Recently, I had the opportunity to chat with Norman Lederman, of Oval Window Audio (http://www.ovalwindowaudio.com/) about his company’s MultiSensory Sound Laboratory (MSSL). The solution, detailed in my previous note, utilized a TANDY Color Computer, as well as an Audio Spectrum Analyzer cartridge, to help hearing impaired students “see” sound. I’d been added to the conversation after Norman initially contacted our past treasurer Eric Canales. As part of the discussion, Norman noted that his company was no longer offering the solution to schools and other educational facilities and he was interested in donating some excess stock to our club.
Glenside Color Computer Club is always interested in donations, and I told told Norman as much. Given that Norman (and the donations) were in Colorado, we arranged to have the items shipped. Norman described what would be arriving in the shipment, but I was not prepared for what I saw as I opened the 4 boxes:
Within the shipment was eleven (11!) brand new TANDY Color Computer 3 units, in original plastic, mint in box. They do not look like they were ever touched. In addition, the shipment included 10 (one was shipped later and does not appear in the pictures) Ramsey Music Lights kits (used to to create the LumaSound light tower in the Multi-Sensory Sound Laboratory setup, and 9 Audio Spectrum Analyzer cartridges. Some have standard retail cartridge packaging, but a few sport a plain gray label with typewritten text.
After the shipment arrived, Norman called me and discussed the MSSL project/product in more detail, while I shared some background on GCCC and the Color Computer community in general. I told him the club was very grateful for the donation, and we would work to ensure these items are enjoyed by our membership. Except for 1 of the Ramsey light kits (which I hope to solder up in hopes of creating an MSSL setup for the 2026 CoCoFEST!), the units will be stored in expectation of finding a new home during our 2026 show. And yes, if someone can point me to a cartridge reader program, I’ll cover the “CART” pin and see if the differently marked Audio Spectrum Analyzer cartridges contain different code than the regular version.