The Siel Sound Buggy is not only a sound expander but also a sequencer. The hardware is a large black box with offers rhythm, accompaniment and master controls neatly recessed into the top panel. A ribbon cable connects the device to the user port on your C64. A phono socket outputs sound to your hi-fi, with an alternative output from a mini-jack (like the one on your walkman headphones).

Software is available both on tape or disk. The program contains a range of 26 different sounds. Sound parameters for each one can be changed and then stored to tape or disk. YOu also get a range of 28 rhythms, which can also be edited.

A number of pre-programmed tunes are in evidence complete with chords, bass line and percussion track. Other features include a sequencer and real-time recording, all accessed from the rather cramped main screen.

The pre-programmed sounds were rather disappointing because they didn't resemble anything in particular, so you'll need to do some nifty editing to get good results. Percussion sounds were rather better but, as far as I could see, although oyu can edit the rhythms, you can't edit percussive sounds themselves.

A manual not yet being available at the time of review, it seems unfair to form any hard opinions, but Sound Buggy definitely looks like having potential, albeit at rather a high price.

Stave notation: no Record modes: step/real MIDI: no Edit rhythm: yes Load/Save: yes Printer: no Tempo: yes Transpose: no Tuning: no Edit sounds: yes Graphics: 3 Easy use: 5