Groovy Bytes: Behind the Moon

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Text File | 1995-03-24 | 22.0 KB | 393 lines

▐ ▐ ▌ ▐█▄ ▐█▄ ▄█▌ ████████████▄ ▄████████████████▄ ▄█████████▄▄ ▐██▀ ▄▄▄ ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄ ██ ██ ▄▄▄▄▄ ▀██ ██▄ ▀▀▀██ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀ ▄█▀ ███▀▀██▄ ██ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀████▄ ██ ▄███▄ ▄████████▀ ▄███ ▀ ▀▀ ██ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▄██ ██ ▀▀ ▄█ █▀ ▄▄ ██ ▄██ ▄▄███████████▀ ▀██████▀ ██ █▀ ▄▄█████▀▀ ▐▀ ▀▌ ▀▌ ─── S·a·m·p·l·e G·r·a·b·b·e·r P·r·o·f·e·s·s·i·o·n·a·l V·1.2 ─── Copyright (c) 1994-1995 by Jay Dee of TorNad0 INC. ┌ ─═·Contents·═─ ┐ │ ──═╬─ ■∙ Important Note ─┐ ║ ■∙ Disclaimer │ │ ■∙ About │ │ ■∙ How to use SGPro │ │ ■∙ System Requirements │ │ ■∙ Questions & answers │ │ ■∙ Copyright │ │ ■∙ Distribution │ │ ■∙ Contacts │ │ ■∙ Greetings ║ └─ ■∙ Next version preview ─╬═── │ ·─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ╘══════─────────────────-─══[ -x- Important Note -x- ]══─-───────────────══════╕ · The development of this software took much money and time. So if You find this utility useful and You want to continue using it longer than 1 (one) week evaluation period You must register it. For registering information refer to -REG-.SGP Anyone who will use this software longer than two weeks without registering will be considered to be a lamer! Remember: if You like the software - support the author! P.S. You can, moreover, You MUST upload this archive to ANY BBS You have access to. ·─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ╘══════──────────────────-─══[ -x- Disclaimer -x- ]══-───────────────────══════╕ · This program was tested on several systems but I can't guarantee that it is free of bugs. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. I'm not responsible for any direct (or indirect) damage caused by use (or misuse) of this software. ·─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ╘══════─────────────────-─══[ -x- About SGPro -x- ]══-───────────────────══════╕ · Here it is! NON-Beta version of Sample Grabber PRO is finally out. But, as You might already noticed, all previous versions were 99.9% workable, so they can be called NON-Beta too. On the other hand this utility will be rewritten to support all the appearing fileformats, so THIS is NOT a final version.. Ok, let's finish with this crap and go to the standard documentation :) Sample Grabber Pro (SGPro) is a menu-driven program capable of accurate extraction of samples from various modules. (It seems to You that You have already read this somewhere someday.. strange feeling :) Ripped samples can than be used in Your own productions, even if You don't have original composer. SGPro can save samples in Amiga or PC RAW formats. It also supports fileformat well known as Scream Tracker ]I[ (ST3) or DigiPlayer format. These files contain all info about loops, speed and all other details about the sample. The main advantage of SGPro is an ability to play samples before You grab them. It performs looping if needed and plays samples like ST3 does, so there should be only a small difference between the sound of the sample in ST3 and in SGPro. Module file formats supported by current version of this utility are listed below: ╔─∙───────────────────────════∙════────────────────────∙─╗ ║·Composer's Name· ·Extension· ·Supporting· ║ ║ ──═══════════── ──═══════── ──════════── ║ │ │ │ ■ Composer 669 669 [x] Fully │ │ ■ Digital Sound Interface Kit DSM [x] Fully │ │ ■ DigiTraker MDL [+] Partial │ │ ■ DMP File Converter (DSMI) AMF [-] Partial │ │ ■ Dynamic Studio PRO v1.0 DSM [-] Detect │ │ ■ Extreme's Tracker AMS [-] Detect │ │ ■ Farandole Composer FAR [x] Fully │ │ ■ Fast Tracker II XM [x] Fully │ │ ■ Grave composer/MOD's Grave WOW [x] Fully │ │ ■ Inertia Module Editor INR [-] Detect │ │ ■ Liquid Tracker LIQ [x] Fully │ │ ■ MOD Editors Family MOD [x] Fully │ │ ■ Multi Tracker MTM [x] Fully │ │ ■ Oktalyzer OKT [x] Fully │ │ ■ OMNI Player File Converter GDM [x] Fully │ │ ■ ProTracker Studio 16 PSM [x] Fully │ │ ■ Purple Player File Conv. DPP [x] Fully │ │ ■ Scream Tracker 2.x STM [x] Fully │ │ ■ Scream Tracker 3.x S3M [x] Fully │ │ ■ Sound Wave Pro CDM [-] Detect │ │ ■ Ultra Tracker 1.3-1.6 ULT [x] Fully │ │ ■ UNIS669 669 [x] Fully │ ║ ■ X-Tracker DMF [-] Detect ║ ║ ║ ╚─∙───────────────────────════∙════────────────────────∙─╝ NOTE: Not all files carrying .PSM extension are fully compatible. You will be unable to load some incompatible .PSMs into Sample Grabber Professional. NOTE: MOD's Grave files can be recognized ONLY by .WOW extension, so do not rename these files. NOTE: Dynamic Studio PRO native mods are not supported yet - only a MODs variation is 100% operatible. Gonna fix this.. NOTE: Currently SGPro supports only MDLs with unpacked samples. HINT: .AMF modules CAN be processed if You specify an offset of first sample in file as second command line parameter. Gonna fix this.. ·─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ╘══════───────────────-─══[ -x- How to Use SGPro -x- ]══-────────────────══════╕ · The usage of this menu-driven program is very easy (and i guess You all already know this :), so You shouldn't have any problems, but still here is a short guide. Once You've made up Your mind about the module You want to extract samples from, just type at the DOS prompt: SGPRO.EXE filename.ext, filename.ext is the name of Your module. There are no command line options available. Also note that for practical reasons wildcards are not allowed, too. First thing SGPro does is Sound Blaster detection. It searches through all possible SB addresses ($210-$260). In case SB was not detected, SGPro will try to find a Gravis UltraSound (lateron referred to as GUS) and if it will fail agian then SGPro will try to output sound to DAC at LPT1: In case of successful SB/GUS detection You should hear a pop. Next SGPro validates the specified file. If Sample Grabber Pro finds Your module to be valid, it will load sample descriptions. This might take a little (the time depends much on module type - the major time- wasters are FARs, ULTs and PSMs, so don't worry if it takes minutes to load samples from PSM on Your grandma's AT 12MHz :). After that You will see the main screen. The SGPro outlook changed after version 0.9, so now all You will see a FULL-screen sample selector. The first field is sample number, then there is sample name. After that there is a very important field - Sample Length. If it says 'Unused' this means this sample is not saved in module and You will never hear it. Also there can be an 'AdLib' string in this field. That means You have just loaded .S3M with AdLib samples. These samples can not be played within SgPro: You should save sample to disk first and then load it into ST3 to hear it. Next two field show You Repeat Starting point and Repeat Ending point. And finally the last field shows the speed of C-2 (or C-4 in ST3). Hope You've understood this crap :) Once You saw this amazing desktop, use cursor-up and cursor-down keys to select the sample. Then press a key from Q to U to hear how this sample sounds. The sound output device is selectable via F3. Only one sample is held in memory at a time, so there can be a short delay before SGPro plays sample for the first time. The previous sample data is erased immediately after the new one is selected for playing or saving. Samples are ALWAYS played on maximum volume so it is highly not recommended to listen samples with headphones on maximum volume. With SGPro v1.0 or above You can always redescribe samples - just press ENTER on sample You wanna describe. (This feature WON'T work with unused samples.) This feature was added because many module writers use sample names to enter song messages.. So now You can enter more meaningful description YOU want to use. This is only useful when You are saving sample in ST3 format as long as others do not support any sample info.. Sample name field length is limited to 28 chars in ST3, so You may enter as long description as You wish, but ST3 will use only 28 first chars in any case. Also note that changes You made will NOT be written to the module being processed. BTW: Pressing ESC when entering description will cancel the changes made. When You have found the sample You want to extract press F2, when it is under cursor. Status line should read 'Saving sample' (If it doesn't then take a GOOD look at Sample Length. Maybe the sample is 'Unused'? :) Sample can be saved in ST3 fileformat, Amiga (signed) RAW and SB (unsigned) RAW. Select the file type by pressing F4. Samples are saved to disk using filenames like filename.xxx where xxx is the number of sample in module and filename is the name of file specified at startup. For example You started SGPro with the following command line: SGPRO.EXE JD-BODY.S3M, the samples then will be saved as JD-BODY.xxx. Easy, huh? This was done to avoid confusion between samples from different modules saved in one directory. Samples are saved in last selected (via F4) format, so You shouldn't use F4-F2-F4-F2-.. to save samples, just F4-F2-F2-F2 :) In case of any error the Status Line will read 'Error saving sample..' And here comes a quick keyboard reference: ■ ESC -- Quit ■ F1 -- This key does nothing in this version. Read dox CAREFULLY! ■ F2 -- Save ■ F3 -- Select sound device ■ F4 -- Select output file format ■ F10 -- Quit ■ -- Move cursor up (and what You expected? :) ■ -- Move cursor down ■ ENTER -- Edit sample description. Whilest here the use the following: ■ -- Move cursor to the end of the sample text ■ -- Move cursor to the start of the sample text ■ ESC -- Quit and restore the previous sample text ■ ENTER -- Quit and use entered sample text ■ Space -- Play sample (C3) ■ Q-U -- Play sample (C3-B3) Since version 1.2 the command line version of SGPro was added to help You to extract all samples from module FAST! This utility will be updated as often as main program. Command line version can run on any hardware configuration, so if You fail to run standart SGPro, try this before You start complaining :) ·─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ╘══════─────────────-─══[ -x- System Requirements -x- ]══-───────────────══════╕ · Processor : You must have at least 286 processor to run this program. (Sorry poor 8086 users. The only choice for You is command line version of SGPro..) Also note that for better results do not use any protected mode software - this is the way to slow down SB output. PM won't affect Covox/GUS playing. Video Card: This version will run on any video card. It uses standard 80x25 video mode. On CGA and MDA cards the screen will look weird but still You can understand what's going on.. also you may try to use command line version of SGPro, but better buy a VGA, man! :) Audio Card: It is recommended (but not necessary if You only wish to save samples, but how are You gonna compose music then? :) that You have a Sound Blaster compatible card, UltraSound or DAC on LPT1 (aka Covox) in order to play samples. You can also play samples on internal PC speaker. However this is HIGHLY not recommended, because of low sound quality. Memory : Sample Grabber itself needs about 50k + largest sample size of system memory to run. There's no support for XMS/EMS yet. ·─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ╘══════─────────────-─══[ -x- Questions & Answers -x- ]══-───────────────══════╕ · Q: Exactly why do You want me to use Sample Grabber PRO? A: Easy. Just imagine You wanna grab samples. To do this You must have a composer the track was composed in. Now imagine how many different trackers are used now? Right. All of them will eat PLENTY of Your HD space. And when using SGPro all You need is 16k for .EXE file, that supports all (atleast most of) popular trackers. Got the difference? Q: Does SGPro support >64k Samples? A: YES! Current version no more clips big samples to 65535 bytes. BUT If sample will be used in ST3 then You must save sample with ST3 format, and it will be automagically clipped to 64000 bytes (the largest sample size that can be used in ST3). Q: The sound from the PC speaker is awful (too noisy). What can i do? Q: Machine is hanging up when I'm trying to play sample at a high frequency rates. What's wrong? Q: Machine is sometime hanging up when i'm playing sample on rapidly changing speeds. Is it Ok? A: DUDE! This utility is NOT a sample player - this is Sample Grabber and it serves its main aim - allows You to GRAB samples, so do not blame me for paying such little attention to playing routines. May be in future i will implement a cool sound routine, but not right now.. Q: When processing some .MODs screen suddenly goes weird, i.e. a part of cursor is on the bottom status line.. What's wrong? A: Some Amiga modules contain special screen control codes in samples names and they may cause such problems like sudden screen clearing, etc. The example of such a MOD file is THUNDER.MOD (Thunder Struck by AC/DC) Q: AdLib samples are not played. Is it Ok? A: Sure it is :) Just save the sample and load it in ST3 to hear. Q: Does SGPro run under MS Windows? A: Yes it works fine until You try to play sample - You'd better press CTRL-ALT-DEL immediately to skip all the unpleasant sound :) Q: How can I support Your work? A: Just send me a letter with inclosed $15 or so and that will do. Q: How can I please the author? A: You know.. there are many ways.. :) but it will be great if You send me a letter (look some lines up) or atleast a postcard with a nice view to Your city.. (You know, my girlfriend loves postcards :) Q: Exactly how can I contact the author? A: :) Read the contacts section. Q: Why should I contact You? A: Heh, this one is easy - contact me just for fun! :) Or maybe You have something urgent to tell me? Q: Is there any way to get rid of that annoying delay in the end? A: :) Try to find out the secret key combination or try to patch the EXE file - both ways are EASY! :) Have Fun! ·─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ╘══════──────────────────-─══[ -x- Copyright -x- ]══-────────────────────══════╕ · This program was written by Jay Dee of TorNad0 INC. (aka Vladimir Sopot) and is protected by international copyright laws. Any use in commercial way without written permission from the author is prohibited. All rights reserved. Portions copyright by TBH-Softworx. ·─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ╘══════─────────────────-─══[ -x- Distribution -x- ]══-──────────────────══════╕ · This program is distributed on Shareware basis. That means that You have 7 days to decide if You will continue using this utility or not, and if You decide to use this software longer You must register it with the author. Read -REG-.SGP for additional info on registering. The original archive package should contain the following files: ■ SGPRO.EXE The main program ■ SGPROCMD.EXE The main program (command line version) ■ -DOX-.SGP This documentation ■ -HIS-.SGP Revision history file ■ -REG-.SGP Registration file ■ WANTED!.DOX The list of most wanted stuff ■ FIlE_ID.DIZ BBS description These files MUST be inside the archive. If any of them are missing then You probably got a damaged archive and possibly a virus in it. Beware! ·─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ╘══════──────────────────-─══[ -x- Contacts -x- ]══-─────────────────────══════╕ · You can contact me for any reason at: Mail: Moscow, Russia, 117279 BBS: The Fun Factory Ostrovityanova str, 37A-117 Data phone: +7-o95-TMP-DOWN Vladimir Sopot [Jay Dee] Working time: 23:oo-07:oo GMT+3 You can always call any TorNad0 boards listed in the info file & leave a message to any member - i'll be informed. This is the best way until The Fun Factory works again. NOTE for hardware manufacturers: if You want me to support Your audio card feel free to provide me with technical info and/or hardware. NOTE for software developers: if You want me to support Your tracker or whatever, feel free to provide me with software and technical info. NOTE for ShareWare libraries developers/distributors: this software MAY BE NOT distributed on any kind of media without auther's written permission. Contact me if You want to get one. You know i wanna have some money, too :) NOTE for ANYONE: if You own a copy of file format description i do not support and/or You have a program that outputs files of that format please send it to me. You help in the development of this software will be highly appreciated. ·─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ╘══════──────────────────-─══[ -x- Greetings -x- ]══-────────────────────══════╕ · Jay Dee sends greets to the following (in NO particular order): ■ LaserDance / ACME ■ Edge / EMF ■ Virt / TRIAL ■ iNSPEKDAH DECk / KLF ■ ■ Maelcum / KLF ■ [annibal / RR ■ Cosmic / RR ■ Trixter & Homer ■ ■ JeDi / Oxygen ■ kitsunE / Oxygen ■ Dr. Awesome ■ Thanx go to the following (in NO order again): ■ Tanya V. Evstifeeva for being that cool. ■ Elena Kozir for letting me to use her GUS Max. ■ TBH-Softworx for GUSUnit. ·─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ╘══════─────────────-─══[ -x- Next Version Review -x- ]══-───────────────══════╕ · If YOU care about the future it doesn't mean i must do it, too :) Better send me Your suggestions and we'll see how to make SGPro better.. ╒══════──────────────────────────--·────────·-───────────────────────────══════╕ | AND THE FUN GOES ON AND ON | _ __ __ _ · ___( )__/ / \ \__( )___ · / _ __/ \__ _ \ /_// / \ \\_\ · \ \ \ -Jd- / / / · / // / \ \\ \ | /_//_/ \_\\_\ | ╘══════──────────────────────────--·────────·-───────────────────────────══════╛