This is a fairly simple script I have been working on for the last few weeks. I have collected quite a few sound samples during the past few months and I found that I was using up too much disk space. I began to resample my files to lower rates in order to save space, but then I lost much of the sound quality. That is when I came up with this idea. I made a script to sample a sound file of any rate or type to a .WAV file with variable sampling rate.
I found that it is rather slow but the execution can be done in the background very simply. I will get to the installation and usage shortly. First, the packing list:
Included:
cplay.cmd - rexx script
cplay.doc - this file
sox.exe - ported to os/2 by Gary Adkins (Compuserve 7152.3536
sox.txt - instructions on the use of sox
soxread.me - readme file for sox
sbos2.sys - soundblaster driver for player.exe
player.exe(*) - nice command line audio player
(*) token from the sbos2v09.zip archive by Michael Fulbright
Both Sox and Player can be found on Hobbes or CDROM.COM
I would recommend picking these up even though I have included the necessary files here. I'm sure it would please the authors of these fine programs.
Installation:
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a) sbos2.sys
copy sbos2.sys to your sb directory. I use c:\sound\sbos2 on my system.
Add "device=c:\sound\sbos2\sbos2.sys IRQ7 ADDR220 SBREG" to your
config.sys. (Omitt SBREG if you use a SB Pro etc. See: sbos2 docs)
b) Place sox.exe, player.exe, and cplay.cmd in any directory found in your path statement in config.sys.
c) Make a program object and when the setting window comes up,
type cplay.cmd for the program.
For the session, choose os2 window and start minimized.
Now all you have to do is double click on the icon and off you go.
I you don't have VREXX, cplay can still be used from the command line.
1) Edit the script to ignore all the VREXX calls or simply delete the sections indicated as VREXX material.
2) type "start cplay {rate} {fname}" at the command line where {fname} is the full path and file name of the file you wish to play, and {rate} is the sampling rate (kHz) you wish to use. (max 43)
Other audio players can be used. Just check out the script and replace all references to player.exe in the file and insert your own.
Please enjoy this. I know it is slow but I'm working on it myself.
***** You must have some free disk space as this script needs to create a couple of temp files to play.
New Features:
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Since version 1.0 I have added a new version of sox. As well, I have added a ZiIP file handler. So far this is only handled in basics by a VREXX routine. You must tell the program what file is to be used form the zip fille. In the future, as I learn more of REXX and ZIP files, I will add the feature of choosing a file from an archive list, and posibly use different types of archiving programs.
The other thing I have added is a rate option. You can specify from 8-43 kHz for playback. If either option is not specified, the VREXX routine takes over and prompts you for either the file or the rate depending on what is needed.
If you have any suggestions, comments, or questions, please contact me at eus@ubc.ca
