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1987-10-11
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ATC : The Alarm Tune Compiler
Version 1.00, 11-Oct-1987
SMG Software
(C) Copyright 1987 by
Steven Georgiades
All Rights Reserved
ATC is the Alarm Tune Compiler, a program which will allow the
user to convert a music source file (MSF) to a binary format compatible
with the ALARM Memory Resident Alarm Clock Program, and the ATP Alarm
Tune Play utility. The MSF format is described on the following page.
The ATC program is invoked as follows:
ATC msffile [tunefile]
where msffile is the filename of the input MSF file, and tunefile is
the name of the output binary tune file. If the extension is omitted
from msffile, a default of ".MSF" is assumed. For tunefile, the
default extension is ".TUN". If tunefile is omitted entirely, the
output file will have the same base name as msffile, with the extension
".TUN". Both the msffile and tunefile may optionally have a drive
letter and/or path specification. The resulting binary tune file be
played using the ATP utility, as follows:
ATP tunefile
As with ATC, if the extension is omitted from tunefile, ATP assumes an
extension of ".TUN".
ATC, Version 1.00 Page 2
MUSIC SOURCE FILE FORMAT
The Music Source File (MSF) is a simple ASCII file which may be
created with any text editor, or word processor with an ASCII save
option. The MSF format consists of only a few commands.
Comments may appear after any command on the same line, or on a
line by themselves. A comment is defined by a leading semi-colon. All
text following a semi-colon is assumed to be part of a comment, and is
therefore ignored. Note also that ATC ignores blank lines, so you may
insert blank lines for readability (to seperate measures, for example).
The first command in an MSF file must be a Name Command, and the
second must be a Tempo Command. These commands are not optional, and
must appear only once in any MSF file. Comment lines and blank lines
are permitted to preceed the Name Command and the Tempo Command.
Name Command
------------
Ntunename
The name command specifies the tune name to insert in the
tune file, for use by the ALARM program. The text of the
name immediately follows the command letter "N", with no
quotes or other delimiters necessary. The tunename may be
any length, but if it is greater than 32 characters in
length, it is truncated to 32 characters.
Tempo Command
-------------
Tval
The tempo command specifies the basic tempo or speed of the
tune. The "val" may be any number from 11 to 1200, and is
approximately equal to the number of Basic Timing Units
(BTU's) per 10-second interval.
ATC, Version 1.00 Page 3
MUSIC SOURCE FILE FORMAT (Continued)
Play Command
------------
Pdur[,[note1][,[note2][,[note3]]]]
Where "dur" is the duration of the note in terms of the Basic
Timing Unit (BTU, defined by the tempo). I tend to consider
the sixteenth note as the BTU, so that "dur" for a 16th note
would be 1, for a quarter note it would be 4, and for a whole
note, 16. You may want to use the 32nd note as your BTU, or
a quarter note. It is entirely arbitrary. Just remember
that the tempo really relies on your chosen BTU as well as
the tempo value selected. The entries "note1", "note2" and
"note3" are the three optional notes that make up the chord
to be played. Each note consists of 2 or 3 characters. The
first character is a numeral from 0 to 7 indicating which
octave the note is in. The second character is a letter from
A to G, defining what note in that octave is to be used.
Note that ATC considers the lowest note in each octave to be
an A, and the highest is a G. The third character is
optional, and can be either a + or a -. A plus means to
increase the note by one half step (sharp), while a minus
means to decrease the note by one half step (flat). If a
note is omitted or substituted with an "R", a rest is
assumed, and if a note is substituted with an asterisk ("*"),
the note for that voice is assumed to be the same as in the
previous chord.
End Command
-----------
E
When this command is encountered, ATC stops processing the
input file and terminates.
If this format is unclear, look at some of the ".MUS" files supplied.
They can be informative.
ATC, Version 1.00 Page 4
The ATC and ATP programs are subsidiary utilities of the ALARM
program, and are distributed as ShareWare. "ShareWare" means that you
are granted free license to use, copy and distribute this software,
within the following restrictions:
1). It must be distributed in its original, unmodified form,
including program, documentation and all associated files.
2). No fee may be charged for use, copying or distribution
(With the exception of nominal "per disk" copying charges,
not to exceed $6.00 per disk).
3). The program may not be included with other goods or
services supplied for a fee, unless written permission to
do so is obtained in advance from the author.
Although distributed as part of the ALARM program, feel free to use and
distribute ATC and ATP independently of ALARM. For information on
registering or obtaining source code for ATC and ATP, refer to the
ALARM program documentation.
This program is provided AS IS without any warranty, expressed or
implied, including but not limited to fitfulness for a particular use
or purpose. Neither the author nor SMG Software assume liability for
any damages incurred through the use of the program.
If you have any problem, or feel you have found a bug in these or
any other SMG programs, please let me know. I also welcome any and all
questions and comments. Address all correspondence (including
registrations) to the following address:
Steven Georgiades
SMG Software
701-H South Hayward Street
Anaheim, CA 92804
Or leave a message for me on the Circuit Board:
The Circuit Board RBBS
SysOp: Dave Kleinschmidt
(714) 778-0948
1200/2400 Baud, No Fee
All SMG Software is initially released to the public through the
Circuit Board. The latest version of any SMG Software can always be
found there.
A diskette containing all of the latest SMG Software can be obtained by
sending a check or money order for $6.00 to the above address. Make
all checks payable to Steven M. Georgiades. Thank you.