The Commodore 64 (C64) is an 8-bit home computer system that was released in 1982 and discontinued in 1994. However, groups such as C64.com and other individuals continue to use the commodore 64 for gaming, programming and music composition. Music software for the C64 includes sequencers, digital recorders, notation programs and software for mastering with new music production still being developed as recently as 2009.
Locate a music composition package called Instant Music for the C64. Online auction sites and C64 message boards frequently include advertisements for Instant Music and other C64 music composition packages with the original box and instructions. If you are unable to locate the original version, c64music.blogspot.com has it available for download (see References).
2
Load the Instant Music disk on your C64. After it loads, click the drum, guitar, or bass button on the bottom of the screen to select which instrument you would like to be active.
3
Press and hold down the mouse button in the note area above the instrument boxes in order to create the notes in the composition. If you make a mistake, you may click "Edit" and choose a delete option from the title bar at the top of the screen.
4
Click "File" on the title bar, then select the appropriate option to save the composition. Click "Jam" on the title bar to access playback features.
Tips & Warnings
If you are comfortable with Instant Music and feel constrained by the features of the program, numerous other music software packages are available. Many are geared toward advanced C64 users, including a few that require coding instructions in assembly and sending them to the sound chip in order to create music. Information about other software packages can be obtained from lemonc64.com, c64.com and other C64 web communities.
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