Presenting the GMega Sound Library ---------------------------------- WAVmaker (http://www.abc.se/~m9303) has a brand new sound library! Compression has been relaxed, allowing a major quality improvement. All sounds have been re-recorded and packed with the new compression code. The result is the GMega Sound Library 1.0: ten disks filled to the rim with sound data (the old library required only three disks, and that included a fairly large installer). About this package ------------------ The document you are reading is part of the GMega Library Demo 1.1, a package designed for use with WAVmaker for Windows (3.1) or WAVmaker for Windows 95/NT. It contains... - The new sound packer/unpacker (DFT.DLL). Both a 16 bit build and a 32 bit build are included. Which one you should use depends on which WAVmaker build you have. If you are running WAVmaker for Windows (3.1), let the installer unpack the 16 bit DFT.DLL. If you are running WAVmaker for Windows 95/NT, let it install the 32 bit DFT.DLL. The new DFT.DLL replaces the old one in WAVmaker's base directory. IMPORTANT: The new DFT.DLL is *** NOT *** backward compatible with the old DFT format. It will neither recognize nor attempt to unpack old DFTs. If you intend to keep using your old DFTs, make sure that the installer option to back up the original DFT.DLL is checked before clicking "Go!". - New PRGs and DFTs for the same instruments included in the WAVmaker Evaluation Package, i.e. Honky-Tonk Piano, Harpsichord, Slap Bass, Strings and Standard GM Drum Set. NOTE: The installer will not back up your old PRGs and DFTs. If you wish to keep them, start up WAVmaker, choose new library directory paths and exit. The installer will use the new directories (it reads them from WAVmaker's initialization file, WM.INI) leaving the old ones alone. IMPORTANT: Note that WAVmaker's "Make WAVs" command does not by default overwrite existing WAVs. You must either choose a new (empty) WAV directory from within WAVmaker prior to installation, let the installer delete all old WAVs or force them to be overwritten at expansion time by changing "No" to "Yes" (select and double-click) in the "Make" column of WAVmaker's "Make WAVs" dialog. Failure to do so will yield unpredictable results as new PRGs are used with old WAVs. - The same demo MIDs included in the WAVmaker Evaluation Package - ALMOST! The difference is that the new MIDs have their volume set to max (127), apparently the most common setting for MIDs floating around the Net. The MIDI files in the WAVmaker Evaluation Package have a volume setting of 64. While I maintain that using 127 as the default volume setting is a BAD, BAD, BAD habit (probably inflicted upon us by owners of the AWE32, with its notoriously low output levels), it's a common one, and I have begrudgingly decided to adapt to it by lowering the default rendering volume. You can of course reverse this choice, either temporarily (with the Volume setting in the Convert window) or permanently (by lowering the Base Volume settings in all PRGs - remember that PRG Base Volume is interpreted as the volume at which the sound was RECORDED!). NOTE: The above remarks about keeping your old PRGs and DFTs apply to your old MIDs as well. - OrderGM.EXE (with OrderGM.HLP), for new WAVmaker users and users with Standard Registrations wishing to upgrade (see below). - The INSTALL.EXE installation shell which will aid you in putting all the above files in place. Installation ------------ Run INSTALL.EXE (surprise!). If you don't want to (or can't) use INSTALL.EXE for some reason, you can do a manual installation. All files with extension DAT are ordinary ZIP files, with the exception of UNPACK.DAT, which is just Info-ZIPs UNZIP.EXE traveling under false name. The contents of all archives should be obvious from the filenames. How to get the full library --------------------------- As of October 1, 1996, the full GMega Sound Library is delivered upon WAVmaker registration (either Standard or Advanced). Delivery is by first class air mail (it's really too large to download!). Use the included OrderGM.EXE utility to order. NOTE: The WAVmaker Evaluation Package will continue to ship with the old-style DFT.DLL and DFTs to keep its size down. The GMega Library Demo will remain a separately downloadable package for those who find themselves seriously interested in WAVmaker. The following upgrade policy applies to registered WAVmaker users. - Users with a Standard Registration: $15 + $15 Shipping & Handling (YES: disks, labels, packaging, mailing and payment collector fees cost me that much!). Payment is through Kagi. Please use the included OrderGM.EXE to submit your order. - Users with an Advanced Registration: *** FREE *** (consider this the first installment on your free upgrade to the upcoming WAVmaker 3.0). If you don't hear from me soon please drop me a line stating full name, date of WAVmaker registration (if possible) and the snail mail address where I should send the package. Problems, suggestions... ------------------------ If you have questions about the GMega Sound Library or if you experience difficulties with it, do not hesitate to contact me via one of the following channels: SNAIL MAIL: Tommy Anderberg Almvagen 4 195 44 Marsta SWEDEN E-MAIL: Tommy.Anderberg@abc.se And that's all, folks! - Tommy Anderberg http://www.abc.se/~m9303