Hello everyone, HVSC Update 23 is available for you to download. This update is quicker than the usual two to three months that it takes us to compile an update, simply because we've taken together all the SID files that we couldn't quite just fit in the last few updates, added some great new rips, and indeed a few more credit fixes and tune fixes to go with it. Please note that this is a one-off update released so quickly, it'll revert back to the 2-3 month period between updates after this. After this update, the collection should contain 14,180 SID files. This update features (all approximates): 545 new SIDs 7 fixed/better rips 2 repeats/bad rips eliminated 41 SID credit fixes Main Artists Featured In This Update: Patrick Peters (Audial Arts) DRAX Future Freak Red Rockin' Limited Per Almered Amorphis (Olsen) Ass It Astovel Brizz Cooper Dgazz Fanta Globe HCL Heinmueck HTD Jadoone Kordiaukis Kosa Kosa Longhair Mermaid MHD Sascha Nagie Nice Nizze No-XS PCH Shy TLF Walt Xayne Zardax and many more... So what else is new in this update then? ---------------------------------------- Well, after last update, we pointed out to you that one of the tunes from the C64 game "Lazy Jones" was covered by Zombie Nation's hit single "Kernkraft 400". Quite a few of you alerted me to the fact that the tune from the game wasn't present in the HVSC SID file. So we at least had to fix that for you, and so once you've run the update, take a listen to tune #21 in the SID. You won't be disappointed :) We also included many new composers in this update, some of whom are listed above, so feel free to take a listen to their work. You may find something to your surprising liking, well we hope so! ---------------------------- Help Wanted (repeat request) ---------------------------- This appeared last update, but just incase: As you know, HVSC and its contributors strive to attain as accurate credits as possible. However, there are occasions when the composer is unknown, particularly for games or old style demos. And this is where you come in. If any of you do have the time, please feel free to look through the GAMES and DEMOS/UNKNOWN directories of HVSC, and if you own the original C64 games concerned, with the instructions, please check the instructions to see if any composer is credited, and let us know. Similarly, if you were part of an old demo group from the mid to late 1980s and happen to know some of the old tunes in the /DEMOS/ UNKNOWN directory, then get in touch also. As much as everyone involved with HVSC strives, there are occasions when being able to look at an original game often reveals the answers needed. ------------------------------ C64 musicians in soundtrack CD ------------------------------ Martin Galway fan (of course :) and Back In Time 2 composer Jogeir Liljedahl mailed me recently with details of a new CD, called "The Merregnon", and according to Jogeir: "Merregnon is a world - wide project in which renowned composers from the computer games and the demo - music scene were invited to accompany characters from an original fantasy story. They were asked to describe the adventures and the surroundings of the characters through music in orchestral style. The result of their work will be put together on an exclusive CD!" Hopefully the CD will be available soon, and when it is, get it: C64 music fans should note that no less than Chris Hülsbeck and Rudolf Stember have contributed tracks, and it'll be interesting to see what they've done. ------------------------- Nexus 6581 piracy shocker ------------------------- I am sure most of you will have heard of Reyn Ouwehand's excellent Nexus 6581 CD, with his own studio quality versions of his own and other composers' classic C64 tunes. For those of you whom have purchased the CD, many thanks for doing so. However, Chris Abbott (he of Back In Time CDs fame) has noted recently that there many users of Napster who are openly abusing the copyright of Reyn's CD (along with the work of the original composers, note) as well as his own Back in Time CDs by placing them available as MP3s to any fellow Napster user that requires them. Not only is this strictly illegal (in the sense that all CDs are registered copyright) but also in real terms will hurt and discourage C64 composers who wish to see their work covered commercially for the enjoyment of both themselves and the C64 fan community out there. In order to attempt to stop this quite insulting and flagrant abuse of copyright, where respected C64 sceners such as Reyn are only attempting to put something back into the scene for ALL of us, this is where you come in. If you are using Napster for legitimate reasons, and have purchased the Nexus 6581 and Back in Time CDs, please do attempt a search on any of the tracks from Back In Time, Back In Time 2, and Nexus 6581 CDs (http://www.c64audio.com/ has a full track listing of each) and let either Chris or myself know of the user names of those involved. Once we have then collected this information, we can then do what Metallica did recently and send this information on to Napster, requesting legally that user names be removed and prohibited from further use within 72 hours. Although Napster claims it does not seek to interfere with what files are being swapped with their program, as a company they do have a legal right to ensure that users do not abuse copyright and only swap files which are freeware or legally allowed to be swapped by the orignal copyright holder. By hopefully making a big company like Napster realise that people do care about copyright in their music, we can also stop the flow of piracy of C64 related work that this program seems to encourage en masse. Therefore, all help will be appreciated, your contributions will remain anonymous if you wish, and together we can ensure that C64 composers are encouraged to help out in any future Back in Time CDs etc, knowing that they will be duly paid for their work. NOTE: This should not affect the very vibrant and enthusiastic C64 remix scene, where free MP3 remixes of C64 music tracks are available for everyone to enjoy. I am sure those remixers do understand and appreciate what Chris is doing, and indeed I am sure also if they ever did a C64 remix piece commercially, they'd seek to give the composer due credit and money where applicable :) I'm sorry for the lengthy rant, but I felt it was important. Enjoy the new update, lots of nice stuff for us all to listen to, and don't worry, there's still plenty of SID music out there to be added to HVSC, we will top the 15,000 SID mark in two updates time. At this point I'd like to thank absolutely everyone for all their hard work and contributions, no matter how big or small. The fact that you all care so much and so passionately about your SID music is really appreciated, especially when you spot any errors or make some corrections to help out. We couldn't have done it without you. Kind regards Warren Pilkington.