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Welcome Akai S612 Enthusiasts and Non-Enthusiasts! Thank you for downloading or requesting the unregistered version of S612zb, developed by Zorch brotherz software. This package should contain the following files: S612zb.EXE - Akai S612 librarian/viewer program, unregistered version. S612zb.DOC - This file, manual and documentation text. ORDER.FRM - Order form for registering your copy. *.SMP - Sample sound(s) in SampleVision file format. *.612 - Sample sound(s) in .612 file format. *.SYX - Sample sound(s) in MIDIEX (or CakeWalk) format. INTRODUCTION ------------ Although the Akai S612 MIDI Digital Sampler is a bit outdated these days (1991), there are those who still use them and appreciate the S612's simplicity, sound quality, and low-cost. Unfortunately, there is little or no program support for the S612. The S612's dump format is non-standard and impractical to implement with generic system exclusive librarian programs. Software targetted specifically for the S612 has either been expensive ( > $250 ) or just plain cheezy. With these things in mind, Zorch brotherz software has dug up an old version of our program S612zb, prettied it up with pull-down menus and pop-up windows, added mouse support, added support for several file formats, and made it available to S612 users at a Shareware registra- tion fee of $30. And now a commercial from our sponsor: ********************************************************************** This manual and the software it pertains to are distributed as shareware, (C) Copyright 1991, Bret Costin. The unregistered version of this material may be copied and distributed freely, provided the following conditions are met: - Any copying or distribution must be done free-of-charge. - The S612zb program, this manual, and any data or utility files included in this package must be distributed together. - If you do decide to keep a copy of this material for your own use, please register your copy so that we can keep you posted on upgrades (there are already a few new revisions running in the lab here - see FUTURE UPGRADES section). Your registration and money will help us to continue supporting our products and make them available to users at a reasonable price. Thank you in advance for supporting the shareware concept! ********************************************************************** Well, now that we've got the obligatory text out of the way, let's roll up our sleeves (some musician's still prefer them) and get down to business... HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS --------------------- To take advantage of all S612zb program features, you should have the following hardware: - Akai S612 MIDI Digital Sampler, - IBM PC/XT/AT compatible computer, with at least 512K bytes of RAM, - A MIDI Interface that is Roland MPU-401 compatible (this includes Music Quest's line of MPU compatibles) - IRQ is not critical as S612zb utilizes the MPU's UART, or dumb mode, - CGA or better video graphics card and monitor, - An optional Microsoft, Logitech, or compatible mouse and its software driver. You should have more than 384k of free RAM available to run S612zb. Using the Dos Shell function from inside the program may require even more memory. The DOS CHKDSK.COM program displays the number of free bytes in your machine, as does DOS 5.0's MEM.EXE command. For more information, please consult your DOS manual. Most IBM PC graphics cards are supported, including CGA, EGA, and VGA. The highest resolution video mode supported by S612zb is 640 x 350 pixels (on EGA and VGA monitors). On CGA monitors, the S612zb program displays graphics in 640 X 200 pixel resolution. S612zb will run with or without a mouse and/or MPU. Without an MPU, don't expect to hear any sound except the hi-tech BEEP! of the PC speaker. It is best to use the "no MPU" command line flag (see Running S612zb section) when no MPU is actually attached to the computer. This program has not been tested with the Yamaha C-1 computer. WHAT S612zb CAN DO (AND CAN'T DO) --------------------------------- The S612zb program is available in two versions, the "registered" and the "unregistered" version. Both operate in the same fashion with a few exceptions: - The unregistered version displays a invocation message that informs the user that the program is unregistered. - The unregistered version's Info pull-down menu displays information about registering the program. - The unregistered version will not save files to disk - it does however have the same file loading capabilities as the registered version. Sample save files are included with the program and may be identified by .612 filename extensions. The unregistered version contains no hidden "time bombs". It does not automatically exit after a given session time, nor does it self-destruct after a few weeks. If either occurs with your version, please note your set-up and notify Zorch brotherz. This software has been tested on several different brands and configurations of com- puters, but we can't guarantee it will work with them all. If this software does not operate correctly on your machine, notify us and we will attempt to remedy the situation. RUNNING S612zb -------------- Before starting S612zb, change directories to the directory that includes the file S612zb.EXE (or include its directory specification in your DOS PATH environment). At the DOS prompt (in this example, we'll pretend we're on Drive A:), enter "S612zb" then press the Enter key: A:> s612zb <Enter> You may also specify optional command line flags to allow S612zb to run with your computer's configuration: -a Auto-connect. On invocation, S612zb polls MIDI channels 1 through 9 and attempts to detect an attached S612 unit. If one is found, the program's MIDI channel will automatically be set. -n No MPU attached. This will allow the you to run the program without an MPU physically residing in the system. If have no MPU and you forget this flag, the program will still run, but probably very slowly. -v Use video bios calls. This flag is required if your video card is a CGA or other type that displays snow whenever the program writes to the screen. A side-effect of this flag is that the screen will update slightly slower than without the flag. Here's a few examples of flag usage: A:> s612zb -a <Enter> Auto-connect upon startup. A:> s612zb -n -v <Enter> The user has no MPU interface and has a video card that "snows". Immediately after entering the command line, the program name and version, copyright notice, and Zorch brotherz logo will appear. If you are running an unregistered copy, that fact will also be displayed. Strike any key or press a mouse button to continue. The screen should clear and the main screen should appear. USING THE INTERACTIVE MENU SYSTEM --------------------------------- S612zb implements an interactive pull-down menu system similar to many of today's commercial products. The menu system makes the tasks associated with S612zb simpler and more intuitive. Menus may be operated by either a mouse or the computer's keyboard. Hot-keys are implemented that allow the user to execute S612zb functions with single keystrokes. To select a menu via mouse, position the mouse cursor (a white or cyan pointer) on the top menu bar and hold down a mouse button. If the cursor is on one of the top line menu fields, a pull-down menu will appear and will do so until all mouse buttons have been released. To select a pull-down menu item, while pressing the mouse button, "drag" the mouse cursor over the pull-down fields. As the cursor passes over each field, it highlights that particular field. To run a routine associated with a field, release the mouse button(s) as the mouse cursor selects the field. If you don't want to run any of the routines on that pull-down menu, merely move the mouse cursor outside of the pull-down menu and release the mouse button(s). Various pop-up windows will allow selection via single and double clicks. Just place the mouse cursor over the selected field and click once or twice. To select a menu via keyboard, hold down the <Alt> key and press the first letter of the top line menu topic you would like to pull-down. Once the pull-down menu appears, fields may be highlighted by using the keyboard's cursor keys, HOME, END, and ESC keys. To run a routine from the pull-down, highlight the desired field and press ENTER. To abort a pull-down menu, press ESC. Notice that many of the functions displayed in the pull-down menus have a carat (^) next to some letter. These indicate "hot keys" that allow the user to execute functions with one keystroke. A hot key is executed by holding down the CTRL key and pressing the appropriate letter. For example, to quit the program, type CTRL-Q. Adios... Now let's go over the various pull-down menus that are accessible from the top line menu. FILE Menu --------- The file menu allows the user to load files from disk to the S612, save files from the S612 to disk, shell to DOS, and quit the program. FILE - Load ----------- The Load function allows the user to load sample data files and transfer the sample data to the Akai S612. Once selected, a directory window pops up, allowing the user to select a specific file to load. Note that only files in the currently selected Load File format are displayed. FILE - Select Load Format ------------------------- The Select Load Format function allows the user to select the format of files to be loaded. Each time this function is selected, the load file format is cycled between the .612, .SMP, and .SYX modes. Mouse users may also toggle the file format by double-clicking on the file format displayed in the upper right-hand corner of the display. FILE - Save ----------- The File Save function allows the user to transfer the current S612 sample data and settings to the computer, then write them to disk in .612 file format. When prompted for a file name, the user may choose the default name NONAME.612, or may edit that name by using the cursor, insert, delete, backspace, home, end, and alphanumeric keys. The entered file name must conform to DOS conventions. The unregis- tered version of S612zb does not allow the user to save files. FILE - Dos Shell ---------------- The DOS Shell function temporarily suspends execution of the S612zb program and allows command entry from the DOS prompt. When ready to return to S612zb, enter "exit" at the DOS prompt. FILE - Quit ----------- The Quit function causes the S612zb program to terminate and return to DOS. EDIT Menu --------- The Edit menu selections allow zooming and panning of displayed wave- format data. EDIT - Zoom In -------------- "Zoom In" decreases the number of displayed wave data points. This makes the individual data points easier to view. The amount of zoom magnification is displayed numerically at the bottom right corner of the screen. The Zoom In function may also be activated via hot key; simultaneously press the shift key and the upward cursor key. EDIT - Zoom Out --------------- "Zoom Out" increases the number of displayed wave data points. This makes larger sections of the waveform visible and provides the best view of the wave's envelope. The amount of zoom magnification is displayed numerically at the bottom right corner of the screen. The Zoom Out function may also be activated via hot key; simultaneously press the shift key and the downward cursor key. EDIT - Pan Right ---------------- "Pan Right" allows the user to view later (chronologically) wave data points, allowing better view of the wave's decay. The actual wave data point number (0 being the very first data point) is displayed numerically at the bottom right corner of the screen. The Pan Right function may also be activated via hot key; simultaneously press the shift key and the rightward cursor key. EDIT - Pan Left --------------- "Pan Left" allows the user to view earlier (chronologically) wave data points, allowing better view of the wave's attack. The actual wave data point number (0 being the very first data point) is displayed numerically at the bottom right corner of the screen. The Pan Left function may also be activated via hot key; simultaneously press the shift key and the leftward cursor key. MIDI Menu --------- S612zb transmits and receives MIDI data on a selectable MIDI channel. The channel menu allows the user to set the channel corresponding to a connected S612 unit. (The Akai S612 displays this value in its MIDI CH window on the front of the unit.) To set the program's MIDI channel, pull-down the channel menu and highlight the desired channel number. Then release the mouse button or strike ENTER (if using keyboard). A check mark will appear in the pull-down window, indicating the current MIDI channel. A channel may also be selected automatically upon startup (see command line -a flag), or via the MIDI pull-down menu. The MIDI menu allows the user to reset the MPU (this is handy if a connection is pulled during MIDI transfer, or if you shell to another program that bombs the MPU), check connections with the S612 unit, and autoconnect with an S612 unit. Connections are checked by requesting data from the S612 unit. If the proper data is not received from the S612 within a two-second time period, "DISCONNECTED" is displayed. MIDI - Auto Connection ---------------------- The Auto Connection function scans MIDI channels 1 through 9 in attempt to detect a connected Akai S612. Once S612zb detects an Akai S612, the program's MIDI channel is automatically set to the connected unit's channel. If no S612 is detected, an error message is displayed and the program's MIDI channel is not changed. A connection check failure does not necessarily mean that the S612 unit is not receiving data from the computer. Check that the S612 MIDI output is connected to the MPU input, either directly or through a MIDI patch bay. The Auto Connection function may also be run automatically upon program startup by specifying the -a switch (see RUNNING S612zb section). MIDI - Check Connection ----------------------- The Check Connection function polls the currently selected MIDI channel for a connected Akai S612. The status is displayed to the screen. A connection check failure does not necessarily mean that the S612 unit is not receiving data from the computer. To check that the S612 is receiving data, watch the MIDI CH window of the S612 unit while running Check Connect. The display should brighten when data is being received. MIDI - Reset MPU ---------------- The Reset MPU function resets and initializes the MIDI interface to the proper mode of operation. This function should not be required unless some external event on the MIDI bus hangs up the MPU. MIDI - Set Channel ------------------ The Set Channel function allows the user to manually set S612zb's MIDI channel to match a connected Akai S612's channel. This command is not required if the S612 unit is displaying channel 0 (omni mode). INFO Menu --------- The info menu displays information about the program itself. The unregistered version of S612zb displays information on how to register your copy of the program. It even does so in a non- offensive manner (snuck in the word "please"). QUITTING S612zb --------------- To quit the S612zb program, select the Quit function under the Files menu, or type Ctrl-Q from the keyboard. You will be automatically returned to the DOS directory that you entered S612zb from. Since all data is saved to disk automatically when you invoke "Save S612 To Disk" from the Files menu, you don't have to worry about saving your work when you exit the program. FILE FORMATS ------------ Three different file formats are supported by S612zb at this time: the native .612 format, SampleVision .SMP format, and MIDIEX or Cakewalk .SYX format. .612 format is optimized for use by S612zb. Using the .612 format, S612 Settings and Wave Data are packed into the most compact, fastest loading and storing files of the 3 formats. .SMP format files are output by the SampleVision program and must be converted by S612zb while loading. The advantage to .SMP files is that data from other samplers besides the S612 may be stored in this format. S612zb's .SMP import function gives you access to other samplers sounds! Because a .SMP file may contain more wave data points than the S612 is capable of storing, S612zb filters out excess data points and attempts to load as much of the original wave's envelope as possible. .SYX format files may be used with popular shareware such as MIDIEX, or with the CakeWalk sequencer. When .SYX files are loaded by the S612zb program, the MIDI channel embedded in the .SYX file is replaced by S612zb's current MIDI channel setting. In the same man- ner, .SYX files stored by S612zb will have the same MIDI channel as the S612 the data was received from. .SYX files should be avoided when not required by other programs - the files may become quite large (~ 64k) and load/store very slowly in comparison with S612zb's native .612 file format. The larger size and slower speed is due to the unpacked nature of the data within a .SYX file. ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES --------------------- Three special environment variables are implemented that specify de- fault directories for user data files. The variable S612 specifies the default directory for loading and storing .612 format files. The variable S612SV specifies the default directory for loading .SMP SampleVision format files. The variable S612SYX specifies the default directory for loading .SYX MIDIEX/CakeWalk format files. Any or all of the three variables may be declared in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file of the boot disk, or from the DOS command line. For example, if your .612 files are usually in directory C:\612, your .SMP files are usually in directory A:\SAMPLES\SVISION, and your .SYX files are usually in B:\THOSE\CRAZY\SOUNDS, then make these declar- ations in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file: set s612=c:\612 set s612sv=a:\samples\svision set s612syx=b:\those\crazy\sounds Keep in mind that these are the directories set up whenever S612zb is invoked. Once in S612zb, they may be changed via the File Load menu. UPCOMING FEATURES ----------------- Graphical Tool Box. Graphical loop and wave data editing. Editing of the various Akai S612 settings and parameters. MORE INFO --------- A great deal of time and effort went into developing this program. If you experience problems with S612zb, please note the symptoms and contact us. It is possible that unique system configurations cause the program to operate erroneously. It's always possible, even with the most expensive software, that the program has a bug. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions about S612zb or other Zorch brotherz products, we will be glad to answer them. We can be con- tacted at: Bret Costin c/o Zorch brotherz software 3475 Rolling Trail Palm Harbor, FL 34684 (813) 784-6158 6 PM - 10 PM Weekdays Noon - 5 PM Saturday or leave us mail at either Bulletin Board System: Via Compuserve [70474,3534] (Bret Costin), Via the MIDILINK Musicians' Network (708) 949-MIDI (Bret Costin), ---------------------------------------------------------------------- By the way, SampleVision is a trademark of Turtle Beach Softworks. CakeWalk is a trademark of Twelve Tone Systems.