Multimedia Explosion

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MODPLAY PRO ********* (C) Mark J Cox MODPLAY PRO ** 1990/1991 MODPLAY PRO ******* MODPLAY PRO ************** Version 2.19b Play AMIGA 4 channel sampled music files on a PC I. QUICK START ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── If you are impatient and don't want to read all the documentation before trying this program, type: mp or mp -a-i If your machine is 10Mhz - 12Mhz II. EXTRA INFORMATION ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 1 If your video card supports text modes such as 25*132, 44*132, 60*132 or just about any other text mode then enter this mode (using the utility supplied with your card) and MODPLAY PRO will take full advantage of it when selecting filenames 2 Modplay Pro now has full PROTRACKER support. See a later section for details. MODPLAY can execute your programs while playing mods - see section 3.1 3 The Modplay config file must exist in one of two places i) The current directory ii) The directory in which the copy of MP.COM you are running is in. 4 Modplay Pro will now view .GIF files including GIFs that have been GIFLITE'd and GIF89's. The last .GIF file viewed will be used as the background to the VGA scope display (F10 when playing). No support for Interlaced GIF's. III. INTRODUCTION TO MODPLAY PRO ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Modplay Pro allows you to play Amiga soundtracker/noisetracker files, Protracker files and even 4 channel Startrekker files on a PC (10Mhz or faster clock speed, 286 processor or better). Modplay Pro is written *entirely* in assembler and now runs to over 11,000 lines of source and has taken around 400 hours to produce. *** DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK WHEN USING emm386 ON A 386 PC *** 1. WHAT ARE MODULES? ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── A module consists of 15 (or 31) sampled instruments and a four channel music track. By playing the instruments at different pitches a soundtrack lasting many minutes can be produced. The PC speaker is not really up to handling modules, since in total we have a 10 bit sample to be played, and the speaker can only handle 5 (and thats only just possible). A D/A converter gives 8 and the stereo version gives effectively 9. The output sounds OK through a good sized PC speaker, the cheap piezo devices found in some computers including laptops are not really designed to cope. So through external hardware MODPLAY PRO comes close to the quality you would get on an AMIGA. 2. IMPLEMENTATION ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── MODPLAY PRO implements all Amiga effects such as vibrato etc. Most Amiga modules have samples in them that are less than 64k each in length, these can be played as normal on any 286 10Mhz or better; a rare few have samples >64k in them and although these will be played by modplay pro you really need a 16MHz machine minimum to keep up. These modules are marked with a '*' on the top line of the display next to the filename when they are playing. 2A. PROTRACKER ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── On the Amiga there are a wide variety of tracker players. By far the best (personal opinion) is the Protracker player. Protracker modules can have many more commands in them (Thinks like Tremelo, Note delays, Repeat loops, etc) and I have recently found many modules are Protracker ones and so benefit greatly by implementing this new set of commands. All Protracker commands execept FunkInvert (EFx) are implemented (FunkInvert just plays a sample sort of backwards... this would mean changing my interrupt routines a little too much and would slow down normal songs) 3. MODPLAY PRO OPTIONS - COMMAND LINE PLAYING ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── From the command line a module can be played through any of the output devices with or without a moving graph display. The format is MP [-q] [-0..6] [-a/-b] [-output device] [filename [.MOD] Items in [ ] are optional. The -q if present tells MODPLAY PRO not to display any text and so the module will play without disturbing the text display. (You could use this in a game's title screen written in C or Basic, by doing a system or shell command - MODPLAY PRO exits when a key is pressed). The -(number) tells MODPLAY PRO what hardware to play the module through. The filename can contain wildcard characters (*,?), so MP * would be valid and would play all the *.MOD files in the current directory one after the other. Playback of a sequence of files can be aborted by pressing ESCape two or three times in rapid sucession. -0 is the PC Speaker (default unless a stereo-on-one card is found) -l1 is a D/A converter on printer port 1 -l2 is a D/A converter on printer port 2 -l3 is a D/A converter on printer port 3 -l4 is a D/A converter on printer port 4 -ls is 2 D/A converters, one on port1 the other on port2 (gives stereo) -lm is 2 D/A converters as above but giving mono. -xm This is of use if you have a single D/A converter on an expansion port or any known address. Use -xm(address) where the address is a 3 digit hex number. (Example -xm3B7 would play in mono to a D/A converter at address 03B7) -xs This is similar to -xm, allowing two D/A converters and hence stereo operation. Use -xs(address1)(address2). [Example, -xs300301 would play in stereo to D/A converters at 0300 and 0301. Note that these switchs must be used from the command line and cannot be changed when inside MODPLAY PRO -xq Similar to -xs, allowing four D/A converters - this gives the Best possible quality! But it may not work too well on slower computers. Use -xq(address1)(address2)(address3)(address4) [ Example -xq3003BC2F93DC would play to D/As at 0300, 03BC, 02F9 and 03DC.] As with -xs, all the addresses must be different! -y1 (-y2,...-y4) Disney Sound Source D/A. This output routine is designed to drive the Disney D/A converter (that is supplied with some games etc.). The Disney D/A sits on a parallel port but must be clocked after each sample (unlike the standard D/A in hardware.doc) and turned on and off. -y1 would output to a Disney D/A on LPT1, -y2 on LPT2 etc. A normal D/A converter on a parallel port will work with this option as well, although it is not recommended as it is more processor intensive. Stereo-on-1 Modplay Pro will autodetect a Stereo-on-1 board on any Parallel port and use it. See HARDWARE.DOC for more information Soundblaster Modplay Pro will autodetect a Soundblaster card at any base address and use it. (Using a /number will ignore anything autodetected). -a should be used if your computer crashes when playing tunes, it decreases the rate of playing samples - decreasing the quality noticably through the speaker, but should mean 10Mhz-12Mhz machines can cope. -b This is the default mixing speed designed for a 12MHz PC -d This option is used when if you don't like my choice of character for drawing the bars. I've had lots of mail all saying you would like different characters - so now you can choose your own, Usage is -dxx where xx is a two-digit hexidecimal number of the character you want to use, -dF0 Would be ≡, the old MODPLAY default bar -df7 Would be ≈, one of my favorites -d02 is quite fun for 'acid house' type mods. And if you are still not satisfied, then pressing F1 or F2 when playing changes the character as well! F3 and F4 even change the colour of the moving bar. Hours of fun (yawn)! -z Using the -z switch somewhere on the command line will make modplay not check inside archive files - this will speed things up a bit if you have lots of non-mod archives in your directories Playing is stopped by pressing *any* key, or when the module is finished Modules that loop at the end, or jump backwards are stopped so they will only play once. There are some special keys, described in the next section that can be used to whiz through a module like a CD player. 3.1 MODPLAY PRO IN THE BACKGROUND ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── It is now possible to make MODPLAY play your mod whilst executing any other program! So you could use it in demos etc. Given a program you wish to run, say c:\bin\demo.exe, with a module in the current directory of, say sausage.mod then mp (other options) /q=c:\bin\demo.exe sausage.mod Will start your program running. One possible error message 'Could not shell to DOS' may appear. In the future this will be more helpful and say if it is either a) Out of Memory or b) Could not find c:\bin\demo.exe ..etc.. Playing a MOD takes up quite a bit of CPU time, so to compensate the MOD mixing speed is dropped by about 6kHz. This means that speaker output will sound a bit 'off'. If you need more CPU time for you task then use the /a option before the /q. 4. MODPLAY PRO IN INTERACTIVE MODE ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── MP on its own or MP [options] -i will bring up a display menu screen help on all key presses is available by pressing F1. From this screen you can change directory, change drive or play one or more modules. The commands allowed are: Basic Keys: Cursor Keys Move the highlight bar together with the 'PgUp', 'PgDn', 'Home' and 'End' keys. <SPACE>or This will play the current module highlighted, or change <RETURN> to the directory or drive hightlighted <ESC> Quits modplay Pro <c> Brings up a menu showing all the possible output devices. Lets you move around them using the arrow keys and select one by pressing SPACE or RETURN. <v> Displays information about MODPLAY PRO <!> Lets you perform DOS commands. <d> Deletes the highlighted module after confirmation Advanced: <t> Tags the currently highlighted module (displays a "+") or untags the module if already tagged. <T> Tags all modules in directory <U> Untags all modules in directory <p> Plays all tagged modules in sequence. <s> Takes you into the Sample sub-menu screen <v> Displays program compiled date and version information Sample Sub-menu: From here you can look at the samples that make up the module - there are a few special keys that perform various functions that are not fully tested and are provided for users that know what they are doing (i.e. not bomb proof input routines!) <p> Plays the sample highlighted <m> Plays the whole module <w> Prompts for a filename and then saves the sample to disk <r> Reads a new sample into the old slot. also, you can play any sample at any pitch you like. Pressing F1, F2, F3 change which octave you are playing in (low, mid, high) and then the number keys play the sample. 1=C, 2=D, 3=E, 4=F, 5=A, 6=B. 5. PLAYBACK KEYS ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── During any playback, pressing the left arrow key will slow the music down, the right arrow key will speed it up and the down arrow key restores to default speed. The PageDown key will skip to the next track, PageUp jumps back one track. The END key will (almost) pause the music, with the down arrow key restoring the speed. The F1 key toggles help which lists all the keys currently available. The F8 key turns on the Spectum Analyser display (with bars) F9 key turns on test mode F10 key turns on the Spectrum Analyser display (no bars) F7 key goes back to the old flashing blobs. + Decreases the total volume of this and future mods - Increases the volume of this and future mods 1 Toggles channel 1 on/off (Similarly 2,3,4) s Shells to DOS whilst still playing 6. SPECTRUM ANALYSER ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Hey! Seen those so-called spectrum analysers on other trackers? They are not real! If you look closer at 'Tr**ster' then you will see that this is really just showing the pitch of the notes being played... others cheat in a similar way. MODPLAY PRO has a real 32 point Fourier Transform. Okay, so there are a few bugs, but there is no other PC tracker with a ***REAL*** Spectrum! If you want to test this out - try playing a speech sample on a single channel. All other trackers just display a peak at one frequency (the pitch you are playing it at). MODPLAY PRO actually displays the frequency components of the sample. a) If your machine is a bit slow then it can't keep up and it will leave the odd red bar on the screen. Just press F8 to get rid of them b) Yeah, its a linear frequency axis - okay it should be logrithmic but there is no simple formulea to get this to work - so you'd need a dedicated DSP chip. c) It'll be in graphic mode very soon. ║ ║ If you see any other trackers with a ║ similar display - they probably ║ █ copied the code (let me have a copy ║ █ █ █ and I will see if they did!) ╚═╤═══╤════════╤ 500Hz──┘ │ │ 1kHz───────┘ │ ... │ 8kHz────────────────┘ 7. LISTS OF MODULES ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── If like me you have hundreds of modules spread over many disks you may find the -o option useful. This option writes out a list of mods in the current directory to the screen which can be redirected to a file. Example: A:\> mp -o > c:\mod\list\disk21.lst Would create a file c:\mod\list\disk21.lst with the contents similar to: AXELF.MOD axel f 15 83 110k 10:24 FCMEDINA.MOD funky cold medina 31 31 229k 01:56 HUMANINV.MOD human invasion 31 26 197k 03:15 KYLIEMIX.MOD kyliemix 15 15 59k 01:52 SJUNGLE.MOD street jungle 31 45 135k 05:38 THEMODEL.MOD the model 31 28 74k 03:30 Number of Samples in the MOD (15/31) ───────┘ │ │ │ Number of patterns in the MOD (1..127) ────────────┘ │ │ File Size ───────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │ Estimated playing time (correct about 70% of the time) ──────────┘ 8. VERSION ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── The -v flag displays automatic information about your version of MODPLAY. It will show the main version number and the exact date/time it was compiled, for example: C:\> mp -v Program : SUPER MODPLAY PRO GOLD + (MP-LITE.COM) Version : 314.15 (October 1997) Compiled on : 09-02-1997 at 20:30:58 Compiled by : Mark Cox It now also gives an estimate of your machine speed (for use in later versions to alter the mixing speed) and also dates and versions of all my source code modules. 9. ARCHIVED MODULES ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Using a popular archiving utility normally saves about 30% of disk space for modules. Support is now added so that MODPLAY PRO will automatically find and play modules stored in archives (in interactive mode only at present). Modules can be archived into LZH ZIP ARJ or ZOO format and there can be more than one MOD file per archive. (Modules in archive must have .MOD or .NST extension) MODPLAY PRO runs your unpacker for you, creating the .MOD file temporarily on your hard disk; plays the .MOD file then deletes it. MODPLAY PRO needs unpackers with the following names (or batch files with these names) somewhere on your path. ZIP: pkunzip ARJ: arj LZH: lha ZOO: zoo 10. SOURCE OF MODULES ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── You can obtain modules from many Bulletin Boards, Internet sites or from friends Amiga's. Modules usually come archived in LZH form, these can be unpacked with the excellent LHA program. The files will usually unpack as 'mod.something' and so MSDOS cuts them short to 'mod.SOM' and it is best to rename these to 'something.mod' so that MODPLAY PRO will automatically detect them. The site: ab20.larc.nasa.gov contains lots of really good mods in the /incoming/amiga/NoiseTracker/U4IA directory. 11. FREEWARE ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── This software is Freeware - that means that there is no registration fee, you can copy this software, give it to anyone, and use it for anything (subject to the license at the end of this document). Why use Shareware trackers? 12. CREDIT & THANKS DUE TO: ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── DABS PRESS - For providing a Soundblaster Board that enabled Manchester, UK MODPLAY to finally work with it! DABS PRESS 061-773-8632 supply PC's and peripherals including Soundblaster boards at excellent prices. Lars "Zap" - A Protracker replay routine that gave details of the extra commands and how to implement them. Mahoney & Kaktus - A Noisetracker replay routine! Francois Jalbert - Many many many Email messages about Modplay, and providing moral support and French and German translations - cheers Franky! Norman Lin - Who pointed out a few mistakes in my implementation. Paul Sutton - GIF decoder and Config file reading routines Steven Groundwater - Help with VGA inc 'scope & text & bars. Derek Beacroft - For obtaining the Soundblaster programming info. Patric Aalto - A great Soundblaster autodetect utility U4IA (Jim Young) - For some great Protracker Mods and for checking 32 Ingleside Road the Protracker extensions. Write to him if you Kingswood, Bristol,UK want an orignal MOD for your demos or games. A.N.Other - Your name could be here if you can find out the programming details of Adlib Gold etc. And the other (now over 300) people who have commented on MODPLAY and given ideas for the future. 13. COPYRIGHT/LICENSE/WARRANTY ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── This license agreement applies to the version of Modplay or Modplay Pro that accompanies this document. The files MP.COM, HARDWARE.DOC, WHAT.NEW and this document MP.DOC ("the software") are copyrighted by the author (Mark J Cox). The copyright owner hereby licenses you to: use the software; make as many copies of the program and documentation as you wish; give such copies to anyone; and distribute the software and documentation via electronic means. This means that as a company you could put MODPLAY PRO on any of your PCs or Networks freely. You are specifically prohibited from charging, or requesting donations, for any such copies, however made; and from distributing the software and/or documentation with commercial products without written contract from the author (Mark J Cox). This software may be distributed in Shareware/Public Domain libraries that charge for copying and distributing disks. ║ No Copy Of The Software May Be Distributed Or Given Away Without ║ ║ This Document; And Neither The Program Or Document May Be Altered ║ ║ In Any Way, Or Reverse-Engineered By Disassembly Or Other Method. ║ There is no warranty of any kind, and the copyright owner is not liable for damages of any kind. By owning/using this software, you agree to all the above terms. The software, documentation and diagrams are Copyright (C) 1990/1991 by Mark J Cox 14. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS LIST ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── These are a selection of comments/suggestions and questions I have received. Q. I keep getting 'Divide Error' and my computer locks up A. Some modules I have seen are corrupt - there is no way MODPLAY can tell and there is no time to do any checks - use the 's' command and you should be able to see if the module has any garbage in it. Q. It sounds like my computer is about to explode. A. You have a small piezo speaker - why not build a resistor D/A as explained above or put a nice sized speaker (Radio Shack/Tandy) in instead. Q. Can I edit modules? A. Not with MODPLAY PRO - use MODEDIT v2 written by Norman Lin that uses MODRES a resident version of MODPLAY Q. Ever thought of supporting 8 channels like 'Startreker'? A. Yeah, but you would need a 20Mhz+ to run it...and I haven't found enough modules that support it yet though. Q. Can I have the source? Please? Pretty please? A. No! Q. I can't find this ZN426E chip A. Try MAPLIN otherwise you could always substitute any D/A or use the resistor version Q. I sent mail to you three years ago! A. It takes a while for my mail to be forwarded on to me, and I don't have an enormous amount of time to answer Email etc. I'll try to reply to everything I receive (if you can wait a bit!) Q. "Speech on the IBM PC is not just a case of 'yet another Lotus-1-2-3' but a basic piece of innovative software which is being incorporated into several commercial products at this very moment. Releasing an un-supported non-commercial product of this nature is a highly irresponsible act which we cannot stand by and watch without doing our utmost to prevent" - A UK company talking about the PLAY program. A. (I'll let you make your own answer up, send me your favourite) 15. CONTACT/SUPPORT ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Before June 1992: ----------------- Mark J Cox Electronic Mail: 17 Kirkburn Place (EMAIL) m.j.h.cox@uk.ac.bradford (UK) Bradford m.j.h.cox@bradford.ac.uk (other) W. Yorks, UK BD7 2BZ After June 1992: ---------------- 29 Lundie Close Stenson Fields Derby, UK DE2 3AN (EMAIL) (Probably the same as above..) If you want the latest version of Modplay - which will probably answer any questions you have - then send a cheque for 5 UK pounds to the above address and in return I will send a disk with everything on! (Overseas 7 pounds, or $17) $Header: M:\RCS\MP.DOC 1.5 91/12/24 12:56:27 ROOT_DOS Exp Locker: ROOT_DOS $