Micro File

8. If I Had a Hammer

BBC2 Series 1 Episode 8
First broadcast 17th November 1986, 13:05
Duration: 24:23
Run software from this programme (8 programs)
LESLEY JUDD and FRED HARRIS introduce a compilation of items from the recent series of Micro Live. Few rock and pop records are made today without the help of sophisticated computer-based synthesisers. They can produce the sound of any instrument and replay strings of notes more accurately than session musicians. Micro Live traces the development of such synthesisers, from the 19th-century Telharmonium, to the Fairlight Computer Musical Instrument which impersonates an orchestra. Film editor HORACIO QUEIRO Producer PATRICK TITLEY

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Clips from this programme

Opening Titles

Duration: 00:33

Then Jerico electronic music production (Martin Rushent, Genetic Studios, near Reading), computers now aiding this

Duration: 01:08
Topics:

Kurzweil 250 playing real instruments digitally, replaying digital recording of real sounds

Duration: 00:32
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The Production Process continued: Linn Drum programmable drum machine with actual recordings on-chip

Duration: 02:00
Topics:

The very first electronic musical instrument: The 1906 -telharmonium (A 200 tons machine) - Archive footage

Duration: 00:39

Bob Moog mini-Moog analog synthesiser demo, Prophet 5 Polyphonic Synthesiser, Switched on Bach

Duration: 00:34
Topics:

The Production Process continued: Prophet 5 Polyphonic Synthesiser can play up to 5 notes at the same time using analog oscillators

Duration: 02:52
Topics:

Ray Hammond "The Musician and the Micro", Musicians' Union (John Patrick's) worries, Barry Manilow synth tour (Synth as sub for strings)

Duration: 01:35
Topics:

The Production Process continued: The Synclavier, Bowie track sampling- playback after a machine re-boot

Duration: 04:43
Topics:

Fairlight demo with sampled and 'own-drawn' sounds, with sequencer. If you have a hammer, use it!

Duration: 04:16
Topics:

60 seconds for one person to build to a full tune

Duration: 01:06
Topics:

Bill Fickas, lead guitar for the Broken Rubber Band, the Apple Guitar and the Roland Guitar Synth (Mark Wood)

Duration: 01:57
Topics:

Mike Kelly MD of Syco Systems covering lower cost kit (available to anyone in the street) similar kit for bedroom bands

Duration: 01:35

End Titles

Duration: 00:46

Micro File - Series 1

1. Images

First broadcast: 11th May 1986
Duration 24:54

The best of Micro Live. Images: In the first of eight compilations Lesley Judd introduces a selection of computer graphics ranging from simple home users to million dollar animations: Home Micro Newsletter, Fractal Drawing, Computer Animation Competition. Series editor DAVID ALLEN

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2. At Home with the Technology

First broadcast: 18th May 1986
Duration 24:38

A selection from the recent series of Micro Live. 2: At Home with the Technology: Is your home micro used only for games? Or is it just gathering dust? Fred Harris suggests some ideas for putting it to good use: Upgrading from tape to disc, Databases, Communications. Producer TERRY MARSH Series editor DAVID ALLEN

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3. The Short, Short History

First broadcast: 25th May 1986
Duration 24:28

The best of the recent series of Micro Live. The Short, Short History: The history of computing is short, eventful and exhilarating or threatening. Lesley Judd introduces a selection of items from Micro Live which looks at advances in hardware and some of the public reactions: Boston Computer Museum, Memory Lane, Incompatibility: The Job Killer? Videotape editor GRAHAM TAYLOR Producer TERRY MARSH Series editor DAVID ALLEN

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4. The Game Show

First broadcast: 1st June 1986
Duration 24:30

Seven programmes containing the best of the recent series of Micro Live. 4: The Game Show: Zap! Pow! Wowee! Fred Harris introduces a selection of arcade and adventure games. Air Traffic Control, Phantom Pilots, Game Killer, The Writing of Spellbreaker, The Pawn Producer TERRY MARSH Series editor DAVID ALLEN

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5. Power

First broadcast: 8th June 1986
Duration 24:26

The best of the recent series of Micro Live. 5: Power: How powerful is the average home computer? What does power mean anyway - is it the hardware or the software? Lesley Judd investigates: Benchmarks, the 'Amiga' review, Robotics Videotape editor GRAHAM TAYLOR Producer TERRY MARSH Series editor DAVID ALLEN

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6. Spread the Word

First broadcast: 15th June 1986
Duration 24:31

The best of the recent series of Micro Live. Spread the Word: Fred Harris looks at ways of communicating with a computer. Speech synthesis, Programming languages, Catching up with technology. Videotape editor GRAHAM TAYLOR Producer TERRY MARSH Series editor DAVID ALLEN

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7. Look to the Future

First broadcast: 22nd June 1986
Duration 24:25

A selection from the recent series of Micro Live. Look to the Future: Last of the present series: Flat screen technology, Molecular memories, Parallel processing, The Inmos transputer. Producer TERRY MARSH Series editor DAVID ALLEN

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8. If I Had a Hammer

First broadcast: 17th November 1986
Duration 24:23

LESLEY JUDD and FRED HARRIS introduce a compilation of items from the recent series of Micro Live. Few rock and pop records are made today without the help of sophisticated computer-based synthesisers. They can produce the sound of any instrument and replay strings of notes more accurately than session musicians. Micro Live traces the development of such synthesisers, from the 19th-century Telharmonium, to the Fairlight Computer Musical Instrument which impersonates an orchestra. Film editor HORACIO QUEIRO Producer PATRICK TITLEY

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9. Artificial Intelligence

First broadcast: 24th November 1986
Duration 24:40

LESLEY JUDD and FRED HARRIS introduce a compilation of items from the recent series of Micro Live.

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10. Electronic Publishing

First broadcast: 1st December 1986
Duration 24:34

ELECTRONIC PUBLISHING with LESLEY JUDD and FRED HARRIS

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Micro File - Series 2

1. In the wires

First broadcast: 17th May 1987
Duration 24:17

A compilation of items from the recent information technology series

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2. What's in it for me?

First broadcast: 24th May 1987
Duration 24:36

Lesley Judd and Fred Harris with a selection from the recent series of Micro Live. What's in IT for Me? If you know nothing about computers, here's a back-to-basics look at word processing, stock control and accounts. Studio director KRISTIN MASON Producer TERRY MARSH

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3. Only Connect

First broadcast: 31st May 1987
Duration 24:59

Fred Harris and Lesley Judd with another chance to see some of the best items from the recent series of Micro Live: Only Connect. This week connecting your computer to the telephone network - from electronic mail to dial-up data-bases. Producer TERRY MARSH Series editor DAVID ALLEN

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4. Too Risky

First broadcast: 7th June 1987
Duration 24:07

Fred Harris and Lesley Judd with some of the best items from the recent series: Too Risky. Innovation is a risky business, though it can sometimes pay off. Micro Live talks to Sir Clive Sinclair and looks at a ship with wings. Producer TERRY MARSH Series editor DAVID ALLEN

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5. Files of Facts

First broadcast: 14th June 1987
Duration 24:47

With Lesley Judd and Fred Harris: Another chance to see some of the best from the recent series of Micro Live. Files of Facts. This week, computerised personal information and a look at some of the implications of its use. Producer TERRY MARSH Series editor DAVID ALLEN

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6. First Steps

First broadcast: 21st June 1987
Duration 24:39

With Fred Harris and Lesley Judd: First Steps: A look at the use of computers in education, with a review of some software intended for use in nursery schools. Producer TERRY MARSH Series editor DAVID ALLEN

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7. Music and Movement

First broadcast: 28th June 1987
Duration 24:28

Music and Movement : Another chance to see some of the best of the recent series of Micro Live. Music and Movement A professional music sequencer and stunning computer graphics from Monte Carlo. Producer TERRY MARSH Series editor DAVID ALLEN

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8. Robots

First broadcast: 17th November 1987
Duration 24:23

A compilation of items from the recent series Micro Live. Robots

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9. Computer-aided Doctors

First broadcast: 24th November 1987
Duration 24:33

Computer-Aided Doctors

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10. The Generation Game

First broadcast: 1st December 1987
Duration 24:38

A compilation of items from the recent series Micro Live. The Generation Game

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11. Animation Special

First broadcast: 30th January 1988
Duration 39:01

With Lesley Judd, Fred Harris. Next week the world's top animators gather in Monte Carlo for a festival of computer images, Imagina. Micro File previews some of the animations with Oscar Grillo , a traditional animator, and Chris Brico, a sculptor turned computer animator. Assistant producer DAVID J. HARRISON Studio director KRISTIN MASON Producer TERRY MARSH

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