Agony by Sirius Cybernetics
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│ <<< AGONY >>> │ A Computer Symphony in 10 parts │
└───────────────┴─────────────────────────────────┘
─── Dedicated to Anne Hastrup Poulsen ───
─── Who is most likely the finest person this world has known... ───
─── Released at the Christmas-Party 1993 in Herning, DK ───
- - - - - - - -
All music is composed and arranged by:
─── Mads Orbesen Troest ───
All coding (What coding?) is performed by:
─── Mads Orbesen Troest ───
Sirius Logo created by:
─── Morten Sch¢nau Fog ───
Additional graphics (WHAT graphics?) is done by:
─── Mads Orbesen Troest ───
Fonts - I'm afraid - are all from:
─── Deluxe Paint 2.3 Enhanced ───
GOLDPLAY is coded by:
─── Sourcer / The CodeBlasters ───
I had to patch GOLDPLAY a bit, mainly because it refuses to signal when a
tune is finished. I did not want the pieces to loop, and therefore had to
perform a minor "tape'n glue" operation, which - in the end - worked out
just fine... I also needed the ability to fade out a MODule automaticly,
when a certain point was reached, but - well - now it functions...
Anyway, I'm not all that happy about GOLDPLAY, and of course every decent
group should have their own play-system.
In fact this should be the only release from [SCC] using that routine,
because me and ReX plan to finish the MOD version of our own sound-system
on The Party. And we like to think it's a BIT better than GP.
But thanks to the makers of GP anyways! After all it is an acceptable
play-routine released to the masses, thus helping manu new groups to start.
And without GP I could not possibly have released this "symphony" at
The Party. It was already some moths late.
I really needed to release it...
NOTICE: I just found out that GoldPlay apparently fails to initialize
properly on fast machines. I don't know about 50 MHz machines, but on
Frodo's I-80486 66 MHz DX/2 it is necessary to toggle the MHz to 33.
I realize this is most inconvenient, but since I didn't write this
play-routine there is really nothing I can do about it. Guess you'll
just have to set your computer to 33 MHz, or so... ≡:■(
- - - - - - - -
(C)opyright 1993:
Mads Orbesen Troest ("Marvin")
- of -
<> Artificial Arts <>
- of -
The "Sirius Cybernetics" Corporation
- and -
>> Onkel Dunkel's Disciple <<
- of -
Oh, shut up... ≡;■)
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You are allowed to use any of the MODules in Non-Commercial releases,
as long as you clearly state the origin of the music, aswell as my
complete name and handle (Mads Orbesen Troest - alias "Marvin" of
"Sirius Cybernetics" - that is)...
- - - - - - - -
Short Info:
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AGONY.EXE : Standard Execution of Music Demo
AGONY.EXE ? : Parameter Help & Info
AGONY.EXE L : LoopMode Execution of Music Demo
(Continous play and Menu skipping)
AGONY.EXE 0-9 : Play a selected tune
(Skipping Menu)
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The first time you execute the "symphony" you should chose the CONFIGURE
menu-item. Then answer the questions, and a Config-File will be saved so
that you won't have to configure the demo next time you execute it.
The music will play continously, until the last tune has been played.
When a piece is finished the next will be loaded automaticly - so all you
have to do is sit back and enjoy. Or don't enjoy... Whatever.
When the tunes are playing you can press ESCape at any time, to skip to the
next melody. It may take a little while, because when ESCape is pressed the
music starts to fade out at the same speed the music is playing. But it
will - eventually - reach volume 0, and skip to the next tune... ≡:■)
X, SHIFT-X, ALT-X, CTRL-X (or any combination ≡;■) may be pressed at any time
to exit Agony, while executing the demo.
All poetry-quotes (without music) will fade down by themself in 8 to 16
secondes (depending on the length of the text, of course), but this delay
can also be skipped by pressing ESCape...
If you want the music to play continously (skipping the selection-menu and
restarting when the last tune has been played), you should merely add the
parameter "L" (without the quotes) to the command-line: AGONY L
Tunes and delays can still be skipped by pressing ESCape.
If you want to play just one of the tunes, simply add the number of the tune
(starting from 0) to the command-line. To play the 4th tune, for example,
type: AGONY 3
Tunes and delays can still be skipped by pressing ESCape.
The music is not really intended for stereo, as the tracker I used to
compose it in does not support stereo. ≡:■(
Therefore I fear that some voices that do not fit frightfully well
together will share the same speaker in some of the tunes - if they
are played in stereo, that is. This is why you can't select a
SoundBlaster Pro. in the Configuration menu - but don't worry, the
filter IS turned ON (I think - if my little patch work, that is)
on the Pro. cards...
The music-files are standard Amiga-type MODules, so they can be played in
better quality by most players: VP, DMP (though DMP adds too much digital
noise, in my oppinion), etc.
- - - - - - - -
Requirements:
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■ AT-80286 (OR bigger ≡;■)
■ Slightly below 2 MegaBytes of free HD space
■ Approx. 300 Kb. of BaseMemory
■ Standard VGA
■ Beeper (Nooo!), Covox (Hmmm...) or a SoundBlaster / SoundBlaster Pro. (Yes!)
(Sorry - no Gravis support yet...)
■ 30 minutes of time to kill
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ErrorLevels:
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These are the ErrorLevels returned from the Music Demo, if something
(oh dread and horror!) should go wrong. Well, obviously $00/#0 is not
indicating that something actually went wrong, but - oh, forget it! ≡;■)
$00/#0 : A-OK! (No Error, that is...)
$01/#1 : No VGA Compatible VideoCard Detected!
$02/#2 : Not enough Base Memory for Demo! (Approx. #150+MODule Kb. Required)
$03/#3 : Machine in V86 mode - Sound Quality will be suck! GOLDPLAY ≡:■(
$04/#4 : Music File not found or corrupt!
$05/#5 : Screen Data not found or corrupt!
$06/#6 : Unable to execute Play Routine!
$07/#7 : Not enough Base Memory for current Tune!
$FF/#255 : Internal Undocumented Error!
$FF/#255 : Illegal Parameter Error!
$FF/#255 : Laziness... (WHAT?!)
- - - - - - - -
Story of this Demo:
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Oh, but I badly suspect nobody really cares to hear it...
I will tell you this much: It started when there was 1½ or 2 months left of
my stay on "Testrup H¢jskole". That was when I got to know Anne - or she got
to know me, perhaps. That was when I started composing the first Agony tune:
Miracle.
I guess it all began one night when I was sitting alone in my room, improvising
some rather depressive music using the church-organ sound on my keyboard.
The lights was off (I sort of like the dark), and the only lights in the room
was the LED's in the display and controls of the keyboard.
Suddenly the door burst open - somebody was on the phone, and Anne was sent to
fetch me. I don't know who was the more surprised... ≡:■)
Then late one night after a party, which I had not (as usual) attended, I sat
in the dining hall, the lights off (as usual), playing the Bösendorfer piano.
Suddenly I heard some noice from the kitchen in the far end of the hall.
Puzzled (and somewhat startled, I admit) I stopped playing, listening for the
noise to come again. Suddenly the door opened, and it turned out Anne had
been in the kitchen raiding some food together with some male guest whom I did
not know.
I never attended the parties, but in a way I looked forward to them anyway,
since I knew Anne would appear when the party was about to end.
We talked a great deal, and she said a lot of things some of which I was naive
enough to believe in.
Ah, I could tell you were not really interrested... And why - indeed - should
you be? Well, the short and long of it is that I had several of my theories
regarding people and the validity of their words confirmed...
Now I can only look back, and wish that I - for one - had acted upon those
theories. But people learn from their mistakes. Even if they don't want to.
- - - - - - - -
Artificial Arts:
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Since my group ("Sirius Cybernetics") appeared not to be too productive, I
decided to make a special music-department - <A>rtificial <A>rts.
I am still a full-time member of "Sirius Cybernetics", but if YOU should
ever be in a desperate need of depressive Non-Techno music, I would be
glad to assist you.
I sure hope some of you will like my music - perhaps even vote for it.
When I am composing I don't sit down with the idea of composing some music,
unless I really feel I have.....well, something to say. Argh, it sounds really
crappy, but it's true nevertheless. I am conviced that if I worked otherwize
it would only lead to "standard-music", which I dread even more than myself.
All of the pieces in Agony are composed when I suddenly found myself in
DigiStudio whacking in notes and scanning through my samples.
Therefore the music in Agony has taken about 4 months from the first tune was
started till the last was finished. Then I lamed around for another month,
listening to the tunes time and again, perhaps changing a sample, adjusting a
few notes or improving some sample loop-points.
So perhaps I may not be as productive as other musicians, but I don't really
know since I am not acquinted with any. And I don't really care either...
Contact me for original music at:
"Marvin" of "Sirius Cybernetics"
Mads Orbesen Troest
Jernbanegade 12
9610 N¢rager
Denmark
Phone: <DK>+9855 1258
Or through Netmail at the FIDO-Net: 2:234/48.15
In 1994 you CAN also reach my through InterNet on a friends
university-account: REX@IESD.AUC.DK
(Just start the letter mentioning it's purpose and my name.)
I am looking forward to hear from you...
- - - - - - - -
Thanks, Hos, Hellos and Greetings are extended to the following fine people:
Christian Gaarden ("Frodo" of "Sirius Cybernetics")
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Hey Fruttu, my oldest ally... ≡;■) Now, DON'T you think it was about time YOU
started actually CODING something? (And I don't mean like Svenns Birthday) -
I'm looking forward to your noter... ≡:■)
Good luck with your new job!
Jesper Gravgaard Jensen ("ReX" of "Sirius Cybernetics")
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Well... Perhaps some day I shall understand how quickly things can change,
and when I do I might even need a few mathematical comments on the matter. ≡;■>
Anyway, it's actually quite nice developing stuff together with you again -
"Just like the ol'e 64 days", as one might be inclined to say. Oh, do help me -
I'm getting sentimental! ≡:■)
Dan Have Thomsen ("Lydian" of "Sirius Cybernetics")
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Hummmm - My oldest friend, I guess... I remember one of our first encounters
in the 1st grade: I corrected your pronunciation of "LASER" (you were about to
shoot me with a rather StarWars inspired Laser-Blaster), and I vaguely
remember you replying by threatning to kick my butt, or some other quite
horrible thing... ≡;■)
Holger S. Jensen ("Hex" of "Sirius Cybernetics")
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Hey Holle! Are you aware of how long time it's been since we last met?
What, 5 months or something similar?! How can so little have happened in so
much time? ≡;■> Well, we shall have to do something radical about that. Oh yes,
we can't have you slowly slipping away in the dark outskirts of Odense, can we?
Peter Hauge ("Doom")
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I think you are one cool graphician! Thanx for the logo you made at The Party!
I hope we perhaps can arrange something about you joining our group...
Mikkel Orbesen Troest (Oups - my littlebrother?!)
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Hey! I hate to admit it, but it's actually quite nice having you back from that
interresting place of united hope & despair. "Testrup High" (sorry Birger),
that is. Hope you've left happier than I did...
Birger Larsen (Well, "just" a good and reliable frind...)
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Og Hunde Hopper Hurtigst Over Heste! Ih, de fine små fiiiskene... Another hero
just returned from a public folk-highschool, or whatever lame translation
one chose to use. "Ry H¢jskole", anyway. It is about time we get some serious
RolePlaying started, eh? And remember: We are going to sew ourselves some
spooky robes, thogh I do not yet know how such a feat could possibly be brought
to a successful conclusion... ≡;■)
Per Martin Halskov (Ah - another solid friend...)
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Honestly Per! What ARE you doing in Japan?! And don't give me any "Oh, but I've
always been so - you know - fascinated by their whole culture. I mean - I was
like, you know, captured by a larger moment and...", because I believe it. ≡:■]
Morten Sch¢nau Fog (Fellow Brother in "Onkel Dunkel's Disciple")
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Well... That appartment was too good to be true, anyway. In fact most things
that appear to be "good" tend to give away their real self by becoming "too
good", hastily suffixed by "to be true".
I know that where you are easily accellerated I require a bit more potential
energy to start rolling, but - if I may take the liberty - it appears to me
that you are also very easily decellerated...
But anyway - don't listen to me. I'm just a poor loser on adole. Oh, I forgot;
I'm not even on adole anymore. Guess the status of Loser will have to do. ≡;■)
To tell the truth, I'm rather disappointed that you have haven't replied my
invitation to "Onkel Dunkel's ReUnion"... ≡:~■(
Carsten Gehling (Fellow Brother in "Onkel Dunkel's Disciple")
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I might come around and visit your _4TH_FLOOR_APPARTMENT_ (!) again, some day.
But then again - I may not. Who am I - of all - to tell... Oh, anyhow -
"Asperum Aestimare Fimi Aliqvid Hodie"... Or something not quite unlike that.
I'm not fluent in Latin. Unfortunately.
I hope we can realize the M.U.D. project we talked about...
Torsten Koefoed (Fellow Brother in "Onkel Dunkel's Disciple")
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FANDO-FAF will rule again! Or have we ever ceased ruling? Naaah... Remeber the
masses crying "FANDO-FAF! FANDO-FAF! FANDO-FAF! (Rep. Ad. Lib.)" - Ah, those
were the days, those were the days...
I'll get around to mailing you those Lucas-you-know-who disques... Probably...
(I wouldn't trust me!) Anyway, I hope that the SIMU-arranged ReUnion _will_
take place, and then you'll get'em there, of course. And if that screws up -
you'll get'em at The Party.
Lennart H¢j Larsen (Fellow Brother in "Onkel Dunkel's Disciple")
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Shame on you! You KNOW you should save your money for "ODD" ReUnions <TM>, and
NOT use them on simple earthly, capitalistic items such as a guitar. Oh, and
a driver's license. Nay, I must despair over you... ≡;■} Keep up the spirites,
pal; Life has never been easy. Not even to those who deserve it...
David Bech Paulsen (Fellow Brother in "Onkel Dunkel's Disciple")
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Hey fellow FANDO-FAF'er (and "ODD" Brother)!
Now, wasn't it about time you bought yourself a REAL computer? (A PC, that is!)
Anne Hastrup Poulsen (Well - the finest person in the world...)
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Thanks, I suppose, for showing me what I was not. Anyway, "You made me forget
myself - I thought I was someone else, someone good" as Lou Reed says. I really
miss you as I have never missed anything or anybody. But I guess I'll just have
to get used to it, won't I?
Signe Hastrup Poulsen (Anne's littlesister... ≡:■)
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Why, thanks for cutting the - let me see - left side of my hair. I seriously
consider paying you off by offering a great gift; Yes (oh horror and despair!),
some "Sværd & Trolddom" book that you do not already have in your rather
extensive collection... ≡;■)
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Generic Hellos to such elements as:
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Als/Surprise Productions (Hey Allan! Hope to see you at The Party...)
Cyron/Surprise Productions (Aaand the same goes for you, Ole!)
The Smurfs (Hope you'll get your dmo finished...)
The Executioner/Crack Central (Cool board! I'm glad you like my music,
I look forward to some of it eating a few
bytes on your board-disk...)
Skaven/Future Crew (Just thought I'd greet the BEST computer
musician I've ever heard!!!)
And finally a Big Hello to all musicians on the one and only PC!
Let's keep on showing those Amiga-freaks that you needn't have an Amiga
to be creative! That's about the most stupid claim I've ever heard...
- - - - - - - -
Quotes (..... signifies a cut):
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"The Mermaid" (W.B. Yeats)
A Mermaid found a swimming lad,
picked him for her own.
Pressed her body to his body,
laughed and plunged down.
Forgot in cruel happiness
that even lovers drown.
- - - - - - - -
(From "The Book of Counted Sorrows")
In the Real world,
as in Dreams,
Nothing is quite
what it seems.
- - - - - - - -
"Sword of Damocles" (Lou Reed, "Magic and Loss")
.....
It seems everything's done that must be done
But from over here those things don't seem fair
.....
- - - - - - - -
"Perfect Day" (Lou Reed, "Transformer")
.....
You made me forget myself
I thought I was someone else
Someone good
.....
- - - - - - - -
"Magic and Loss" (Lou Reed, "Magic and Loss")
.....
There's a bit of Magic in everything
and then some Loss to even things out
Some Loss to even things out
Some Loss to even things out
- - - - - - - -
Tune #1 - Miracle
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"Andy's Chest" (Lou Reed, "Transformer")
If I could be anything in the world that flew
I would be a bat and come swooping after you
And if the last time you were here things were a bit askew
Well, you know wgat happens after dark
When rattlesnakes lose their skins and their hearts
And all the missionaries lose thier bark
Oh, all the trees are calling after you
And all the venom snipers after you
Are all the mountains bolder after you?
.....
- - - - - - - -
Tune #2 - Doubt
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"What's Good" (Lou Reed, "Magic and Loss")
.....
What good's a war without killing
What good is rain that falls up
What good's disease that won't hurt you
Why no good, I guess, no good at all
.....
What good are these thoughts that I'm thinking
It must be better not to be thinging at all
A styrofoam lover with emotions of conrete
No not much, not much at all
.....
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Tune #3 - Hope
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"N.Y. Telephone Conversation" (Lou Reed, "Transformer")
.....
I am calling
Yes I'm calling
Just to speak to you
For I know this night will kill me
If I can't be with you
If-I-can't-be-with-you
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Tune #4 - Truth
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"Nobody But You" (Lou Reed, "Songs for Drella")
.....
I'm still not sure I didn't die
And if I'm dreaming I still have bad pains inside
I know I'll never be a bride - to nobody like you
I wish I had a stronger chin, my skin was good, my nose was thin
This is no movie I'd ask to be in - with a nobody like you
Nobody like you, a nobody like you, all my life -
It's been nobodies like you
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Tune #5 - Loss
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"No Chance" (Lou Reed, "Magic and Loss")
It must be nice to be steady, it must be nice to be firm
It must be nice never to move off of the mark
It must be nice to be dependable and lever let anyone down
It must be great to be all the things you're not
It must be great to be all the things that I'm not
.....
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Tune #6 - Pain
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"Dreamin'" (Lou Reed, "Magic and Loss")
If I close my eyes I see your face and I'm not without you
If I try hard and concentrate I can still hear you speak
I picture myself in your room by the chair
You're smoking a cigarette
If I close my eyes I can see your face you're saying,
"I missed you"
Dreamin' - I', always dreamin'
.....
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Tune #7 - Despair
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"No Chance" (Lou Reed, "Magic and Loss")
.....
It must be nice to be normal, it must be nice to be cold
It must be nice not to have to go oh up or down
But me I'm all emotional no matter how I try
You're gone and I'm still here alive
You're gone and I am still alive
.....
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Tune #8 - Goodbye
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"Faces and Names" (Lou Reed, "Songs for Drella")
.....
I wish i was a robot or a machine
Without a feeling or a thought
People who want to meet the name I have
Are always disappointed when they meet me
.....
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Tune #9 - Regretting The Past
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"Faces and Names" (Lou Reed, "Songs for Drella")
.....
I always fall in love with someone who looks
the way I wish that I could be
I'm always staring at someone who hurts
And the one they hurt is me
.....
- - - - - - - -
Tune #10 - Funeral / Epilogue
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"Cremation" (Lou Reed, "Magic and Loss")
Well the coal black sea waits for me me me
The coal black sea waits forever
The waves hit the shore
Crying more more more
But the coal black sea waits forever
.....
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>>> THIS is the END! <<<
Well, at least it could've been. But it isn't:
- THIS IS -
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[ back to the prod ]