Videosynth and Atari Video music

[Andrew Schrock]

On Mon, 2 Nov 1998, Bill Layer wrote:
> Is anyone familiar with the Atari 'Video Music' device that was made in the
> mid 70's? I've got one of the things, but I've never hooked it up. 
> 
> Basically, the unit hooks up to your color TV, and accepts an audio input
> ala color organ. It appears to have a plethora of controls on the front
> panel for various modulation schemes. Does anyone know what its supposed to
> do?

Yep! I also used to collect atari games... (over 200 last I checked)
2600/5200/7800... 

Rumor is that it was spec'd out by a few members of the atari design
team who were, ahem, "under the influence"... in a review session when
their superiors asked "what they were on" when they made this particular
device, they showed them :) Oh the colors, man, the colors! 

So basically it's a somewhat useless novelty. I've seen a few screen shots
of it, but the effects aren't too smooth, especially by todays standards.
I don't believe it was terribly popular among the
space-invader/shoot-em-up crowd. 

FYI it is a fairly rare item, if that matters at all to you. Probably
would fetch a nice price if it's as mint as you say. 

Andrew

| Andrew Schrock							|
| Network Programmer, Synthesizer and electronic music enthusiast	|
| aschrock at cs.brandeis.edu						|