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1995-10-11
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[*]----------------------------------------------------------------------[*]
| |
| PLATINUM PLAY 3.1 by Kenneth Foo aka TechnoMaestro/RDG. |
| (c) Copyright Renegade Demo Group, 1994. All Rights Reserved. |
| |
| [Sort of] Simplified document file version 1.9. |
| |
[*]----------------------------------------------------------------------[*]
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UNOFFICIAL RELEASE!▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
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This is an UNOFFICIAL release, as it is released without the
knowledge of the other members of RDG (sort of), and as such, its
release is not recorded under RENEGADE.NFO.
New in this release are minor corrections and several enhancements.
This will also be the last in Platinum Play 3.x series. Read history
for more info about this.
Also note that this will be the last of the Platinum Play series
of module players. If, however, you love this program for its
simplicity, compactness, etc..., please do inform me! What I need
to know is the demand for this program, and if there is none, I'll
discontinue work on it.
Btw, RDG hates dinosours. :-)
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PREFACE▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
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This document file has been highly simplified (sort of) from the
original. Much of the junk/stuffs have been removed. If some of
the parts doesn't make sense...well...sorry. =)
Also, Platinum Play III should've been out long time ago. But its
released was delayed for some corrections and additional features;
mostly undocumented ones. :-)
This DOC will progressively get messier and messier...
Sorry 'bout that...guess it's the nature of programmers! :-)
Throughout this document, I will refer to Platinum Play 3.1 as
Platinum Play III or PP3.
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DISCLAIMER▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
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I will hold no responsibility of whatever damage done by this
program (which as far as I know, DOES NONE) -- physically and/or
psychologically. If your eyeballs suddenly pops out or if your tongue
suddenly split into two pieces, don't blame me.
********************************************************
*In other words, it's YOUR fault if anything goes wrong*
* I'm invincible. You CANNOT HURT ME. Bwahahahahaha! *
********************************************************
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STATUS OF THIS PROGRAM AND DISTRIBUTION▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
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Platinum Play III is MAIL/CARDWARE. That means you should send a
postcard or e-mail me if you use it. :-) Contact address is at
the end of this document.
(I still retain full rights to this software as in freewares.)
You are free to distribute this software to anyone as long as no
profit it made out of it. You are also prohibited from modifying this
program and its accompanying files in any way. If you are distributing
it, make sure that all files are intact and none are missing or
modified.
You are also not allowed to disassemble or reverse engineer any
portion of Platinum Play III.
If this program is intended to be published in a CD-ROM or electronic
forms, feel free to do so, but please do inform me about it! :)
Platinum Play III is dedicated to a new special friend of mine,
Jenny Soo Mei Yin.
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FILES THAT CAME WITH THIS PROGRRAM▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
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PP3.EXE Platinum Play III executable file.
PP3.DOC This documentation file!
PP3.HIS Platinum Play III history. <yawn...>
PP3.DBG Platinum Play III feedback/debug/report file.
PP2.EXE Yeah...it's the unreleased Platinum Play II!
DDU.S3M "Deep Down Under". S3M by Black Thunder.
CONV.EXE MOD/S3M to AMM conversion program.
AMM.DOC Format of AMM.
AMM4.DOC Suggested format for the next AMM format.
FILE_ID.DIZ Description of this program.
RENEGADE.NFO Renegade Demo Group info.
Other files I never added it. So if that particular part causes
problem, don't find me!
After installation, please take a look at each of these files.
You will need only PP3.EXE to play modules. You may delete other
files.
****************************************************************
NOTE TO LAME PEOPLE. eg. Dinosours.
Notice that this player plays AMM files... so don't accuse us of
being code rippers! Coded 100% in pure assembly too! No FPU!
****************************************************************
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DUHH...WHAT CAN THIS PROGRAM DO?▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
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Platinum Play III is a fast digital module player, capable of playing
musical modules created by Noise Tracker, Pro Tracker, FastTracker 1,
Take Tracker (all 4 are actually MOD formats) and ScreamTracker 3.20
(S3M). It also plays PP3's proprietary raw/packed AMM modules.
It is meant for myself to be able to play MOD/S3Ms correctly while
I do programming...and taking up not more than 80k-100k of base
memory.
All effects are implemented, with exception of
■ Set filter
■ Stereo control
■ invert loop
Therefore, it should play all digital MODs/S3Ms correctly. If it
doesn't, give your head a big nice knock on the door and then
check again and see if the song plays correctly.
In my opinion, PP3 is very nice (not too complex!) ...except one
yucky thing...it doesn't support the demo-standard GUS (I've yet to
have one! Poor me! :)
I know that by the time this program has been released, it would be
outdated -- since most of you guys have turned your backs on the SB
whoops...<okay...no flames!>. I meant...went to a better sound
card and dumped your SB.
But I'm one of the poor fellas who doesn't own a GUS...and I've
made this program as nice as possible for SB users, still clinging
to their cards. And with this, SB users will be able to enjoy
*near* 100% correctness when it comes to playing MODs/S3Ms.
(Yaayy!).
Yes, you can even play up to 32 channels...including the 28-channel
music from DOPE :-) Hehehe.
NOTE: NST files are actually MOD files!
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SPECIAL FEATURES▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
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■ A Malaysian product!
■ Simple screen!
■ Stable shell (sort of)! But please read the 'bugs' section.
■ Uses little base memory when EMS present! (For a Real Mode module
player, that is.)
■ SBpro/SB16 support! (Stereo and 16-bit sound output!!)
■ Crystal clear sounds from SB! (Hey, I've only a SB 2.0!)
■ Very-compatible with MODs and S3Ms! (Really!)
Actually implements S3M bugs! But there's only ONE bug that I
know of, that is, when MOD limits are enforced in S3Ms, the octave
is much wider to account for extended MODs that uses higher and
lower octaves. Scream Tracker and MDP limits them to the ORIGINAL
Protracker limit.
Other than that, no other players that I've seen comes close to
its compatibility (SB anyway) -- which is weird though, since
S3M and MOD is quite old!
■ Not slow! Hehehe...
■ First Malaysian S3M player!
■ MY [TRULY] FAVOURITE PLAYER! :-), even after getting a GUS!
■ Comes with PP2.EXE! (For what, exactly...I don't know! :)
■ Actually works well in BACKGROUND under Windows 95!
(Tested on an AMD 486DX4-100).
However, you might want to disable EMS usage and lower the
mixing rate to 22khz if you do so as to reduce CPU power usage.
But I have no idea who wants to run PP3 under Windows anyway,
since almost everyone owns a GUS.
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SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
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■ A 386 or better PC.
■ A SoundBlaster/compatible card. SB Pro and SB16 are supported too.
■ EMS optional but highly recommended, and required for large
modules.
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PROGRAM COMMAND LINE SWITCHES/SYNTAX▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
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Platinum Play III has the following command line syntax...
PP3 [switch] filename[.MOD/.S3M/.AMM] [switch]
■ No wildcards are supported. Maybe I'll write a shell to address this
problem. :)
■ File extensions are optional. But they are searched in order of
MOD,S3M and finally AMM.
■ Only MOD/S3M/AMM format is supported.
■ All switches are case insensitive.
The following are the valid switches...
---------------------------------------
/? Get help
/S1 Set mixing rate to 16khz. Sux.
/S2 Set mixing rate to 22khz. So-so.
/S3 Set mixing rate to 44khz (default). Best! :-)
/8 Force 8-bit mode for 16-bit SoundBlasters.
/M Force mono mode for stereo SoundBlasters.
/L Disable song looping. Automatically sets to looping when you
shell to DOS and forgets about any song restart when you
return. Song fades out in the last sequence...and the master
volume keys (+/-) will not function here.
/Axx Sets amplification. xx value ranges from 1 to 8000. Overrides
the /F switch. Untested with SB16!! Usually, ranges within 30
to 50 if used. Values above 64 are not recommended, but very
much possible. Useful for loud/soft music!
/AF This is an extension to the amplification switch.
It uses the lowest quality possible...and on the SB16, makes
sure that no clipping is performed on resulting waveform.
For MODs, /F has the same effect.
/PAL Sets music to use the PAL system. Useful for MODs written in
PAL Amigas. I can't really hear much of a difference as in
Inertia Player...but what the heck...
/B Disable EMS usage. (Faster! But might have bugs!).
/F Fast mode, but at the expense of sound quality. Actually, there
ain't much difference...and it'll only get slower (!) if you're
playing an S3M module.
For S3Ms and AMMs converted from S3M, this option selects the
internal amplification that is present in the module, which
actually is slightly slower in mixing(!)). This fast mode was
actually meant for Platinum Play II to play MODs using standard
low-quality mixing and will really have no use in Platinum Play
III except for certain MODs.
NOTE! For 16-bit sound output, this option has NO EFFECT.
16-bit sounds remain clear. If more channels are being played,
the volume drops, but not the quality. :-)
/1 to Selects the default startup screen. The values corresponds
/10 to the Function keys (/1=F1, /2=F2,...).
Currently, there are only 3 screens.
/1 Main screen
/2 Samples screen
/10 Alternative screen
EXAMPLES:
---------
For example,
PP3 /f /s1 PHLEGM.S3M
or
PP3 /f PHLEGM.S3M /s1
will play PHLEGM.S3M at a lowly 16khz and using the S3M's default
amplification.
PP3 /a50 IHATEWATERLOGIC
will play IHATEWATERLOGIC at 44khz, with amplification of 50.
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KEYS WHILE PLAYING MUSIC▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
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ESC Guess what? This one puts you back to the DOS prompt!
Ain't that a technological advancement? {grin}
Alt-D Puts you temporarily in DOS prompt while program croaks
away the with the S3M/MOD in memory! Type 'EXIT' to
return to Platinum Play III.
CursorRight Fast forward
CursorLeft Rewind
+ Increase master volume
- Decrease master volume
TAB Switch between the main screen and the sample screen.
Up/Down For 80x25 CGA/EGA mode, move between sample screens.
(VGA users get 80x50 mode!)
` Switches between PAL and NTSC mode.
F1 to F10 Quick volume setting. F1=No sound. F10=Loudest.
Alt F1 Main screen
Alt F2 Samples screen
H Quick Help
NOTE: Several people have asked me about why nothing moved in the
samples screen. Well, there weren't meant to be anything moving
in the samples screen. The screen simply existed because I
wanted to see messages in songs, that's all. If there's enough
requests, I'll put in some movements to show the samples being
used. But for now, I consider it not-necessary and would only
add to the size of PP3.
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HEY! WHERE'S PLATINUM PLAY 1.0 AND 2.0???▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
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To cut a long story short, Platinum Player 1.41 @ AudioManager 1.41
was released by RDG sometime back, with full source codes. It sucked
like hell and I doubt anybody used it. Platinum Play 2.00 (using
AudioManager 2.x) has been written, but release has been cancelled to
make way for Platinum Play III, since the time gap between the two
wasn't that long (few months only, and PP3 (first beta test version)
was completed in July '94). Of course, I've had this stupid idea of
bundling both PP2 and PP3 together...and it's all here!
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CONV.EXE (MOD/S3M to AMM conversion program).▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
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■ AMM is just another proprietary format used by Platinum Play III.
■ It is usually much smaller than other formats, although sometimes
it doesn't give good results. But problem could be solved (it's
not really a problem, just that some music formats deletes unused
patterns and stuffs...whereas mine doesn't to keep full info).
■ Modules converted to AMM format cannot be reconverted back to
their respective original format. TAKE NOTE OF THIS!
■ There might be some bugs in CONV.EXE...such as it's doesn't check
for disk space error...might even crash the system?
The syntax for CONV is as follows
CONV (FileNameWithExtension.MOD/.S3M) (TargetAMMfile.AMM)
It will load module into memory (you'll need enough base/EMS memory
for this!) and compress+write them to disk.
For example,
CONV ATOMIC2.MOD ATOMIC2.AMM
will convert ATOMIC2.MOD to ATOMIC2.AMM.
NOTE: You are recommended to save your music modules in their
original format, not AMM. (AMM was created for transportation
across BBSes,etc...). In the next Platinum Play (IV) (if
written), the AMM format will be very different from the
current one as to accomodate XM features and more.
FACT: I don't even use this utility myself! :-) Hahahaha.
FACT2: Have you tried converting the music from DOPE into AMM?
I have...and it's smaller by 438,760 bytes (!).
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TROUBLESHOOTING/ERROR MESSAGES▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
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Below are several troubleshooting tips that might be useful.
░ Unable to load music
Possibilities:
■ You don't have enough RAM
■ Music format is bad/unsupported
■ File not found
■ You screwed up somewhere in the command line
■ Some internal bug. Read the 'bugs' section.
░ Soundcard not found
Duh! Obviously, you don't have a SoundBlaster or compatible
card! :) Go get one now!!
░ Program crashes when trying to load music
I've come across this problem several times with S3M files
if you load them without EMS (or disable EMS). I'm not sure
what's wrong here, but I think it's probably my code.
(Hey, it's in assembly...and errors are inevitable!)
░ Program crashes after shelling to DOS and doing stuffs
Again...it's probably my program...or the other's fault.
I've only experienced this with a handful of programs.
Check out the 'bugs' section.
░ Screen appears without sound/sound comes out weirdly
Most probably you have a SB16 or SBPro. PP3 has not been
fully tested with SB16 and SBpro, because I don't have either
one of them!
░ Sound seems distorted
Try lowering the master volume (or set a lower amplification,
less than 32). Some modules (especially MODs) have problems
when the user plays two or more same instrument at the
same time. This amplifies the volume outside the range
allowed by hardware, and thus, clipping is done. This
distorts the sound a little.
By default, there's usually some clipping...but the effects
won't be much.
░ Any other bugs.
Do report immediately!
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THE BLASTER ENVIRONMENT SETTING▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
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BLASTER=Aiii Ijj Dk Tl
iii is the base port number in 3 hexadecimal digits. eg. 220
jj is the IRQ number used by your SoundBlaster. It can be either 1
or 2 decimal digits long. Value ranges from 0-15.
k is the DMA number used by your SoundBlaster. It can range from
0-3.
l is the SoundBlaster type.
1=Old SB 2=Old SBpro 3=New SB 4=New SBpro 5=? Can anyone tell me?
6=SB 16/AWE32
For example, I use BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 T3, which means my SoundBlaster
in at port 220h, uses IRQ 5, DMA 1 and is Type3 (SoundBlaster 2.x).
Each parameter in the environment variable must be separated by at
least a space. Refer to your SoundBlaster manual for details.
For SB16/SBAWE32 who has more BLASTER variables, please refer to
your manual. I will try to give a brief description:
BLASTER=Aport Iirq D8bitDMA H16bitDMA Ttype
There is one extra variable about the MIDI stuff...I'm not sure
about it...oh well...
If the environment variable is not available, Platinum Play III will
go through a hardware detection. This hardware detection detects
even the DMA and has failed on some soundcards (Most notably the GUS
under SBOS). If this method fails or crashes, try using the
environment variable. This method has not been tested with SB 16
and will most probably crash.
Future versions of PP might implement a setup program.
Heck...future versions will be so different, I'm not sure about
anything!
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GREETZ AND THANX (In no particular order at all...)▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
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RENEGADE GUYS (AudioJack, Tachyon, Epsilon, Alchemist, dogs)
ALL SYSOPS
ALL OTHER DEMO DUDES
ALL BETA TESTERS
ALL MODEMMERS!
DUDES AT IN-TECH (esp. Alex Yong! :)
DUDES AT COMPUTIMES
Dr. Stephen W. Hawking
A ZILLION THANX GOES TO...
AudioJack/RDG
beta testing and for his original idea on the name Platinum
Play... err..or was it Platinum Player...
Tachyon/RDG
for beta testing and detecting some bugs.
Kelvin Foo aka Black Thunder aka my younger brother
for beta testing and pointing out some bugs in the effects
implementation which I missed.
Lau Chet Hong (SB16)
Lee Meng Hong (SBPro)
Kok Jek Yong (SBPro)
Leow Teck Yee (SBPro)
Ian John Albert (SBAWE32)
for beta testing PP3 on their SB16/SBPro and giving me
some useful info on higher-end SoundBlasters' BLASTER env var.
Lily Poh
Jenny Soo Mei Yin
Lye, Pok Yeow, Benji, Say Cheong, etc...
*.*
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'BUGS'▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
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- On some modules, the forward/backward functions might not work
nicely (it might just get stuck at a certain sequence...).
This is due to the nature of the MODs and S3Ms (especially) and
it's implementation in my AudioManager 3.
There's a way out of this though. For computers equipped with
the hardware 'Turbo' switch, try lowering your PC speed and then
press the left cursor key. That 'oughta work.
- Here are the list of program that I found to be incompatible with
PP3 being resident.
■ COMPBUST (for some unknown reason...)
■ COMMUNIQUE 2.10 (also, for some unknown reason. Heck...it even
crashes without PP3 if you run it, shell to DOS, turn to 80x50
mode, return and try to press Alt-D to dial!!).
But still, it once crashed while PP3 was playing a music.
The newer version (2.20) seems to work correctly now...
■ All software that take control of SoundBlaster (SONIX,DMP,etc...)
■ Some softwares. Don't ask me why...I don't know myself.
■ On some motherboards, certain memory configuration could cause
an EMM error.
- Some, but not all STMs converted to S3M won't play correctly.
This is due to the STM's peculiarities...which I will not even
take the effort to look at...
- On higher end SoundBlasters, the sound might be soft.
- This is a rare bug. My programs might have bugs when not using EMS
memory. (!). CCITY12.S3M failed upon loading, even with enough base
memory. Some MODs failed to quit to DOS safely. Oh well...I'm too
lazy to look into it. But most of the time it'll quit to DOS
'gracefully' if error occurs.
- Not thoroughly tested with SB16. Thus, the amplification stuffs
might cause problems such as distortions/etc!
- Does not work nicely under Windows. Somehow, Windows plays with the
RTC...and it's not nice! :-) Anyway, run it again...and it should
work.
TIPS: ■ Don't shell to DOS while in Windows! For some peculiar
reason, I suspect Windows has bugs (yes, BUGS!) in it's
implementation of EMS.
■ If you're using 44khz (/S3 or by default), it's recommended
that you use the /B switch to limit use to base memory
only, as EMS is very slow under Windows.
■ Life would be much better if Windows was actually Doors!
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CONTACTING US▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
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To contact RDG, read RENEGADE.NFO.
I can be reached through kenfoo@techm.pl.my or several local BBSes
around here in Malaysia. Or, you can snail-mail me at...
Kenneth Foo
182, Jalan C3,
Taman Melawati,
53100 Kuala Lumpur,
West Malaysia.
I'd love to have feedbacks on the program, how it works, and how I
can improve it further. Please contact me immediately if you do find
any bugs!
And oh...if you decide that this program is quite useful and you
like it, please do donate some bucks to the nearest charity
organization. But if you really insist of paying something for
this program; send them to the address above. :-)
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DONE▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
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If you can't seem to find certain sections in this document, well,
it ain't there. And don't worry...I'll try to put in GUS support
in future releases...when I have the time! ;-) And card! :-)
Remember kids! All eat/code no play makes Jack a dull boy!!! =)
Pigs oink, dorks..err..dogs bark and cats meow.
Bye and tata!
TechnoMaestro signing off.
ATH
100% Malaysian made product. 1994-1995.
If you don't believe me, ask your
mom or dad.
"Let your body be the machine of a positive mind..."
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UNDOCUMENTED/SECRET/HIDDEN STUFFS▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
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There is an undocumented key, that is, the 'N' key. You might have
discovered that PP3 quits to DOS when the key. Well, here's the
difference from the ESC key.
When you press ESC, PP3 quits to DOS and returns error code 0.
But when you press N, PP3 quits and returns error code 1.
It's actually meant for me to make batch files and select next
song...unless ESC is pressed. Use the DOS errorlevel command in
the batch file to determine this. For example, here's one of my
batch file named D.BAT.
........start of D.BAT........
@echo off
pp3 /l /a40 DOPE.MOD
IF NOT ERRORLEVEL 1 goto ES
pp3 /l /f ID.S3M
IF NOT ERRORLEVEL 1 goto ES
pp3 /l /f INTRO.S3M
IF NOT ERRORLEVEL 1 goto ES
pp3 /l /f PASSAGE.S3M
IF NOT ERRORLEVEL 1 goto ES
pp3 /l /f RAMAGARD.S3M
IF NOT ERRORLEVEL 1 goto ES
pp3 /l /f OMNIPHIL.S3M
IF NOT ERRORLEVEL 1 goto ES
pp3 /l /f SONIC.S3M
IF NOT ERRORLEVEL 1 goto ES
pp3 /l /f INTRO2.S3M
IF NOT ERRORLEVEL 1 goto ES
D
:ES
.........End of batch file.......
So, you can make PP3 play automatically a collection of songs
at a computer show or something and show off the ability of
SoundBlasters {Grin} ... okay-okay...no flames!! :-)
Notice that I used 'NOT ERRORLEVEL ...'. From my side, it seems
that IF ERRORLEVEL 0 GOTO ES doesn't work! Don't ask me why!
Here's the list of other errorlevel codes returned by PP3. They're
all returned upon errors.
2 General error
3 No sound card (SoundBlaster)
4 No parameter
5 Real Time Clock error
6 Initialization error
7 Playback error
8 Module load error
9 Deinitialization error
There's also a secret 2-key combo at the main menu which pops up a
hidden message on how to contact me and other assorted nonsense.
One of the key is in this list...
ctrl
alt
shift
tab
caps lock
num lock
scroll lock
The other key...well, find out yourself.
There's also an Alt-F10 key. It's supposed to have a spectrum
analyzer or something like that...but I was too lazy (and don't know
how) to code them. So, it's only the simple bars like in the main
screen. :( Actually, it's the simplest screen in PP3! :-)
But that's not the best part...try these command line switches
(some letters have been left out and is marked with '*').
I'm pretty sure they're not destructive. :-)
/*A*K Clue: Never on this program!!!
/*H**T Clue: It's not a nice thing to do.
And since stepping 26, I've added the /T switch, which enables
irq 0 to 7 to function while mixing. Useful fer some proggies
that hooks to int 8 for screen synchronization.
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THE FUTURE▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
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Well, don't expect anything very soon though.
- AJ just lent me a GUS card. Now that I have a GUS to test,
I just *might* release a PP3 which supports the GUS card.
But this is only a slim possibility (almost nil :).
- Platinum Play IV
Oh yes. It'll be out (I hope!). Anyway, it will ...
■ be in protected mode, 98% C and 2% assembly.
■ support MOD,S3M,XM,AMM2 (New Audio Manager Module)
■ support GUS, SB, SB Pro, SB 16. Sorry, but I've got
no AWE to code on! :-) That is, unless Creative Labs
contributes a little :-)
■ with a slim probability, have MiDi support.
■ as usual, I will try to make its playback 100% correct.
(It seems that almost no-one realised of the playback
bug their players have while playing SATELL.S3M!)
■ have sample crunching for RAM-starved cards/systems, by
smaller fractions, not like in CP. Yes, crunching will
support SBs too, as to allow more memory for system :-).
For wave-table based, cards, you might opt for the software
mixing to do the job if you're RAM-starved, but still
maintain some degree of quality.
■ come with more extensive (new) AMM format document.
■ most probably have problems with DOS shell ;-)
That's because I'm using DJGPP 2.0 to code my stuffs!
■ Enhanced protected mode mixing routines!
(Theoretically, 20%-25% faster! But C makes it slower ;-)
■ Compressed patterns in memory!
■ More formats?
- AMM2 is a newer format of Audio Manager Module. It's totally
incompatible with AMM (The old one). This time, it won't be that
small, but will utilise some special delta-encoding which makes
it MORE compressible than the old AMM's standard delta-encoding!
It will also support many musical formats, feature > 64 rows,
> 256 patterns, > 256 orders, > 1 effect (almost unlimited),
have MiDi-like support, lyrics, flexible, many channels, etc...
Look out for it! Oh, btw, it's based on the RIFF format.
- An even slimmer probability is writing a tracker :) to support
AMM2 format.
- See you in the future!
- LATEST UPDATE!
Work on PP4 and AudioManager 4 has been halted or put in
[very] low gear! I'm now moving onwards to improving my 3D
library instead as PP4 won't be able to match big (bulky)
and more capable players like CubicPlayer.
Yet another latest update...my brother found out
another 'small' bug in S3M volume implementation...
but that's a minor issue, and I'm almost positive no
one will ever hear the bug, coz it's between no-sound
and very-very soft sound thing during volume slides...
- If you want me to continue work on PP4, please do inform me!
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OKAY, YOU'RE FREE TO GO▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
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Lastly, please do take note of the first 3 sections of this document!!
Read it thoroughly and make sure you understand them!
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*MORE* STUPID STUFFS REALLY DO NOT WANT TO TAKE HEED OF @ Tension breaker▒▒▒
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Yes!! Catch Renegade Demo Group on video tape, cassete and
CDs!! Watch them in action as they render you your all-time-favourite
songs!! (Heh heh). Only SBs and GUS supported. :)
Also, watch out for the RenegadeDemoGroup T-shirts at your
nearest department store! Each shirt comes in many exciting colours.
It features a large text 'I love RDG & SPS!'. Comes also with sinus
scrollies, plasma and copper effects, and 3D vector graphics (with
texture mapping!!).
If T-shirts ain't your kinda thing, go and get this all-new
RDG underwears! Comes in assorted colours, shapes, sizes, patterns
and languages. Good looking underwears to complement your looks! ;-)
It'll add pizzaz to your wardrobe!!
For other gals out there, you can get our autographs and photo
(great poses) for FREE!! Yes...that's *FREE*! All you need to do is
get a modem and log into Renegade BBS. AudioJack, the generous and
charming sysop will pass you the picture of us! Full 640x480 24-bit
picture! Now beat that for clarity in picture! :)
Note: You must be 98 years or older to download pictures of us.
If you hate to watch us because we are simply too handsome,
why not just listen to our charming voices? {grin}. You can either
download our speech...all fully compressed! Comes also with BOSS keys
so your mom ain't gonna get mad when she comes by!! Hahaha. Better
still, buy out CDs and Video Cassetes!!
If those really can't satisfy your needs, go get our full-sized
'Inflatable RDG dolls' composing of AudioJack, Tachyon, Epsilon,
Alchemist and me!
Also, coming to you soon. Books on RDG! At last!! Some of the
great titles are...
'How to be a successfull bugger and debugger'
'How I eat'
'How to get major SPS for an exciting-life'
'How not to code'
'10 steps to a better lamer'
and...
- RDG Fake Dentures
- RDG toothpicks.
- RDG toothbrush.
- RDG dental floss
- RDG 'Coding' Cookies. Comes with strips of paper with
programming tips!! :)
- RDG babi-dolls (sic)
- RDG's 'RDG-C' and 'RDG-Pascal' language.
- RDG's specially prepared inkjet printing paper coated with
saliva.
- RDG's lame cakes.
- And many-many more exciting stuffs!
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Relax! That was just a joke (or another method of letting stress out
by typing out 100%-nonsense. :) It really works! But if you think that
some of those ideas above are sensational and worth marketing, go
ahead, do it. :-)
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