Pulp Free

I came across my first set of “MOD” files while I was working at Radio Shack back in my high school days. Guess that makes it around 1991 or so… While I could go into more details here about what MOD files are - I’ll let you peruse Wikipedia for more information. During those days I learned about what PC computers could do (I had only been using an Apple //e at the time) and did have some “down” time to use our “free” AOL accounts.

It was the time of Demoscenes and files that could only be downloaded with a 2800 baud modem. Life was grand! (I couldn’t keep the second phone line tied up for very long since it was our fax and credit card line!) So after spending more than enough time learning the Tandy Sensation! - I had a pretty decent collection of tunes that I’d record to cassette tape (GASP!) and then later to my first audio CDs (thanks to my trusty Zeos p90!! - I can’t believe there’s even a Wikipedia article for those!! LOL - The Pantera!!) The playback enjoy of choice was… MOD4WIN!

How beautiful. Sure does bring back the memories, doesn’t it? Well - it’s no longer around as the format has really fallen out of favor and is basically deemed a memory of old. Broadband, MP3 and almost unlimited computing power puts these types of files as pastime of the ages for most. There were a lot of good songs generated back then… The lost art will hopefully still have fans to keep the music alive…

As much for nostalgias sake more than anything - you can still run this application on Windows XP and older systems. Not sure about Vista but I can’t think of a reason it shouldn’t. While I actually purchased a version of this years and years ago (one of few Shareware programs I thought worthy of my hard-earned High School wage earned dollars) - you can download the last version (2.40 Beta) for free.

Download - MOD4WIN - Version 2.40

Grab it and enjoy a few songs. Now to be fair - development stopped before other MOD formats arrived… So it can’t play files like .IT - you’ll need some other tracker players to do that… (I still use Winamp for playback since it’s so easy…)

If you are new to the format - I’ve included a few of my favorite tunes for you to enjoy as well (as original module files and easy to digest MP3 formats). Take a few for a spin and then search the remaining sites for more music… (Such as The Mod Archive and The Digital Music Archive)

For a few of my favorite tunes:

!Cube - Scotchman In A Skirt - XM format -Whiskey, bagpipes and a skirt, all that a Scotchman needs…

Purple Motion / Future Crew - When The Heavens Fall - S3M format - One of my all time favorites in a synth laced ambient tune…

Or by MP3 format below:

- Scotchman In A Skirt

- When The Heavens Fall

Best wishes MOD4WIN…

(BTW - I found the old MOD4WIN Web site as well…)

Without sounding cheesy (okay - it probably will…) this is my favorite demo so far, old or new. I found this as part of the top 10 list on scene.org after I decided to head out onto the net and rediscover the demoscene. Coming from the demo group called Farbrausch - this demo combines some great pop music and the following of a disco strutting iconic character’s wanderings (The disco ball for a head is fantastic!) Click on the thumbnails below for larger screen captures:

Download Demo: Farbrausch - FR-025: The Popular Demo
Download Demo Music (MP3): Wayfinder - FR-025 Soundtrack

Today I’m going to start linking to some of my favorite “demos” that I’ve found over the last few years. Actually - I’ve been downloading and playing these animation and music selections from way back in the 90’s when I first discovered them on AOL. Most of those that I remember are no longer around or won’t work under today’s more “modern” operating systems. However, I have a few more recent entries that I’ve hung on to that I feel merit a few words, screenshots and links.

This first entry comes from a group called Conspiracy and is called Beyond Expectations. The amazing part of this demo is that it’s only 64kb in size. (Please feel free to checkout scene.org if you want more background on different types of demos.) The demo does a great job at using particle effects and providing the illusion of flying by planets, through solar systems and eventually the universe. Click on the thumbnails below for larger screen captures:

Download - Conspiracy - Beyond Expectations