A/D CONVERTER BY MIRAGE¢AVAILABLE FROM:A.N.G¢PRICE:AROUND #20.00¢¢¢The A/D Converter is a new sampler from Poland, and is a very good sampler for the price. It is a 4-Bit sampler, with a sample rate of 21khz¢*¢When you purchase your sampler you get the following:¢The sample cartridge and a utilities disk, plus a phono lead.¢ The cartridge is black with an orange label and a phono input in the top right corner. There is also a red LED in the bottom left corner. This is a sound level monitor. It checks to see if the sound coming through is loud enough.¢ The software you get with the sampler isn't much use, as the quality you get when taking a sample from your source (i.e. tape, CD, video) is very distorted. To obtain the best from this sampler you really need 256KB or more, as one of the utilities on the disk requires this much memory.¢ This util is very easy to use, but I had problems with my 256KB XL, as it didn't seem to bank switch properly. It would only work if you booted up with basic on, then typed 'DOS', then the menu would appear and you would select the 256KB sample utility, which is joystick driven.¢*¢There are few instructions on how to use this, so you have to work it out for yourself.¢ At the top of the screen there is a display to show you that your sample is in memory.¢ Taking a sample couldn't be easier, you just select the length (time) of your sample. I use '4', as this is long enough to take a good sample. You then click on the 'Q SAMPLE' in the bottom right-hand corner, the screen turns black, you now can press 'PLAY' on your tape deck, CD, etc and hear the sound come through the TV speaker. When you wish to take a sample, you press your fire button and the screen changes colour and beats (if that is the right word) to the music.¢ When the length you selected is up, the main screen appears. You now select the length (time) and change it back to '1'. You must take '3' off the length you selected to get the right speed for the playback. Then you click on 'Q PLAY' and your sample is played back to you through the TV speaker.¢ You can chop parts of the sample out by clicking on the display at the top of the screen or by clicking on the arrow at the side of the display, which moves a cursor along to the point were you want.¢ There is a way of having more than one sample in memory, but I haven't worked out how to do this yet (can anyone help?).¢*¢The quality of the samples is of high standard, well that depends on your source. For example when using a tape, try not to use chrome or metal tapes, as the sample will be rubbish. I think this is because of the frequency range of the tape, which is too high for the sampler to handle, so use standard 'normal' tapes for best results. It is the same with CD, but this can be made clearer by the use of a graphic equalizer. I found sampling from a video recorder to be the best source to take a sample from.¢*¢There are a few bad points I would like to point out:¢Lack of instructions.¢Won't run with all Ramdisks.¢There is no-way of changing the sample rate. It is set at 21khz.¢And there is no way of finding out how much memory your sample has taken up when using the above software (256KB). A counter of some sort to let you know how much memory your sample has used would have been great.¢ Also it is said that this sampler is compatible with the Replay sampler, this is NOT true! ¢ The software will not work with Replay, and vice-versa. The samples themselves are compatible with Replay, and you can load them with the Replay software (is this what they mean when they say compatible?)¢¢If you can't get the Replay sampler, I would suggest you buy this, as it is a great sampler with good quality sound, and is worth every penny!¢¢reviewed by Spite¢*¢Drop It¢-------¢¢Available from ANG Software.¢¢I bought this game at the AMS and being a fan of falling block type games I was really looking forward to it. The man with the beard at the ANG stall said it was like '3D Tetris' but better - I have to disagree!¢ When the game loads and depacks you will be presented with a nice title screen and some good musix. All in game text is in English which makes up for the Polish instructions! Yes, the instructions are in Polish but thankfully the important bits (like which keys to use) are easy to spot but it would have been nice to have been able to read the blurb.¢ The main screen allows you to choose the level you play, rotation speed and size of well to use. There's also a replay option to allow you to go over the game you have just played (and scream at the opportunities missed!).¢ The game screen is extremely similar to '3D Tetris' with the well taking up the majority of the screen and the rest of the display being taken up with score, level and other info.¢ The main difference between this and '3D Tetris' becomes apparent when your first block 'lands'. The game uses the same transparent vector line graphics for your falling block as in '3D Tetris' but when landed the block becomes full colour. Unfortunately, after a while the patterns and colours used can really put a strain on your eyes.¢ The game does not have a high score facility which is a pity as this can be a great encouragement to play the game again.¢ Overall, not at all a bad game, and maybe if there was no '3D Tetris' I'd play it more. As is stands, I prefer '3D Tetris'.¢¢reviewed by John E. (TEBSF)¢*¢Deimos¢------¢¢Available from ANG Software.¢¢'Deimos', I am told by Alias Maximus, is Ancient Greek for 'Fear' which is an appropiate title. Quite clever too.¢ When the game loads and depacks you will be presented with a title screen that is very reminiscent of Zeppelin intros. In fact the whole game is very 'Zeppelin like' but I'll go even further and say it's better!¢ Again the instructions are in Polish which is a little annoying but most people should notice the numbers '1 2 3 4 5 6' which is important as pressing these keys uses the object in this box.¢ Start the game and you will see yourself (who looks extremely like Teddy from 'Cavernia' fame) in a nice castle-like building. Graphics are in black and white but they really are brilliant! I can't commend them enough.¢ Walk around a little and you'll come across a few objects and some locked doors. To use a key to open a door simply stand in front of the door and press the box number which contains the key. There are three different keys and they each only open one type of door.¢ There are a few objects that I just haven't got a clue what they do. These are a dagger and a skull - can anyone tell me what these do?¢ The author has included a 'what's what' screen but it's all in Polish which is a great pity.¢ You start the game with five lives and each life gives you a full bottle of 'life' which can be eaten away by running into nasties or chains. Watch out for falling chadeliers (well, I think they are!) as these automatically take away one of your lives.¢ The movement of Teddy's twin is smooth and fast and my only gripe is that he's too slow when climbing ladders.¢ The game uses a password protection and whenever you come up to a computer console in the game you are given a number and must simply enter the three letter code next to the number. It's really easy to use and I wish Tiger Developments would use a similar protection!¢ If I knew what all the objects did then I wouldn't hesitate in giving this a glowing review. As it is, the game is still excellent but the lack of English instructions do let it down a little.¢¢reviewed by John E. (TEBSF)¢
