Copyright: Copyright © Creative Technology Ltd.


Help Contents
Contents

Overview

What is Creative Multimedia Decks?

What is Creative MIDI?

Working with Creative MIDI

Using the Playlist dialog

Playing tracks

Selecting sound card and volume device

Adjusting the volume

Using Preferences dialog

Command line processing

Keyboard Shortcuts

Trouble shooting

If the application launches and quits immediately without giving any error messages

If you have problems adjusting the volume

If you encounter error messages

Programming the Creative MIDI

Programming the Creative MIDI


What is Creative Multimedia Decks?

Creative Multimedia Decks is a collection of players that allows you to independently or concurrently control multimedia devices like your CD-ROM drive and MIDI device.  It consists of Creative Remote and other  players like Creative CD, Creative Wave, and Creative MIDI.


What is Creative MIDI?

Creative MIDI is the player in the Multimedia Decks suite of players that lets you play MIDI files.  It also has some advanced features which include:

•	ability to be controlled by the Creative Remote,

•	OLE Automation support,

•	Plug and Play support,

•	power management support,

•	a "touch-sensitive" display,

•	multiple display forms,

•	fine control of a track's playing position,

•	Introduction Mode, Repeat Playlist Mode, Repeat Track Mode and Shuffle Mode for playback,

•	playlist compilation of different MIDI files,

•	fast track selection, and

•	direct volume control for multiple sound cards.

Note: The terms "track" and "file" are used interchangeably throughout this document.


Using the Playlist dialog

Compiling a playlist

Adding tracks to the playlist

Previewing tracks

Setting the directory, path and types of files to display in the File-list list box

Removing tracks from the playlist

Selecting tracks in the Playlist dialog

Rearrange tracks in the playlist

Assigning artiste name to tracks

Entering notes for tracks in the playlist

Naming the playlist


Compiling a playlist

Creative MIDI plays MIDI files (or tracks) from a playlist.  You can compile tracks in the playlist using the Playlist dialog.

To compile the playlist:

1. 	Choose the Playlist button.

2.	Perform the desired operations in Playlist dialog:

•	Add tracks to the playlist

•	Preview tracks

•	Setting the directory, path and types of files to display in the File-	list list box

•	Remove tracks from the playlist

•	Rearrange tracks in the playlist

•	Assign artiste name to tracks in the playlist

•	Enter notes for tracks in the playlist

•	Name the playlist

3.	Choose Done when you have satisfactorily compiled the playlist.  If you wish to cancel all changes made to the playlist, choose Cancel.


Adding tracks to the playlist

To add tracks to the playlist:

1.	Select the tracks to add to the playlist from the File-list list box.

2.	Choose Add to add the tracks to the Playlist list box.  or Add All to add all the tracks in the File-list list box to the Playlist list box.

Tips

You can also add track to the playlist in one of the following ways:

•	Double-clicking the track in the File-list list box.

•	Dragging selected tracks from the File-list list box and dropping them into the Playlist list box.

•	Dragging selected tracks from Explorer or File Manager and drop them into Creative MIDI.  These tracks will be added to the playlist.  This operation is done outside the Playlist dialog.


Previewing tracks

To preview tracks:

1.	Select the tracks from the Playlist or File-list list box.

2.	Choose Play to preview the tracks.


Setting the directory, path and types of files to display in the File-list list box

The File-list displays a list of files that you can add to the playlist.

To select the directory, path and types of files to display:

1.	Choose the Directory button.

2.	Select the directory, path and  types of files.

3.	Choose Done.

The File-list list box displays the selected files.


Removing tracks from the playlist

To remove tracks from the playlist:

1.	Select the tracks from the Playlist list box.

2.	Choose Remove to remove selected tracks, or Remove All to remove all tracks in the Playlist list box.

Tips

You can also remove a track from the playlist in one of the following ways:

•	Double-clicking the track in the playlist list box.

•	Pressing the <Ctrl+Shift+R> keys to remove the current track from the playlist.  This operation is done outside the Playlist dialog.


Selecting tracks in the Playlist dialog

You can select multiple tracks for previewing, adding, or removing by holding down <Ctrl> or <Shift> while you choose them.

•	To randomly select multiple tracks, hold down <Ctrl> before you select the tracks.

•	to select a group of consecutive tracks, hold down <Shift> and select the first and last tracks in the list.


Rearrange tracks in the playlist

To rearrange a track in the playlist:

1.	Click and hold down the left mouse button on the track in the Playlist list box and drag it to the new position.

The track will be inserted at that position in the Playlist list box.


Assigning artiste name to tracks

To assign an artiste name to a track:

1.	Select the track.

2.	For new artiste name, type in the artiste name in the Track Artiste combo box. For existing artiste name in the Track Artiste combo box, select the artiste name in the Artiste Name combo box.

Tips

You can also assign a single artiste name to multiple tracks in the playlist by selecting the tracks and assigning an artiste name to them.


Entering notes for tracks in the playlist

To enter notes for a track in the playlist:

1.	Selects the track you want to enter notes to.

2.	Type in the notes for that track in the Track Notes edit box.

Tips

You can also enter the same notes for multiple tracks by selecting the tracks and entering the notes in the Track Notes edit box.


Naming the playlist

Once you have compiled your playlist, you may want to give the playlist a title.

To give your playlist a title:

1.	Choose Save As.

2.	Type the title of the playlist in the edit box of the Save As Collection dialog.

3.	Choose OK.

Tips

•	If you choose Cancel, you will return to the Playlist dialog box without saving the title.


Playing tracks

Starting and stopping a track

Playing a particular track

To pause and resume playing

Changing to a different track

Moving forward and backward within a track

Playing tracks in random order

Playing the first few seconds of tracks

Playing tracks in the playlist repeatedly

Playing the current track repeatedly


Starting and stopping a track

To start a track, choose the Play button.

To stop a track, choose the Stop button.


Playing a particular track

To play a particular track:

1.	Choose a button from the Fast Track Selector that corresponds to the track you want.

2.	To choose a double-digit number, click on both digit buttons consecutively within two  seconds.  If you want to select track 15, choose button 1 and then button 5.


To pause and resume playing

Choose the Pause button to pause, and then choose the Play button or Pause button again to resume playing.


Changing to a different track

To change to the next track in the playlist, choose the Skip Forward button.

To change to the previous track in the playlist, choose the Skip Backward button.


Moving forward and backward within a track

You can also move forward and backward within a track in one of the following ways:

•	Choosing the Fast Forward button or Rewind button.

•	Moving the Graphic Slider to the position of the track you want.

If your player is already playing a track, Creative MIDI will immediately go to the position you have chosen and start playing.

If your player is not playing a track, choose the Play button to start playing the track from the chosen position.


Playing tracks in random order

To play tracks in random order, select the Shuffle Mode Selector in the Touch Sensitive Display.  The Shuffle Mode shuffles the playlist and randomly rearrange the playlist.

Note

If Creative MIDI is already playing, selecting Shuffle Mode stops the current playback and starts playback from the first track of the reordered playlist.


Playing the first few seconds of tracks

To play only the first few seconds of all tracks in the playlist, select the Intro Mode Selector in the Touch Sensitive Display.


Playing tracks in the playlist repeatedly

To repeatedly play tracks in the playlist, set the Repeat Mode Selector to Repeat Playlist Mode.


Playing the current track repeatedly

To repeatedly play the current track, set the Repeat Mode Selector to Repeat Track Mode.


Selecting sound card and volume device

Creative MIDI allows you to control multiple sound cards if you have more than one sound card installed in your system.  It also allows you to control multiple volume devices of the selected sound card.

To select the sound card to control:

1.	Click on the Graphic Volume Slider using your right mouse button or press <Ctrl+Shift+V>.

A popup menu appears showing you the available sound cards.

2.	Selects the sound card you want.

To select the volume device to control:

1.	Click on the Graphic Volume Slider using your right mouse button or press <Ctrl+Shift+V>.

A popup menu appears showing you the volume devices Creative MIDI can control.

2.	Select the volume device you want.


Adjusting the volume

You can adjust the volume of Creative MIDI using the Graphic Volume Slider on the Touch Sensitive Display.

To adjust the volume, click and drag the Graphic Volume Slider to a level you want.


Using Preferences dialog

The Preferences dialog allows you to set preferences for Creative MIDI.

Related Topics:

Balloon help

Show track time remaining

Minimize on play

Play on startup

Play on new playlist

Intro length

Save settings on exit


Balloon help

Balloon help provides you with information about a control or button that you are currently pointing at.  A message appears giving you a brief description of that control.

You can enable or disable the balloon help of your player by checking or unchecking respectively the "Balloon help" option in the check list box of the Preferences dialog.


Show track time remaining

In addition to displaying the track time played of a track, Creative MIDI is also able to display the track time remaining of a track.

You can enable or disable this option by checking or unchecking respectively the "Show track time remaining" option in the check list box of the Preferences dialog.


Minimize on play

Creative MIDI can automatically be minimized each time it starts playing.

You can enable or disable this option by checking or unchecking respectively the "Minimize on play" option in the check list box of the Preferences dialog.


Play on startup

Creative MIDI can automatically start playing when it is launched.

You can enable or disable this option by checking or unchecking respectively the "Play on startup" option in the check list box of the Preferences dialog.


Play on new playlist

Creative MIDI can automatically start playing when the Playlist dialog is closed and when there is a change in the playlist.

You can enable or disable this option by checking or unchecking respectively the "Play on new playlist" option in the check list box of the Preferences dialog.


Intro length

Creative MIDI allows you to specify the amount of time in seconds between tracks when Creative MIDI is in the intro mode.

You can set the intro length in the Preferences dialog.


Save settings on exit

If this option is set in the Preferences dialog, Creative MIDI will save the changes made in the Preferences dialog when it exits.


Command line processing

The following command line switches are supported by the application:

Switch	Description
/play or /p	Starts playback.
/play <track number> or /p <track number>	Plays specified track.
/stop or /s	Stops playback.
<track name>	Add specified track to the collection.


Keyboard Shortcuts

Press	To do this
<Ctrl+P>	Plays the current  track.
<Ctrl+A>	Pauses the playing track.
<Ctrl+S>	Stops the playing track.
<Ctrl+B>	Plays the previous track.
<Ctrl+O>	Plays the next track.
<Ctrl+L>	Shows the Playlist dialog.
<Ctrl+F>	Sets preferences.
<Ctrl+M>	Shows mixer settings.
<Ctrl+D>	Switches the display mode.
<Ctrl+Shift+D>	Shows select display mode menu.
<Ctrl+Shift+R>	Removes current track from the playlist.
<Ctrl+Shift+V>	Shows select volume device menu.


If the application launches and quits immediately without giving any error messages

This is probably due to the application resource DLL file MIDRES32.DLL being missing from the application directory.  Try locating the file and move it to the same directory as the application.  If you cannot find the file in your system, you will need to reinstall the application.


If you have problems adjusting the volume

No effect when adjusting the loudness of the volume:

•	Check that the sound card supports the device.

•	Check that the audio cable is properly connected from the CD-ROM drive to the sound card.

•	Check that the speakers are properly connected to the sound card.

•	Try increasing the volume output to the speakers by turning the volume knob at the back of the sound card if your sound card has one.

•	If you have more than one sound card, check that you are controlling the correct one.

•	Launch the Mixer and check that the Mixer Mute Control is not in the mute state.


If you encounter error messages

OLE 2.0 initialization failed. Make sure that the OLE libraries are the correct version.

Unable to display About box. Ensure that CTRES32.DLL is present in your system.

Unable to load mixer. Try running the Creative Mixer application from its program group to verify if it is installed properly.

This file cannot be played on the specified MCI device. The file may be corrupt, or not in the correct format.

The device needed to play the file is already in use. Wait until it is free, and then try again.

Failed accessing file. Check that this file exists and is not in use (locked).

Failed accessing file. This file is already in use.

The file cannot be opened. Try closing other open files and then try again.

Failed to launch Multimedia Properties. Check if application is installed.


OLE 2.0 initialization failed. Make sure that the OLE libraries are the correct version.

Creative MIDI supports OLE 2.0 Automation and requires the OLE libraries to run. Try running the application again.  If it fails again, the OLE libraries in your system are not the correct version or missing.  Try installing the application again.


Unable to display About box. Ensure that CTRES32.DLL is present in your system.

The file CTRES32.DLL is required to display Creative MIDI's About box.  Check that the file is in your system.  If it is not, you may want to reinstall the program. Creative MIDI can still run without this file.


Unable to load mixer. Try running the Creative Mixer application from its program group to verify if it is installed properly.

The mixer application has probably been deleted or moved to another directory. Locate the mixer application and run it to check that it is working.


This file cannot be played on the specified MCI device. The file may be corrupt, or not in the correct format.

Creative MIDI can only play MIDI files (*.mid, *.rmi). If a MIDI file cannot be played, then it is probably corrupted.  Remove it from the playlist.


The device needed to play the file is already in use. Wait until it is free, and then try again.

Another application is playing a MIDI file. Try quitting the other application, or wait until that application has stopped playing the MIDI file.


Failed accessing file. Check that this file exists and is not in use (locked).

The file has probably been deleted or moved to another directory. If the file cannot be located, remove the file from the playlist.


Failed accessing file. This file is already in use.

Check that the MIDI file is not opened by another application like the Media Player.


The file cannot be opened. Try closing other open files and then try again.

There are too many files opened in Windows. Try closing some of the files first and then try opening the file again.


Failed to launch Multimedia Properties. Check if application is installed.

Make sure that CONTROL.EXE exists in the Windows directory and MMSYS.CPL exist in the Windows system directory. If not, you may want to reinstall your Windows. The player can still run without these files.


Programming the Creative MIDI - Programming the Creative MIDI
Programming the Creative MIDI

You can create your own application to control the Creative MIDI through OLE Automation. Below documents the Creative MIDI application object that is exported by the application. The type library file CTAUTO.TLB is supplied with the application.

CreativeMIDI Object
The following table shows the properties that are exposed by the Creative MIDI application:

Properties

Property name	Return type	Access	Description
Application	Application object	Read-only	Returns the application object.
FullName	String	Read-only	Returns the file specification for the application, including path.
Name	String	Read-only	Returns the name of the application.
Parent	Application object	Read-only	Returns the application object.
Visible	Bool	Read-write	Sets or returns whether the application is visible to the user.
TrackCount	Short	Read-only	Returns the number of tracks in the collection.
TrackNumber	Short	Read-only	Returns the current track's track number
TrackName	String	Read-only	Returns the current track's track name.
Collection	String	Read-only	Returns the current collection name
Artiste	String	Read-only	Returns the current track's artiste name
Playing	Bool	Read-only	Returns whether the application is currently playing.
Stopped	Bool	Read-only	Returns whether the application is currently stopped.
Paused	Bool	Read-only	Returns whether the application is currently paused.
Playlist	Bool	Read-only	Returns whether the application's Playlist dialog is currently shown.
The following table shows the methods that are exposed by the Creative MIDI application:

Methods

Method name	Return type	Parameters	Description
Quit	None	None	Exits the application.
Play	None	None	Starts playing.
PlayTrack	None	Track number of the track to play	Plays the specified track.
Stop	None	None	Stops playing.
Pause	None	None	Pauses/unpauses playback
SkipForward	None	None	Moves to the next track.
SkipBackward	None	None	Moves to the previous track.
ShowPlaylist	None	None	Shows the Playlist Dialog.
AddTrack	Bool	Full path name of the track to add.	Adds a track to the collection. Returns success or failure.
RemoveCurrentTrack	Bool	None	Removes the current track from the collection. Returns success or failure.


Glossary of Terms

Power Button

Menu Button

Minimize Button

Play Button

Stop Button

Pause Button

Skip Forward Button

Skip Backward Button

Fast Forward Button

Rewind Button

Playlist Button

Fast Track Selector

Touch Sensitive Display

Graphic Volume Slider

Graphic Slider

Shuffle Mode Selector

Introduction Mode Selector

Repeat Mode Selector

Playback Status Indicator

Playlist Dialog Collection Combo Box

Playlist Dialog New Button

Playlist Dialog Save Button

Playlist Dialog Save As Button

Playlist Dialog Delete Button

Playlist Dialog Preview Buttons

Playlist Dialog Add Button

Playlist Dialog Add All Button

Playlist Dialog Remove Button

Playlist Dialog Remove All Button

Playlist Dialog Directory Button

Playlist Dialog Playlist List Box

Playlist Dialog File-list List Box

Playlist Dialog Track Name Edit Box

Playlist Dialog Track Artiste Combo Box

Playlist Dialog Track Notes Edit box

Playlist Dialog Done Button

Playlist Dialog Cancel Button

Playlist Dialog Help Button

Save As Collection Dialog Collection Name Edit Box

Save As Collection Dialog OK Button

Save As Collection Dialog Cancel Button

Save As Collection Dialog Help Button

Preferences Dialog OK Button

Preferences Dialog Cancel Button

Preferences Dialog Help Button

Preferences Dialog Intro Length Setting

Preferences Dialog Save Setting On Exit Check Box

Preferences Dialog Check List Box


Power Button

Quits the player.


Menu Button

Displays the player menu that allows you to access standard Windows menu options as well as several other player options.


Minimize Button

Minimizes the player.


Play Button

Plays the current track.


Stop Button

Stops the playing track.


Pause Button

Pauses the playing track or plays the paused track.


Skip Forward Button

Moves the next track in the playlist. If currently at the last track of the playlist, moves to the first track of the playlist.


Skip Backward Button

Moves to the previous track of the playlist. If currently at the first track of the playlist, moves to the last track of the playlist.


Fast Forward Button

Move's forward within the track. When the end of the track is reached, moves to the next track and continue forwarding.


Rewind Button

Moves backwards within the track.  When the beginning of the track is reached, moves to the previous track and continue rewinding


Playlist Button

Activates the Playlist dialog box which allows you to compile a selection of the tracks to be played.


Fast Track Selector

Allows you to choose a track that you want to play. To play a track that is 2-digit number, choose the first track number followed by the second track number within 2 seconds.


Touch Sensitive Display

This display consists of several "touch sensitive" controls as well as indicators that shows the current playback status and track information. Left-click on the display or press <Ctrl-D> to switch between the different display modes. Right-click on the display or pressing <Ctrl-Shift-D> will popup a menu that allows you to select another display mode.


Graphic Volume Slider

Shows and controls the volume level of the player. Move the slider level up to increase and move it down to decrease the volume. Right-mouse click on it will popup a menu that allows you to select the sound card and device to control.


Graphic Slider

Indicates the percentage of the current track that has been played.  It can also be used to control the position of the track to play.


Shuffle Mode Selector

Changes the playing order of tracks in the playlist randomly.


Introduction Mode Selector

Plays only the first few seconds of all the tracks.


Repeat Mode Selector

Use this selector to select one of these repeat mode:

•	No repeat.

•	Repeat whole playlist. This mode allows you to repeat playing the entire playlist tracks when the last track has played.

•	Repeat only current track. This mode allows you to repeatedly play the current track.


Playback Status Indicator

Indicates the state of the player. For example Play, Stop, Pause, Skip Forward, Skip Backward, etc.


Playlist Dialog Collection Combo Box

Shows current collection and for selecting another collection. Collection is the name of a saved playlist.


Playlist Dialog New Button

Creates a new collection.


Playlist Dialog Save Button

Saves the modified playlist into the current collection.


Playlist Dialog Save As Button

Saves the playlist into another collection.


Playlist Dialog Delete Button

Deletes the current collection


Playlist Dialog Preview Buttons

Previews the selected tracks in the Playlist or File-list list box.


Playlist Dialog Add Button

Includes the selected tracks in the File-list list box to the Playlist list box.


Playlist Dialog Add All Button

Includes all tracks in the File-list list box to the Playlist list box.


Playlist Dialog Remove Button

Removes the selected tracks from the Playlist list box.


Playlist Dialog Remove All Button

Removes all the tracks in the Playlist list box.


Playlist Dialog Directory Button

Selects the directory, path and type of the files to be displayed in the File-list list box.


Playlist Dialog Playlist List Box

Displays a list of tracks in the sequence in which the player will play.


Playlist Dialog File-list List Box

Displays the files in the current directory.


Playlist Dialog Track Name Edit Box

Displays the full pathname of the file selected in the Playlist or File-list list box.


Playlist Dialog Track Artiste Combo Box

Allows you to enter artiste names for the tracks in the playlist.


Playlist Dialog Track Notes Edit box

Allows you to enter notes for the tracks in the playlist.


Playlist Dialog Done Button

Confirms the compilation of tracks in the playlist and exits the dialog.


Playlist Dialog Cancel Button

Cancels changes made to the tracks in the Playlist list box. The playlist reverts to its last saved copy.


Playlist Dialog Help Button

Displays the on-line help facility.


Save As Collection Dialog Collection Name Edit Box

Type in the new collection name for the playlist here.


Save As Collection Dialog OK Button

Confirms the new collection name for the playlist.


Save As Collection Dialog Cancel Button

Cancels saving the playlist to another collection.


Save As Collection Dialog Help Button

Displays the on-line help facility.


Preferences Dialog OK Button

Confirms the changes in the dialog and applies the new settings.


Preferences Dialog Cancel Button

Cancels changes made in the dialog.


Preferences Dialog Help Button

Displays the on-line help facility.


Preferences Dialog Intro Length Setting

Specifies the amount of time in seconds you want between tracks when the player is in the intro mode.


Preferences Dialog Save Setting On Exit Check Box

Saves the changes made in this dialog when the player exits.


Preferences Dialog Check List Box

Allows you to enable or disable various player options.