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{{Infobox video game
| title = Will Harvey's Music Construction Set
|image = Music Construction Set cover.jpg
|designerdeveloper = [[Will Harvey]]<ref name="giantlist"/><br/>Richard Plom (Atari ST)▼
|developer =
|publisher = [[Electronic Arts]]
|designer =
▲|designer = [[Will Harvey]]<ref name="giantlist"/><br>Richard Plom (Atari ST)
|programmer = [[Will Harvey]] (Apple II)<br>Richard Plom (Atari ST)
|engine =
|released = 19841983
|genre = [[Scorewriter|Composition notation]]
|genre =
|modes =
|platforms = [[Apple II]], (original)<br>[[Atari 8-bit family|Atari 8-bit]], [[Atari ST]], [[Commodore 64|C64]], [[IBM PC]], [[Apple IIGS]]
}}
'''''Will Harvey's Music Construction Set''''' ('''''MCS''''') is a [[music]] [[Scorewriter|composition notation]] [[computer program|program]] designed by [[Will Harvey]] for the [[Apple II]] and published by [[Electronic Arts]] in 1984.<ref name="giantlist"/> Harvey wrote the original Apple II version in [[assembly language]] when he was 15 and in [[high school]]. Despite his only published software being an abstract shooter, ''Lancaster'' for the Apple II,<ref name="giantlist"/> Harvey's name was included in the title. ''MCS'' started as a tool to add music to that game.<ref name="queue"/>▼
 
▲'''''Will Harvey's Music Construction Set''''' ('''''MCS''''') is a [[music]] [[Scorewriter|composition notation]] [[computer program|program]] designed by [[Will Harvey]] for the [[Apple II]] and published by [[Electronic Arts]] in 19841983.<ref name="giantlistcomputerchronicles"/> Harvey wrote the original Apple II version in [[assembly language]] when he was 15 and in [[high school]]. ''MCS'' Despitewas conceived as a tool to add music to his onlypreviously published software beinggame, an abstract shooter, called ''Lancaster'' for the Apple II,.<ref name="giantlist"/> Harvey's name was included in the title. ''MCS'' started as a tool to add music to that game.<ref name="queue"/>
''Music Construction Set'' was ported to the [[Atari 8-bit family]], [[Commodore 64]], and the [[IBM PC]] (as a [[PC booter|booter]]), then later to the [[Atari ST]]. A redesigned version for the [[Amiga]] and [[Macintosh]] was released in 1986 as ''[[Deluxe Music Construction Set]]''.▼
 
▲''Music Construction Set'' was [[porting|ported]] to the [[Atari 8-bit familycomputers]], [[Commodore 64]], and the [[IBM PC compatible]]s (as a [[PCself-booting booter|booterdisk]]), thenand the [[Atari ST]]. Two years later, toin 1986, Will Harvey released a port for the [[Atari16-bit]] ST[[Apple IIGS]], utilizing its advanced sound. AAlso that year, a redesigned version for the [[Amiga]] and [[Macintosh]] was released in 1986 as ''[[Deluxe Music Construction Set]]''.
==Description==
With ''MCS'', the user can create musical composition using a [[GUI|graphical user interface]], a novel concept for the era of its release. Users could drag and drop notes right onto the staff, play back their creations through the computer's speakers and print them out. The program came with a few popular songs as samples. Most versions of this program required the users to use a [[joystick]] to create their songs, note by note, which could be a lengthy and time-consuming process for a long song.▼
 
==Overview==
==Hardware support==
▲With ''MCS'', thea user can create musical composition usingvia a [[GUI|graphical user interface]], a novel concept forat the eratime of its release. Users couldcan [[drag and drop]] notes right onto the staff, play back their creations through the computer's speakers, and print them out. The program camecomes with a few popular songs as samples. Most versions of this program requiredrequire the users to use a [[joystick]] to create their songs, note by note, which could be a lengthy and time-consuming process for a long song.
The program took advantage of advanced equipment for those who had it. For example, the [[IBM PC]] version allowed the user to output audio via the IBM PC Model 5150's cassette port, so they could send 4-voice music to their [[Hifi|stereo system]]. The same program also took advantage of the 3-voice sound chip built into the [[IBM PCjr]] and [[Tandy 1000]].▼
 
The original Apple II version supportedsupports the [[expansion cardMockingboard]] [[Mockingboardexpansion card]] for higher fidelity sound output. In addition, use of the Mockingboard allowedallows the musical staff to scroll along with the music as notes wereare played. Without it, the Apple II needed nearly every spare CPU cycle to produce audio, and as suchcan couldn'tnot update the display while playback wasis in progress.
 
==Ports==
The [[Atari 8-bit family]] has 4-voice onboard sound generation via their custom-chip set which is fully supported by the Atari 8-bit version of the program.
Electronic Arts ported ''MCS'' from the original Apple II version to the [[Atari 8-bit familycomputers]], [[IBM PC compatible]]s, and the [[Commodore 64]]. The Atari 8-bit and C64 versions use the multi-channel audio hardware of those systems.▼
 
▲The program took advantage of advanced equipment for those who had it. For example, the [[IBM PC]] version allowed the user toallows output audio via the IBM PC Model 5150's cassette port, so they could send 4-voice music can be sent to theira [[HifiHigh fidelity|stereo system]]. The same programIt also tooktakes advantage of the 3-voice sound chip built into the [[IBM PCjr]] and [[Tandy 1000]].
==Platforms==
▲Electronic Arts ported MCS from the original Apple II version to the [[Atari 8-bit family]], [[IBM PC]], and the [[Commodore 64]].
 
The Apple IIGS version was done by the original programmer, Will Harvey, in 1986. This port takes advantage of the built-in [[Ensoniq]] [[wavetable synthesis|wavetable]] [[sample-based synthesis|sample-based synthesizer]], offering over thirty instruments to choose from (sixteen are [[digital sample|digitized]] and thus realistic sounding), but only two instruments can be selected per song. It supports up to 15 simultaneous voices, stereo audio and [[MIDI]]-output. A port of Deluxe Music Construction was also written, scheduled to be in stores by late 1987, but never released.
The version of ''Music Construction Set'' for the Atari ST was not a port and shared no source code with the original versions. It was written by Richard J. Plom for Intersect Software Corporation under the name ''The Orchestrator'', it was acquired from Intersect Software by Electronic Arts and rebranded ''Music Construction Set'' in 1987.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102715665|title=Music construction set - 102715665 - Computer History Museum|publisher=}}</ref> The Atari ST version was the first version to support the new MIDI standard.▼
 
▲The version of ''Music Construction Set'' for the Atari ST wasis not a port and sharedshares no [[source code]] with the original versions. It was written by Richard J. Plom for Intersect Software Corporation under the name ''The Orchestrator'',. itIt was acquired from Intersect Software by Electronic Arts and rebranded ''Music Construction Set'' in 1987.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102715665|title=Music construction set - 102715665 - Computer History Museum|date=1987|publisher=}}</ref> The Atari ST version wasis the first version to supporthave supported the new MIDI standard, with this computer's built-in MIDI hardware.
The program was completely redesigned for the [[Amiga]] and [[Macintosh]], but under the name ''[[Deluxe Music Construction Set]]''. This version had more features and better graphics than the other versions of the program. It also allowed users to type in lyrics for their compositions, though these were strictly for the user (the program didn't attempt to "sing" the lyrics, a feat which both computers were capable of with the [[speech synthesis]] software that they came with). It can also read and write IFF SMUS files.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bl3nder.com/music/|title=HugeDomains.com - Bl3nder.com is for sale (Bl 3nder)|publisher=}}</ref>
 
The program was completely redesigned for the [[Amiga]] and [[Macintosh]] and renamed ''[[Deluxe Music Construction Set]]''. This version has more features, including lyrics and support for IFF SMUS files.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bl3nder.com/music/|title=Bl3nder.com|publisher=}}</ref>
In 1986 it was ported to the [[Apple IIGS|Apple II<small>GS</small>]] where it made use of its built-in [[Ensoniq]] [[Table-lookup synthesis|wavetable]] [[sample-based synthesis|sample-based synthesizer]]. The port was done by Randel B. Reiss;<ref>{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050206004021/http://randelreiss.com |date=February 6, 2005 |title=Randel Reiss, Producer }}</ref> it was never released, but its music engine was used for producing the soundtrack for the Apple II<small>GS</small> game titles ''[[Zany Golf]]'' and ''[[The Immortal (computer game)|The Immortal]]'', both of which were written by Will Harvey.<ref name="giantlist"/>
 
==Reception==
''II Computing'' listed ''Music Construction Set'' third on the magazine's list of top Apple II education software as of late 1985, based on sales and market-share data.<ref name="ciraolo198510_11">{{cite news | url=https://archive.org/stream/II_Computing_Vol_1_No_1_Oct_Nov_85_Premiere#page/n51/mode/2up | title=Top Software / A List of Favorites | work=II Computing | date=Oct–Nov 1985 | accessdate=28 January 2015 | author=Ciraolo, Michael | pages=51}}</ref> ''[[Ahoy!]]'' stated that despite some limitations, ''Music Construction Set'' forsold the Commodore 64 "will aid both experienced songwriters and dedicated novices alike. It'sover a powerfulmillion music processor and a joy to use"units.<ref name="davies198405">{{cite newsinterview |last=Hawkins url|first=https://archive.org/stream/Ahoy_Issue_05_1984Trip |subject-05_Ion_International_US#page/n47/mode/2uplink=Trip Hawkins |interviewer=Robert McCallum |title=MusicEpisode Construction5 Set(timestamp: 15:44) | work=Ahoy!Video |Game date=MayBox 1984Art: |The accessdate=27Stories JuneBehind 2014the Covers | authorpublisher=Davies,Pyre LloydProductions |location= pages|date=49July 30, 2019}}</ref>
 
''[[Ahoy!]]'' stated that despite some limitations, ''Music Construction Set'' for the Commodore 64 "will aid both experienced songwriters and dedicated novices alike. It's a powerful music processor and a joy to use".<ref name="davies198405">{{cite news | url=https://archive.org/stream/Ahoy_Issue_05_1984-05_Ion_International_US#page/n47/mode/2up | title=Music Construction Set | work=Ahoy! | date=May 1984 | accessdate=27 June 2014 | author=Davies, Lloyd | pages=49}}</ref> ''[[InfoWorld]]'s Essential Guide to Atari Computers'' recommended the game among educational software for the Atari 8-bit.<ref name="mace1984">{{Cite book |last=Mace |first=Scott |url=https://archive.org/details/InfoWorlds_Essential_Guide_to_Atari/page/n55/mode/2up?view=theater |title=InfoWorld's Essential Guide to Atari Computers |date=1984 |publisher=Harper & Row |year=1984 |isbn=978-0-06-669006-3 |pages=46-53}}</ref>
 
==See also==
* ''[[Pinball Construction Set]] -'', EA's first program with "Construction Set" in the title from 1983. The author's name, [[Bill Budge]], is displayed prominently over the name of the software, much like Will Harvey's name being added to ''Music Construction Set''.
* ''[[Bank Street Music Writer]] - a 1985 music composition program''
 
==References==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="giantlist">{{cite web|title=The Giant List of Classic Game Programmers|url=httphttps://dadgum.com/giantlist/ |websitelast1=dadgum.comHague |first1=James}}</ref>
<ref name="queue">{{cite web|title=A Conversation with Will Harvey|url=http://queue.acm.org/detail.cfm?id=971586|website=ACM Queue|date=February 24, 2004}}</ref>
<ref name="computerchronicles">{{cite web|title=The Computer Chronicles - Computer Music (1983)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LEn94TF1tg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/1LEn94TF1tg |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|website=Youtube|date=November 8, 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
}}
 
{{Electronic Arts}}
 
[[Category:1984 software]]
[[Category:Apple II software]]
[[Category:Atari 8-bit familycomputer software]]
[[Category:Atari ST software]]
[[Category:Commodore 64 software]]
[[Category:Electronic Arts]]
[[Category:Scorewriters]]
[[Category:SoftwareAssembly writtenlanguage primarily in assembly languagesoftware]]
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