Chapter 1

THE MEETING WITH THE BEAST!

I was browsing through a shop in town when I came across a box featuring a software program and a console for creating music. The box's appearance was dated, and it had been on the shelf for a long time.
Examining the box images, this is a program designed to connect to the PC, enabling you to create music using WAV files.
Very plastic-looking.
The price was fine (£15)

I have many music systems at home, including amplifiers, mix CD decks, monitors, and a sound card.
As a DJ/ Music producer, I am passionate about everything related to music, and I have a tendency towards experimentalism and unconventional objects.
I found this a strange music object, so I asked about it, and they told me this was a discontinued product.

I got back home and I did some research on the web, but I didn't find anything about this, apart from some people in forums looking for the original software program.
Without the software, the machine doesn't work !!

So, the next day I get back to the shop and pick one of these machines to see what's happening.
I get a box, come home, and start to install the machine on my music computer.

The program software and machine are from 2001, and no more updates have been made.
The guy from the shop told me that inside the box was an XP driver for the program.
I opened the box, and inside was the original program software, along with a recorded CD containing the XP driver.
This software utilises an outdated ActiveX driver, which is no longer available on the web.

I set up everything, but first, I had to pass some challenges:
The cable of the WAVDJ connecting the machine to the PC is an old Mousse socket, together with a 6-pin socket for image. My PC is not that old and just has a USB mouse connection, so I have to go out and get an adapter.

After that, it was all about making the sound connections and installing the software.
Works fine at first, but has many problems.
The sound sometimes came grumbling, sometimes didn't produce any sound, and later wouldn't start the software, resulting in some stupid errors.
Between all these happenings, I had about a week to experiment and see what I could do with this toy.

The Software program allowed me to change all the FX sound files, as they are all in WAV format.
The drums feature 72 different loop patterns, which can be altered and reconstructed beat by beat.
The software allowed me to construct tracks or change the sounds and rhythms independently on each button.
He has connections in and out, plus a microphone.
The keyboard instruments can all be changed, and there are tooo many to count.
Have a scale with 8 octaves on the keyboard
Interesting things for a toy !!

After the problems start, I decide to put the machine back in a box and set it aside...
Leave it!