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If you've tired of the Spectrum music program published in this issue then you could always try Spectsound.

As far as producing sounds goes, the programs are very similar. The middle row of the keyboard can be played like an organ, while two other keys are used to shift the octave up or down.

It's unfortunate that the Spectrum's sound capability is so limited without adding extra hardware. The program is written in Basic and the only sound possible is produced by the Beep command. It's possible to make different sound effects by using machine code subroutines in the program, but for some reason they're not included here.

Potentially the most exciting part of this program is the facility to record and edit tunes in the computer's memory and to play them back or store them to cassette. However, a limit of the machine's sound generator is that the program can only play one note at a time.

Recording is not done in what's known as real time. This means that you can enter notes only into the memory and not the timing. If you want pauses or long notes then you'll need to enter rests as well. This does have the advantage, though, of allowing you to play slowly and then play back at a normal speed.

The keyboard does not function as a true organ, with respect to the way notes are produced. What should happen is that the sound is produced for an long as you have your finger on the key, and stops when you take your finger off. Doing this on a Spectrum is difficult. In fact, in Basic it's impossible.

So what the company has done is to provide notes of a fixed length. You then use two keys to either raise or lower this value. This will also vary the playback speed. This system is exactly as used in the Spectraphone listing in this issue of C&VG.

C&VG produce a monthly magazine that not only includes a game for most home micros but which is packed full of articles and reviews. It seems incredible that a software company could charge over £6.00 just to buy a magazine-quality program! Lucky you - you've already purchased this magazine!

If you'd like to compare the two for yourself, Spectsound is from PDQ Software in Kent.