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Acorn User 4
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1998
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mar1998
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quicksnd
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Manual
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1998-01-29
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329 lines
© Desktop Projects 1992 Version 1.00
First impression August 1992
QuickSound
----------
Features;
Loading of 4 Sample formats;
Armadeus
Sound Synth
Tracker
Raw Data
Saving in 5 four formats;
Armadeus
Tracker
Module
Utility
Raw Data
Manipulation;
Echo
Reverse
Max Volume
Replayrate
Resample
Conversion;
Signed
Log to Lin
Lin to Log
VIDC enhancer compensation
LOADING QUICKSOUND
------------------
To load QuickSound just double click on the program icon. The QuickSound
icon will appear on the iconbar. A window will appear showing you the
QuickSound startup logo.
LOADING/PLAYING SAMPLES
-----------------------
To load a sample either double click on the sample (except raw data samples,
which have to be drag-loaded) or drag the sample to the QuickSound icon on
the iconbar. QuickSound will display a window showing the waveform of the
sample. The window titlebar will also display the sample filename (A star in
the window title bar indicates that the sample has been modified and not
saved).
To play the sample click SELECT over the main window. While the sample is
playing you will see a vu-image display in the window. To stop the sample
click ADJUST on the window.
The MENU button brings up a small menu with 4 options, which are Misc, Save,
Effects and Convert.
QuickSound will load SoundSynth samples but will not save them.
When loading files with the 'data' filetype, the default format of the data
should be linear signed. If the data is not in this format use the
conversion features of QuickSound to convert to linear signed.
You can only load 'data' samples when you drag load them, not double click.
MISC MENU
---------
The Misc menu option leads to information boxes about the program and the
current sample.
QuickSound has a standard RISCOS information box giving details of the
current sample into QuickSound. Any changes to the sample (echo etc) will
update the information in this window. The information includes the
following;
Sprite showing the sample type
Text showing modified status
sample type and filetype
name of sample
sample rate (xxxxHz and uS per sample)
sample size (in decimal)
time & date of sample
SAVE MENU
---------
The Save menu leads to the various save boxes. There are currently 5 save
types, which are Armadeus, Tracker, Data, Module and Utility. Each save type
has its own save box. The default save name for each save box depends on the
'leafname' menu option off the iconbar menu. If this 'leafname' option is
ticked then the default save name will be the same as the loaded filename of
the sample, ie its leafname. If the 'leafname' option is not ticked the
default name will be the sample type. Each sample save option is explained
below.
Saving in utility format allows the user/programmer to play samples without
any knowledge of the sound system. It provides all the play back routines
and sample data in one self contained file, which can be run from the
command line or double clicked from the desktop. When the sample has
finished, control is returned to the user and any memory used by the sample
and its playing routine are returned to the system. This feature is not
available on any other sound program at present.
Saving in raw data format is useful for exporting samples to other computers
(Amiga,ST,Mac,PC etc)
Saving in module format allows the sample to be played via programs such as
!Maestro, !Rhapsody etc
Saving in armadeus format obviously creates a sample compatible with
Armadeus and is also a common format for samples used in games etc.
When saving tracker format please note the following. Tracker places a limit
of 64K on the sample size. QuickSound can save a tracker format sample of a
size greater than this. The sample will be saved in standard tracker
format with header.
When exporting a tracker format sample a header file is exported as per the
tracker hand book. Save tracker performs a lin to log conversion before
saving. QuickSound then carries out a log to lin conversion for the sample
retained in memory. Unfortunately this introduces noise into the sample and
will produce interference when replaying in QuickSound, the saved tracker
sample will however sound correct when used with Tracker.
EFFECTS MENU
------------
The effects menus leads to various effects options that can be applied to
the currently loaded sample, they are currenly Echo, Reverse entire sample,
Max Vol, Replayrate, Resample the sample. Each option is explained below in
more detail.
Echo
----
The first option in the effects menu is the echo option. To echo the sample
in !QuickSound, click SELECT over the word echo, a window will appear giving the
echo controls. Select the required delay button and then select OK. The
program will now add an echo to the sample. The hour glass will appear on
larger samples. There are two side effects to adding an echo, these are, the
overall volume of the sample may be reduced, this is due to the the way in
which the echo is added to the sample. The second affects the length of the
sample, adding an echo will increase the length of the sample only if there
is enough memory to allow for this. If there is not enough memory then the
end of the sample may sound a little strange.
Reverse
-------
This option will reverse the entire sample. Try reversing a sample, then
adding an echo, then reversing a second time!
Max Volume
----------
This option scales the sample so that the volume is as loud as possible
without adding any distortion. This option can be used after an echo has
been applied in order to recover as much of the volume as possible (remember
adding echos will reduce the volume).
Replayrate
----------
This option allows the replayrate of the sample to be changed in order to
speedup or slow down the sample. eg, when importing samples from other
sources such as the Mac, PC etc, the sample may play at the wrong speed, use
this option to obtain the correct replayrate. When a sample is loaded,
depending on the format the replayrate will be automatically set.
Armadues samples contain the replayrate for the sample.
SoundSynth samples are set to 20488Hz 48uS/sample byte.
Raw data samples are set to 20488Hz 48uS/sample byte.
Tracker format sample are set to 29411Hz 34uS/sample byte.
Resample
--------
This option allows the sample data to be processed so that the sample
changes in size by resampling at a different frequency. It is useful where
you need to reduce the size of a sample without changing its speed. A second
use of this function would be to resample a number of samples so that they
are all at the same samplerate. This ensures that when a group of samples
are played by an external source they all sound at the same pitch.
However it should be noted that resampling at too low a frequency will lower
the quality of the sample noticeably.
CONVERT MENU
------------
The last menu option is the conversion menu. Current conversions are
Signed/Unsigned, Log to Lin, Lin to Log. Again each of these are explained
below.
Signed
------
This option changes the sample between signed and unsigned. This process
takes every sample byte 1 at a time and inverts the top bit, and as a result
the sample in memory changes. This option can be used as many times as you
like without any form of distortion being added to the sample. This
conversion is useful when importing samples from the Atari ST or PC
Compatiables.
Log to Lin
----------
This option changes the sample in memory from a log based sample to a linear
based sample. This process will introduce distortion. To convert the sample
back to the orginal form use the Lin to Log option.
Lin to Log
----------
This option change the sample in memory from a linear based sample to a log
based sample. This process will introduce distortion. This option is useful
when transferring samples to other computers such as the Amiga.
When using Lin to Log and Log to Lin distortion will occur. This is because
of the processing used.
KEYBOARD
--------
This option allows the sample to be played from a desktop musical keyboard.
To play a note click SELECT over a key on the keyboard. The 'Auto Key'
button automatically plays each note as the pointer passes over the keys.
QUITTING
--------
To close the sample window temporarily use the close box on the title bar.
To reopen the window again click SELECT on the iconbar icon. Note unless a
sample is loaded then the window will not display.
To quit QuickSound completely select Quit from the iconbar menu.
CONFIGURING QUICKSOUND
----------------------
The maximum size of a sample that can be loaded is given by a system
variable in the !Run file of QuickSound, which is MaxSampleSize. To change
this, load !Run into edit and change the value. The value is the number of
1K (1K = 1024 bytes) chunks to be used. eg.
Set MaxSampleSize 1024
The above would give a max sample size of 1024*1024 bytes (ie 1048576 or a
megabyte). The memory is claimed from the RMA (Relocatable Module Area)
therefore you need to have this much memory spare when QuickSound is
loaded. Note that when you quit !QuickSound the memory is released back to
the system, but due to the way RISCOS uses the RMA this memory may not be
passed back to the user. In this case you will have to reset the machine if
you need to use this memory. Please note that as well as the sample size you
wish to use, the program will also claim an extra 8K for its own use. If the
program cannot claim the memory an error will be given and you will have to
free some memory from other currently loaded programs.
ICONBAR MENU
------------
Clicking MENU over the icon on the iconbar will bring up a menu with 4
options.
Info
----
This option leads to a standard RISCOS program information box.
Leafname
--------
This option is used to control the filenames for the various save boxes.
With the option ticked the save name will be the same as that loaded, with
option unticked the save name will be that of the sample type.
VIDC
----
This option is used when using modes that use the VIDC Enhancer. In these
modes the clock rate to the VIDC (VIDC controls sound generation) chip is
increased, this means that the sample will play faster than normal, with the
VIDC option ticked QuickSound will compensate for this.
Quit
----
This option allows the user to quit QuickSound. If the current sample is
modified and not saved then QuickSound asks the user to confirm the quit.
Also see notes on memory above.
© Desktop Projects 1992
Version 1.00
First impression August 1992
All rights reserved. The !QuickSnd contained on this disc is unique and is not
available elsewhere in any form. !QuickSnd is NOT in the public domain.
Desktop Projects have no direct control over the use to which this product is put
and therefore offer no warranty, implied or otherwise, relating to its use
for any purpose other than that for which it is intended.
The product described in this manual is the subject of continuous development
and, while all efforts are taken to ensure that the information given is
correct, Desktop Projects cannot accept any liability for any loss or damage
resulting from its use.