In the golden age of synth pop, when British and American electronic music defined the cultural pulse, Atari forged a unique path: becoming the standard-bearer of accessible digital music production. While other platforms focused on graphics or games, Atari championed an architecture that prioritized precision, stability, and sonic control. Its legacy, though less resounding than that of other brands, continues to resonate in studios, forums, and experimental performances.
A great article…..I was an Atari ST (not a Falcon 030) owner when I was a kid, and I loved the machine. Especially the MIDI stuff. It was so fascinating to play back the midi files one could find on the proto-internet (ie BBSes). Or make your own using the Atari’s built in sounds. I think I used that computer until 1991 when I switched to a Macintosh Quadra computer.