Overview
From Buzztard
The buzztard project aims to provide a modular, free, open source music studio that is conceptually based on the proprietary Windows software called Buzz. The Buzz software is not really further developed, as the main developer has lost his source code. The buzztard project itself has no direct link to Buzz (apart from its concepts that we build upon). We don't want to make buzztard a 1:1 Buzz copy. In comparison to Buzz, we hope that our software will improve in usability and features in the future. To allow migration for Buzz users, we are providing song-file import and buzz-machine reuse.
Features and functionality are added in small development cycles (see Roadmap for the current planning and Status for what we achieved already).
Buzztard is free software and distributed under the LGPL.
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The program
The project's objective is a music studio that allows one to compose songs only using a computer with a soundcard. If you've used tracker programs like FastTracker or the original AMIGA SoundTracker, that will give you an idea. The buzztard editor uses a similar concept, where a song consists of a sequence with tracks and in each track one uses patterns with events (musical notes and control changes). In contrast to the Tracker programs, tracks are not simply sample players. A song has a setup where one can arrange virtual audio plugins and link them together. Each of these machines can be controlled realtime or via patterns in the sequencer.
The buzztard editor will be just one possible application of the framework we will implement. Tools like a dj mixing application or a live session composer are other things that could be built using our framework.
The name
The project name buzztard has been derived from the words:
- buzz: the name of the original program.
- bastard: because the software will be not just another tracker, and not just a sequencer - the aim is an all-in-one music studio!
If you feel this is a bad idea for a project name tell us. Just leave a note on the discussion page.
Getting involved
Users can download the latest code and help by testing and sending reports.
If you want to help developing the application (yes!), please head to the developer pages.
About the webpage
This site is based on WordPress and MediaWiki. Both are customized and use various extensions. Many thanks to all the people that contributed to these projects.
Please see the User's Guide for usage help.
