Re: [linux-audio-user] old school

John Mulholland wrote: 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