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Pascal/Delphi Source File
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1997-03-02
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VERSION 1.31
(C)1993 by MYSTERIOUS - MAS
Programmed by
Marc André Schallehn
English Docs by
The Elven Nation (TEN)
UNREGISTERED SHAREWARE VERSION !
All mentioned Trademarks and Copyrights are
registered by their respective owners.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ULTRA TRACKER DOCUMENTATION Page
1993 by Mysterious - MAS 2
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
------------------
Cover Page.....................................Page 1
Table of Contents..............................Page 2
I. ULTRA TRACKER ? What is it ?...................Page 3
1.1. System Requirements.......................Page 3
1.2. Installation..............................Page 3
1.3. Brief Info................................Page 3
1.4. Where the newest version can be found.....Page 4
1.5. Contact address...........................Page 4
1.6. Problems and Solutions....................Page 4
II. The Overview...................................Page 5
1. The Menus.................................Page 5
1.1. FILE......................................Page 5
1.2. EDIT......................................Page 5
1.3. SAMPLE....................................Page 7
1.4. PLAY......................................Page 8
1.5. QUIT......................................Page 8
1.6. INFO......................................Page 8
1.7. SETUP.....................................Page 9
1.8. ABOUT.....................................Page 9
1.9. HELP......................................Page 10
2. The Editor................................Page 10
3. Display Fields............................Page 11
4. Channel Display...........................Page 12
5. Keyboard Lay-out..........................Page 13
5.1. The keyboard..............................Page 10
5.2. Other Keys/Buttons........................Page 14
6.0. The Filesystem............................Page 16
III. Staffs, Effects, etc...........................Page 17
1. The Staff.................................Page 17
1.1. Explanation of Effect Commands............Page 17
2. The Effects...............................Page 18
IV. 1. Conceptual Explanation....................Page 21
1.1. Samples...................................Page 21
1.2. Patterns..................................Page 21
1.3. Channel/Track.............................Page 21
1.4. GUS or Gravis Ultrasound..................Page 22
1.5. Registration..............................Page 22
V. Different Things...............................Page 23
1. Known Bugs................................Page 23
2. What is being planned for the next
version...................................Page 23
3. Thank You!................................Page 24
4. What is permitted with the shareware
version...................................Page 24
VI. Registration...................................Page 25
1.1. How would I benefit from registration?....Page 25
1.2. What do I get as a registerd user?........Page 25
1.3. How does one register?....................Page 26
VII.Version history of ULTRA TRACKER...............Page 27
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ULTRA TRACKER documentation Page
1993 by Mysterious - MAS 3
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
I. ULTRA TRACKER ? What is it ?
-------------------------------------
ULTRA TRACKER is a music program that allows you to have the
simultaneous production of digital music compositions on
your PC, with up to 32 channels.
ULTRA TRACKER utilizes so called 'Samples' as instruments,
which can be ether 8 or 16 bit. As a final result, it allows
you to record your compositions with CD-quality.
1.1. And how can I do that?
------------------------------
System Requirments:
- IBM PC/AT or compatable
- Gravis Ultrasound Soundcard (GUS)
- A VGA Graphic card (80x50 text mode)
- At least 256k free RAM
- About 200k free disk space
- Microsoft compatable mouse + mouse drive
1.2. Installation:
----------------------
Copy all the files to the sub-directory you wish Ultra Tracker to
run from. Example (C:\Ultra)
Then start program with
C:\ULTRA>ultra[cr]
[cr] = enterkey
1.3. Brief Info:
----------------
Ultra Tracker was programmed by Marc Andre' Schallehn.
Marc Andre' Shallehn retains the copyright to Ultra Tracker.
Marc Andre' Schallehn and members of Mysterious shall take no
responsiblity for any harm/damage caused by using this program. It has
been extensively tested on various machine makes and models, but no
guarantees are made for the functionality of this program. Use it at
your own risk. (But don't worry, nothing has happend to me yet :))
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ULTRA TRACKER DOCUMENTATION Page
1993 by Mysterious - MAS 4
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
1.4. Where is the latest Version ?
----------------------------------
The latest version of Ultra Tracker can be requested around the clock
from the mail box "Do It !" It can also be found in the mail box
under the name (ULTRA.???)
(??? = Version number).
Also available from the following numbers
Line1: 089-7591828 ZYX 2:246/276
Line2: 089-7594950 HST 2:246/176
Line3: 089-7591111 ZYX 2:246/76 mail only
Line4: 089-74510230 X.75/V.110 ISDN 2:246/876
1.5. I have a question, how do I reach you?
-------------------------------------------
Fido Net: Marc Schallehn @ 2:246/76.3
Internet: Marc_Schallehn@Doit.fido.de
Or by Mail:
Mysterious
c/o Marc Schallehn
Camerloherstr. 141
80689 München
Germany
1.6. Problems and Solutions
---------------------------
Problem: "My mouse cursor only goes to the 25th line !"
Cause: You have an outdated mouse driver.
Solution: Get a newer copy of the mouse driver for your mouse.
Two mouse drivers that are known to work are :
(Logitech driver v6.20 and Microsoft Driver v8.11)
Problem: "UT hangs just after the start !"
Cause: Autodetect function failing to detect your GUS (hardware)
Solution: Start UT with the parameter ultra[baseport]
(example: C:\>ULTRA 220)
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ULTRA TRACKER DOCUMENTATION Page
1993 by Mysterious - MAS 5
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
II. The overview of ULTRA TRACKER
----------------------------------
1. The Menus :
--------------
│·─────────────────────────────────────...─────────────────────────────·│
│ FILE EDIT SAMPLE PLAY QUIT ... INFO SETUP ABOUT HELP │
├──────────────────────────────────────...──────────────────────────────┤
By means of a simple click with the mouse, one can shift between
different menu selections. If you click on FILE for example, then
different menu selections will appear in the menu window, all of
which have to with FILE options (Load,Save).
The same applies to the other menu selections.
The following menu selections can be chosen:
1.1 FILE
----------
LOAD SONG: Load a song file from the song directory.
Full song name must be entered.
Example : Demosong must be entered as demosong.ult
SAVE SONG: Save current song to the song directory.
CLEAR ALL: Erases everything you have entered and start fresh.
1.2 EDIT:
-----------
NEW PATTERN: Creats a new pattern for every channel.
DEL PATTERN: Deletes the last pattern of all open channels
NEW CHANNEL: Opens a new channel.
DEL CHANNEL: Erases the last respective channel and erases
all the patterns found therein (away they go!).
EDIT ON/OFF: Shifts editing mode on or off.
UNDO: Undo last block function.
CHANGE SONGNAME: A new name for the song can be given
here (max. 32 Characters).
UNMARK BLOCK: Unmarks the previously market block.
("The block is considered not market !")
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ULTRA TRACKER DOCUMENTATION Page
1993 by Mysterious - MAS 6
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
START BLOCK: Marks the beginning of a block at the actual
cursor position.
END BLOCK: Marks the end of a block at the actual
cursor position.
COPY BLOCK: Copyies the marked block at the actual
cursor position.
CUT BLOCK: Cuts all the data within a marked block.
EFFECT COPY: Like COPY BLOCK, but only effects are copied.
(Not note and sample number info!)
EFFECT SLIDE: This command looks at the start value and the end value
of an effect and calculates the interlaced values within
a marked block.
COPY PATTERN: Copies the current pattern into another pattern.
INSERT SEQ-POS: Insert a new possition into the sequence.
DELETE SEQ-POS: Erase the current sequencer possition.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ULTRA TRACKER DOCUMENTATION Page
1993 by Mysterious - MAS 7
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
1.3 SAMPLE
----------
LOAD SAMPLE: Load a sample from the sample directory into the
GUS's onboard memory.
Once the sample is loaded, it can be given a file
name of up to 32 Characters. With the standard DOS
8 letter limit, it's not always easy to recognize what
kind of sample it is.
SAVE SAMPLE: Save a sample to disk. In order to load it again, the
NEG SAMPLE option must be turned on.
REMOVE SAMPLE: Erase the chosen sample from the GUS's onboard memory
and change all occurances of the sample in the song to
0 and change all other sample numbers to point to the
right sample!
CHANGE SMPNAME: Here one can input a new name for the
chosen sample.
SAMPLE LOOP START: Here, the starting point of the sample-loop
can be specified.
SAMPLE LOOP END: Here, the ending point of the sample-loop
can be specified.
The LOOP-END-point must always be greater then
the LOOP-START-Point.
CHANGE 8/16 BIT: Changes the resolution of the sample from 8 bit
to 16 bit (and vice versa).
CHANGE SAMPLE VOLUME: Here, the volume of the sample can be
adjusted.
CHANGE BIDI LOOP: Turns the Bidirection Mode of the sample off
and on. This means: if the BIDI LOOP is off,
then the loop will only play forwards.
If the BIDI LOOP is on, the loop will initially
play forward, then backwards, the forward (etc.)
SWAP SAMPLES: Switch two loaded samples.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ULTRA TRACKER DOCUMENTATION Page
1993 by Mysterious - MAS 8
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
1.4 PLAY
----------
PLAY SONG: Plays the song from beginning to end
and back to the beginning again.
PLAY PATTERN: Plays the presently chosen pattern.
PLAY: Plays the song, starting at the current possition.
SYNCHRON START SONG: Begins the playing of the song with the first
press of a key. (Practical, when a song should
be played directly from the keyboard.)
SYNCHRON START PATTERN: Begins the playing of the selected pattern
with the first press of a key.
STOP PLAYING: Ends playing.
1.5 QUIT
-----------
Here, one can leave/quit the program.
(But who would want to do that...:-) )
1.6 INFO
--------
Info given about the GUS-memory/storage.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ULTRA TRACKER DOCUMENTATION Page
1993 by Mysterious - MAS 9
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
1.7 SETUP
---------
CHANGE SONG DIRECTORY: Here you can change the default directory
your songs will be saved and loaded from.
WILDCARD: Here the defualt file mask for song files can be changed.
(Example: *.ult ; *.* ; a*.* ; xyz*.sam...).
CHANGE SAMPLE DIRECTORY: Here you can change the defualt directory
your samples will be saved and loaded from.
WILDCARD: (s.WILDCARD) Here the defualt file mask for sample files
can be changed.
CHANNEL JUMP: Shift the channel jump on or off. If the CHANNEL JUMP is
on, the cursor jumps after each entry to the next field of
the note editer.
SAVE SETUP: Saves/stores the setup on the harddrive/diskette.
POS/NEG SAMPLE: Here, one can input what kind of samples
should be loaded.
(NEG = Sample data with sign)
(POS = Sample data without sign).
Amiga Samples can be loaded if the NEG option is selected.
GER/US KEYBOARD: Switch the z and y keys!
1.8 ABOUT
---------
Displays very important information about the program.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ULTRA TRACKER DOCUMENTATION Page
1993 by Mysterious - MAS 10
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
1.9 HELP
--------
Guess what! Exactly! Gives an overview of a couple of
important small things. :-) (bald...)
2. The Editor
-------------
In the middle of the screen you can find the note editor:
Here the actual Here, the Here it is displayed
"Staff Position" chosen channel whether the channel
in the chosen is displayed. is shifted on or off.
channel is │ │
displayed. │ │
│ │ │
│ ┌────────┘ │
│ │ ┌─────────────────────────────┘
┌───┬──────────────┐
│POS│CHANNEL 0 ON │
├───┼──────────────┤
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ 00│----00-00-0000│<-- That is a "Staff".
├───┼──────────────┤
│ 01│----00-00-0000│<- Here stand the "Staff",
├───┼──────────────┤ which can be edited.
│ 02│----00-00-0000│
│ 03│----00-00-0000│
│ 04│----00-00-0000│
└───┴──────────────┘
┌────────────┐ ────
..│<-CHANNELS->│........ <-->
└────────────┘ ────
│ │ └── Scrolls all channels once
Here, the channels to the left or right.
can be shifted around.
(Simply click with
the mouse.)
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ULTRA TRACKER DOCUMENTATION Page
1993 by Mysterious - MAS 11
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
3. The Display Fields
---------------------
By means of clicking on the "+" and "-" the respective option
can be enlarged or shrunk.
┌─────┤EDIT├───────┐
│-OCTAVE+ - │ <───── Display the chosen OCTAVE.
│-LINE JUMP+ -- │ <───── Here, the quantity of the stave can be imput,
│ CHANNEL JUMP --- │ <────┐ which should make the cursor jump ahead the
│ EDIT --- │ <──┐ │ imputted amount of notes.
│ BLK C--P--S--E-- │ <─┐│ └ The CHANNEL JUMP is supposed to jump to
. . ││ next note field after each note input.
. . ││ (Can be set on or off in the setup menu)
. . ││
. . │└── Display EDIT mode status. ON or OFF
├────┤PATTERN├─────┤ └─── Display of a marked block: C=Channel,
│ PATTERN USE --- │ <────┐ P=Pattern, S=Start, E=End.
│-PATTERN POS+ --- │ <───┐│
│-PATTERN SEQ+ --- │ <──┐││
│-PATTERN PLY+ --- │ <─┐││└─ Total number of patterns.
└──────────────────┘ ││└── The current pattern.
│└─── Here you have to input the pattern that
│ will be played at the respective PATTERN
│ PLY possition.
└──── Here you select the currect pattern PLY
possition. All song start with Pattern
PLY 0.
·─────────┼ SONGNAME ┼─────────·
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ <─ Name of the song.
·──────────┼ SAMPLE ┼──────────·
-░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░+ <─ Name of the sample.
-────────NUMBER: ░░░░░░░░░░░░+ <- The file name of the sample.
└────────────────── The number of the sample.
┌─────┤SAMPLE├─────┐
│ LENGTH ------- │ <─── The size of the chosen sample.
│ LOOP ST ------- │ <─── The loop-start point of the sample.
│ LOOP END ------- │ <─── The loop-end point of the sample.
│ 8/16 BIT -- │ <─── Is the sample 8 or 16 bit?
│ VOLUME --- │ <─── The volume of the sample.
│ BIDI LOOP --- │ <─── Bidirectional loop: on or off.
│-FINE TUNE+ ----- │ <─── The fine-tune value of the sample.
├─────┤MEMORY├─────┤
│ │
│FREE MEM --- KB│ <─┐
└──────────────────┘ └─ The amount in KB of available memory
at your disposal.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ULTRA TRACKER DOCUMENTATION Page
1993 by Mysterious - MAS 12
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
4. The Channel Display
----------------------
The channel display is found in the lower region of the screen, and is
constructed in the following manner:
SCOPE 4│ <─┬── If a note is played, a beat
3│ <─┤ for each channel will be
2│ <─┤ displayed.
1│ <─┘
CHANNEL│0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8...
└─┴─┴─┴─┴─┴─┴─┴─┴── Display of the conditions of the
channels. Each number (or letter)
stands for one of the 32 channels.
* White = used and on
* Light Gray = used and turned off.
* Dark Gray = not used.
* Blue = not used and turned off.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ULTRA TRACKER DOCUMENTATION Page
1993 by Mysterious - MAS 13
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
5. THe Keyboard Lay-Out:
------------------------
5.1. The keyboard:
------------------
Just as on a real piano keyboard, you can input notes from the
computer keyboard:
c# d# f# g# a# C# D# F# G# A# <-Note
┌──┬─┬─┬─┬──┬──┬─┬─┬─┬─┬─┬──┬──┬─┬─┬─┬──┬──┬─┬─┬─┬─┬─┬──┐
│ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │
│ │S│ │D│ │ │G│ │H│ │J│ │ │2│ │3│ │ │5│ │6│ │7│ │ <-Key
│ └┬┘ └┬┘ │ └┬┘ └┬┘ └┬┘ │ └┬┘ └┬┘ │ └┬┘ └┬┘ └┬┘ │
│ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │
│Z/Y│ X │ C │ V │ B │ N │ M │ Q │ W │ E │ R │ T │Z/Y│ U │ <-Key
└───┴───┴───┴───┴───┴───┴───┴───┴───┴───┴───┴───┴───┴───┘
c d e f g a b C D E F G A B <-Note
└────────────┬─────────────┘ └────────────┬─────────────┘
inputted octave inputted octave + 1 <-Octave
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ULTRA TRACKER DOCUMENTATION Page
1993 by Mysterious - MAS 14
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
5.2. The Other Keys
-------------------
Key: │ Meaning: Menu point in ()
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Editor:
-------
0 │ Pause or value 0
1...9 │ Value of 1 to 9
a - f │ Value A to F (Hexadecimal)
[POS1]│ Jumps to beginning of pattern.
[END]│ Jumps to end of pattern.
[->]│ Moves Cursor to the right.
[<-]│ Moves Cursor to the left.
[ ]│ Moves Cursor up.
[ ]│ Moves Cursor down.
[Tab]│ Jumps to the next field of the note editor.
[Shift + Tab]│ Jumps to the previous field of the Noteneditor.
[INSERT]│ Adds a staff line.
[SPACE]│ Erase staff.
[Page up]│ Jump 4 lines up.
[Page dn]│ Jump 4 lines down.
Option:
-------
[CRTL + ->]│ Displays next pattern.
[CRTL + <-]│ Displays previous pattern.
[Alt + ->]│ Changes to the next channel.
[Alt + <-]│ Changes to the previous channel.
F3 │ Raises PATTERN SEQ.
[SHIFT + F3]│ Lowers PATTERN SEQ
F4 │ Raises PATTERN PLY
[SHIFT + F4]│ Lowers PATTERN PLY
F5 │ Raises LINE JUMP
[SHIFT + F5]│ Lowers LINE JUMP
+ │ Raises Octave.
- │ Lowers Octive.
< │ Stops the music output on all channels.
[F11]│ Scrolls the channel to the left (<-)
[F12]│ Scrolls the channel to the right (->)
Sample Menu
-----------
[CRTL +"+"Numblk.]│ Next Sample
[CRTL +"-"Numblk.]│ Previous Sample
[CRTL + POS1]│ Change sample LOOP START. (START SAMPLE LOOP)
[CRTL + END]│ Change sample LOOP END. (END SAMPLE LOOP)
[Alt + BILD OBEN]│ Raises FINE TUNE.
[Alt + BILD UNTEN]│ Lowers FINE TUNE.
[CRTL + B]│ Changes 8 / 16 BIT. (CHANGE 8/16BIT)
[CRTL + R]│ Changes BIDI LOOP. (CHANGE BIDI LOOP)
[CRTL + V]│ Changes sample VOLUME. (CHANGE SAMPLE VOLUME)
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ULTRA TRACKER DOCUMENTATION Page
1993 by Mysterious - MAS 15
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Menu Items:
-----------
F1 │ Creates New Pattern (NEW PATTERN)
F2 │ Creates New Channel (NEW CHANNEL)
F6 │ Loads Sample (LOAD SAMPLE)
F7 │ Changes Song Name (CHANGE SONGNAME)
F8 │ Saves Song (SAVE SONG)
F9 │ Changes Song Directory (CHANGE SONG DIRECTORY)
F10 │ Channel Jump on/off (CHANGE TRACKJUMP)
[SHIFT + F1]│ Erases Last Pattern (DEL PATTERN)
[SHIFT + F2]│ Erases Last Channel (DEL CHANNEL)
[SHIFT + F6]│ Erases Last Sample (REMOVE SAMPLE)
[SHIFT + F7]│ Changes Sample Name (CHANGE SMPNAME)
[SHIFT + F8]│ Loads Song From Disk (LOAD SONG)
[SHIFT + F9]│ Changes Sample Directory (CHANGE SAMPLE DIRECTORY)
[SHIFT + F10]│ Saves Setup To Disk (SAVE SETUP)
[Alt + F10]│ Changes Sign Of Sample Data (POS/NEG SAMPLE)
[Alt + S]│ Marks Blockstart (START BLOCK)
[Alt + E]│ Marks Blockend (END BLOCK)
[Alt + C]│ Copies Block (COPY BLOCK)
[Alt + K]│ Cuts Block (CUT BLOCK)
[Esc]│ Quit (QUIT)
[BACKSPACE]│ Plays Song (PLAY SONG)
[ENTER]│ Plays Pattern (PLAY PATTERN)
[CRTL + BACKSPACE]│ Stops Playback Of Song (STOP PLAYING)
[CRTL + ENTER]│ Stops Playback Of Song (STOP PLAYING)
[Alt + Esc]│ Erase all data (RESET ALL)
[Alt + I]│ Displays Info About GUS (INFO)
[Alt + Y]│ Copy effects from the block (EFFECT COPY)
[Alt + Esc]│ Begin from the start (CLEAR ALL)
[Alt + O]│ Switch Blk-Mark off (UNMARK BLOCK)
[Alt + Insert]│ Insert new Seq.Pos. (INSERT SEQ-POS)
[Alt + Del]│ Erase the current Seq.Pos. (DELETE SEQ-POS)
[CRTL + K]│ GER/US - Keyboard (GER/US KEYBOARD)
[CRTL + U]│ Transposes Block up a octive (TRANSPOSE UP)
[CRTL + D]│ Transposes Block dn a octive (TRANSPOSE DN)
[Alt + U]│ UNDO (UNDO)
[Alt + L]│ Copy the current Pattern (COPY PATTERN)
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ULTRA TRACKER DOCUMENTATION Page
1993 by Mysterious - MAS 16
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
6.0 The Filesystem:
-------------------
From Version 1.2 on, U.T. has contained a File system that should make
the loading of Songs and Samples easier. In order the access the file
system, simply choose the sub-menu item "FILES" after you have clicked the
file menus LOAD SAMPLE or LOAD SONG.
(You can also access the file system by pressing the Enter key)
The Filesystem is constructed in the following way:
LOAD SAMPLE
·──────────────────────────·
Here the file name is ────┐ ┌ Here it displays if the file
displayed. │ │ is a directory or the
│ │ size of the file.
│ │
┌>░A░ ░B░ ░C░ ░D░ ░E░ ░F░ ..░░░░░░░░░░│░░│░░DIRECTORY FREE GUS-RAM:
│ ░EXAMPLE░░░░░│░░└>░DIRECTORY░
├>░G░ ░H░ ░I░ ░J░ ░K░ ░L░ ░SAMPLE░░░░░░│░░░░░DIRECTORY░ BANK 1: 255KB<┐
│ ░ALPHA1.GUS░<┘░░░░░░░░23400b░ BANK 2: 256KB<┤
├>░M░ ░N░ ░O░ ░P░ ░Q░ ░R░ ░███████████████████████████░ BANK 3: 256KB<┤
│ ░TEXTIT.001░░░░░░ ░░░░54000b░ BANK 4: 256KB<┤
Here you can change ░ZAPSOUND.SAM░░░░│░░░░23444b░ │
the current drive ┌───> ZZ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│░░░░░3000b Info about the
(With the Mouse) │ │ GUS's free
│ │ memory
When you click on these │
items with a mouse, you └─── With this bar
jump a page ahead or a you can select the
page behind file you want
.
. ┌─ Abort
.
Sample data with or ───> ░POS SAMPLE░ ░CANCEL░ ░OK░ <─ Confirm
without sign.
The bar is moved with the cursor keys. Confirm your selection with the
enter key, or cancel your selection with the Esc key.
The drive can be selected by pressing the respective key.
(Example: the 'a' key = drive A ;) ).
POS/NEG SAMPLE Can be changed by pressing the space bar!
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III. Staves,Effects,Etc.
------------------------
1. The "Staves"
---------------
With the U.T. program, a staff is constructed differntly from what one
is used to with normal music staff construction. It does not really
have to do with a whole collection of different sounds, but simply
about the production of a sound, of a playing instrument, and and the
production of possible effects.
The whole thing looks like this:
C-1-00-00-0000
│ │ ││ ││ │││└ Value of second effect (2nd place) [0-F]
│ │ ││ ││ ││└─ Value of second effect (1st place) [0-F]
│ │ ││ ││ │└── Value of first effect (2nd place) [0-F]
│ │ ││ ││ └─── Value of first effect (1st place) [0-F]
│ │ ││ │└───── Second Effect [0-F]
│ │ ││ └────── First Effect [0-F]
│ │ │└──────── Sample Number (2nd digit) [0-F]
│ │ └───────── Sample Number (1st digit) [0-F]
│ └─────────── Octave [0-4]
└───────────── Tone (note) [C - B] or [-] for Pause
1.1. Explanation of Effect Possibilities:
-----------------------------------------
It is possiable to assign effects to each note.
The following is an example of what can be done with effects:
C-1-01-00-0000
││ │ └─── Value of 2nd effect
││ └───── Value of 1st effect
│└─────── Effect 2
└──────── Effect 1
For example :
C-1-01-CB-E007
In this example, the note C-1 is played using the first sample.
The volume (Effect C) is set to E0.
In addition, the balance of the channel is changed (to value 7,
therefor, int the middle)
Your probably asking now : "And what kind of effects are there?"
You'll find the answer in the following section.
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1.2. The Effects
----------------
1 - Portamento up; [0-FF] Speed
-------------------------------------------
Raises the frequency of played note, in small increments.
2 - Portamento down; [0-FF] Speed
-------------------------------------------
Lowers the frequency of played note, in small increments.
3 - Tone Portamento; [0 - FF] Speed
---------------------------------------------
Raises or lowers the frequency of the played note, until the
frequency of the new note is reached.
For example:
C-1-01-00-0000
D-1-00-03-00A0
Note C-1 is played; The frequency will be raised until the note D-1
is reached(speed = A0).
ATTENTION: it will be "slided" until the new note is reached, even if
other Portamento commands appear!
4 - Vibrato; [*0 - *F] Depth;[0* - F*] Speed
-------------------------------------------------------
Vibrates the played note.
5 - Special; [0 - FF]
---------------------
Special Commands:
Value - Occurence:
------------------
0 - Nothing
1 - Sample will be played without loop.
2 - Sample will be played backwards, without loop.
For Example:
C-1-01-0E-0002
Play the first sample, but backwards.
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A - Volume Slide; [0* - F*] Turn Up [0* - *F] Turn Down
-------------------------------------------------------
Slide the volume with the determined speed, up or down. In order to
turn the volume up, the first position of the effect value must be given.
In order to turn the volume down, the second position must be given.
For Example:
C-1-01-0A-0001 - Volume turned down with speed of 1
C-1-01-0A-0030 - Volume turned up with speed of 3
B - Balance; [0-0F] left - Right
----------------------------------
Changes the balance of the channel. 16 step values are available.
0...7...F = left...middle...right
C - Volume; [0-FF] Volume
------------------------------
Changes the volume of the played note.
Attention: The volume adjustment works logarithmically, not linearly!
I.E. 7F is not half as load as FF, but much quiter !
D - Pattern Break [00 - 63] (the values are in decimal !)
---------------------------
Begins the next pattern at the given Position.
For Example:
C-1-01-0D-0000 Jumps to the begining of the next pattern
C-1-01-0D-0020 Jumps to Position 20 of the next pattern
E0 - Vibrato Value [00 - 0F]
----------------------------
Set the strength of the Vibrato (Command 4 = Vibrato)
For Example:
C-1-01-0E-0001 Set minimal vibrato strength
C-1-01-0E-0008 Set the virbrato strength to the normal setting
E1 - Finslide up [10 - 1F]
--------------------------
Like effect 1, but the frequency is raised only once per note.
For Example:
C-1-01-0E-0015 The frequency is raised to the value of 5
E2 - Finslide down [20 - 2F]
----------------------------
Like effect 2, but the frequency is lowered only once per note.
For Example:
C-1-01-0E-0025 Frequency is lowered to the value of 5
E9 - Retring note [90 - 9F]
--------------------------
The Note is replayed before the next note is played. How often the
note will be replayed depends on the speed of the song and the
given value.
For Example:
C-1-01-0F-0006 Speed 6 (Therefor 6 beats per note)
C-1-01-0E-0093 Retrig Note on the 3rd beat (out of 6)
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EA - FineVolslide up [A0 - AF]
------------------------------
Operates like Effect A, but only slides once per note.
(I.E. Turns up the volume)
For Example:
C-1-01-0E-00A1 Incress the volume by a value of 1
EB - FineVolslide down [B0 - BF]
--------------------------------
Operates like Effect A, but only slides once per note.
(I.E. Turns down the volume)
For Example:
C-1-01-0E-00B3 Decress the volume by a value of 3
EC - Cut note [C0 - CF]
-----------------------
Cuts off the note on the given beat(The volume is turned off).
For Example:
C-1-01-0E-00E3 Plays the note till the 3rd beat
ED - Note Delay [D0 - DF]
-------------------------
Waits until the given beat, then plays note.
For Example:
C-1-01-0E-00D3 Plays the note on the 3rd beat
F - Speed; [0-FF] Speed
---------------------------------
Adjusts the speed of the song.
6 is the default adjustment setting (125 BPM);
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IV. "Samples.?.., Patterns..!?... What in the world is that ???"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Explanation of Concepts
--------------------------
1.1. Samples
------------
A sample is digitized sound, for example, a voice, a played note on a
piano, trumpet blast, ... in digital form. Actually, all that is
audiable can be sent through a so called Analog/Digital converter (ADC)
and saved to disk.
Basically, two important factors determine the quality of a sample.
The first is resolution which, until present, has in most cases
concerned 8 bit (for example, SoundBlaster, Amiga ...)and also delivers
adequate, good quality for home use, but when the first 16 bit card came
into the market, it was recognized how much better the sound quality
was; so today, just about the only soundcards which appear are those
which can play and record in 16 bit resolution (for example, PAS 16, SB16 ASP
TBM ... and the GUS ;) ) The second factor is the sample frequency.
Older soundcards (8 bit) mostly play samples at 22khz, that is, they send
22,000 signals per second to the lineout port (or the opposite for recording).
Modern (16 bit) cards play samples at 44.1khz, which reaches CD-
Quality in 16-bit resolution. Unfortunately samples with higher quality
become more memory-intensive :-(...
1.2. Patterns
-------------
A pattern is nothing more then a collection of 64 staves to one
block. That means, if you create a new pattern in Ultra Tracker, you
obtain a new block with 64 empty staves.
1.3. Channel/Track/(Track/Channel)
----------------------------------
On one channel of a soundcard only one sound or sample can be played
at a time. For example, you would need 3 channels to play a triad.
The Gus provides up to 32 channels; that means, a maximum of 32
samples (ha, now you know what that is ;-) ) can be played at a time.
(Here, one can now give out a triad over one channel, by sampling the
triad of same kind of instrument and then replaying this sample on
one channel(?)... What? you completely don't understand a thing
anymore? Don't worry about it.)
TIP: Another way of creating a triad (or any chord) is to sample the
actual triad (or chord) and play it back. This method only
requires 1 channel for playback, but is less flexable then the
one note per channel triad method.
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1.4. GUS or Gravis Ultrasound
-------------------------------
This is, in my opinion, a very good soundcard from Advanced
Gravis and Forte Technology, which is necessary for the Ultra Tracer
program.
It uses 32x16bit channels, up to 1 MB of memory on board, a joystick port
and midi interface
Ask your computer dealer!
1.5. "What is a registration of ULTRA TRACKER ?"
----------------------------------------------------
That is something crucial, and something which every user of
Ultra Tracker should do at least once in his life ;-)
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V. Different Things
-------------------
1. Bugs
-------
Yep, there are always a few bugs :-(.
Known Bugs in version 1.3 are:
- Hmm, at the moment there are no known bugs :-)
If any appear and you have the opertunity to write through FIDO
then send me a note.
Marc Schallehn 2:246/76.3
I hope that the errors can be removed by the next version.
2. What is planned for the next version?
----------------------------------------
- Elimination of the Bug's :-)
- A few new editing functions
- More effects
- A demosong with 16-bit samples :-)))
- Support for different sample formats( voc, wav...)
- Better english DOCUMENTATION ;-)
- Converter for 669, ... Song files
- Better *.ult file format docs
- And much more
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3. A special thank you to:
--------------------------------
Martin Grimme: For the constant, sheerly unsolvable recommendations
for improvement, for the Pro-Tracker Info, and the
super demo song "Rocket".
Jochen Ott: For the Magic ULTRA in his Mailbox "Do It !".
(Do It ! Mailbox München 2:246/76: Tel.+49-89-7591828)
Renaissance: For the distribution of Ultra-Dox !
My Parents: For proofreading of the DOCUMENTATION :-)
Fritz Schober, Christian Deppe, Karsten Krieg, Erik Buisman
Lars Schehler, Marco Singer, Thorsten Dorsch, Robin Moojen
und Stefan Löwe: For thier registration!
(Whoever would like to stay here, by all means READ ON! :-) )
4. What is one permitted with the shareware version of Ultra Tracker?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Copy/reproduction of the SHAREWARE version of ULTRA TRACKER is
expressly desired! That means you can copy/reproduce the SHAREWARE
version for your friends, acquaintances, colleagues, ... into all
mailboxes, without being penalized in any way. Moreover, no part of
the program(the program itself, documentation, screens...) is permitted
to be changed, in any manner. Shareware dealers can include the SHAREWARE
version in thier collection; the reproduction price should not incress
more then 100M(-17 US$).
Whoever uses the program longer then 30 days, without registering, can be
penalized!
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VI. The Registration
--------------------
1.1 How would I benefit from Registration ?
-------------------------------------------
Well, not much really, for I've avoided implementing any kind of
reductions.
In any case, the absence of reductions should NOT be a reason not to
register! I could have omitted the save-function, for example, but
who could really test the program properly.
Besides, only through registration can I recognize whether or not
the ULTRA TRACKER program will be used at all, and why should I
further develop a program, that no one is interested in?
1.2. What do I gain as a registered user?
-----------------------------------------
A new disk with the latest version of the program.(without the
burdensome scrolls at the Beginning and End) and the right to
two updates.
The Update
----------
Each registered user has a right to have two "FREE" updates( one must
send me the original disk and enclose your return address ).
When the two updates are "used", a new fee of 10dm(10 US$,respectibely)
is due, a fee with which the user receivers two more free updates.
I think that is fair, since creating an update takes work.
(Copying, bringing things to the post office, etc..) !
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1.3. How does registration work?
--------------------------------
If you want to use the program longer then the trial period of 30 days
(after the first use of the program), then you must register ULTRA
TRACKER. I have kept the registration fee extremely low, so that
anyone who wants to utilize the program, can afford to register it, thereby
doing myself and you, a big favor :-)
The registration fee is only 20DM(including shipping and disk)
within Germany, and only 20 US Dollars, if one does not live in
Germany.
In order to register ULTRA TRACKER, please complete the file
REGISTER.TXT. Send the completed form along with payment to the
following address:
Mysterious ATTENTION:
c/o Marc Schallehn As of 7/1/93
Camerloherstr.141 note our new
80689 München address.
GERMANY
You can pay the 20DM(20.- US Dollar) registration fee, either in
cash, check or transfer, into the following account :
Bayerische Vereinsbank
BLZ: 700 202 70
Account #: 45 444 740
Please submit for tracking purposes, the word "ULTRA" and include your
complete address when transfering money!!! (Also mail me the completed
REGISTER.TXT file. Thank You!)
No consideration can be taken for incomplete or illegibly written
registrations!
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VII. Versions history of ULTRA TRACKER
--------------------------------------
- Version 1.0 - 06.06.1993
------------------------
- Version 1.1 - 10.06.1993
------------------------
- A few of the bugs eliminated.
- New Tone Protamento, Protamento up/down Routine (Pro Tracker Comp.)
- Changes to the menu structure.
- New functions: EFFECT COPY, SAVE SAMPLE
- UltraClick removed ! :-))
- The "Absolute Silence" Bug killed :-) (Hi Mark !)
- New Effects: D, E1, E2, E9, EC
- Version 1.2 - 21.06.1993
------------------------
- Mouse bug eliminated (?) (Let me know if it works :) )
- Some other bugs fixed
- A few cosmetic changes
- 3 new Editor Buttons: page up/dn, shift+ tab
- New Functions: CLEAR ALL, (Song) - WILDCARD, (Sample) - WILDCARD
- Sample number display in hex
- Sound quality with fewer then 32 tracks improved.
(Its still 32 channels, as its been thus far :))
- Filesystem Installed !!
- Version 1.3 - 13.07.1993
------------------------
- Sample load and save click eliminated!
- Block marking added.
- Some small bugs fixed!
- "Scroll" Function added
- New Functions: UNMARK BLOCK, EFFECT SLIDE, COPY PATTERN,
INSERT SEQ-POS, DELETE SEQ-POS, SWAP SAMPLES, PLAY,
GER/US KEYBOARD, EDIT ON/OFF, (REMOVE SAMPLE), TRANSPOSE UP,
TRANSPOSE DOWN, UNDO !!
- Sample Remove-System installed !! ("Not only the last !")
- New Effects: E0, ED, EA, EB
- *.mod to *.ult converter added!
- Version 1.31 - ???
------------------
- Small BUG fixes
