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1995-10-06
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PATtern CHanger
Version 1.0 / User Documentation
Written by Tony Morales, 2/24/94
Copyright (c) 1994 by Tony Morales, All Rights Reserved.
INTRODUCTION
I originally never intended to release this utility. It was meant
as a proprietary piece of software for some MOD research. However,
after the overwhelming response from those who tested this program, I
have decided to put it out as shareware, for everyone to enjoy.
PATtern CHanger, (PATCH), is a utility which allows you to perform
various actions on Amiga MOD pattern data structures. Pattern data
structures are simply collections of notes, (sometimes called blocks),
that when combined together, produce a musical sequence.
SHAREWARE NOTICE
You may distribute PATCH to as many people as you wish, as long as
all files and documentation are retained. If you use and enjoy PATCH,
you should send $5.00 to the addresses at the end of this file. If, for
some reason, you are unable to send in your shareware fee, send me a
letter telling me what you think of the program. If you don't find any
use for PATCH, please give it to a friend, who can make use of it.
INSTALLATION/SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
PATCH is very easy to install. Just launch the file, "PATCH," from
any application that is capable of running Applesoft BASIC programs.
Make sure the file, "PATCH.BIN," is in the same folder as, "PATCH."
PATCH requires an Apple IIgs to run, and will work fine under any memory
configuration.
WHAT IT DOES
PATCH will take any Amiga MOD music file, and allow you to adjust
all of the notes in the sequence. Currently, PATCH only allows you to
incrment or decrment each note. At first, this may sound like nothing
special at all. However, by giving PATCH the right parameters, you can
often produce pleasantly-sounding alternatives to your favorite MODs.
CLARIFICATIONS
If you don't have a good understanding of music, the next few
paragraphs should clarify some key points, which you should know before
attempting to use PATCH to alter a MOD.
There are 12 basic notes in each musical octave, (C, C#, D, D#, E,
F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B). If you hear someone speak of playing a song in
the key of G, this means they are playing the song with note offsets
relative to the note G. For example, (G, B, D). It is possible to play
a piece of music in a different key, say key C. This is the equivalent
of the above example, played in the key of C, (C, E, G).
If you are still totally confused, think of how many possible notes
there are between each corisponding note in the examples. There are 3
notes between G and B, (first example), and there are 3 notes between C
and E, (second example). There are 2 notes between B and D, [go up an
octave], (first example), and there are 2 notes between E and G, (second
example).
To play a song in a different key, you simply slide each note up or
down x many notes, where x is the number of notes, (up or down the
scale), it takes to reach the new key. If you are still confused,
consult someone who is fluent in music for details. So, PATCH will take
each note in a MOD and slide it up or down as many notes as you desire.
A QUICK TUTORIAL
The following sections explain PATCH's powerful set of features.
Before beginning, we'll assume you have some MOD files to practice with.
If you don't have any MODs, you can get some from any Apple IIgs user
who loves music. Important! You should always make a backup copy of
your MODs before altering them with PATCH. This way, if you make some
alterations that don't sound good, you won't harm the original MOD.
When you run PATCH, you will see a short title screen displaying
copyright information. You are then prompted to type in the pathname of
the MOD you would like to work with. If the MOD resides in a different
directory than the one you ran PATCH from, you will need to type in the
complete pathname, (/RAM5/MOD.BLAH for example).
PATCH will then display the MOD's title, type, and number of
patterns. As was previously mentioned, patterns are like blocks of
notes. PATCH also shows you the number of the first and last pattern in
the MOD.
You are then prompted for the starting/ending patterns to work on.
If you enter the same values as displayed, PATCH will convert the entire
MOD. You cannot enter an ending pattern less than the starting pattern
and vice versa, and you cannot enter a negative pattern.
Most MODs have 4 basic tracks, (or channels), to play notes on.
PATCH prompts you whether or not it should operate on a particular
track. Type in Y for yes or N for no, at each of the track prompts, (1
through 4). Then, PATCH asks you if it should incrment or decrment the
specified notes. Type I or D, at this prompt.
Finally, you are asked the offset to adjust the notes. Here is
when things can get tricky. There is no way of knowing, other than by
listening, which key a particular MOD was designed in. The best advice
here is to explore different values. A value of 1 or 2 will usually
raise, or lower, the MOD by 1 whole note.
When you have entered this value, the conversion process will
begin. PATCH will inform you of each pattern it is currently
converting. Most MODs only support 3 octaves, so it is more than likely
that a note, when adjusted, will fall outside the allowable octave
range. If this happens, PATCH will not touch the note, leaving it the
way it was before. This will result in a pattern that is partially
converted.
If this happens, PATCH will alert you to this, and give you the
option of whether or not to save the pattern. If you say no, that
pattern will remain unconverted. All good patterns are automatically
written to disk. This is why it is a good idea to backup the MOD before
you alter it, because the chances are very high that your first session
with PATCH will not produce a masterpiece. Don't let this discourage
you. It is possible to do some nice things with MODs using PATCH, but
it takes practice.
THE LEGAL STUFF
PATCH is copyright 1994 by Tony Morales. To legally use PATCH, you
should send $5.00 to the addresses listed below. After you send in your
shareware fee, you will be entitled to use all upgrades without any
additional costs. Use PATCH at your own discretion. The author will
not be held responsible for any loss of data as a result from the
operation of PATCH.
PATCH has been thoroughly tested with a variety of MOD files, and
should present no problems. However, if you would like to report any
bugs you find, or if you would like to offer suggestions, you can write
to me at the following addresses:
Tony Morales GEnie:
2260 Rock St, Apt K HEXMAN
Mountain View, CA 94043