Large Pack of OldSkool DOS MOD Trackers/liqdt127.zip/LIQ.REV

Text File | 1997-01-11 | 24KB | 479 lines

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                   The Liquid Tracker's Revision History
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 .....Version 1.27..........................................[11/01/97]...

 - Now the Current Channel pointer for the Pattern Editor and Channels
   Parameters Editor is combined. The Auto-Solo Mode feature is also
   combined, and can be activated from the Pattern Editor using CTRL-BKSPC
   (previously used to SOLO channel). In the Parameters Editor It is
   still activated using 'O'. In Pattern, in this mode, the current channel
   being soloed has blinking header. Press CTRL-BKSPC again to disable it.
   Also, any other mute-function key disables auto-solo mode (BKSPC,SHIFT-
   BKSPC,ALT-BKSPC). Note: this is very usefull to locate specific
   instruments when playing module in pattern.
 - Added support for ST3 sample format, when loading/testing samples
   from Samples Editor

 .....Version 1.26..........................................[10/01/97]...

 - Fixed two amazing bugs in S3M loader: >>First, the loader didn't support
   more than 128 items in sequence (order) table! I've tested hundreds of
   S3Ms, but apparently none has had more than 128 items! (or it's just
   because I didn't noticed anything was playing wrong...) my thanks to
   [e-mail] for transcribing his 136-orders-ANGTALK.S3M...
   >>Second, if the last sequence table item was 77, the machine would
   either hang or behave strangely, depends in the sys.mode (XMS/EMS/raw).
   Only God can tell how such stupid bug can occurs!
 - Now the SPEED field in Pattern Editor displays all 3 digits, not 2.
 - Now when saving modules, samples that were originally converted from 8 bit
   (the option in: Loader Setup->"Auto Convert To 16bit" enabled) are saved
   back to 8 bit format so one can compose while enjoying the benefits of
   16bit volume precision and interpolation but avoid exaggerated-size
   module. Also important for compatibility with non-16bit-samples players,
   like Cubic 1.7 when saving modules (To Doc: Okay!?)
 - New info in LIQ.Q&A, read!

 .....Version 1.25..........................................[07/12/96]...

 - 32bit PCM-Amplitude-Interpolation is now implemented.
   Though it took me some time to optimize it for speed, eventually it
   seems to run the fastest from all the trackers and players I've checked
   (actually, 3 of the most known). To ensure the highest possible
   SPEED, make sure that "Auto Convert To 16bit" from the Loader Setup
   is set to OFF. You can switch Interpolation on/off from the Output Setup.
 - Mistakenly, the mouse pointer was enabled. Now fixed.


 .....Version 1.20..........................................[12/10/96]...

 - New support site!
   Anesthesia (A) - (972)-7-9971505 - 28k / (972)-7-9954490 - 14k
 - Online Help Hypertext is finally available! Just press F1 to pop-up
   context-sensitive help.
 - The LIQ module format and the LDSS sample format are now documented
 - New features in Samples Editor now implements most fields from the
   LDSS (Liquid Digitized Samples Specification) sample format:
   * Master volume for sample independent of various pattern volume effects
   * Default pan for sample
   * Now there is a Filename field, no more Sample Name usage for ALT-S/ALT-L
 - Global Volume effect. Use Gxx to set Global Volume (a decimal number
   ranging from 0 to 64, with initial value of 64). Note that it plays
   a bit different from the original ST3 (ST3 has bug which implements the
   effect only one row later)
 - The Sequence Editor (F4) is now using Hexadecimal values for pattern
   POSITION, so when using Position Jump module effect, you will not have
   spend time converting numbers to hex. The pattern NUMBER value remains
   decimal, since the pattern number value in the Pattern Editor (F2) is
   (and was) decimal.


 .....Version 1.08..........................................[09/08/96]...

 - Can save S3Ms in the commercial version. Registered users: use CTRL-F
   in file manager to change format when saving
 - Support for header's panning in new S3Ms (not widely used)
 - Erasing file from File Manager is now CTRL-D, not "/"
 - You can now add/decrease channels number from the Pattern Editor using
   CTRL-LEFT,CTRL-RIGHT keys
 - Speed Search at File Manager. Works from directories area, too.
 - Can now test samples from within the File Manager (that is CTRL-ENTER at
   the Samples Editor [F3]). Simply step on the desired FILE NAME, and then,
   play the sample using the "ZSXDCVGBHNJM" keys which emulate piano keyboard.
   pressing ENTER to load it to the current sample slot. For Speed Search,
   using SHIFT-Keys, since keys are reserved for sample testing.
 - Now Liquid is the first tracker to implement "DEMO MODE". When this
   mode is activated, the screens are changing once in a while.
   Use command line switch "/s" or use Misc Menu. Press any key to abort.

 .....Version 1.07..........................................[29/06/96]...

 - CPU performance benchmark in Info Screen - shows the relative free CPU
   calculation time, in percentages, which is not used by the mixing routines
   /sound card on every given moment. Very usefull for demos composer -
   one can now see on what circumstances the CPU's effort is most bigger.
 > Press 'C' in the Info Screen to initialize the CPU time testing routines.
   Read more information in LIQ.DOC, at section "Testing CPU overhead"
 - Now SHIFT-ARROWS keys are used in Pattern Editor to mark a block instead
   of CTRL-ARROWS. This is done because CTRL-PGDN/PGUP were already reserved
   for music search and couldn't be used for marking.
 - Added module effect "P77 - Reset single channel PAN"


 .....Version 1.06..........................................[27/05/96]...

 - 16 bit volume precision for 16 bit samples!
   Previously, when implemented many channels, the volume of channels which
   used altered volume didn't change smoothly, it went down or up in "blocks".
   Now volume for each channel is calculated internally with 65,536 steps
   instead of 256. This also works for 8 bit cards, as long as the samples
   that are played in altered volumes are 16 bit ones (needless to say, that
   the final output will be 8 bit anyway). You can define in "Setup->Loader
   Setup" to convert all samples in module to 16 bit at load time,
   so 16 bit volume precision will always be used.
 - In Pattern Editor, when a single pattern is played in loop and Trace mode
   is ON (ScrollLock on), the '+' and '-' keys will scan through the patterns.
   if playing mode is whole song (have started playing using F9 or ENTER
   in Sequence Editor) the '+' and '-' keys will scan according to sequence
   table.

 .....Version 1.05..........................................[18/05/96]...

 - With EGA, the windows borders are now shown correctly (yeah, I know...
   but there must be SOMEONE who uses EGA! ;) ;) ) also small fix in VGA.
 - Seperate definition to Auto-Pattern-Screen set and Auto-Info-Screen set
   in Loader Setup.
 - Pattern Editor: if Shift is held down with the space bar, Effect Info
   is not erased with the note.
 - Added new block functions (Alt-Enter from Pattern Editor):
   6- "Slide Effects From Extreme Edges". With this command, you can set two
       effect values in the first and last positions of a block and this will
       fill the appropriate intermediate values. It will also duplicate the
       command letter, as noted in the first note in the marked area.
       Most usefull for [P]an, Sample [O]ffset and Set [B]PM effects.
   9- "Find And Replace A Sample Number". With this you can change specific
       samples in choosen area.
   0- "Mix Block With Notes At Cursor Position". It will mix the marked block
      with the same sized block at cursor position, and will never overwrite
      existing notes. Usefull for creating echoes.
 - When coping block with ALT-C, block marks are moving to new position.
   Samples Editor's Enhancements:
 - Bugfix: Couldn't save a sample if "Samples Directory" was root directory
 - Now, if releasing sample (ALT-R), and cursor standing on the "Sample name"
   field, it will also clear the sample name.
 - Pressing INS on one of loop fields, copies "Sample Size" to "Loop End"
 - Pressing DEL on one of loop fields, removes loop
 - Can change loop values using the "+" and "-" keys
 - ALT-U in Samples Editor highlights all samples which are allocated
   but NOT used in patterns

 .....Version 1.04..........................................[23/03/96]...

 - New support site!
   Fear Of The Dark BBS - 24Hrs - (972)-3-9690371
 - Enhanced the method to detect number of channels in S3M, now it's exact,
   and the loader doesn't use too many or too few channels.
 - Now speeds above 80 are supported
 - More video cards are supported (28 Adapters!)
   (from Setup->Video Setup->Video Card)
 - Now there is no delay when entering notes in pattern with slow machines
 - Now in the Parameters/Panning Editor (F6) the current pan positions
   are updated even when editing the parameters. Also can navigate between
   fields with CTRL-LEFT and CTRL-RIGHT.
 - Now if loader can't identify the module it asks if you would like
   to try loading as 15-instruments amiga module (which has no signature)
 - When testing instruments from Samples Editor you can turn off looping
   sample with the "1" key. Also, when entering NOTEOFF command in the
   Pattern Editor (again "1" key) it does the same.


 .....Version 1.03..........................................[11/03/96]...

 - Some outlook changes (nicer title)
 - Mixing routines are a bit faster
 - Now octave can be changed from Samples Editor too
 - There was "out of tune" problem when played portamento effects
   with S3M modules that contained high pitch samples (such as
   TALES01.S3M), now it's fixed.
 - If "Setup->Loader->AutoFreq" was set to OFF, it wouldn't play after load
 - If "ScreamTracker" compatibility mode is ON, the markers for the pattern
   loop effect are set to 0 on every new pattern (note that ProTracker
   standards specify NOT to do this)
 - Now if there's not enough memory for module, a proper message is displayed
 - Now Liquid Tracker executed faster and requires less memory
 - New in FileManager: 1) pressing numpad [5] key, jumps to Info Screen
                       2) pressing "/" erases the highlighted file
 - Supports more than 16 channels in S3M loader (not supported by ST3 though)
 - Added special support for converted STM2MOD files, this convertor has a
   killer bug which converts (sometimes) sample sizes incorrectly. Players
   that don't support >64K samples like DMP,ST3 can handle it correctly, but
   LIQ 1.00, CP 1.6 and IPLAY 1.2 with support for >64K samples loaded such
   modules wrong. Now identified and handled correctly.
 - Function keys F5-F8 which handle play functions, has been exchanged with
   keys F9-F12 to make it more arranged, play song is now F9, stop is now F12
   (can be configured from Setup->Keyboard)


 .....Version 1.00..........................................[15/01/96]...

 - New pattern memory arrangement, alot more optimized in memory requirements
 - All varibles from Parameters Screen (F10) are now configurable,
   including the "Channels Num"
 - "Block Commands" support in the Pattern Editor is back, with many
   new enhanced block features (try ALT-ENTER)
 - Samples can now be tested from the Samples Editor, using piano
   alike keyboard (keys ZXCVBNMQWERTYUI) when cursor is on numeric field
 - [Ctrl/Shift/Alt] + [Backspace] now toggle channels Solo/On/Off
 - Now you can define from <Setup->Loader Options> NOT to modify Panning
   Setup when loading module, so you can for example set all the panning
   to MID/SURROUND (using "3" in the Panning Editor), Lock Panning (using
   "K" in the Panning Editor) and all the modules loaded will play with
   this Panning configuration.
 - Now the pattern number in the Pattern Editor is highlighted when
   current editing pattern exists in Sequence Table
 - Now when <Setup->Loader Options->Auto Screen Set> is defined,
   the Info Screen will be adjusted to 80x50 if the text is crossing
   the screen borders (except 4-Channels MODs, where text is always
   displayed at 80x25)
 - Faster scroller movement in InfoScreen
 - Pressing both LEFT-CTRL & LEFT-SHIFT at InfoScreen resets
   Scroller position
 - Can save samples from Samples Editor (ALT-S)
 - Added Fine Vibrato effect (ST 3.2 compatibility) - command 'F'

 .....Version 0.86ß.........................................[22/06/95]...

 - Now the arrow in the pattern editor is not blinking under slow machines
 - Added Sequence Table editor (F4 key)
 - At the Samples Editor (F3 key), there's a sign when a sample is being
   played
 - Filemanager enhancements:
   List is now sorted. File or directory name can now be entered manually,
   and wildcards are supported.


 .....Version 0.85ß.........................................[15/04/95]...

 - Fixed cursor bugs in the pattern editor's trace mode (ScrollLock on)
 - Added "Copy Pan Positions" option in Parameters Editor
 - The Channels Volume bars are now active and work
 - When playing, there's an arrow in the pattern editor indicates which
   interval is currently playing
 - Better colours in the Parameters Editor

 .....Version 0.84ß.........................................[06/01/95]...

 - Happy new year!
 - There's a bug in HIMEM.SYS, which prevented the extended memory
   occupied by Liquid from being released before termination, if some
   strange conditions occur. Now this bug is not activated anymore.


 .....Version 0.83c.........................................[23/12/94]...

 - Added panning sets #6 and #7 to parameters editor (Amiga panning)
 - Now "++" codes at S3Ms' Sequence Table ("Order list") are handled
   correctly
 - Some improvments in the LIQ loader

 .....Version 0.83ß.........................................[22/12/94]...

 - More improvements in the panning/parameters editor.
   ■ The 'I' key is now functioning, so you can set the initial panning,
     which are assigned to channels on every [F5] (play song) press.
   ■ A new switch added - 'K', lock panning, which forces ignoring any
     panning commands in the playing module.
   ■ Now when switching to panning editor, the channels don't go un-muted
 - If a directory is not defined, the program will use the current
   directory (previously, if saved setup, directory C:\ has been used)
 - You can now use SHIFT F1->F4 to set the mixing frequency to 11111,22222,
   33333 or 45454 respectively

 .....Version 0.82ß.........................................[16/12/94]...

 - Ready-made panning sets are implemented!
   Use 1,2,3,4,5 keys from the parameters editor (F10) to select
   a panning set. Really usefull with many modules needed to be
   heard in Surround, Mixed Panning or simply when the machine crawls,
   and you want to set all panning to the basic LEFT/RIGHT set.


 .....Version 0.81ß.........................................[15/12/94]...

 - Fixed General Protection Violation bug (if you still get one, it's
   another bug ;) and, it wasn't even an exception, it was an IRQ mystakly
   considered as exception. This problem attacked only SB owners with IRQ
   set to 5, and didn't happen with PAS)
 - Now volumes are rounded up. That means that if the master volume
   value is very low, you will still be able to hear the voices
 - Because of "fragmentation sound" report from SB 2.0 beta-testers,
   SB v1.5 mode is now selected for this card in the autodetection.
 - Now the maximum sampling rate with SBpro is 22727 (27777 before)
   Since this is the maximum frequency with MOST SBPro cards, and
   novice users didn't know that pressing ALT-F3 would have solved the
   problem. To achive higher rates with SBPro (mono mode) use SB 2.0
   compatibility mode.


 .....Version 0.80ß.........................................[03/12/94]...

 - Totally rewritten, which means that some features (like Sequence
   Editor,MIDI,Block commands) are not rewritten yet.
 - Alot nicer InfoScreen (which can be accessed anytime using <F9>)
 - Added Full panning & surround <F10>
 - 16bit and Stereo samples implemented
 - Sound is finally 16bit!
 - Pro Audio Spectrum 16 support. Great sound quality!
 - Support for Output to file (may be converted to VOC later using
   Creative Labs' VOCHDR)
 - Alot better S3M compatibility!
 - Smart loader, auto adjusts Frequency, Gain and Pattern Screen
 - MODs are now loaded using PAL frequency, since some modules plays
   better with that (notably DUR.MOD). also, all the modules I've tested
   played correctly with PAL. (Would be adjustable in the future)
 - Added fields folding in pattern editor (CTRL F1-F4), upto 31 tracks
   in screen!


 .....Version 0.69ß.........................................[26/04/94]...

 - Fixed a bug in the MIDI_IN routines. Since I don't have any
   SB's MIDI documentation I don't quite sure what I'm doing ;-)
 - The MIDI_IN is documented now in LIQ.DOC

   If you own a SB-MIDI device, please report me if it works also
   at your place. Possibly write a message in the LiquidTEAM folder
   support.


 .....Version 0.68ß.........................................[25/04/94]...

 - BPM is now calculated with better precision
 - MIDI IN support in the pattern editor (Sound Blaster's MIDI, not MPU-401)
 - "Reset panning" command (resets pan positions to default) - H70
 - Faster loading
 - Fixed a bug caused sometimes huge module saving in the Reserved Version
 - Fixed a loud volume bug when testing samples
 - Fixed a bug avoided the sound of the notes entered in the pattern
 - Fixed a bug caused errastic notes to be entered in Tracer mode
 - Now you can enter notes into disabled channels while playing
   and the sound will not stop
 - S3M Loader in distribution version


 .....Version 0.67ß.......................UnReleased........[09/04/94]...

 - Global Volume (Command Fxx)
 - Channel Panning (Command Hxx, 0 = Left, 32 = Middle, 64 = Right)
 - ALT-P (set effect to marked) implemented
 - Arpeggio effect (Gxx) now supported
 - Better volume handling routines
 - MODs now playing at correct panning


 .....Version 0.65ß.......................UnReleased........[15/03/94]...

 - Real volume bars
 - Fixed a bug, prevented memory-managers users (running on slow machines)
   from using high sampling rates on SB16.
 - Now you can define the memory reserved for pattern data. it was set
   to 256K (of DOS memory) before, and was usually too much.
   it you'll decrease it too much, some modules may refuse to load.


 .....Version 0.64ß.........................................[03/02/94]...

 - Tracer is running a bar! (not centered for now though)
 - Implemented Pattern Delay effect
 - Enhanced Break Pattern effect, now supports where-to-start value
 - Implemented "clear patterns" for ripping samples :)
 - Now liquid will try extensions LIQ, MOD, STM at commandline
 ! Liquid is getting closer to be full ProTracker compatible:
   only left: Arpeggio, Waveforms, FineTunes, Gliss and Tremolo


 .....Version 0.63ß.........................................[26/01/94]...

 - Clicks occurred when channels number was not even. fixed.
 - Implemented ALT-A and ALT-Q to inc/dec halftone in marked
 - Added 'Auto screen' feature. change to screen mode according to channels
   number (usable only for Trident SVGA for now)
 - STM loader enhanced.
 - Some problems with channels on/off fixed
 - Some outlook changes


 .....Version 0.60ß.........................................[23/12/93]...

 - Now Liquid runs approximately 30% faster with normal sound cards,
   and about 50% faster with SB16.
 - Now the module name can be supplied from the command line (e.g. LIQ AXELF.MOD)
 - Many bugfixed in MOD loader, and better errors checking
 - Better sound quality on 8 BIT cards.
 - Added SoundTracker support (15 instruments modules)
 - Added STM support
 - Added WOW support
 - Now you can test samples from the Samples Editor. just step on a number
   field and hit the keyboard (useful for quick loop-testing!)
 - Enhanced XMS routines
 - Bugfixed in looping-sample routine (samples with a loop) causes the
   machine to crash if loop values given were not correct (e.g. loop begin
   was greater then loop end or even worst: equal)
 - Most of ProTracker's effects are now implemented (and correctly,
   unlike some other trackers around)

 .....Version 0.50ß.........................................[27/11/93]...

 - XMS  support!

   Now  LIQUID are the FIRST playing routines that can utilized pure XMS
   memory  for  samples, from real mode!  now  there's no need to reboot
   with  a slow v86 memory manager  anymore! Liquid's XMS algorithm will
   enable  (in the future) all covox  devices to enjoy the full benefits
   of  XMS  memory,  as EMS has  many  problems  with covox devices (v86
   stuff). remember: machine must be in real-mode for XMS support!

 - Liquid now works also from v86 mode (without XMS usage)
 - Fixed all various clicks, now the sound is CLEAR! with the SB16 playing
   on high sampling rates (>33Mhz) the sky roars!
 - Tracer is implemented. use ScrollLock to turn it on and off.
   you can also use "real time" record but it's not too precise yet.
 - Shell to dos is implemented.
 - Global volume (software) is available. try ALT-F11, F12
 - The samples names has been increased to 22 chars
 - The file manager's screen appears now alot faster
 - Some changes has been made to Liquid's info-panel outlook
 - No more detection results on screen, to save time!
 - Speed-up the font loading routine, now users with Console Drivers
   (Like AnsiPlus) will not suffer from a long delay anymore whenever
   screen mode is changing.
 - if either DESQview or MS-Windows is detected, buffer size is increased
   to 30000
 - Some improvements and speeds-up to MOD loader
 - The ProTracker's effects support race has begun! list of supported effects:
      - BPM tempos (Axx with value >$30  [not $1C] )
      - Portamento down (Dxx)┌──────────────────────────────────
      - Portamento up (Exx)  │ These are the effects from previous
      - Volume Slide (Lxx)   │ versions of Liquid:
      - Finevolume up (M2x)  │
      - Finevolume up (M3x)  │ - Cut pattern (Cxx)
      - Retrig note (M6x)    │ - Position jump (Jxx)
      - Cut note (M7x)       │ - Sample offset (Oxx)
      - Delay note (M8x)     │

 .....Version 0.21ß.........................................[15/10/93]...

 - Fixed the "A20" bug. now Liquid can operate with or without HIMEM.SYS!
 - Detection routine fixed to support DMA <> 1
 - Config file is implemented to save all default setups
 - Fixed a bug occurred when <F8> was requested, and the device was SB 2.00.
   that caused "stammering" (DMA didn't stop)


 .....Version 0.20ß.........................................[12/10/93]...

 - The Sound Blaster 16 and the Sound Blaster Pro are now supported
   in full stereo
 - Global keyboard handler. <F5> and <F8> now work from anywhere,
   <F2>, <F3> and <F4> can be used for fast Pattern/Sample/Sequence access.
   (that required a HUGE routines rewrite - please report any possible
   new bugs, if any)
 - File Manager. Now you can select a file from a directory list.
   still, I should enhance it to work faster, but for now it's enough.
   (btw: from the samples screen it's alt-d)
 - Lots of bugs were fixed


 .....Version 0.14ß.........................................[30/09/93]...

  (First public ßeta release)

  ■  Supports MODs and LIQs, up to 64 Channels
  ■  Introduced the enhanced block commands set
  ■  Supports Sound Blaster, DMA