

[Dave Phillips]

John Mulholland wrote:

> Does anyone have any info on the early open source audio software and 
> its compatible hardware? I have been looking around for a history type 
> page but not found anything yet.

That history remains to be written, but here are some notes towards it:

    Almost all the early UNIX-based software sound synthesis languages 
were (and many still are) open-source. Such programs include Csound, 
cmusic, Common Lisp Music, and most of the other MusicV-derived 
languages. In addition, many tools such as Snd, Rt, and MiXViews were 
open-source before Linux existed.

    During the MIDI boom of the 1980s some DOS music/sound applications 
had source code available, though rarely. More typically the authors 
would respond to requests for sources, especially after cheap compilers 
made it possible for desktop users to build their own binaries (I'm sure 
that darned few of them did though). IIRC the RAVEL language included 
its source code, and possibly some of the smaller utilities included 
sources (or made sources available on request). The Atari seems to have 
had a lot of people writing MIDI freeware, its again possible that 
sources were available for some of that stuff too. Alas, the Mac ("the 
computer for the rest of us", as long as you could afford one) situation 
is unknown to me, but given its designed hostility towards hackers I 
doubt there's much open-source history there for music and sound 
software (I look forward to clarifying responses).

    When  I started using Linux in the mid-90s I was happy to find a lot 
of source code for music/sound apps for SGI hardware. With much 
assistance from people like Niccola Bernardini and Richard Kent I was 
able to successfully port many of those apps to Linux. These programs 
included Mix, Sono, Ceres, and other software from Oyvind Hammer at 
NoTAM, the DAP editor by Richard Kent, and MiXViews by Doug Scott. Many 
other open-source apps were available for SGI iron, but not all could be 
ported to Linux.

  I suggest writing to Bill Schottstaedt, Paul Lansky, and John ffitch 
for a heads-up on Ye Olde Days. Those fellows are extremely knowledgable 
about the early UNIX sound software. Brad Garton, Eric Lyons, and Dave 
Topper can give you more info regarding later developments.

  You can also reference Curtis Roads' great Computer Music Tutorial, 
it's loaded with historical stuff, including some wonderful photos of 
ancient gear. The book's a bit pricey, but you might score a good deal 
for it on eBay.

HTH,

dp