
  			NICK COOK'S MIDI COLLECTION
                       -----------------------------

Introduction
------------

     For over a year, I've been using my Gravis Ultrasound to create music of
one sort or another at home and then coming back to University (Sheffield) and
considering submiting the results to the GUS archive. Well, I've finally got
around to doing it!
     The files contained in the zip-archive are a series of my own creations
and are described below.
     I only use Midisoft Recording Session as I don't have a keyboard but am
familiar with Musical Notation, so it's quite a slow process to compose any
pieces, but I'm pleased with some of the results.
     I tend not to use many midi effects as I find them too time comsuming for
what they can add to the music. The only one I do use is to double up the piano
and vibes sounds when playing as a solo instrument to give independent left and
right channels.

     I hope these pieces are at least somewhat interesting. Please email me
with any comments, criticism or suggestions - even improved versions! Feel free
to use these in any way you wish - I wouldn't mind hearing the results!

        All the best,
          Nick Cook

N.J.Cook@Sheffield.ac.uk


The Files!
----------

NICK1.MID     Size: 22,759	First Attempt at my own composition - heavily
                                edited later to give something almost bearable

NICK2.MID     Size: 9,237	Second Composition - much more stately than the
				first one. Basically a short piece of Chamber
				Music, but I couldn't resist the Pizzicato
				Strings and the Timpani.

NICK3.MID     Size: 12,674	Third Composition - Another classical
				composition using a much 'bigger' sound towards
				the end and relying on a melody from the cello.

NICK4.MID     Size: 19,688	Fourth Composition - A slow rock piece which
				makes use of the chord sequence from Eric
				Clapton's song 'Old Love', but I don't think
                                it's TOO obvious.......

NICK5.MID     Size: 7,827	'Blackadder' - Theme Tune to the B.B.C. TV
				comedy series. The actual T.V. program has
				several versions depending on which series you
				are watching - I think that this is probably
				closest to 'Blackadder the 2nd' or 'Blackadder
				the 3rd'.

NICK6.MID     Size: 15,022	Another original composition - This one was
				begun as an experiment with the the different
				pads available and evolved with the addition of
				the percussion to the final piece.

NICK7.MID     Size: 22,687	The next composition - a fully orchestral piece.
                                I was particularly pleased with the third theme
                                based on rhythm from the string section with
                                melody and harmony from the wind and brass.

NICK8.MID     Size: 2,322	A short, simple piece composed when I was
				feeling a little under the weather.

NICK9.MID     Size: 20,061	I don't know how to describe this piece - try it
				and see what you think. Tucked away is that same
				chord sequence from Mr. Clapton.

NICK10.MID   Size: 6,428	'Treasure Hunt' - Theme Tune to the British
				Channel 4 game show. I think that it is pretty
				accurate to the original.

NICK11.MID   Size: 6,058	'Last of the Summer Wine' - Theme Tune to the
				B.B.C. TV comedy series - not accurate to the
				original, but not bad anyway!

NICK12.MID   Size: 22,145	Another Composition - A jazz-rock piece which
				contains an attempt at an accelerating drum
				solo. I have then shamelessly borrowed a section
				from 'Tubular Bells 2' by Mike Oldfield as it
				seemed appropriate - I decided to leave out the
                                bagpipes in my version........

NICK13.MID   Size: 28,521	Another jazz-rock composition based on two
				distinct sections with a short introductory
				section which is repeated at the end.

NICK14.MID   Size: 14,446	'Knight Rider' - Theme Tune to the long-running
				T.V. series. I had great trouble finding a
				suitable instrument for the top line of
				semi-quavers but I've eventually settled for a
                                combination that works - sort of......!

NICK15.MID   Size: 29,927	A more lively rock composition consisting of a
				main theme and varius 'interuptions' and one
				modulation.

NICK16.MID   Size: 11,362	'Red Dwarf' - Theme Tune to the B.B.B. TV
				comedy series produced at the request of my
				brother, an ardant fan!

NICK17.MID   Size: 32,233       'Eternal Flame' by the Bangles - I don't have
                                a copy of the actual song, and I know that it's
                                missing some percussion (triangle etc.), but for
                                3 hours work, I'm very happy with the result.


STING_N1.MID   Size: 38,467	The first of two arrangements of songs by Sting.
				This one is called 'Straight to my Heart' from
				the album 'Nothing Like the Sun'. This piece was
				my first attempt with the GUS and Recording
				Session over a year ago now. It has undergone
				gradual change as I have learnt more about the
				use of Recording Session and the GUS's abilities.
				This is a relatively faithful reproduction of
                                the original song except for the steel drums in
                                the introduction which I couldn't get quite
                                right (- so they're left out).

STING_N2.MID   Size: 8,147	This second song is called 'The Secret Marriage'.
				This version contains additional material from
				me (Vibes, Flute+Oboe) as I felt that it sounded
				to bare without the vocal line.
