Melodian's ConcertMaster Keyboard
Melodian's ConcertMaster | ||
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Developer | Melodian | |
Company | ||
Publisher | Melodian | |
Release | 1984 | |
Licence | ||
Platform | C64 | |
Genre | Music hardware | |
Operation | ||
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Information |
The Melodian ConcertMaster Keyboard was released for the C64 in December 1984, just in time for the Christmas market. The package contained a keyboard of a little over two and a half octaves and composer and instructional software. It cost $199 (about $530 adjusted to 2025). The high cost, almost the same as the Commodore 64 itself, meant that few were sold and they are now rare and considered collector's items.
The accompanying software can produce the sounds of 19 instruments including bagpipes, violin, flute, harpsichord, mandolin, organ and others, as well as various synthesizers. As good as the SID chip was in its day it was still limited in a number of ways and so the instrument sounds aren't particularly realistic, especially when trying to emulate acoustic instruments. However, they were good enough for their intended purpose as part of a relatively simple learning tool and music production package, which, even though expensive in itself, was still much cheaper than most professional alternatives.
The sequencer part of the software allows for three separate (monophonic) instruments to be recorded onto three tracks, which can then be re-recorded or edited. Demonstration tunes are also supplied and these can also be edited. The audio output is mono.
Further software for the package was available from the manufacturer, such as RhythmMaster ($39.95). This is instructional, i.e. educational software in a game format that requires the user to match the rhythm and length of notes shown on the screen.
Excerpt from “The Conductor” manual[edit | edit source]
“Melodian's ConcertMaster (TM) is a powerful musical software package that turns your Commodore into a combination digital recording studio and music synthesizer ConcertMaster is powerful and sophisticated, but extremely easy to use.
The ConcertMaster MusicDisk (TM) includes music lessons that teach basic music principles and keyboard skills, starting right from the very beginning. If you've never played an instrument before, ConcertMaster will show you how.
As your musical skills expand, the advanced features of ConcertMaster will provide you with all the tools you'll need to compose original music. You can create your own compositions with the three track recorder and click track, using the sound-on-sound overdub capability to build up your compositions layer by layer. You can hear your pieces played back using any of the nineteen built-in instruments. You can even create your own instruments, experimenting with the sounds until you find just the right mix. And you can save your creations on floppy disks, and play them back whenever you like.
ConcertMaster's MusicDisk also contains a wide variety of prerecorded master performances that sound terrific. As you perfect the keyboard basics, these songs can be modified in thousands of imaginative ways. You'll be amazed to hear what you can do.”