Computer Music Chronicles: A New ZX Spectrum

Retro Games Ltd, purveyors of several mini console-style emulation devices, have released details of a new system. Called simply "The Spectrum" (no mention of ZX or Sinclair) the £89.99 device will include a working rubber keyboard, 48 games (with the option to add more software via USB) & plenty of modern connectivity. From the few details we have so far, I'd like to appraise this device's musical potential.

• Those modern ports will make a quick job of adding new software, plus connecting to an LCD television - some original ZX Spectrum's need modifications to merely output composite video! But it's not all good news; with no rear expansion port, all Speccy drum machine, MIDI, sampling and speech synthesis peripherals are off limits. Bummer. Of course, designing a USB adapter isn't out of the question for this community's boffins and shed-tinkerers! Also, some emulators (like Spectaculator) include Cheetah SpecDrum emulation - could Retro Games follow suit? It is just a DAC after all!

• If little expansions are out, then what's in? The good news is that The Spectrum, in fairly authentic 48k livery, actually runs 128k software too. AY software (which works miracles with only 3 square waves, some digital noise & a looping envelope!) is plentiful on the machine, just check out this page on ZX-Art - https://zxart.ee/eng/software/system-software/music/soundspeech - and you'll be intrigued by the variety of sound tools. Full Tracker programs (like A.Y. Tracker, Fast Tracker, Sample Tracker, etc) are pretty deep and a lot of fun if your brain works vertically. There's also programs that attempt to synthesize speech without extra hardware, alongside some fun sound FX generators.

• Adding new titles from USB is a nice feature. There are numerous ZX Spectrum file formats (z80, SNA, TAP, TZX, etc) so this device will hopefully be compatible with a wide range of software.

For nostalgic gaming and a little light coding, this device seems like a no-brainer. There *is* a lot of musical software that should work fine here too, but if you'd like to explore the Speccy's outer limits then I'd still recommend a vintage unit (like a grey +2) or one of the other modern clones (Harlequin 128k, Sizif 512, ZX Omni etc) that feature genuinely cloned PCB's, with the classic connectors and a real z80 CPU.

To find out more info (including how and where to pre-order The Spectrum) please visit https://retrogames.biz/products/thespectrum/

Posted by MagicalSynthAdventure an expert in synthesis technology from last Century and Amiga enthusiast.

• Should Brands Build Un-hackable Synths? 24-Oct-26
• Kosheen - Hide U 23-Oct-26
• Northern Exposure with Sasha & Digweed 23-Oct-26
• Artists Favourite Calibre Tracks 21-Oct-26
• Mulch Box 21-Oct-26