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MT.help.txt
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1997-04-10
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MaxTracker V1.0A Oct.1993
----------------
(C)1993 The ChipTamers
This program is Public Domain
Written by:
Sylvain "Zygen" MARCHAND
Please read about registration
Changes from Protracker V2.0A to MaxTracker V1.0A:
--------------------------------------------------
General
This tracker is based on Protracker V2.0A, from which all known bugs have
been cleared ( I hope so ... )
It aims at playing modules even in FAST Memory, allowing huge modules !
You just have to set XDMA Mode toggle on in the Setup2 menu ...
If you like this program, if you find it usefull, then please consider
registering. (see MT.registry! file)
Then I will continue the optimization of the replay routine...
Hi there music lovers!
Here is MT1.0A, the first version of MaxTracker... A new step for Protracker
There has been a lot of changes this time, especially to get Protracker to
work properly with hi-tech amigas and Kickstarts 2.0 & 3.0 (AGA).
And it does! (as far as we know, at least). Read more about it in the
MT.Readme file...
Don't hesitate to contact us if you can't get it working, if there's
something you can't figure out or if you find any bugs.
Some technical info:
Sourcecode: 370k / 22000 lines
Main Program: 170k
GFX data: 80k (packed)
Worktime: <Overflow> hours
ASM time: about 1.5 minutes
Something you'd like in the next version of MaxTracker? Have you found
any bug?
Anyway, write to:
Sylvain MARCHAND
49, rue Xavier Arnozan
F-33600 PESSAC
FRANCE
or better use E-Mail:
marchand@taliesin.emi.u-bordeaux.fr
Planned release date for MT V1.1: Registered users will be informed ...
Special features
----------------
You can toggle screens with Ctrl-M , (with all kickstarts, even 1.3).
For AGA Users: (With MultiSync screen)
--------------
If MaxTracker Screen display is strange, then press Ctrl-N (NewDisplay),
and it will works fine...
MAINSCREEN
----------
## PLAY ##
Will play the song from the current position in the song. The pointer
turns yellow, just to show you what's going on.
## PATTERN ##
Will play the current pattern which is shown at the bottom of the screen.
The pointer turns yellow here as well. Holding down the right button while
pressing play or pattern will play from the current patternposition.
## EDIT ##
Will put you in edit mode. The pointer turns blue, and you can enter notes
and numbers from the keyboard. Use the arrowkeys to move up/down and
left/right in the pattern. Entering a note or a number will cause the
pattern to jump one or more slots down.
## RECORD ##
Will put you in edit mode, but also play the current pattern or song.
You can select this in the Edit Options menu. While the pattern or
song is playing, you can type in notes and numbers from the keyboard,
and they will appear in the pattern as it scrolls. The notes and numbers
will also be quantized to the nearest slot, so that keeping a steady rhythm
is no problem. The pointer will turn blue here as well as in the the normal
edit mode.
## STOP ##
Will stop playing of songs and patt erns, recording, and will turn edit
mode off.
## CLEAR ##
Will first ask you what you want to clear. You can clear either all,
song or samples.
## EDIT OP. ##
Will exchange the Spectrum Analyzer with the Edit Menu(s). Pressing more
than one time will browse through the edit op. screens.
## DISK OP. ##
Will go to the File Requester.
## PLST ##
Will go to the PLST screen.
## PSET-ED ##
Will go to the preset editor.
## Setup ##
Will go to the Setup Screen.
## Sampler ##
Will go to the Sampler screen.
The small gadgets labeled ## 1, 2, 3 and 4 ##
represent the audiochannels of your amiga. When lit, that channel is on.
When not lit, the channel is muted and and the notes in that track will
not be played.
You can also use ctrl-a to toggle an audiochannel, and ctrl-q to unmute all
channels. Ctrl+shift-a will solo the current channel.
## Tempo ##
The tempo gadget on the status bar is for setting the CIA speed, if CIA
timing is used. The gadget will be updated every time you set the speed
using the F command (if CIA that is).
## POS ##
Defines your position in the song-table.
## PATTERN ##
Defines which pattern will be played at a specific position.
## LENGTH ## (SONG)
Defines the length of the song.
## FINETUNE ##
Tune your untuned samples to match the others.
0 436.4 hz -1 432.1 hz
1 439.0 hz -2 429.6 hz
2 441.6 hz -3 426.3 hz
3 445.1 hz -4 423.1 hz
4 447.8 hz -5 419.9 hz
5 451.5 hz -6 416.7 hz
6 455.2 hz -7 414.4 hz
7 457.0 hz -8 412.0 hz
## SAMPLE ##
Choose sample. You can use up to 31, or hex $1F samples in a song.
Pressing both mousebuttons at the same time will set the samplenumber
to zero. You can then record the pattern with sample 0 to prevent
MaxTracker from setting the volume each time you play a new note.
## LENGTH ## (SAMPLE)
The Length gadgets are simply used for setting the length of the sample.
A sample can be up to 64k, or $fffe long. You can add workspace behind
the sample by increasing the length and letting go of the button. PT will
ask if you are sure, and if you are, allocate more memory for the sample.
( when XDMA Mode is set, the sample size will be unlimited in future
release of MaxTracker... You will also have reverse-play, scratching,... )
## VOLUME ##
Use this to set the volume the current sample will be played with.
## REPEAT ##
Here you set the start of the sampleloop.
## REPLEN ##
Here you set the length of the sampleloop.
## PATTERNNUMBER GADGET ##
To the middle left of the screen is a box with a number in it. The number
is the current pattern number.
## LOAD ## (sample)
Will simply try to load the current samplename. Use this when you've
fucked up in the sample editor, and have destroyed a sample.
Pressing both the left and right button on the arrow-gadgets will speed
them up a bit.
For all numbergadgets,holding the right mousebutton while pressing them
will zero the value.
The main screen has some indicators on the left side of the songname and
samplename textgadgets.The indicators are as follows:
X M S M 0-9
( XDMA Mode, Metronome ON, Split keyboard ON, Multi keyboard ON, Editskip)
I 0-9
(AutoInsert ON, AutoInsert Macro)
## A(bout) ##
This one you'll have to experience for yourself.
DISK OP.
--------
Delete Song/Module/Sample changed to one gadget: Delete file.
Directories shown/Parent gadget.
Path indicator arrow. Click to change paths without reading dir.
Clicking on "free" will show you free diskspace also without reading dir.
Dir-browse button and lots more...
## Path ##
The paths for songs, modules and samples can now be changed, and they
can be up to 31 characters long. To change path, click on load song/
module/sample or use the arrow indicating what path you're at.
## Free (DiskSpace) ##
Free diskspace can be shown in hex or decimal. Select this on the setup
screen. Click on "free" to get free diskspace without re-reading the dir.
## Format Disk ##
Will format a disk in df0: (Hopefully still bug-free...)
## Rename file ##
Will dir the current directory. Select a filename, and you will
be able to edit the name.
## Delete file ##
Will dir the current directory. Select a file, and it will be
deleted from the disk.
## Pack ##
When on, MaxTracker will pack songs before saving (Modules can not be
packed in this version, sorry! ... But PowerPacker causes too much bugs! ).
## Load song ##
Will dir the songs path. Select a song, and it will be loaded and
decrunched if crunched.
## Save song ##
Will pack the song if pack is on, then save it to the current songs
path. Remember to enter a name for your song, otherwise MT will not save!
## Load Module ##
Will dir the modules path. Select a module, and it will be loaded.
## Save Module ##
Will save the module to the current modules path. Modules can be saved
without a name, since they always begin with "Mod.".
## Load Sample ##
Will dir the sample path. Select a sample, and it will be loaded to the
current sample. Iff headers will be chopped off and loops loaded, if any.
## Save Sample ##
Will save the current sample as RAW or IFF. Select this in the "Save"
gadget to the right of "Load Sample". IFF loops will be saved too.
## Dir-Browse button ##
By pressing this button you can browse through various preset paths, so that
you won't have to enter them over and over again.
## Path Indicators ##
Click to change paths without reading dir.
AutoDir - If you set the autodir toggle on the setup screen
to on, MaxTracker will automatically dir the current
path when you enter the disk op. screen.
AutoExit - When this toggle is on MaxTracker will exit from
disk op. when loading a song or a module.
PLST
----
The PLST is fairly simple to use. Listed here are all the samples in
your Presetlist and their lengths. Just click on a name, and MaxTracker
will ask for a disk called ST-01 through to ST-FF. Insert it, and the
chosen sample will be loaded to the current sample displayed at the
left of the screen. Use the up/down arrow keys to move up and down in the
PresetList. If you press the right mousebutton, the PLST will move 10
presets at a time.
At the top the PLST shows the total number of samples from the selected
sounddisks. There are a few PLST gadgets:
## CLEAR ##
Will clear all the sounddisk names you have entered, and display the whole
PresetList.
## MOUNTL(ist) ##
Will search your drives for disks called ST-**, and put the names into
the ST-__ gadgets. ST-00 will not be mounted.
## ST-__ ##
There are three ST-__ gadgets where you can enter the numbers of the
sounddisks you want to display in the PLST. Only the presets from the
selected sounddisks will be shown. If you clear all gadgets (by pressing
return or right mousebutton), or press "Clear", the PLST will revert
to show all presets.
PRESET ED
---------
The MaxTracker's preset-editor is an enhanced version of the original v2.5
editor. The screen has been cleaned up, and redrawn to match the plst.
The editing is still a bit lousy though, but we promise to fix it up
a bit in V1.1...
You can now save the finetune value in the presetlist instead of volume.
The preset editor is used for sorting and catalogueing your samples. All
samples for use with MaxTracker should be on disks called "ST-01" to
"ST-FF". When adding a disk to the presetlist, only these disks are
recognized.
Harddisk owners may want to add a directory. e.g. You've got a directory
called "Supersamples", and you want to use the samples on pt... Simple.
Assign "Supersamples" to ST-13 or whatever. In the box with "Disk:"
and ST-__ in it, enter ST-13. Now enter "DHX:supersamples" in the
path box and press "add path".
The path will be added as ST-13 in your presetlist, so everytime you need
a sample from ST-13, it will be loaded from "Supersamples" instead. Simple?
Editing
--------
We must admit the editing is lousy, but you can't have everything!
To edit a preset, simply click on it. Use the arrowkeys to move left/right.
When moving up and down in the preset- list, use the right mousebutton to
speed it up a bit.
## Add Path ##
Will add the current path to the presetlist. infos will not be added.
Samplenames can only be 15 chars long.
## Insert Preset ##
Will create a new preset. Enter the data for the sample, and it will be
added to the presetlist.
## Delete Preset ##
Will delete the wanted preset from the presetlist.
## Delete Disk ##
Will delete the disknumber set in the "Disk:" box.
## PATH ##
This is where you enter the path to be added from. It can be up to 31
characters long (should be enough!?).
## Disk ##
This is the disk (or HD-dir) that's being added from (or deleted).
## Presets ##
This is the current number of presets in the presetlist.
## Clear PLST ##
Will clear all the presets.
## Load PLST ##
Will load the presetlist from a file called "PLST". This file should be
placed in the MTdir (See Setup2).
## Save PLST ###
Will save the presetlist as a file called "PLST" to the current PTdir.
## Print PLST ##
Will print the presetlist to the current print path, shown on the
setup-screen.
## PLST ##
Will go to the PLST-screen!
...and in case you were too stupid to understand, PLST is a shortform for
"PresetList"! :-)
Sampler
-------
The new sampler/sample editor was included simply because we thought
the one in Noisetracker 2.0 was terrible, and we needed graphing of
samples and proper loop editing.
It's very fast, much faster than AudioMaster, and the editing is
much simpler.
We also included a resampling option which we hope you'll find useful.
Editing
-------
When editing a sample, use to mouse to set the cursorline and to mark
ranges.
## Waveform ##
Will play the full sample with loops.
## Display ##
Will play the part of the sample being shown on screen.
## Range ##
Will play the marked range.
## Stop ##
Will stop all playing of samples.
## Show range ##
Will magnify the current range and display it.
## Show all ##
Will display the whole sample.
## Beg ##
Will put the cursorline at the beginning of the sample.
## End ##
Will put the cursorline at the end of the sample.
## Swap buff(er) ##
The swap the current sample with the copy-buffer.
## Zoom out ##
Will show double the range you are displaying.
## Range all ##
Will range the part of the sample being displayed on screen.
## Cut ##
Will cut away the part of the sample that's marked.
## Copy ##
Will copy the marked range to the copy-buffer.
## Paste ##
Will paste the copy-buffer into the current sample.
The volume box
--------------
The volume box is a bit like Audiomaster's, only better.
Set the "FROM" and "TO" volume percentages by using the sliders,
or just type in any number you please (from 0 to 200) in the
percentage boxes to the right.
## Normalize ##
Will find the highest volume rate possible (without clipping).
## Cancel ##
Will exit the volume box.
## \ ##
Will set the percentages 100%-0%
## / ##
Will set the percentages 0%-100%
## - ##
Will set the percentages 100%-100%
## Ramp ##
Will ramp (calculate) the volume!
## Tunetone ##
Will create a sinus sound, which you can tune your samples after.
See Setup 2 help for details.
## Sample ##
Will first enter the monitor screen. Now click right button to sample,
left to exit.
## Note ##
This is the note to sample on. Range is C-1 to B-3.
## Resample ##
The resampling option is much easier to use than the one in Audiomaster.
Here's a step-by-step explanation:
1. Turn on the tuning tone.
2. Use the keyboard to find what note it is. Use fintune if needed.
3. Enter the note in the "Note:" box to the right.
4. Press resample!
## Note ##
This is what note to resample to.
## Disp(lay) ##
This is the length of the part of the sample being shown on screen.
## Loop on/off ##
This is for turning loops on/off without having to fiddle with the
repeat and replen gadgets.
## Exit ##
Exits the sampler screen.
SETUP 1
-------
The setup screens were provided so that MT users could set up their own
personal environment. We hope we have satisfied most of you. You've got 8
on/off toggles, a split keyboard editor, a color palette and lots
more. Choose what you want, and use "Save Config" to save your environ-
ment. On the next screen is a list of what will be saved in the config
file. V1.0: Click "2" to enter setup screen 2, with lots of new features!
This will be saved in the config file:
--------------------------------------
Songs/Modules/Samples and Print paths, Split Keyboard data, Accidental,
MultiKey Channeltable, Colors, Keyrepeat, the 8 on/off toggles,
the 8 external dos commands and the effect macros + everything in setup 2.
( CIA/VB timing, Tempo&Speed, DMA wait, DMA wait mode, Tunetone+Volume... )
You can have up to 256 different config files. They will be saved
as "mt.config-00", "mt.config-01" and so on. Set the confignumber
in the "cnfig" box.
## Load config ##
Will load the selected config file.
## Save config ##
Will save the selected config file.
## Reset All ##
Will set the original MT defaults and colors.
## Multi ##
This table is used with the multi keyboard option. The four numbers repre-
sent what channel each channel will jump to next. 1-2, 2-3, 3-4 and so on.
## The dot ##
The gadget with a dot and a textline can be used to execute dos commands.
Each of the 8 commands can be up to 31 letters long. Pressing the dot will
browse through the commands. Holding the right button and pressing it will
execute the command. Note that MT needs the command "run" to execute the
other commands. This is because of commodore's stupid programming of the
dos library function "execute". Type "endcli" to go back to MaxTracker.
## The Color Palette ##
The color palette is simple to use. Just select a color, and use the R,
G and B sliders to set the color.
## Undo ##
Will put back the latest change.
## Cancel ##
Will set the config colors.
## Def(ault) ##
Will set the original ST colors.
## Split ##
You can set 4 splits on the keyboard, each with it's own sample, splitpoint
and transpose. Just type in a sample number and select the key to split
at by pressing the appropriate one.
The transpose note for each split is the first note in that split-range.
Notes below the first split will be played with the current sample.
Split is great for recording drums, or for playing untuned samples in
tune (use together with finetune).
## Clear ##
Will clear the splits.
## KeyRep(eat) ##
The first number is the keyrepeat delay, and the second is the speed.
## Accidental ##
Simple enough, accidental allows you to select sharp (#) or flat (¡) notes.
This will not be saved with the song!
## Print Song ##
Will print the song to the path shown below the "Print Song" gadget.
The print path can be 31 chars long.
## Split on/off ##
Toggles between normal and split keyboard.
## Filter on/off ##
Toggles the audiofilter / PowerLED. (Not available on all amigas)
## Trans(pose)del(ete) on/off ##
When on, notes transposed out of range will be deleted.
## ShowDec(imal) ##
When on, Freemem, Tunemem, and filelengths will be shown in decimal.
## Autodir on/off ##
When on, MaxTracker dirs the current directory path automatically.
## AutoExit on/off ##
When on, MaxTracker will automatically exit from the file requester when
loading a song or module.
## Mod. only on/off ##
When on, MaxTracker will only show modules beginning with "mod.".
## MIDI on/off ##
Enables midi input (see midi help).
## 2 ##
Will enter Setup 2.
SETUP 2
-------
Setup 2 is basically full of the things we couldn't fit into Setup 1
The most important toggle is XDMA Mode !!!
When it is on, you can use full memory, else you are limited to
CHIP memory (as Protracker do !)
Click on "1" to go back to good ol' setup 1...
## Timing ##
We included this so that american users also could enjoy MaxTracker,
and wouldn't have to use sonix or any other terrible music program...
You can choose between CIA or Vblank timing. Vblank is the timing-method
soundtrackers have been using since the dawn of time, while CIA is a much
better and accurate timing with the tempo measured in beats per minute.
Using Vblank on NTSC amigas will cause the song to play 20% faster.
With CIA, there's no difference.
## Tempo ##
This is where you set your default CIA timing tempo. Range: 32-255.
## Speed ##
This is where you set your default Vblank timing speed. Range: 01-FF.
## Copper Editor ##
The copper editor is for altering the colors of the VU-meters and the
spectrum analyzer to your own liking. Select a color by clicking somewhere
within the coppered stripe.
Now use the R, G and B sliders to alter the color.
## Spread ##
Will create an even gradient between the current color and the one you
click on next.
## Arrows ##
Will rotate the whole copper stripe in the Y-axis (up/down).
Undo, cancel and def(ault) will work just like in the palette
in setup 1.
## Mods ##
This is where you set your default modules path.
## Songs ##
This is where you set your default songs path.
## Sampl(es) ##
This is where you set your default sample path.
## MTdir ##
This is the path for the helpfile, the PLST and the MT configfile(s).
## Max PLST ##
This is the maximum number of presets in your presetlist.
## DMA Wait ##
Use this on fast amigas to slow down the DMA enough to not miss any notes.
( better set Auto DMAWait on too... )
## Auto DMA Wait ##
When selected, DMA delays are done by CIA timers, and no more with
the processor. This toggle should always be on, especially if you have
a processor faster than MC68000 at 7.14Mhz...
(Note: It could be disabled if no CIA timer is free.)
## Tuning tone ##
The tuning tone is for use with the sample editor. The note is what note
to play the tuning tone at, and the number is the volume.
## <- Default ##
Will put back the default for everything in the middle column.
## Override ##
When on, MT will ignore any paths or disknames when loading a song
or module. All the samples will be loaded from the current sample
path.
## Nosamples ##
When on, PT won't load the samples
when loading a song or module.
## BlankZero ##
When on, PT won't show the first zero in the samplenumber, as on NT1.2.
## Show dirs ##
When on, directories will be shown in Disk Op.
## XDMA Mode ##
When on, MT will access to all memory, not just chip-mem. (GREAT no ?)
## Cut to buff(er) ##
When on, all samples cut in the sample editor will to put in the
copy-buffer.
## Load loop ##
When on, MT will load loops from IFF-samples.
## Slow Mode ##
When on, text editing, gadget-repeats, etc. will go much slower.
Use this if you have a 25 MHz A3000 or any other fast computer.
We will try to do an automatic speed check in the next version (1.1).
MIDI
----
Midi routines in MaxTracker 1.0 are still very limited. Midi in should
work ok, though. To activate midi, you'll have to turn it on on the
Setup1 screen. Use the three upper octaves on your synthesizer to play
notes. Some keys in the lowest octave can be used to play/stop/record etc.
We will fix better midi support in later versions of MaxTracker, but you
will have to wait a little... Read the MT.ReadMe! file for more info.
EDIT OP.
--------
The edit op. screens were just a handy way for us to implement all the new
functions we had thought of. There are three screens, and you can browse
through them by pressing the edit op. gadget more than once, or select one
by clicking on the numbers 1-3.
To exit edit op., click on the gadget labeled "E" or press ESC.
Edit op. Screen 1:
## Transposing ##
What is transposing ?
Transposing lets you shift the pitch of the notes up or down.
E.g. Change a C-3 to a C#3.
In comparison to other trackers, MaxTracker lets you transpose in just
about every way you can imagine. You can transpose either the current
sample or all the samples in a track or pattern.
To the right of the title bar is a small box with the letter "S" or "A".
S - Only the current sample will be transposed.
A - All the samples from $00-$1F will be transposed. V1.1: Now bugfree!
To toggle between the two, click on the edit op. title bar.
If the setup toggle "transdel" is on, all the notes transposed out of range
(C-1 to B-3) will be deleted. If not, they will not be transposed.
Edit op. screen 2: (Record)
## Record ##
Patt - Record current pattern only.
Song - When recording, MT will move through the patterns in the
song, just like normal play.
## Quantize ##
Will move the notes you record to every n'th slot. Entering 00 will
turn off the quantizing, and the notes you play will always be
inserted at the patternposition you are at. Entering 01 will quantize
the notes the the nearest slot according to the speed. i.e. if you
play a note after the first half has been played, it will be quantized to
the slot below. Entering a value like 8 will quantize to every 8th note,
and so on. Got that?
## Metro(nome) ##
The first number is the speed of the metronome, and the second is the
channel to play it on. The Sample used for metronomes is always sample
$1F. Load your own favourite metronome sample. The metronome will always
be played at C-3, but you can still change the volume and loop values.
To turn off the metronome, just set the speed or channel to 00.
## Multi ##
When on, pt will jump to another channel after you play a note on the
keyboard. This makes it possible to play two or more notes at the same
time (very useful with midi). On the setup screen you can choose what
channel to jump to after playing a note.
Edit Op. screen 2: (Samples)
To the right of the title bar is a small box with the letter "T", "P"
or "S".
T - Copy & Exchange apply to current track only.
P - Copy & Exchange will affect the whole pattern.
S - Copy & Exchange will apply to the real samples in memory.
To toggle between the two, click on the edit op. title bar.
## Delete ##
Will delete all notes with the current sample in current track or whole
pattern.
## Kill ##
Will kill the current sample. That is, remove it from memory and
reset all sample settings. It will not be deleted from the track or pattern.
You can also use the period (.) key on the numeric keyboard to invoke
this function.
## EXCHGE (Exchange) ##
Will exchange the samplenumber shown in the "from" gadget with the sample-
number in the "to" gadget and vice versa. "T" or "P" selects track or
pattern. "S" exchanges the samples.
## MOVE ##
Will move the samplenumber shown in the "from" gadget to the sample-
number in the "to" gadget.
Edit Op. screen 3: (Sample Editor)
To the right of the title bar is a small box with the letter "H" or "C".
H - Will halve the volume when mixing and echoing to avoid clipping.
C - Will not halve the volume. The sample may be clipped.
To toggle between the two, click on the edit op. title bar.
## Mix ##
Will mix one sample with another. MT asks you which two samples to be
mixed, and where to put the result.
Holding the right button and pressing mix will mix the current sample with
itself. You can offset the sample by setting a position in the "pos" gadg.
If you set "mod" to a non-zero value, the sample will also be modulated.
## Echo ##
Will create a echo effect on the current sample. Use "pos" to set the
delay time of the echo. If you want more room to echo in, just turn up
the length of the sample.
## Boost ##
Will turn up the treble of the sample. Use this on hi-hats and snares!
## Filter ##
Will Delta-filter the sample. Use this on noisy basses.
## X-Fade ##
Will crossfade the sample (mix with itself, backwards). Handy for looping
samples that are hard to loop.
## Backwd (backwards) ##
Will turn the sample backwards!
## Upsample ##
Will remove every second byte of the sample, halving the length and
shifting the pitch one octave up.
## Downsample ##
Will double every byte of the sample, doubling the length, and shifting the
pitch one octave down. If you downsample samples longer than $7FFE,
you will lose the end of them.
## POS ##
This is just a offset in the sample, used for a lot of things.
## MOD ##
This is used for modulation. Press "MOD" to modulate the current sample.
## Cutbeg(inning) ##
Will chop the number of bytes set in the "pos" gadget off the beginning of
the sample.
## FU (Fade Up) ##
Will fade the volume from 0 to 100%. Use "Pos" to select where in the
sample to fade up to.
## FD (Fade Down) ##
Will fade the volume from 100 to 0%. Use "POS" to select where in the
sample to fade down from.
## VOL ##
With this you can change the "real" volume of the sample. Just set a
percentage and press "VOL".
Edit Op.3 is now intended to be used with the new sample-editor. If a
range is marked, some of the functions apply to the range only. If there's
no range marked, the functions will affect the whole sample. You may also
set "POS" by clicking on the sample and setting the cursor-line.
EFFECT COMMANDS
---------------
Effect commands on MaxTracker should be compatible with all other trackers.
0 - None/Arpeggio 8 - * NOT USED *
1 - Portamento Up 9 - SampleOffset
2 - Portamento Down A - VolumeSlide
3 - TonePortamento B - PositionJump
4 - Vibrato C - Set Volume
5 - ToneP + VolSlide D - PatternBreak
6 - Vibra + VolSlide E - Misc. Cmds
7 - Tremolo F - Set Speed
E - COMMANDS
------------
The E command has been altered to contain more commands than one.
E0- Filter On/Off E8- * NOT USED *
E1- Fineslide Up E9- Retrig Note
E2- Fineslide Down EA- FineVol Up
E3- Glissando Control EB- FineVol Down
E4- Vibrato Control EC- NoteCut
E5- Set Finetune ED- NoteDelay
E6- Patternloop EE- PatternDelay
E7- Tremolo Control EF- Invert Loop
Cmd 0. Arpeggio [Range:$0-$F/$0-$F]
-----------------------------------
Usage: $0 + 1st halfnote add
+ 2nd halfnote add
Arpeggio is used to simulate chords. This is done by rapidly changing the
pitch between 3(or 2) different notes. It sounds very noisy and grainy on
most samples, but ok on monotone ones.
Example: C-300047 C-major chord: (C+E+G or C+4+7 halfnotes)
C-300037 C-minor chord: (C+D#+G or C+3+7 halfnotes)
Cmd 1. Portamento up [Speed:$00-$FF]
------------------------------------
Usage: $1 + portamento speed
Portamento up will simply slide the sample pitch up. You can NOT slide
higher than B-3! (Period 113)
Example: C-300103 1 is the command, 3 is the portamentospeed.
NOTE: The portamento will be called as many times as the speed of the song.
This means that you'll sometimes have trouble sliding accuratly. If you
change the speed without changing the sliderates, it will sound bad...
Cmd 2. Portamento down [Speed:$00-FF]
-------------------------------------
Usage: $2 + portamento speed
Just like command 1, except that this one slides the pitch down instead.
(Adds to the period).
You can NOT slide lower than C-1! (Period 856)
Example: C-300203 2 is the command, 3 is the portamentospeed.
Cmd 3. Tone-portamento [Speed:$00-$FF]
--------------------------------------
Usage: Dest-note + $3 + slidespeed
This command will automatically slide from the old note to the new.
You don't have to worry about which direction to slide, you need only set
the slide speed. To keep on sliding, just select the command $3 + 00.
Example: A-200000 First play a note.
C-300305 C-3 is the note to slide to, 3 the command,
and 5 the speed.
Cmd 4. Vibrato [Rate:$0-$F,Dpth:$0-$F]
--------------------------------------
Usage: $4 + vibratorate + vibratodepth
Example: C-300481 4 is the command, 8 is the speed of the vibrato,
and 1 is the depth of the vibrato.
To keep on vibrating, just select the command $4 + 00. To change the
vibrato, you can alter the rate, depth or both. Use command E4- to
change the vibrato-waveform.
Cmd 5. ToneP + Volsl [Spd:$0-$F/$0-$F]
--------------------------------------
Usage: $5 + upspeed + downspeed
This command will continue the current toneportamento and slide the volume
at the same time. Stolen from NT2.0.
Example: C-300503 3 is the speed to turn the volume down.
C-300540 4 is the speed to slide it up.
Cmd 6. Vibra + Volsl [Spd:$0-$F/$0-$F]
--------------------------------------
Usage: $6 + upspeed + downspeed
This command will continue the current vibrato and slide the volume at the
same time. Compatible with NoiseTracker V2.0.
Example: C-300605 5 is the speed to turn the volume down.
C-300640 4 is the speed to slide it up.
Cmd 7. Tremolo [Rate:$0-$F,Dpth:$0-$F]
--------------------------------------
Usage: $7 + tremolorate + tremolodepth
Tremolo vibrates the volume.
Example: C-300794 7 is the command, 9 is the speed of the tremolo,
and 4 is the depth of the tremolo.
To keep on tremoling, just select the command $7 + 00. To change the
tremolo, you can alter the rate, depth or both. Use command E7- to
change the tremolo-waveform.
Cmd 9. Set SampleOffset [Offs:$00-$FF]
--------------------------------------
Usage: $9 + Sampleoffset
This command will play from a chosen position in the sample, and not from
the beginning. The two numbers equal the two first numbers in the length
of the sample. Handy for speech samples.
Example: C-300923 Play sample from offset $2300.
Cmd A. Volumeslide [Speed:$0-$F/$0-$F]
--------------------------------------
Usage: $A + upspeed + downspeed
Example: C-300A05 5 is the speed to turn the volume down.
C-300A40 4 is the speed to slide it up.
NOTE: The slide will be called as many times as the speed of the song.
The slower the song is, the more the volume will be changed on each note.
Cmd B. Position-jump [Pos:$00-$7F]
----------------------------------
Usage: $B + position to continue at
Example: C-300B01 B is the command, 1 is the position to
restart the song at.
This command will also perform a pattern-break (see 2 pages below).
You can use this command instead of restart as on noisetracker, but you
must enter the position in hex!
Cmd C. Set volume [Volume:$00-$40]
----------------------------------
Usage: $C + new volume
Well, this old familiar command will set the current volume to your own
selected. The highest volume is $40. All volumes are represented in hex.
(Programmers do it in hex, you know!)
Example: C-300C10 C is the command, 10 is the volume (16 decimal).
Cmd D. Pattern-break
[Pattern-pos:00-63, decimal]
----------------------------
Usage: $D + pattern-position
This command just jumps to the next song-position, and continues play
from the patternposition you specify.
Example: C-300D00 Jump to the next song-position and continue play
from patternposition 00.
Or: C-300D32 Jump to the next song-position and continue play
from patternposition 32 instead.
Cmd E0. Set filter [Range:$0-$1]
--------------------------------
Usage: $E0 + filter-status
This command jerks around with the sound-filter on some A500 + A2000.
All other Amiga-users should keep out of playing around with it.
Example: C-300E01 disconnects filter (turns power LED off)
C-300E00 connects filter (turns power LED on)
Cmd E1. Fineslide up [Range:$0-$F]
----------------------------------
Usage: $E1 + value
This command works just like the normal portamento up, except that
it only slides up once. It does not continue sliding during the length of
the note.
Example: C-300E11 Slide up 1 at the beginning of the note.
(Great for creating chorus effects)
Cmd E2. Fineslide down [Range:$0-$F]
------------------------------------
Usage: $E2 + value
This command works just like the normal portamento down, except that
it only slides down once. It does not continue sliding during the length of
the note.
Example: C-300E26 Slide up 6 at the beginning of the note.
Cmd E3. Glissando Ctrl [Range:$0-$1]
------------------------------------
Usage: $E3 + Glissando-Status
Glissando must be used with the tone-portamento command. When glissando is
activated, toneportamento will slide a halfnote at a time, instead of a
straight slide.
Example: C-300E31 Turn Glissando on.
C-300E30 Turn Glissando off.
Cmd E4. Set vibrato waveform
[Range:$0-$3]
----------------------------
Usage: $E4 + vibrato-waveform
Example: C-300E40 Set sine(default)
E44 Don't retrig WF
C-300E41 Set Ramp Down
E45 Don't retrig WF
C-300E42 Set Squarewave
E46 Don't retrig WF
C-300E43 Set Random
E47 Don't retrig WF
Cmd E5. Set finetune [Range:$0-$F]
----------------------------------
Usage: $E5 + finetune-value
Example: C-300E51 Set finetune to 1.
Use these tables to figure out the finetune-value.
Finetune: +7 +6 +5 +4 +3 +2 +1 0
Value: 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Finetune: -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8
Value: F E D C B A 9 8
Cmd E6. PatternLoop [Loops:$0-$F]
----------------------------------
Usage: $E6 + number of loops
This command will loop a part of a pattern.
Example: C-300E60 Set loopstart.
C-300E63 Jump to loop 3 times before playing on.
Cmd E7. Set tremolo waveform
[Range:$0-$3]
----------------------------
Usage: $E7 + tremolo-waveform
Example: C-300E70 Set sine(default)
E74 Don't retrig WF
C-300E71 Set Ramp Down
E75 Don't retrig WF
C-300E72 Set Squarewave
E76 Don't retrig WF
C-300E73 Set Random
E77 Don't retrig WF
Cmd E9. Retrig note [Value:$0-$F]
---------------------------------
Usage: $E9 + Tick to Retrig note at.
This command will retrig the same note before playing the next. Where to
retrig depends on the speed of the song. If you retrig with 1 in speed 6
that note will be trigged 6 times in one note slot. Retrig on hi-hats!
Example: C-300F06 Set speed to 6.
C-300E93 Retrig at tick 3 out of 6.
Cmd EA. FineVolsl up [Range:$0-$F]
----------------------------------
Usage: $EA + value
This command works just like the normal volumeslide up, except that
it only slides up once. It does not continue sliding during the length of
the note.
Example: C-300EA3 Slide volume up 1 at the beginning of the note.
Cmd EB. FineVolsl down [Range:$0-$F]
------------------------------------
Usage: $EB + value
This command works just like the normal volumeslide down, except that
it only slides down once. It does not continue sliding during the length of
the note.
Example: C-300EB6 Slide volume down 6 at the beginning of the note.
Cmd EC. Cut note [Value:$0-$F]
------------------------------
Usage: $EC + Tick to Cut note at.
This command will cut the note at the selected tick, creating
extremely short notes.
Example: C-300F06 Set speed to 6.
C-300EC3 Cut at tick 3 out of 6.
Note that the note is not really cut, the volume is just turned down.
Cmd ED. NoteDelay [Value:$0-$F]
-------------------------------
Usage: $ED + ticks to delay note.
This command will delay the note to the selected tick.
Example: C-300F06 Set speed to 6.
C-300ED3 Play note at tick 3 out of 6.
Cmd EE. PatternDelay [Notes:$0-$F]
----------------------------------
Usage: $EE + notes to delay pattern.
This command will delay the pattern the selected numbers of notes.
Example: C-300EE8 Delay pattern 8 notes before playing on.
All other effects are still active when the pattern is being delayed.
Cmd EF. Invert Loop [Speed:$0-$F]
---------------------------------
Usage: $EF + Invertspeed
This command will need a short loop ($10,20,40,80 etc. bytes) to work.
It will invert the loop byte by byte. Sounds better than funkrepeat...
Example: C-300EF8 Set invspeed to 8.
To turn off the inverting, set invspeed to 0, or press ctrl + Z.
Cmd F. Set speed [Speed:$00-$FF]
--------------------------------
Usage: $F + speed
This command will set the speed of the song.
Vblank: Range 01-FF - Normal timing
CIA: Range 01-1F - Set VBlank speeds with CIA timing.
CIA: Range 20-FF - Set BPM speeds, range 32-255.
Both: Range 00 - STOP song.
KEYBOARD
--------
MaxTracker uses the current keymap... You can use SetMap to change it !
When Setup screen is on, MT will test if a new keyboard is set, and use it !
The font has been enhanced and you now have a lot of special characters.
Remember to always use the left shift and alt, as the right ones are used
for other things.
High notekeys: 2 3 5 6 7 9 0 =
Q W E R T Y U I O P [ ]
Low notekeys: S D G H J L ;
Z X C V B N M , . /
F1 - Choose lo octave(From C-1 to G-3)
F2 - Choose hi octave(From C-2 to B-3)
shft+F3 - Cut track to buffer
shft+F4 - Copy track to buffer
shft+F5 - Paste track-buffer to track
alt+F3 - Cut whole pattern to buffer
alt+F4 - Copy whole pattern to buffer
alt+F5 - Paste patt-buffer to pattern
ctrl+F3 - Cut commands to buffer
ctrl+F4 - Copy commands to buffer
ctrl+F5 - Paste cmd-buffer to track
F6 - Go to patternposition 0
F7 - Go to patternposition 16
F8 - Go to patternposition 32
F9 - Go to patternposition 48
F10- Go to patternposition 63
shft+F6-F10 - Store current patternposition on selected F-key
alt+F6-F10 - Play pattern from the stored patternposition
ctrl+F6-F10 - Record from the stored patternposition
Esc - Exit DiskOp/EditOp/PLST/PsetEd/Setup/Help/Sampler/MIDI/... screens
shft+Return - Insert blank note at cursorposition and move
the others down. Notes beyond patternposition
63 will be lost!
shft+Bckspce - Delete note above cursorposition and move
the others up. You can NOT do this if you're
at patternposition 0!
alt+Return - As above, but with all 4 tracks
alt+Backspace - As above, but with all 4 tracks
ctrl+Return - Push cmds one down
ctrl+Backspace - Drag cmds one up
ctrl+0-9 - Select how many slots MT will jump down each time
you insert a note (this is only in Edit-mode)
alt+cursor right - patternnumber up
alt+cursor left - patternnumber down
shft+cursor right - song-position up
shft+cursor left - song-position down
BackwardsSingleQuote (The key over TAB, you know?) - Go to CLI
Help - Go to help or plst screen
shft+Help - Toggle between help or plst on help key
Space - Toggle between Stop/Edit-mode
< (beside Z) - Kill DMA & Volumes to 0 (Note: It's beside W on AZERTY)
right Amiga - Play Pattern
right Alt - Play Song
right Shift - Record
Caps Lock - Toggle Keyrepeat on/off
Del - Delete note under cursor
alt+Del - Delete command only
shft+Del - Delete note and command
On Numeric pad:
0 - Select Sample $0
1st row - Select Sample $1-$4
2nd row - Select Sample $5-$8
3rd row - Select Sample $9-$c
4th row - Select Sample $d-$f
Just Enter - Select Sample $10
Holding Enter + the other keys select sample $11-$1f
Period (.) - Kill current sample
Left Amiga (Plus keys below) - Transposing like in Edit Op. Screen 1
Sample/Track Sample/Pattern
----------------------------------
1 - Note Up 2 - Note Up
Q - Note Down W - Note Down
A - Octave Up S - Octave Up
Z - Octave Down X - Octave Down
All/Track All/Pattern
-------------------------------
3 - Note Up 4 - Note Up
E - Note Down R - Note Down
D - Octave Up F - Octave Up
C - Octave Down V - Octave Down
Tab - Move cursor to next track
Shft+Tab - Move cursor to prev track
Ctrl+A - Toggle channel on/off
Ctrl+B - Mark block
Ctrl+C - Copy block to buffer
Ctrl+D - Delete block, drag notes up
Ctrl+e - expand track
Ctrl+f - toggle filter on/off
Ctrl+g - Boost all samples
Ctrl+h - Transpose block up
Ctrl+i - Insert block, push notes down
Ctrl+j - Join-paste block
Ctrl+k - Kill to end of track
Ctrl+l - Transpose block down
Ctrl+m - Toggle multikeyboard on/off
Ctrl+n - Re-mark last block
Ctrl+o - Contract track
Ctrl+p - Paste block
Ctrl+q - Unmute all channels
Ctrl+r - Restore F6-F10 positions
Ctrl+s - Toggle split keyboard on/off
Ctrl+t - swap tracks
Ctrl+u - undo last change
Ctrl+v - Filter all samples
Ctrl+w - Polyphonize block
Ctrl+x - Cut block to buffer
Ctrl+y - Backwards block
Ctrl+z - Restore Effects
shft+0-9 - Store current command on selected key
alt+0-9 - Insert command in current track
alt+"\" - Copy command above cursor to current patternposition.
alt+"=" - Copy command above cursor to current patternposition
and add one to the value.
alt+"-" - Copy command above cursor to current patternposition
and subract one from the value.
alt+A - Monitor/Start sampling
alt+B - Boost sample
alt+C - Toggle channel 3
alt+D - Go to Disk Op.
alt+E - Go to Edit Op.
alt+F - Filter sample
alt+I - Autoinsert volume
alt+K - Delete current sample/track
alt+Q - Quit MaxTracker
alt+R - Resample
alt+S - Go to Sampler screen
alt+T - Tuning Tone
alt+V - Toggle channel 4
alt+X - Toggle channel 2
alt+Y -
alt+Z - Toggle channel 1
F3 - Cut (sample)
F4 - Copy (sample)
F5 - Paste (sample)
\ - Toggle keypad mode (dots!)
Return - Step one note forward
Backspc- Step one note backward
Alt+any key on keypad - tune drumpad
ctrl+arrows left/rite - Sample up/down
GENERAL INFO.
-------------
Making Music
------------
Any piece of music written with MaxTracker is built up from patterns.
Each pattern is built up from four tracks, one for each of the Amiga's
audiochannels.
A pattern is 64 lines long. The magnified line is always the one you edit.
If you need shorter patterns, use the patternbreak effect command.
A track is built up like this:
32 C-3 01 C20
/ \_/ |/ \_/
/ / | \
Pos Note Sample Effect cmd.
The C-3 is the note being played at patternposition 32. 01 is the sample-
number, and the three last digits are the effect command, in this case, set
volume to $20 (C-Command, 20-Value).
MaxTracker holds a table with info about the sequence in which the patt-
erns will be played. With the "Pos" gadget you determine your position in
the table. With "Pattern" you define what pattern to play at that position.
"Length" defines the total size of the table. The full sequence of Patterns
is the Song. A song is built up from up to 64 different patterns, each
being played at up to 128 different positions.
The small gadgets labeled "I" and "D" are Insert and Delete. With them you
can Insert or Delete a position from your song. The length of your song
will be adjusted automatically. Remember that the length of your song
always must be one more than the last position, since the first position
is 0.
Holding down the right button when pressing the Pos, Pattern and Length
gadgets will speed them up a bit.
Finetune
--------
This is a goodie. Tune your untuned samples to match the others. Right
button will set finetune to zero.
0 436.4 hz -1 432.1 hz
1 439.0 hz -2 429.6 hz
2 441.6 hz -3 426.3 hz
3 445.1 hz -4 423.1 hz
4 447.8 hz -5 419.9 hz
5 451.5 hz -6 416.7 hz
6 455.2 hz -7 414.4 hz
7 457.0 hz -8 412.0 hz
Dont't try to figure out this table... better use your ears !
Sample
------
Clicking on the sample up/down gadgets will flicker through the
samples. You can use up to 31, or hex $1F samples in a song.
Sample zero function
--------------------
Pressing both mousebuttons at the same time will set the samplenumber to 0.
You can then record the pattern with sample 0 to prevent MaxTracker from
setting the volume each time you play a new note.
Length
------
The Length gadgets are simply used for setting the length of the sample.
A sample can be up to 64k, or $fffe long. You can add workspace behind
the sample by increasing the length and letting go of the button. MT will
ask if you are sure, and if you are, allocate more memory for the sample.
Volume
------
Use this to set the volume the current sample will be played with.
Repeat
------
Here you set the start of the sample-loop.
Replen
------
Here you set the length of the sample-loop.
Pressing both the left and right button on the sample-gadgets will
speed them up a bit.
The PatternNumber Gadget
------------------------
To the middle left of the screen is a box with a number in it. The number
is the current pattern number. Click on it to type in a new number. When
in type-in mode, use return, ESC or right mousebutton to exit. This should
also work on most other such gadgets.
The "Are you sure ?" requester
------------------------------
In addition to the gadgets, you can use "Y" for Yes and "N" or ESC for No.
The Clear requester
-------------------
In addition to the gadgets you can use "A" for All, "O" for Song, "S" for
samples and "C" or ESC for Cancel.
The Load (sample) gadget
------------------------
This gadget will simply try to load the current samplename. Use this when
you've fucked up in the sample editor, and have destroyed a sample.
The text-input routine
----------------------
Now this is really simple. Clicking on a textline will enable you to edit it.
Some text lines are longer than they seem, so use the arrowkeys to scroll
back and forth in the text. The text-input mode is just like an ordinary
text editor. You can use backspace, delete, space and such. In text-input
mode you can also use the numeric pad for entering numbers. Pressing the
right mousebutton will clear the text-line and exit the editing. Use ESC or
return to just exit.
Tips 'n tricks
--------------
When inserting, pasting or join-pasting, hold down shift to keep the
cursor from jumping to the end of the block. e.g. shft+ctrl+P
Holding shift while pressing ctrl+K (kill to end of track) will kill to
start of track instead.
Use Esc or right mousebutton to exit form a lot of things.
Effect tips
-----------
You can set the volume without playing a note. e.g. ---01000
This will set the volume for sample 1 without trigging the note.
Or try trigging the sample and sliding the volume down.
e.g. C-301A08
---01A08
---01A08
This will create a strange arpeggiato effect, like on "Cream of the earth"
by Romeo Knight / RSI.
Pointer Colors
--------------
Gray - Nothin's happening.
Yellow - Playing song / pattern.
Green - Disk action.
Blue - Edit / record.
Magenta - Waiting for something (text or number).
Cyan - Select entry or delete.
Red - Something went wrong.
Drumpad
-------
MaxTracker V1.0 features a drumpad as in Noisetracker 2.0 and 2.1. Use \
instead of . to toggle modes. One or more dots will appear to the right of
the freemem display.
No dots: Normal keypad.
1 dot : Drumpad.
2 dots: Drumpad - Edit/Rec possible.
Use Alt + keypad key to set note.