info from X-TRADE: part 1 of 2

Information from X-TRADE.

Due to any favorable circumstances, we are authorized
to announce a significant reduction in prices for our products,
namely:

GENERAL SOUND (basic option) - 25 US dollars.

Map ext. memory for GS - 10 US dollars.

But that's not all!

When purchasing MORE THAN TWO GS, the price of each is $22.
When purchasing MORE THAN FOUR GS, the price of each is $20.

The price of a memory expansion card does not depend on the quantity :(

For those who still don’t know (or have forgotten) what GENERAL SOUND is,
we remind you briefly.

GENERAL SOUND (developed by X-TRADE).

Electronic music board representing is a
high-performance microprocessor set based on the Z80.

Four-channel clear stereo sound with dynamic interpolation.
On top of 8-bit music - hardware 6-bit volume.
Sampling frequency 37.5 kilohertz.
Z80's own processor works at a frequency of 12 megahertz.
RAM for music - 112 kilobytes (basic version), 464 kilobytes (when installing an expansion card). When installing an expansion card, the expansion card is self-identified - the so-called one. autoconfig.
Built-in player of MOD files and effects (FX).
The “drum in one ear, violin in the other” effect, inherent
to all inexpensive computer audio cards, as well ascomputer "Amiga".
Does not interfere with the Spectrum's work, since it is completely independent.
Music does not "eat" the Spectrum's memory.
Made in the form of a card - instant connection to "bus"
computers.
Can work with all Spectrums, even with 48 kilobytes!
Can play special effects against the background of music.
Emulates COVOX.
Allows easy adaptation of existing
programs.
Disadvantage - non-zero price, but the price/quality ratio is beyond
competition.

Sale by mail without intermediaries!

To make a purchase, you need to make an order, that is, call
by phone (812) 173-54-38, Slava, 22.00 - 00.00 MSK.
Then send a postal order for the specified amount plus 10% (for
large orders the % is reduced). In the translation column "for written
message" indicate the name of the product and quantity. Return address
write carefully!
Address for transfers.

St. Petersburg. 192281 st. Kupchinskaya, 8 k.1 kv.737.
Vitaly Vladimirovich Vidmirov.

For questions about our products, new software, prices
CALL (812) 173-54-38 Slava, 22.00 - 00.00 MSK.

GENERAL SOUND - FAQ.

1. The ZX-FORMAT magazine describes a GS with some kind of floppy drive type adapter. What is this?
Answer. The very first experimental GS model is described in ZF. GS has been completed for about
2 years nowin the form of a peripheral card for the ZX-BUS bus slot
(SCORPION/KAY).

2. There are rumors that GS does not work on some Spectrum models.
Answer. At the moment, we have not identified a single Spectrum model where
GS would not work. GS works even on 48 machines, but on them you can only listen to music - neither the games nor the editor will work.

3. Why does the GS sometimes “bleat” suspiciously on some modules, and at the same time the tempo limps?
Answer. These modules contain samples with very short loops. Playing them takes a lot of time from the processor in GS. At the same time, the software interpolator does not have time to prepare the next byte
for output to the DAC. That's why the sound "bleats".

4. So what to do?!? Is this really forever?
Answer. Not at all. Mike Blum/ZX-MASTERS long ago wrote a procedure that, when loading a module into GS, checks the module's samples for short loops and automatically copies them internally until they reach an acceptable length. After such a “loading”, GS plays all the modules, including the so-called “chip” modules - modules with very short (units
bytes) looped synthesized samples. Similar procedures have already been used when dubbing games for GS. Also, this procedure will be
included in the new player-loader byMike Blum.

5. What software exists for GS?
In addition to a dozen or so converted toys, new proprietary
programs (NETWALK, HEADBALL) actively support it. There are different players-downloaders, written by different authors, that is, for any taste. There is a new version of the RIFF-TRACKER editor - 4.19, which supports all GS memory, contains a sample editor, many new options, and works much faster and better than previous versions. The editor only works with MS-DOS disks. As for the
number of music, their number is many times greater than the number
of music for the AY-8910. Suffice it to say that several hundred ordinary modules and more than a thousand chip modules were obtained from the Internet. At the same time, the question arises - how can users store such a number of music? (Only on a screw ;).

6. Treasured question. Will GS be supported in the game "BLACK RAVE - 2"
by COPPER FEET?
Answer. As soon as the writing of the game enters the final stage, GS support will be added to the game. At the moment there are no fundamental disagreements regarding the dubbing of “Crow-2” between X-TRADE and COPPER FEET
.

P.s. You can ask questions with soap.

All the best.
Дмитрий.

..LD..X-TRADE..