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multi_player.doc
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1994-11-01
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MULTI_PLAYER
Version 1.5
New features since v1.2:
- ARexx support
- start as a background start.
- Med replay
- better look !
contents:
1. General overview
2. Usage
3. Modify the programm
4. Arexx or other programm interface
5. History
6. Copyright information
IMPORTANT NOTE: To use multi_player you must have the req.library
#########################
# 1. GENERAL OVERVIEW #
#########################
This programm tries to make only one workbench-replayer instead of ten...
For example an intuitracker, a jamcracker replay...and so on!
But, before finishing this project the 'NoisePlayer' appeared,
Noiseplayer attempted to accomplish the same functions but was lacking in
some areas: The addition of new replayers was not possible and had an
unnecessarily large window on-screen.
With this in mind I have continued this project and will hopefully make
this program as-good as or better that Noiseplayer...
Source will be available in public domain, so everybody can add their own
replayer routines. See end to see how this is done.
Features:
- Use req.library
- Support:
Soundtracker (but not the earlier ones)
Noisetracker
Protracker
Startrekker (include AM and FM modules)
MED3.0 (and Less?)
Jamcracker
Soundmonitor
FutureCOmposer
Delta
TFMX
Sidmon (bugmon?)
Noisetracked Packed
- Can load crunched modules with powerpacker
- Can be used "automatically" to start different song, without any
action of the user. Nice for slideshows (or musicshows)
- Can be iconified
- Little window!
- Uses timer for replay, so it must work even on NTSC!
- "Real amiga program", this means: correct use of workbench(read on)
- AREXX port! So now you can programm the player without any action of the
user!!!
- Start as a background task
Note: there is no continuous (loop)play, because it is difficult to check
when the module is finished with all the different replayers (i.e. Delta).
There is the same problem when trying to incorporate VU meters, so no extra
Controls...
#########################
# 2.USAGE #
#########################
From cli:
---------
multi_player [-w] [-r] [-s#] [-i] [song_name] [?]
Just type multi_player and the requester will appear.
Or Typing multi_player <song name> will start the named song
In this case, press the both mousebuttons to stop playing.
Options:
-w: Do not open the window where the gadgets are
-r: Do not request for a song after the window is open
(but open the window anyway)
-s#: Determine the way to stop the song, if the window is not open.
( the default is 4!)
if #=1 -> Press the left mousebutton to stop
if #=2 -> Press the right mousebutton to stop
if #=3 -> Press the both mousebuttons to stop
if #=4 -> Press the left amiga + cntrl to stop
if #=5 -> No way to stop! (except using ARexx or cmd_player)
Just type Multi_Player ? for short infos
From Workbench:
---------------
just click on the icon and the requester will apears.
But, you can also do multi-selection:
- Press <shift> AND Click on one or more icons of the songs
that you want to play, and finally on the multi_player icon.
- If the default tool of the icon is c:multi_player, just
click on it!
And in the both cases, juste click on the both mousebuttons
to stop.
If there is no songname specifed, a filerequester will appear, choose one
module to load.
After choosing a file, ( or clicking CANCEL), a window will appear,
containing four buttons:
'-': to iconify the window -> just click on the window to re-open
'STOP/START': if a song was playing, this stop the song. Press once
again to start it again.
'NEW': to choose a new module to play
'?' : to get some information on:
the current module.
Version of the programm.
Name of the module,size and type of replay used.
If you try to choose an unknown type of module, the programm will
continue playing the previous one (if one exists).
NOTES:
1) When you use TFMX modules, you can press keys 1-0 for different songs,
but only when you load it using the requester.
2) AM startrecker need two files: <songname> and <songename.NT>. If
the second one is missing, the song won't start!
It's the same with TFMX, there must be two files: <mdat.songname> (the
song data?) and <smpl.songname> (the samples?). If one file is missing,
the song wont start!
#########################################
# 3.ADDING OTHER PLAYROUTINES #
#########################################
The source is no more in this disk, but you can have it by sending
me a disk at the adress below.
##############################################
# 4. ARexx and other languages interface #
##############################################
You can read this, even if you don't use ARexx, or if you are not a
programmer but only a CLI user, because there is a progamm named "cmd_player"
who allow you to give direct commands to the player!
1) ARexx interface:
-------------------
I don't want to explain you what is ARexx, I'll just tell you how
to use this programm (multi_player) from AREXX:
The name of the ARexx port is "Multi_Player"
The commands are: "Play" <songname>-> play a song
: "Stop" -> stop the currently played song
: "Start" -> restart a previously played song
: "Select" <number>-> select a tune. Only with TFMX
: "Quit" -> quit multi_player
Note: all the command must be type exactly with the same caracter than
before!
2)Using cmd_player
------------------
If you don't have ARexx, you can alos use the possibilities of
multi_player. The programm cmd_player, in this disk, allow you to give
an arexx command to multi_player.
The syntax is: cmd_player <arexx command to multi_player>
Example:
cmd_player "Play df0:modules/modules-st/mod.piano"
cmd_player "Stop"
cmd_player "Start"
cmd_player "Select 1"
cmd_player "Quit"
All these command can be put in a script file!
3)In C or GFABasic.
You can access directly to the ARexx port of mulyi_player. It's
very easy to give hime a command! Jus look at the programm in the example
directory. You have the procedure named send_cmd wich allow you to send
a message to the player. Juste use-it like this:
send_cmd("Play modules/mod.song");
So, you can use this player in your games....you don;t have to include
any specific replayer in your code. This one handle a lot of different
kind of musi-program, and you can have in one programm different kinds
of tunes: some from soundtracker, som from TFMX,etc....
Look at the examples on this disk!
#########################
# 5.HISTORY #
#########################
Version 1.0 (31/03/91):
Many modules can be replayed.
Maybe a memory error with soundtracker modules? Very strange and
hard to find!
The c.o startup code of lattice always opens a window when you
start from workbench...I'll do my own c.o code, but for the moment
I patch the size of the window using zap (beurk!).
Version 1.1 (04/04/91)
I've used the req.library requester instead of the arp.library.
Version 1.2 (25/05/91)
Own c.o code. No debug window if open from workbench.
Bug fixed witch the CIA. Now work on WB2.0
New replay added: Noisetracker packed!
New you can start a new multi_player without exiting another one.
Version 1.3 (10/06/91)
Background startup (using a modified cback.a )
ARexx interface added
Version 1.4 (10/07/91)
MED Player Added
Version 1.5 (02/01/92)
Minor bugs removed
Added the start/stop gadget
"3D Gadget" buttons.
############################
# 6. Copyright information #
############################
This programm is freeware and can not be used for commercial purposes.
If you want to distribue it, you must keep this document intact and with
the programm.
If you have any suggestions, remarks about this programm or maybe you
have discovered a bug the you can write to:
Thomas LANDSPURG
9, Rue Baldung-Grien
67000 STRASBOURG
FRANCE
NOTE: the songs in the distribution disk came from various sources,
but I don't now the name of all the authors!
I must greet:
Francois NICO for doing some very good programms
Flynn/TRISTAR for his great noiseplayer
Martyn of UGA (and of course RON) for the great NewsFlash mag..
F.Nico for his grat powerpacker.
Han Solo/CONCEPT for giving me the new demos!
F.Fleuret/E.Brunet
Darren Lambourne for his cool music (and for helping me with English!).
Skrew for his nices Icons!!!
The windows have been made using powerwindow.
The Amiga for being the best computer at this price!!