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Text File | 1994-04-30 | 22KB | 528 lines

Addendum notes for the Farandole Composer DOX --------------------------------------------- First of all, I want to apologize for not putting this info into the real doc files - it's just that i would basically have to rewrite the whole thing. In addition, I already have old printed copies to send to registered users. Here are the usage notes on the new features for this version. ** New for version .90 ---------------------- MOD Saving for registered users ------------------------------- To save a MOD file if your copy is registered, simply turn on the channels you want to save, then press CTRL-F12. It will tell you what kind of MOD it saves, and this will be based on how many channels you have selected. It will save into these formats: - 4,6,8 Channel FastTracker MODs - 14,15,16 Channel TakeTracker MODs In addition, I am sending along each person's key file to expedite any problems you might have had in getting it to work correctly. EQ Bars Off ----------- Some people have been having problems with the new EQ bars. If it bothers you, simply use the switch /b to turn them off. Registration by keyfile ----------------------- If you have a key from me, use the command line switch /r. The rest will be fairly self explanatory. If you have not obtained a keyfile and you are a registered user, please contact me to get one. DO NOT leave netmail, or mail on my BBS. Instead, in this order: a) leave internet email, b) call Digital Oxygene BBS and leave mail, c) call voice and ask for me, d) Mail me. Letter C is risky; I may not be home, or I may be asleep (ARRRRG! :) PGUP/PGDN fixed --------------- Due to excessive complaint by one certain annoying person :) I have added the CTRL-PGUP/DN keys that move a whole page without having to push them twice. Change drive command -------------------- You can now change drives in the file box - simply press D and it will ask for a new drive. It also returns you to the correct drive before exiting if you have changed drives. PANIC KEYS ---------- READ THIS CAREFULLY. USE THESE AT YOUR OWN RISK. These keys are what I define as 'panic keys'. The function of each is described below: ALT-SHIFT-U: Unlock file i/o safeguard. If for some reason the program locks up while doing file i/o you may press this key to regain control of the keyboard handler. ALT-SHIFT-CTRL-`: This releases the keyboard handler routine. WARNING! You CANNOT, repeat CANNOT exit the program or use it in any way whatsoever once you press this. All this does is return control of the keyboard to the BIOS. This is useful if you get some kind of stupid QEMM error, you can then press 'T' to terminate (possibly saving your current DOS environment). This also (sometimes) allows you to use ALT-CTRL-DEL to reboot in case of a lockup. DO NOT USE THE ABOVE KEYS UNLESS YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO. Configuration screen -------------------- This new screen is brought up using ALT-F10. It shows some 'about' info at the bottom, and allows you to configure several options of Farandole. Use the context sensitive help and experiment to see what these do (most are pretty obvious). Individual pattern options -------------------------- You can now save and load individual patterns from your songs. They will be saved as .FPT files, in the same general format as all the other composer files. You can name the patterns to keep track of them (up to 32 chars). Load a pattern using SHIFT-F11, and save one using SHIFT-F12. 16 bit instruments ------------------ There are some serious problems with 16 bit instruments, that I have not been able to fix yet. The Gravis SDK gives no help with a small skimover, so it will take some asking around, etc to get this working. If you know how the Gravis treats 16 bit samples, please contact me. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** New for version .91 ---------------------- Ambient Fine Tempo ------------------ Since it's rather hard to edit a song when you are using fine tempo, and it resets itself, the composer now does not reset fine tempo unless you do. You can accomplish this by using CTRL-4,1 on the number pad (same keys as for tempo adjustment, except with CTRL). You may also adjust it while the song is still playing. If you use fine tempo, make sure that you reset it at the beginning of each pattern so that it does not stack up (E0, then Ex). Abort mode ---------- I have added a few things that should help with the lockup/reboot on exit 'feature' that some people have had problems with :). But if all else fails, try the Borland C abort() function instead of a standard DOS exit by using the /a switch on the command line. Note that you can see if this worked - it prints 'abnormal program termination' when you quit. If you are not having problems and you use this switch, it will have no adverse effects. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** New for version .92 ---------------------- Loading Gravis Patch Files -------------------------- You can now load Gravis MIDI patch files as samples! When you try loading a file with the .PAT extension from the sample box, it will perform a check to see that it really is a patch file. From there it will automatically load the only sample if there's 1, or it will ask you which one to load if there are more. It attempts to preserve looping values, but there are some problems right now (not sure exactly). The sample name will be the filename of the patch file + the sample number (0 if only one sample). Patches are converted to 8 bit samples because 8 bit samples are easier to deal with, etc. Also this makes it easy to export them for use in MOD's and stuff.. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** New for version .93 ---------------------- Additional on Gravis Patch files -------------------------------- I forgot to mention above, that you cannot load them straight from their directory. This is because FAR only allows directories with 256 filenames, and there are more patch files than that. Shell to DOS and copy over the one you want instead. I might fix this later on.. Default Video Mode ------------------ You can now specify a default video mode on the CFG screen so that you don't have to use the /c switch anymore. To cancel this effect (in other words, if you change video cards, or something) use the /c switch again, and it will override the CFG settings. Since changes were made in the CFG file and there is some important info in there now, FAR will convert your old CFG file when it starts up to the new format (to make it stay you must press ALT-F10 to edit it then exit). Additionally, new version CFG files work with an older version of FAR, but some settings may not take effect depending on the version you are trying it with. Loading of names off -------------------- Now you can tell FAR not to load the song/sample names along with the directory in the loading box. This will speed up the directory process by a factor of TWENTY! It's also good if you have a slow computer. In the future I might rewrite the routine that does that in assembler, but not right now. Smart registration ------------------ Now if you can't figure out how to enter your name and number correctly, you can now enter your name in ANY case whatsoever, and your phone number in one of these formats: +00000000000 (etc foreign, non-US) (000)000-0000 U.S. standard 1-000-000-0000 Another U.S. standard 000-000-0000 Another U.S. standard Sample Editor additions ----------------------- Now the sample editor caps off samples at 64k temporarily (for editing purposes). I forgot to mention before that you can hold down the press the right button after selecting a function and it will abort. Also the new function, optimize loop, will smooth out loop points at a position as close to your selected one as possible, to eliminate major pops in loops. The original point is taken from the first loop point first. The program searches within 100h bytes of the original for a match within +-10 amplitude bytes. If none close enough is found, it tries with the end loop point as the original. The closest match will be used. If none is found, no changes are made to looping values. You may also access this function using ALT-O from the sample menu on the main edit screen. However, a visual representation of the waveform from (ALT-E) will be much easier to make it perfect. Of course, you will have to realize that this function is not AI; it cannot perfect your looping for you. Only you can do that - with a little practice- and this AMAZING function! Please note also that some samples are already optimized - this function could quite possible screw them up! Be careful! >64k samples ------------ FAR composer (except the sample editor above) now FULLY supports >64k samples! This means you can load/save your favorite MODs/669s with samples up to 1 meg in size. This also means that you will have to watch your memory; I've had reports of the composer CRASHING if you exceed the memory limit on your GUS. Default video mode ------------------ FAR now allows you to take the /c and /m switches off your command line and put the video mode in the config screen. I might add support for named video cards later, but for now, you can enter the number of the mode you want to use. If you use a /c or /m switch already, FAR will pick up your number and place it in the correct spot for you. Note that this number on the config screen is in HEX; as opposed to the command line switch, which is in decimal. Sorry for this inconvience, I'll have it fixed next version (they will probably both be hex). ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** New for version .93r ----------------------- ULT loading ----------- ULT loading is NOT yet function correctly. So unless you want to crash your copy of the composer, don't try and load one yet! Taking the function out until it's done would be more trouble than its worth so.. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** New for version .94 ---------------------- New effects! ------------ FAR now supports 4 new effects! 7x - Slide volume up x notches 8x - Slide volume down x notches Ax - Port to volume! This command, when given a volume on a line will smoothly slide the current volume on the channel to the volume specified in the number of bars specified. Its speed parameter is identical to the port to note command. 9x - Sustained vibrato. Ever get tired of putting all those 6x commands? Use this one once, and cancel its effect with 90. The volume ramp commands also have something weird with the upper and lower values (ie, a1, aA, aB, aD, aE, aF) when you change tempos. (strange? :). Usually tho the lower values will work fine for what you need until I fix the problem. F2R Format ---------- FAR now saves in an F2R format. This format isn't very useful to the average user though. FAR doesn't even load them. The thing is, in our music disk/demo/ game/whatever drivers we actually use, the FAR format is much too big and flabby. It's also slow. This format on the other hand is built like a MIDI format, stored in events. These events tell only exactly what should be played, no blank space, etc. Developers may wish to use this format in their programs, and an OBJ file player will likely be released in the next version. It will include TC and ASM versions. The compression of the F2R files is quite formidable. The format specs for the format will most likely be released with the next version. Until all of these things come out, I would advise against using the format for anything permanent (because it is likely to change, like the STX format). To save a song in this format, simply press CTRL-ALT-SHIFT-F12 from the pattern edit screen. It will save XXXXXX.F2R (where XXXXX is your song name) in the last directory you used (if you loaded samples last, that's where it'll save it). Hope it's useful. Volume UP/DN keys ----------------- These work just like the Octave/Note up/dn editing keys (ie, ALT-q/a, w/s), except they work off of volume. Quite useful feature, thanks Brad! :) Fixed lockups ------------- I was discussing lockups with someone and it just sorta hit me; Interrupts were occuring in the middle of my assembler screen write routines, and TC was not accustomed to having to worry about assembler code getting messed up. So... I sprinkled CLI's all over the code to make sure the player routine doesn't interrupt any vital assembler process (ie where segments are changed, etc). This small addition, which took me all of about 5 minutes, could quite possible be the end of most lockup problems. I also added some extra stack space and turned off stack checking - now Turbo C's stack will think it's overflowing, but it'll really flow over into my own stack segment. Thanks to Matt McLelland for this trick. JN-669 format ------------- I just received a copy of Unis669 today, and noticed that the main difference in his special file format is the "JN" in the header. So now Far will recognize and load these, but since most effects aren't loaded yet from his extended set, it probably won't sound completely right. Ultraclick Routing ------------------ Ultraclicks are a thing of the past! With a new volume ramper, and some new brains installed (duh :), I've fixed the problems we were having with clicking before. Also my ramp routine was nothing spectacular, thanks to JsNo BAR (author of unis669) for giving me his great ramping routine. ULT Loading ----------- ULT loading is still screwed up. In other words, don't try it unless you want something to complain about (lockups). It might or might not work, who knows... It's doing some strange things I can't figure out right now so... Keyboard extensions ------------------- Well, you asked for it guys.. here it is! Now all keys work up to P on the top row, and up to . on the bottom row. Hope this is enough :) Songtext Import Fixes --------------------- I have completely redesigned the routines that load the songtext file. These were done in binary mode this time, with my own interpretation functions. Perhaps in a future version, I'll allow you to load color BIN files (ansi's etc) (if i figure out a way to do it without trashing compatibility). ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** New for version .95 ---------------------- Reboot on exit -------------- So many people complained about FAR crashing on exit, each with different causes, etc. Since FAR is evil, and won't work on your computer correctly, I've tried to aid you in your quest to not reach over to push reset. Now FAR has a new, handy option to reboot FOR you on exit! (Check the config screen). Lockup fixes ------------ What was applied to the previous version in the screen routines has now been applied to the GUS routines as well. This covers all low-level code not handled by Turbo C. If it still crashes, I'm sorry. There's nothing I can do about it. Go have an orgy over another composing program like most people have chosen to do. Make sure you report back to me telling me how much better your new choice is. I was also thinking of adding an option to reboot your computer for you every 5 minutes (or a set interval). This would eliminate the troublesome and frustrating need to reboot your computer. Instead, FAR would save you the trouble by first saving your work and reboot your computer. (For those of you without a sense of humor, this paragraph has been largly satiricle). Note Offset Command ------------------- A new note offset command has been added (this is one of the last things I don't have that MOD's do that's useful!). This wonderful command will split up the current bar into 16 slices. It's just like using a 4F command, except the parameter tells the tracker WHICH slice to play on instead of playing on them all (it actually uses the retrigger code). Values greater than 4 usually don't work (too long). It depends on the tempo. The command value is C. Example, to play a note on slice 4/16: C 210Fc4. Values of 1 and 2 are more realistic. Loading palette files --------------------- A new option has been added in the config screen, to load the palette from any CFG file in the FAR format. The way you can make these is to do a color scheme, save the config, and rename or copy it to another filename. You may then load the colors from it here. Several sample color schemes have been included with this version in case you don't like the default. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** New for version .96 ---------------------- Mode 255 -------- I've created a pseudo 132x50 mode in VGA. I did not have time to play with the regs to actually get 132x43 (it's possible I think), but I will try in the future. In this, it uses 80x50 but you may use ALT-1/2 to scroll the screen left and right. Make sure that you are NOT on the sample box when you do this, because the ALT-# keys on the sample box reduce the number of bits in the currently highlighted sample. 669 Export ---------- Now FAR will export the first 8 channels of your song to an 8 channel 669! Keep in mind that EVERYTHING must be included within those channels (including tempo changes etc). Additionally, FAR will reload 669's with perfect quality, so you can save your song in that format for compression (EXCEPT FOR FAR- SPECIFIC EFFECTS!! If you use any FAR-Specific effects (like vibrato, slide etc) DO NOT USE THIS TO SAVE ALL YOUR SONGS! :) Global function register ------------------------ I have one effect left over.. 0! So I figure I would use it for something that would last a while. Well here it is.. It is the global function register. Each flavor of the effect has a different function (like ProTracker E fx): 01- Turn volume ramp wait off \If you're using a lot of notes at once on a 02- Turn volume ramp wait on /line, use 01 at the first and 02 at the end. 03- Allow loop fulfillment - Will finish a note instead of looping it 04- Use modified FAR tempos \ These are the fixed tempos.. FAR's tempos 05- Use standard FAR tempos / were off for a while. Ramp wait on/off ---------------- If you read UPDATE.TXT, you'll see that I have a bad problem. One of the ultraclickers actually slows down the music if you use too many notes at once. Here's your solution! If you need to put on a LOT of them at once (I wouldn't recommend it anyway) you can put a 00 at the first of the row and an 02 at the end of the row. (Or you can just 01 and leave it that way, but it will sound worse I guarentee). Allow loop fulfillment ---------------------- Ever want to use things like MIDI samples etc that have something after the loop end? Here's your chance. Put this effect on any row before the note finishes and it will not loop. Obviously it will not stop the sample at that instant, but it will finish itself out and then stop. Use modified/standard FAR tempos -------------------------------- I've been using a VERY screwy method to use tempos slower than the timer allows. Here's your chance to use the technically correct tempos. Of course, these will screw up some songs that have critical timing (drumbeat samples, etc) so these two effects were put here to turn it on and off as you wish. These are also the tempos that are technically correct inside Composer 669. I also guarentee that the timing critical effects (ie note-port, vol-port, etc) will work much better under these tempos. I would highly recommend turning it on for new songs. (just put a 04 in the intro). You might also notice that these tempos can be completely different than the original FAR tempos. Be aware, however, that these tempos are completely correct, they have been tested. They operate at EXACTLY 32/tempo (like the original was supposed to). 669's ought to sound better if you use this effect at the top of them. Note that except 03, these are fairly internal to FAR itself. You should probably ignore most of them in your own players... Also note that if you do not specify any of these effects, the songs will play as if in the far version .95 (volume ramping enabled). Also the newtempo will place an 'N' after the tempo on the status line, and volramps will place a 'V' in the first column. Song Loop handling ------------------ I've had a resonable request to fix the order box where it will loop before a blank order rather than the last order number on the list. This means you can temporarily insert a pattern, etc to make the song loop if you are experimenting. If you have a normal song it will work same as usual. "Single-Shot" sample loading ---------------------------- A request has been mentioned to load several samples in one session because the directory scan takes so long. So here's what you can do!: Hit space on the loading box to load the current file into the current sample slot, and use the standard sample +/- keys (8,2 on the keypad) to change samples. Note that this also works when you are loading up a song so don't do it accidently.