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FORMULA SOFTWARE FORMULA (FORth MUsic LAnguage) is an advanced programming environment for computer music. It runs on Macintosh or Atari ST platforms and it is based on Forthmacs, a Forth system developed by Mich Bradley. FORMULA itself was developed by David Anderson (University of California at Berkeley) and Ron Kuivila (Wesleyan University), and it is intended for musicians who are also programmers. FORMULA emphasizes algorithmic rather than static musical procedures. One of the most important features of FORMULA is its ability to execute multiple processes at the same time. This is done using a software technique called "multiprogramming" in which the CPU switches rapidly between processes to provide the illusion of simultaneous execution. FORMULA provides interfaces to the mouse, terminal keyboard, and MIDI-input. There is a single handler process for each type of input. A handler process executes an infinite loop, which both reads and handles the input. Whenever there is no input it sleeps, later to be awakened by the corresponding input interrupt routine. This feature of FORMULA allows one to attach all kinds of separate processes to, for example, each MIDI-key or any of the inputs mentioned. There is virtually no limit on the number of processes which can be run simultaneously. The only limit is the number of notes which a synthesizer can play at a time. Via these features, any MIDI-instrument can be specifically tailored for a particular need (piece) and tremendously enhanced--making it into a hyper instrument. Download FORMULA for FREE: Macintosh Version
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