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From: F3
e-mail: cam1796@hotmail.com
Category: 400/800/XL/XE
Date: 29 Sep 2002
Time: 14:57:05
Remote Name: 80.60.151.77
I recently read data concerning the POKEY sound chip as I wondered why Atari never thought of updating POKEY with the XL range, at a time where Commodore 64s SID was gathering fame. (I thought) If Atari can develop custom graphics chips, then why would they neglect the sound? I had to investigate POKEY.
I was wrong, they didn't.
It is a highly advanced and sophisicated device, in that it is served by it's own set of interupts (faster than the vbl), allowing for precise control over the audio speakers, wave shaping calculations, adsr, to cut it short the sounds that are possible, is only limited by the programmers imagination. The C64 SID has only 3 waves on board, preprogammed waves. This (I suspect) was probably due to the complexities involved with wave calculations, allowing for easier access to the hardware, a more satisfactory result with less effort. From what I know about the SID, it doesn't seem to have the same capabilities as POKEY, concerning precise control over it's wave making.
Now, what I want to know is, why is this/was this feature in the Atari 8-bit range almost entirely ignored? (I am messing around with it now. It is complicated and I'm in shock).
With such an amazing flexibility exposed, it would not have been thought of being below the standards of the 64, which probably wouldn't have enjoyed such praise alone.