sound complicated but in practice it isn't

The second mode is the command mode and by using this you can "command" the micro to play back your masterpiece. You can have the whole tune or just a part of it and the program even allows repeats of sections of the piece. If you like what you hear you can save it for posterity. If you don't it's back to editing mode and the throws of creation! And if you need inspiration you can always load one of your previous efforts and play it.

As if all this weren't enough, when you first run the Music Editor you get a choice of 16 ready-to-use sound envelopes. If you don't like these you can alter them easily from the keyboard or load envelopes that you have previously altered and saved.

These are just the major facilities that the program gives you. There are lots more, all useful. And if you get lost you can always press the H key and get a crib sheet.

But you shouldn't need it. The instruction booklet is excellent and the whole program an example of what is meant by "user-friendly". People with no musical knowledge may be a little daunted at first but the Music Editor is so easy to use that it encourages experiment and with it learning.

You can write tunes by ear while the display gives you the correct musical notation. It's a gift to every frustrated composer, thwarted music teacher and parent who wants to give a child something that is amusing yet educational. And it's so much fun to use!

This excellent piece of software was a pleasure to review. Thoroughly recommended.

Nigel Peters