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CD ROM Paradise Collection 4
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CD ROM Paradise Collection 4 1995 Nov.iso
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bmstr61.zip
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WHATS.NEW
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1994-08-15
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======================================
B L A S T E R Master v6.1
for the Creative Labs Sound Blaster
and most compatibles
by Gary Maddox
Copyright (C) 1990-1994
======================================
Version 6.01 - 08/15/94
-----------------------
Added keyboard control to set and mover the marker: SPACE BAR sets marker
in center, left arrow moves marker one value to left, right arrow moves
marker one value to right, down arrow moves marker 10 values to left,
up arrow moves marker 10 values to right, "M" sets a BLOCK. Added input
for SAMPLE RATE in the Recorder screen. You can enter any sample rate
you want, but it will be converted to the next nearest one supported
by VOC files. Added support for the PAS-16 mixer on the File Select
screen. PAS-16 users with CDROMS should also be able to use the CD
controls on the Recorder screen. Fixed bug with displaying the correct
WAVE file type in the File Select PLAY function. Fixed problem inporting
certain multiblocked VOC files. File Select now retains the path
during editing and recording.
Version 6.00 - 04/25/94
-----------------------
The biggest change with this release is the addition of a configuration
file for calling external player/recorder programs. This should make
BLASTER Master work with ANY soundcard that has a DOS based, textual
utility for playing/recording files in native mode.
Increased subdirectory array from 80 to 110 entries. Added support for
the Creative Labs Omni CDROM drive and many others. Many people were
having problems with write protected files taken from CDROM discs, added
a check for this condition. Added a display for the original sound file
name in the wave editor whenever UNTITLED is displayed. Removed the "/G"
switch to force graphics mode. Added "/I" to skip initializing the SB and
loading drivers. This may help some non-SB compatible cards use the external
player configuration. Added ALT-D key command in the SAVE WORK FILE dialog
to quickly select "Don't Save" option. Fixed a problem importing files
across directories. Added support for importing .VOX files.
Version 5.96 - 12/15/93
-----------------------
This is essentially v5.95 for shareware vendor distribution.
Version 5.95 - 12/05/93
-----------------------
The biggest change this release was to completely remove the IMPORT
screen. All supported files are now displayed in the main File Select
Dialog screen. If you try to play a file that my player drivers don't
support, a warning message pops up. Selecting the file for editing
will automatically import it and it should be playable from there.
Fixed a bug in choosing IMPORT and RECORD functions from the Vanishing
Menu. Fixed problem with marking the first of a file not getting the
first sample byte after the header. Fixed a bug in the SILENCE function
that did not allow for the length of the header. Added the guage display
to the INSERT function during sample rate adjustment. Fixed the TOOLS
submenu in the Vanishing Menu. I guess I broke it last release. Fixed a
problem with the ERROR OPENING FILE warning box not clearing the edit
button screen always. Added ESC key quick exit from BLASTER Master and
the File Select Dialog during the MIXER and INSERT Functions. Added
support for converting 16bit WAVE and SB16 files. This is a filtered
conversion so the resultant file should be quieter than just bit shifts.
Added warning screen and code to avoid trying to import compressed WAVE
files. Added support in the MakeMONO function to select either to
mix the channel, left channel only or right channel only. Improved the
filtering and speed of the NOISE GATE (aka HISS) Function. Added a new
display function called FULL VIEW. It shows the full waveform with
block highlighted. Updated the BLOCK mode HELP SCREEN. Changed the
BLASTER Master XXX screen display from "ASP" to "16" when a 4.X DSP is
detected.
Version 5.9 - 11/05/93
-----------------------
Fixed a problem importing WAV files with imbedded text headers. Fixed
a bug in the DELETE option of the IMPORT function. Added a new function
I call OCTAVIA. OCTAVIA mixes in a new waveform that's either 1 octave
above or below the current waveform. Fixed the flicker of the function
buttons after a PLAY on the MORE screen. Added a display of the free disk
space on the File Select dialog box. Updated SB 2.0 driver. The newer
'Deluxe' SB 2.0's would choke on the old one. Changed the name of the
'NO HISS' filter to 'NOISE GATE' which more accurately reflects the
type of filter it is. Also tweaked the 'NOISE GATE' algorythmn to
improve the clarity.
Version 5.8 - 09/15/93
-----------------------
This release marks the third aniversary of BLASTER Master! It's
hard to believe that it's been three years. Your support has made
all the updates possible. I'll keep it up as long as you do!
The biggest addition to this release is the TUTOR.DOC file. It is a
tutorial text file for getting the most from BLASTER Master. I think
alot of people will find it very helpful. Fixed a bug that caused a
crash when accessing a directory with more than 500 VOC files. Added
more checks to insure a valid file was selected. Improved the user
interface quite a bit. Went to 10 buttons on the Wave Edit screen.
This will allow PLAY and NEW to always be available, put 2 more
options on the default MORE set and allow 2 more options from the
TOOLS sub-menu to be available. Added CANCEL buttons to the FADE,
VOLUME and RATE functions. You won't have to press ESC anymore to
cancel these functions! Added a new BMDEFS environment to choose the
secondary DSP functions as the defaults in the Wave Editor. Use MORE
to start up with FAST, SLOW, MIXER, etc... Added support for skipping
another CDROM or floppy to scan. Use ROMA: ROMF: to skip scanning the
A: & F: drives in the File Select Dialog box. Special thanks go out
this release to Kevin Kell for providing the settings to run BM under
an OS/2 VDM. Users in Switzerland can register now with Software News!
Version 5.7 - 06/25/93
-----------------------
Added drivers to support the Aria chipset cards in SB mode. Fixed
IRQ display problem with some PAS-16 cards. Replaced the RYTHMN
function with a very requested function to insert SILENCE. I will
add the RYTHMN function back in when I have it working better.
Added a "NO HISS" type filter due to the number of requests.
Added a check for 16 bit files. Added a Volume Mixer under the Options
Menu for the SBP and SB16. The SB16 mixer also has controls for setting
Treble and Bass. Added an automatic function to convert New VOC format
to the old format. Almost no software currently supports the new VOC
format. Added 2 more distribution sites: The Pier and TeleGraFX Network.
Version 5.6 - 03/15/93
-----------------------
Reduced the memory requirements for BLASTER Master to execute.
Fixed a bug with escaping from the Volume dialog box from the MIXER
function. Increased the MIXER volume selection to support upto a
volume of 200 for boosting the file being mixed in. Tweaked several
functions to work better with the SB16. Rewrote the SLOW function
to use a variable slider like the FAST function. Added a switch to
turn off the FM tones. (SET BMDEFS=NOFM to turns off FM tones.)
Changed the drive verify routine to verify only drives above the
current drive. This will be very helpful to users with more than
2 floppy drives. Added a function to remove the rythmn tracks from
a stereo file. This function does the opposite of what the VOCALS
function does. Added grid lines to the SCOPE feature. Added a
function to convert stereo files to mono. Dropped support to EXPORT
a file as .NTI and changed the extension to .SAM instead. SAM files
are more common now than NTI. Added support in the IMPORT function
to extract samples from MOD files. Added an "About" box that displays
the curent version number, DSP version and BLASTER environment.
Added highlights to the SB Pro mixer volumes.
Version 5.5 - 12/15/92
-----------------------
The last two versions of BM hasn't circulated as well as earlier
releases. I've been working on improving circulation this release.
I have added a UNIX ftp site, Simtel-20. I will also send uploads
to the Detroit Download Central and hatch it into the world-wide
SBCNet. I have also added online registration via CompuServe. This
is the easiest and fastest way to become a registered user. The
registration is automatically charged to your CompuServe bill and
you will receive your registration code within 24 hours or less.
GO SWREG to take advantage of this handy service. I would also like
to ask my users to help BM circulate better. The better it circulates,
the easier it will be for you to find updates and for me to continue
to support the program. I enjoy BM and I sincerely hope you do to.
Added a much requested UNDO LAST EDIT function on the OPTIONS menu.
Added Accelerator/Decelerator functions in the BLOCK Tools. Added
hotkey menu selections for the FILE and TOOLS menu. Fixed a bug with
inserting files where sample rate adjustment was required. Fixed problem
tabbing through the FileSelect dialog. Fixed a bug in the mixer with
selecting the left-most side by mouse.
Version 5.4 - 11/01/92
-----------------------
This version is included only with The Official Sound Blaster Book,
published by Osborne. It is essentially v5.3 renumbered for
identification.
Version 5.3 - 10/15/92
-----------------------
Added a Stereo Panning function. Added a checkbox to the RECORD dialog
box to choose whether or not to edit the file just recorded. Enhanced
the help screen function to support better help. Fixed problem with
EXPORTING/IMPORTING stereo wave files. Added support with the MIXER
function to specify the insert point from the marker, a time value
or a sample point value. Tweaked the FAST and LOOP functions to better
avoid channel swapping with stereo files. Cleaned up the LOOP function
to smooth the joining edges better. Increased the size of the FILE
SELECT listbox.
Version 5.2 - 09/05/92
-----------------------
Because of the ever increasing memory requirements of BLASTER
Master, I have gone to an uncompressed, overlayed EXE file. This
should reduce the main memory requirements. It does cause the
BMASTER.EXE to be 40% larger. Support for XT's was also dropped,
an 80286 at least is required. Moved the MORE button to the lower
right corner position. Added exiting the SCOPE by clicking any mouse
button. Fixed the problem with deleting the last VOC file in a
directory. The SB Pro Mixer functions are now active during playback
from the File Select dialog box. Added a function to remove VOCALS
from stereo files. Fixed problem with Import/Export of stereo WAVE
files. Added FM based chimes and warning sounds. Added F10 key color
change for the wave graph background color. Added control-F2 key
color change for the actual wave graph. Added a /PXXXXX.PAL command
line switch to use a color palette file. (Where XXXXX.PAL = the PAL
file name.) Added CD player controls for users with the MultiMedia
kit. These controls WILL NOT work with other CDROMs. Added an
environment parm to set some defaults for sampling with the SBP:
Input Source Input Mode Filter Rate CDROM
SET BMDEFS= {CD/MIC/LINE} {STEREO/MONO} {LO/HI} {NN} {ROMx:}
Added the ability on the Import dialog box to double-click on a
file to select it for importation. Added support with the INSERT
function to specify the insert point from the marker, a time value
or a sample point value. Fixed problem with cutting very small files.
Added a playback time display to the Edit screen during play.
Version 5.1 - Unreleased
-------------------------
My hard disk crashed and I lost one months work on this version. All
I have left is a BETA version. Oh well...
Version 5.0 - 04/17/92
-----------------------
The biggest enhancement to v5.0 is full support for the Sound Blaster
Pro. Added vanishing drop down menus with SAVE and SAVE AS functions.
Added a COPY BLOCK function on the BLOCK menu. Added an infinite echo
option to ECHO. Finally added the option to select a point in the file
to begin Mixing. Fixed bug in 2 bit packing of very small files. Fixed
problem upsampling. Added online help. Added options for loop playing,
block or all playing and saving screen colors. Added EMS memory support
for screen memory saves. Changed to BMASTER.Dxx external sound drivers.
Version 4.8 - 02/01/92
-----------------------
Fixed problem with LOOP adding a pop when selecting the far right
side of a sound file. Improved the File Select Dialog box to support
drives and paths, double-click file selection and to display more
files. Added VOLUME function to Tools. Fixed a pop that sometimes
occured when reversing a very small file. Added support to Import
Wired for Sound .SND files. Improved ECHO algorythm to be faster and
more stable. Improved formatting and content of BMASTER.DOC file.
Added support for the Sound Blaster 2.0. Improved the sensitivity
of the oscilloscope. Changed the CANCEL button to QUIT. Improved
the RATE function to be faster.
Version 4.75 - 12/10/91
-----------------------
Added Import function to support Amiga IFF sample files. Added the
F-10 "Surprise Key". The BMPORT environment variable will work
better on some machines. Added a /G command line switch to force
graphics mode. This effectively bypasses the graphics card scanning.
Fixed a problem with importing files not saving the file.
Version 4.7 - 12/01/91
----------------------
Added a 64 level UnZoom stack to redisplay the last Zoom. Added an
Echo tool to the BLOCK EDIT section. Added a check for files that
BM currently can't do, i.e., stereo, etc... Since the newer versions
of Voxkit always records a Multi-Blocked file, I added a conversion
function that will convert to RAW files. It also support silence
encoding. If a Multi-Blocked file is selected, a dialog box pops
up and you have the option to convert to a RAW file. The original
file is left intact. Replaced the RECORD LEVEL from the Recording
dialog box and replaced it with the SCOPE function. Added a Block
Move function to move a block from one point in a file to another.
Added Import/Export functions to load/save .WAV, .NTI & .SND files.
Added a guage to show how much remains to be processed. Finally added
a function to set a marker. Pressing the right mouse button sets a
white arrow on the blue bar just below the wave graph. Added support
for the ATI Stereo F/X card. (Use "/SFX" on the command line)
Added support for editing soundfiles without having a soundcard.
Added an ENVIRONMENT parameter to set the Base Address. Some PC's
lock up when BM tries to scan for the Port.
Version 4.6 - 10/15/91
----------------------
Skipped versions 4.3-4.5 because somebody circulated a hacked v4.5.
Fixed bug that wouldn't allow NEW to be selected after packing a
file. Added Volume controls and a monitor control for SB Pro users.
Added a TOOLS button to the BLOCK EDIT section. Now you can cause
a Block to loop, i.e., repeat itself upto 10 times, adjust the
pitch of a block and reverse a block. Fixed the problem with ZOOM
after a 1:1 ZOOM/UNZOOM. Removed the click from Inserting that
sometimes occured. Dropped the VOC compiler from lack of interest
and dropped the Hi-Res Sampler because it should be very well
distributed by now.
Version 4.2 - 09/15/91
----------------------
Added Sound Blaster Pro and Thunder Board support. "Pro" support
will increase as I can get more information. No one seems to know
very much about the Pro yet. Added a Fade in/Fade out function.
Added a REVERSE function in the block edit section. Extended the
time grid to zoomed blocks and added a playing time and data size
display for blocks.
Version 4.1 - 08/02/91
----------------------
Fixed the VOLUME function problem. Added PACK/UNPACK and PITCH.
Improved the user interface to better support the keyboard and to
no longer require a file name after each function. Added a warning
message when disk space is low. Dropped the EQ program until I can
incorporate it into the main program. Added VCOMP which will convert
a .VOC file into a self-playing .EXE file. Fixed a problem with the
ECHO aborting on certain files. Made too many little improvements to
mention.
Version 4.0 - 07/04/91
----------------------
This version represents the most significant enhancements to BLASTER
Master yet. The individual modules were imbedded into the editor for
a much better user interface and an over-all reduction of about 400K
in file size. New functions like INSERT and MUTE were added. All of
the limited functions were extended to a 30 second maximum and the
Hi-Res Sampler was completely un-crippled. A great deal of debugging
and re-programming went into v4.0. Most of the problems with process-
ing small VOC files should be fixed. I would also like to thank all
of the folks at Paul Mace Software and Media Vision for their support!
Version 3.1 - 05/20/91
----------------------
Dropped the old CGA Scope program and added a "new" real mode scope
program. Added the DELETE option on the BMASTER program. Added an
error message screen to most of the functions. Added a choice of which
file to edit after a CUT or a SAVE to the editor. Added a recording
module with a volume level graph.
Version 3.0 - 03/30/91
----------------------
Fixed problem with recorder. Version 2.8 had a corrupted EXE file. When
I started "fixing" what I thought was a bug, I broke it for real!!!
Fixed problem with down sampler not processing the last segment of each
file. Added an /EGA switch to BMASTER and SBEDIT to support older 64K EGA
cards. Incorporated SBCOPE into SBEDIT to make the over-all package smaller.
Added the much asked for "ZOOM" feature in the editor. Dropped the "Mark"
or "Cut" button from the editor. Dropped the SBGRAPH program from the
package. The "ZOOM" feature of the editor should handle this now. Updated
the Hi-Res Sampler to work better in 33mhz mode.
Version 2.9 - 02/15/91
----------------------
Quick bug fix version. I recently rewrote the record function to work
with my '486 and to make it a bit more reliable. Someone was having
lock ups on their machine. The version 2.8 recorder would probably
ONLY work on a '486!
Version 2.8 - 02/15/91
----------------------
Improved the digital delay program. Dropped the SBFILTER program and
added an FFT based graphic equalizer. Made several enhancements to the
editor, including a file selection dialog box and a playback position
index. Fixed some in-compatiblity problems with certain graphics cards
in the scope programs. Added a Range Bar to the Sound Graph. Added Radio
buttons to the shell to Exit & Shell to DOS. Fixed minor bugs reported
to me by my users.
Version 2.7 - 12/15/90
----------------------
More bugs! Fixed several problems including problems with the Mixer
program. Added a speed up program to go along with the slow down
program. Added an Auto-Desk Animator/VOC file player for multi-media
presentations. Added a command line switch to BMASTER.EXE to select the
Sound Blaster port instead of scanning for it. Added a command line
switch to SBEDIT.EXE to allow the passing of a file name, and made
the temporary edit file function much faster. Added automatic detection
of math co-processor chip and support. Tried to improve the documentation
and also increased some of the time-outs to 25 seconds.
Version 2.6 - 11/17/90
----------------------
Bug fix release. I found a very esoteric bug in an updated compiler
I switched to that caused an error message when aborting a file. This
error didn't cause any damage, but it was totally unacceptable.
Version 2.5 - 11/15/90
----------------------
Added a graphic sample editor (EGA/VGA/Mouse Req.), Hi/Lo-Pass Filter
module and a CGA version of the oscilloscope. Added an improved math
function library to all modules that speeded up calculations. Reduced
the size of all modules by 7-10K each.
Version 2.0 - 10/15/90
----------------------
Added Down Sampling, BLASTER Scope and integrated playback and recording.
Included the sample Reverser on the BMASTER.EXE shell. Also included a
stand-alone "hi-res" sample module for fast PC's. Fixed bug that would
not allow File Select to read root directories from floppy drives. Fixed
a bug in Slow it Down! that caused certain files to "get stuck". Added
support for small files with Digital Delay. Generally improved the speed
of most functions.
Version 1.0 - 09/01/90 (officially released 09/15/90)
-----------------------------------------------------
First version, first release. Very well received and supported.