Synesthetech

Jim just told me about the Prophet64/MSSIAH project…if I had all the time and money in the world, I would be all over this. I love my old Commodore 64 and wish it wasn’t just collecting dust in my bedroom closet, and this synth/sequencer/drum machine package could lead to some really amazing sounds. Just check out some samples!

The original Prophet 64 cartridge is discontinued, and its replacement MSSIAH isn’t being manufactured yet, but they’re looking at a summer 2008 release…

Courtesy of Ars Technica comes Microsoft Labs’ intriguing MySong application, which creates midi chord structures as backing tracks based on a user’s improvised vocals. Three things immediately popped into my head after reading this:

1. I’d love to hear what MySong would come up with to accompany something sung into it by Carol Genetti.

2. I’d love to try playing a field recording into the microphone and see what MySong comes up with to accompany it.

3. Leave it to Microsoft to create a potentially interesting piece of software and then slap Comic Sans on its interface buttons.

• MySong: Microsoft Labs