Sound, Music & MIDI Collection 2/SMMVOL2.bin/DOS/SS_PLAY/PMPOZE14.ZIP/PMPOZE.HLP

OS/2 Help File | 1995-02-10 | 46.4 KB | 1,137 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. About PMPoze ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

PMPoze is a music composer/player for MOD files. The composer is notational,
meaning a music sheet (a score) is created that looks very similar to a printed
sheet of music. Digital audio samples are associated with the score which
enable the program to create the actual musical sounds.

The system must have MMPM/2 installed and have a supported sound card.

See: MOD File


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. ModFiles Menu ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The ModFiles menu contains commands that are used to open and play MOD music
files. These are files that traditionally end with the extent .MOD. They are
ready to play and do not involve the use of the score sheet. In addition,
musical samples (.SAM files) may be extracted from the MOD files to use in a
music composition. This menu option also contains the option to exit the
program.

 Open...             Open a MOD song file or a list of MOD files.

 Play File           Plays the Opened MOD song file(s)

 Terminate Play      Terminates all playing (MOD file or score)

 Pause               Pause the playing of music

 Resume              Resumes playing of music from the paused position

 Next                Advance immediately to next song in song list

 Loop                Repetitively play through the song file list

 Sam info...         Show samples contained in a MOD file. Samples can be
                     'played' and, optionally, saved to a file for later use in
                     the composer.

 Edit info...        Brings up the sample info in an editor. Changes can be
                     made and saved.

 Exit                Exits the program


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.1. Open... ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 A multiselect file dialog appears with a file mask of *.MOD. All selected
entries will be placed in a mod file list. The Play file command will play
files from this list.

See: MOD File


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2. Play file ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This will start the player playing at the beginning of the song file list.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.3. Terminate play ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This will stop the player immediately


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.4. Pause ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Pause will pause the player and reatain the position in the song


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5. Resume ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Resume will resume playing from the paused position


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.6. Next ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Next will advance immediately to the next song in the song file list.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.7. Loop ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Loop will set the player to loop indefinitely through the song file list.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.8. Sam info... ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Sam info... option will display the samples within a MOD file. It brings up
a single-select MOD file open dialog. When a MOD file is opened, the following
information about the file is displayed:

     file name

     song name

     sample info - consisting of

        -  sample name
        -  sample length
        -  finetune value
        -  sample volume
        -  sample reapeat point
        -  sample repeat length

 The sample names are free-form text and song authors sometimes opt to not
 include the actual sample names. Instead you may see copyright information or
 an advertisement.

 A sample may be selected and played, or it may be saved to a file (usually
 with a .SAM suffix).

 NOTE - This is a chief source of sample files for use in the composer, but
 copyright information should be respected.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.9. Edit info ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Sample info is free form text information stored in the MOD file. The default
information is the name of the samples used in the song. This option allows
editing and saving that information. There is room in the file for 21
characters per name and 31 sample names (lines).

Many music authors prefer not to disclose the names of the their samples and
copyright information is often included.

NOTE - Copyright information should not be changed or removed.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.10. Exit ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This command will exit the program.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. SamFiles Menu ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The SamFiles menu option contains commands for selecting which sample (.SAM)
files will be used in the creation of the musical score. These files are audio
data and are simialar to WAV files, but contain no header. Typically, they are
recordings of a single musical instrument playing a single note and play for
less than a few seconds. Ultimately, thirty-one samples at most can be used in
the score.

 Collect...          Select as many samples as desired from a file dialog

 Remove              Clears all previously collected sample files.

 File List...        Collect samples using a file list instead of a file
                     dialog. The file list is a previously created text file
                     with one fully qualified file name per line.

 Sound...            This will bring up a dialog box to play the sample. It
                     allows changing sample frequency, duration, and
                     experimentation with repeat points.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.1. Collect... ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 A multiselect file dialog appears with a file mask of *.SAM. Any number may be
selected. The samples that make up the music score will come from this list.

The File list... option is preferred if this becomes a repetitive task.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.2. Remove ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This removes all previously collected samples and removes the song assignments.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.3. File list... ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The File list provides an expiditious way of loading samples. The file list is
a text file created to match the available sample files as in this example:


  C:\SAM\PIANO8.SAM
  C:\SAM\BASSDRUM.SAM
  C:\SAM\GUITAR3.SAM
  ...

The names should be fully qualified (drive letter and path) and there can only
be one file name per line. There is no limit to the number of names in this
list.

Hint - try - DIR /F *.SAM > SAMLIST.TXT

Typically, only one such file is needed so the default has to be initialized
only once. The file name (SAMLIST.TXT in the example) is up to the user.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.4. Sound... ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

A file dialog box is opened with a *.SAM file mask. Selecting a sample file
will open another dialog box to play the sample. Optionally, the sample
frequency and duration can be changed.

Note - Owing to the heavily buffered nature of MMPM/2, there is usually a
considerable time delay before the frequency or duration changes become
audible.

Repeat points can be used to make the sample play continuously. The repeat
point marks the start of a loop and the repeat length determines the length of
the loop. These values are in number of bytes and should be chosen based on the
sample file length, which is also displayed in the dialog box. Normally, repeat
points are only used on samples with a constant (non-decaying) tone and
loudness such as a wind instrument. Similarly, string and percussion
instruments are examples that would not contain repeats.

This option is only for testing to obtain the desired effect. To apply the
repeat points to a score, choose the Options menu and select Sample...


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. Score Menu ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Score menu relates to creating a music composition in the PMPoze window.

 Title...            Provides for naming the song. This title cannot be more
                     than 19 characters and is placed in the MOD file. It also
                     appears in the status bar and in the title bar.

 Play Score          Plays the notes currently making up the score.

 Terminate Play      Terminates all playing (MOD file or score)

 Loop                Replay the score from the beginning

 Save notes...       Save the contents of the current score to a file

 Load notes...       Load a previously saved music score

 Save MOD...         Save the contents of the current score as a .MOD file

 Clear...            Clear the current score and restore defaults. (The score
                     should be saved before using this option.)


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.1. Title ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

There is a 19 character limit to the song title. It is saved in the MOD file
and displayed in the status bar.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.2. Play score ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Play score option plays the current score. The score sheet must contain
notes and samples must have been assigned before a score can be played.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.3. Terminate play ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This will stop the player immediately


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.4. Loop ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This will play the current score repetitively.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.5. Save notes... ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This allows saving the current score to a file with a default extent of .NTS.
The samples associated with the score are not saved. If notes are reloaded from
a file, samples must be reassigned. Note that the sample data files are usually
quite large.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.6. Load notes... ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This allows retrieving a song score from a disk file and placing it in the
window. The current score, if any, will be replaced.  The instrument samples
are not saved with the notes file. Therefore, samples must be re-assigned
before a newly loaded score can be played.

See: Assign Sample


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.7. Save MOD... ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This allows saving a score as a MOD file. A wide selection of MOD players exist
for DOS, Windows, and OS/2. Songs that authors wish distributed use this
format.

See:

MOD File


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.8. Import MOD... ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This option will convert a MOD file to notes on the score sheet. The
instruments are not loaded, so samples must be assigned as if creating a new
score. Similarly, special effects such as instrument volume, song speed, and so
forth are all reset to the default values.

The note pitch and duration is not changed by the import process, thus the song
should "sound right" when first played.

The key signature, time signature, and score octave can be set prior to import.
Changing these items will affect the appearance of the score, but not the
sound. The cleff can be changed after a song is imported.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.9. Clear... ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This clears the current score sheet and restores defaults.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. Scales Menu ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Scales menu relates to applying global music information to the score.

 Number of Tracks...      Set the number of tracks to 4, 6, or 8.

 Set staves...            Permits assigning a treble or bass cleff to a staff,
                          or turning a staff completely off.

 Key signature...         Assigns the key to the song

 Time signature...        Assigns the time signature to the song


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.1. Number of Tracks ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The number of tracks (staves) can be set to 4, 6, or 8. Increasing the number
of tracks will not cause loss of previously placed notes. Decreasing the number
will cause loss of any notes on removed tracks.

The load on the CPU is proportional to the number of tracks and some CPU's may
not be able to keep up with 6 or 8-track play. Reducing the sample rate in the
control panel will help.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.2. Set staves ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This dialog allows changing the default bass and treble of a staff. Optionally,
a staff can be turned off so that it won't be heard.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.3. Key signature ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Key signatue assigns which notes will automatically be played as sharp or
flat. The key signature is uniquely determined by the number of sharp signs ( )
or flat signs ( ) appearing near the cleff. For example, 3 sharp signs is
A-major (F#, C#, G#), 2 flat signs is B-major (Bb, Eb), and no signs is
C-major.

Notes which are expressly given a sharp, flat, or natural sign override the key
signature.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.4. Time signature ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Assigns the time signature to a score. The time signatue appears like a
fraction in large type near the cleff. It tells the number of beats and type of
beat in a measure. The most popular is 4/4 (default), meaning 4 quarter-note
beats in a measure. For the beat, the first note in a measure is given more
emphasis than the remaining notes in a measure. PMPoze does not directly
support this concept of a beat, so 4/4 and 2/2 mean the same thing as does 3/4
and 6/8.  4/4 time is sometimes written as a large, lower-case c.

Note:  Some printed music sheets might show a whole rest in a 3/4 time measure.
PMPoze does not allow this. Instead, a half-rest and a quarter-rest should be
used.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6. Edit ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Edit commands allow cut/copy/paste operations on the music notes and rests.

 Cut selected          Cuts (deletes) all notes and rests in the select box.
                       All cut symbols are copied to the copy buffer for later
                       pasting.

 Copy selected         Copies all notes and rests in the select box to the copy
                       buffer.

 Cut measures...       Cuts (deletes) all notes and rests in a range specified
                       in a dialog box.

 Copy measures...      Copies all notes and rests in a range specified in a
                       dialog box.

 Paste                 Copies all notes and rests in a copy buffer to the song
                       sheet. The select box determines the position and must
                       be created first.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.1. Cut selected ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Cuts (deletes) rests and notes inside the select box. The deleted notes are
copied to a copy buffer for later pasting. The select box is formed by holding
down mouse-button one and dragging at an angle. It may intersect multiple
staves at once.

CAUTION:
The select box must intesect the staff lines.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.2. Copy selected ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Copies rests and notes inside the select box to a copy buffer for later
pasting. The select box is formed by holding down mouse-button one and dragging
at an angle.

CAUTION:
The select box must intesect the staff.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.3. Cut measures ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

A begining measure number, ending measure number, and a list of track numbers
are entered in a dialog box. Clicking OK will delete all affected notes and
rests and copy them to a copy buffer. The contents of the copy buffer can be
pasted.

Note:  It is possible to paste multiple tracks at once.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.4. Copy measures ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

A begining measure number, ending measure number, and a list of track numbers
are entered in a dialog box. Clicking OK will copy all affected notes and rests
to a copy buffer for each track in the list. The contents of the copy buffer
can be pasted.

Note:  It is possible to paste multiple tracks at once.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.5. Paste ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The contents of the copy buffer are pasted (restored) into the paste
destination. The paste destination must be created first. It is formed by
holding down mouse-button one and dragging at an angle to form a box. The box
is usually a skinny rectangle containing no symbols and it must intersect a
track (staff). It may intersect multiple tracks. In this case, each track copy
buffer will be pasted.

It is not possible to cut from one track and paste into a different track. The
destination track must be the same as the source track.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7. Options ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Options commands are an assortment of commands that aid in creating and
playing music.

 Control panel...      This will bring up a dialog box containing a number of
                       multimedia contols for controlling the player.

 Sample...             Brings up a dialog box for changing the characteristics
                       of samples that have already been applied to the music
                       score.

 Change Octave...      This allows raising or lowering the entire score by one
                       or two octaves.

 Zoom...               Zooms in or out on the score sheet.

 Show Guide            Shows green grid lines.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.1. Control panel ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The control panel is a dialog box with the following multimedia cotrols:

   1. speed

 Changes the playback speed as a percentage of normal.

   2. volume

 Changes the volume as a percentage.

   3. L/R Mix

 This applies only for stereo. It controls the amount of the left channel
 playing out the right speaker, and vice versa. 0 percent means there is no
 mix. 50 percent gives monophonic play, and 100 percent effectively reverses
 the left and right speakers. Typically, this is only used for headphones.

 note -  a non-zero value puts an additional load on the CPU.

   4. Bass

 Controls the amp/mixer bass. Some audio cards do not support this.

   5. Treble

 Controls the amp/mixer treble. Some audio cards do not support this.

   6. Balance

 Conotrols the amp/mixer balance. Some audio cards to not support this.

   7. Rate in Samples/sec

 Controls the playback sampling rate. This does not have to equal the recording
 rate. Lower speeds have lower fidelity but are much less load on the CPU. Most
 audio boards can play up to 44100 hertz, but not all can play at this speed in
 stereo.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.2. Sample... ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

      This dialog box allows changing how a particular sample is played.

   1. Repeat Point

 This value is a byte offset. The player branchs to here when it reaches the
 lessor of (a) sample length, or (b) repeat point + repeat length. The player
 will loop continuously until a new note is encountered.

   2. Repeat Length

 This value is in bytes. If it is less than or equal to 2, no repeats are
 performed. For values greater than 2, the sample plays repeat length bytes
 begining with the repeat point

   3. Volume

 Sets the volume for the sample. A value of 64 is the maximum and is also the
 default.

   4. Finetune

 Adjust the tone of a sample by number of half-steps. Legal range is -8 to +7.

      Only samples that have been assigned to a note are listed.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.3. Change octave... ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This control allows raising or lowering the octave of the entire score. A
change of one octave changes the note pitch by a factor of two.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.4. Show Guide ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This option display grid lines as an aid in placing off-staff notes. It is off
by default.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.5. Zoom ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Zooms in or out on the score sheet. Range is 200 percent (large) to 10 percent
(tiny).


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8. Help Menu ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This option is a guide to getting online help


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.1. Index ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This will bring up a display panel showing an index of all avalable help for
PMPoze. Selecting an item from the index will give additional help on that
item.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.2. General help ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This option gives a very brief description of PMPoze.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.3. Using Help ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This option gives information on the help subsystem.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.4. Keys ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This option gives a description of what keyboard keys are used by PMPoze.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.5. Product information ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This option brings up a product information dialog box.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Open ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Open ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

   1. Select the down arrow to the right of the Drive list to display all the
      drives on your system.
   2. Select a drive from the Drive list.
   3. Select a directory from the Directory list.
   4. Select a file name from the File list or type in a file name and select
      the Open pushbutton to display the file you want to edit.

 For specific help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> List of Fields ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 File name           Type of file
 Drive               File
 Directory           Open pushbutton


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for File name ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for File name ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Type the name of the file you want to open in the File name field and select
the Open pushbutton.

For more help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> List of Fields ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 File name           Type of file
 Drive               File
 Directory           Open pushbutton
                     General help


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Type of file ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Type of file ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select the down arrow to the right of the Type of file field to display the
available file types.  The sample has set this field for all file types.

For more help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Drive ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Drive ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Drive list displays the drives on your system.  Select the drive that
contains the files you want to edit.

For more help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for File ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for File ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The File list displays all the files in the directory you selected from the
Directory list.  Select the file you want to open.

For more help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Directory ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Directory ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Directory list displays the directories on the selected drive.  Select a
directory to display the list of files from that directory in the File list
box.

For more help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Open ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Open ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select the Open pushbutton to display the file you want to edit.

For more help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Save ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use Save to store the file you are editing.  After the file is saved, the text
remains in the window so that you can continue editing it.

Note:  If you are editing a new file, select the Save or Save as choices to
       display the Save as pop-up so that you can name the file you are
       editing.  A file must have a title to be saved.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Save as ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use Save as to name and save a new file or to save an existing file under a
different name, in a different directory, or on a different disk.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Save as ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Save as ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

   1. Select the down arrow to the right of the Drive list to display all the
      drives on your system.
   2. Select a drive from the Drive list.
   3. Select a directory from the Directory list.
   4. Type the name of the file you want to save in the File name field and
      select the Save pushbutton.

 For specific help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> List of Fields ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 File name           Type of file
 Drive               File
 Directory           Save pushbutton


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for File name ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for File name ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Type the name of the file you want to save in the File name field and select
the Save pushbutton.

For more help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> List of Fields ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 File name           Type of file
 Drive               File
 Directory           Save pushbutton
 General help


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Type of file ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Type of file ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select the down arrow to the right of the Type of file field to display the
available file types.  The sample has set this field for all file types.

For more help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Drive ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Drive ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Drive list displays the drives on your system.  Select the drive that
contains the files you want to save.

For more help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for File ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for File ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The File list displays all the files in the directory you selected from the
Directory list.  Select the file you want to rename and save.

For more help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Directory ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Directory ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Directory list displays the directories on the selected drive.  Select a
directory to display the list of files from that directory in the File list
box.

For more help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Save ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Save ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select the Save pushbutton to save the file to the drive and directory you
selected and with the file name you specified.

For more help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9. MOD File ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

MODs are music files that were first popularized on Amiga computers and
subsequently migrated to the PC. They can be characterised as being similar to
a combination of WAV and MIDI files. They contain digital sounds and
instructions on how to play the sounds. The sound pieces are called either
samples or instruments.

MODs have the potential of producing very high quality audio, and because the
instructions allow reuse of the sampled sounds, they are not overly large.
Another advantage is that there are many MOD players for DOS, Windows, and
OS/2. Also, most public bulletin boards carry a selection of MOD files.

The chief drawback of a MOD file is that the play requires a considerable
amount of CPU power. The software has to do all the work in setting sample
frequency and combining the various samples into one or two output channels.

There are a number of different MOD file formats. PMPoze only recognizes the
original 15 sample format and the extended 31 sample format for 4, 6, and 8
channels.  The player will skip over any other format. MODs that are saved to a
file are saved in the 31 sample format.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 10. Hints ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Written music often contain scripts that are not directly supported by PMPoze.
Many of these can be simulated in some way.

This section contains an assortment of how to answers.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 10.1. Triple notes ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Triple notes are three consecutive notes played in the time of two notes. They
are drawn with a heavy, straight bar over them with the numeral 3 written in
the middle of the bar. To enter triple notes in PMPoze, enter one-half the
value of the first two notes. For example, a triple eighth-note would be
entered: sixteenth note, sixteenth note, eighth note.

 Triple note

 Entered like this


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 10.2. Ties and slurs ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Ties and slurs are curved arcs that connect two or more notes.

A tie connects two adjacent notes of the same tone. It means that the two notes
should be sounded as one note. This effect is achieved in PMPoze by changing
the second note to a rest of equal value.

A slur means the connected notes should be played smoothly. There is no
equivalent of this in PMPoze. The slur should be ignored and the notes should
be entered as written.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 10.3. Repeat signs ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

A repeat sign is a double bar with two dots. If the dots face to the left, the
music is continued by jumping back to a repeat sign which has dots facing to
the right. If there is no beginning repeat sign, music is continued from the
beginning of the song. The repeat sign is honored only once. The second time it
is encountered, play continues through the sign.

PMPoze does not use repeat signs. Instead, the repeated music has to be
re-entered. Typically this is done by using the Copy measures option in the
Edit Menu. The quickest way to do this is to copy all four tracks at once and
paste them all at once by making a paste target that spans all four tracks.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 10.4. References ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

There are a number of books that teach the basics of music notation. One such
book is How To Read Music by Roger Evans, Crown Publishers, Inc., ISBN
0-517-56237-5. Suggested retaile is $7.00.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11. Product information dialog ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This dialog displays information about the application, such   as version
number and copyright notice.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 12. Tool Bar ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The tool bar is used for selecting and placing notes and rests, editing notes,
and editing tracks.

Selecting a note or a rest brings up the note pointer. This signifies that the
pointer is armed with a note. The note can be placed on the staff or up to 3
lines above or below a staff. Anything outside this range will de-select the
note and the pointer will revert to the default arrowhead.

Selecting a blue button brings a blue vertical arrow that is used as a
note-selector pointer This is used to select and edit notes on the staff.

Selecting a red button brings up the I-beam cursor. This is used to make
changes to all notes downstream of the cursor's position on a staff.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 12.1. note pointer ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Selecting a note or rest in the toolbar window will display the mouse pointer
as a note. This indicates that the pointer is ready to place a note.

The staves have a vertical positioning range of +- 3 lines above or below a
staff. The note can now be placed with a single click of the left mouse button.
If the left mouse button is clicked when the pointer is outside of this range,
the note is de-selected and the pointer reverts to the system arrowhead
pointer.

A note can be made to sound outside of the +- 3 line range by using the
note-selector.change octave option.

a typical note pointer

Selectable notes and rests are:

dotted half note

dotted quarter note

dotted eighth note

dotted sixteenth note

dotted thirtysecond note

whole note

half note

quarter note

eighth note

sixteenth note

thirtysecond note

whole rest

half rest

quarter rest

eighth rest

sixteenth rest

thirtysecond rest

dotted thirtysecond rest

A dot on a note or rest makes the count last 1.5 times.

Note:  Unlike notes, rests are additive. Thus, most dotted rests are created by
using two rests. For example, a dotted half rest is a half rest and a quarter
rest. Because PMPoze does not have 64th rests (or notes), a dotted thirtysecond
rest is needed.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 12.2. Note-Selector pointer ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Selecting a blue button will bring up a blue vertical arrowhead pointer which
is used to modify notes on the staff. The note is selected by clicking the
pointer on the note hot spot. This is the left most part of the note. For
example, this is where the bulb meets a staff line. In practice, the hot spot
location is seldom critical.

Note selector on a note hot spot

The selectable tools are:

assign an instrument (sample)

assign accidentals (sharps, naturals, and flats)

change tone by sliding a note vertically

change note duration

change note octave

The actual change is done via a dialog box that appears when a note is
selected.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 12.3. I-beam cursor ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Selecting one of the red symbols in the toolbar window will bring up the I-beam
cursor.

The cursor should be placed on a track and to the left of any notes that will
be affected. This means the track must contain at least one note.

The I-beam cursor

The available tools are:

assign a sample

set volume

assign an effect

change octave

Pressing mouse button one will bring up a dialog box to perform the action.

See:

      Assign Sample
      Effect
      Track Volume
      Track Octave


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 13. Assign Sample Dialog ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Assign Sample dialog is brought up by choosing the  tool and then clicking
with the I-beam cursor positioned on a staff

or

by choosing the  tool and then clicking on a note.

The list of samples in the dialog comes from the Collect... or the File List...
menu options in the SamFiles menu. If using the I-beam cursor, the selected
sample is assigned to all notes downstream (to the right) of the cursor. The
blue note selector applies the sample to only one note.

All newly appended notes assume the sample of its predecessor.

REMINDER:  A sample must be assigned before any notes can be heard.

When starting up, a sample should be assigned to the first note on each track.
Typically this is done with the I-beam cursor so that all notes will have a
sample assigned.

The sound push button previews the sample. The frequency slider can be used to
change the sample frequency by as much as +- two octaves as shown by the major
tick marks. The minor tick marks are in one-note increments.

Note:  Samples cannot be assigned or played while the player is running. Thus
the OK button and Sound button are greyed out if the player is playing.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 14. Track volume ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The I-beam cursor. can be used to alter the volume over a track interval.
Select the red speaker symbol, and then select a note on a track by placing the
cursor to the left of the note to be changed. A slider control appears that
allows setting volume anywhere from 0 to the maximum of 64. The volume is only
changed downstream of the I-beam cursor.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 15. Effect ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Each individual note in a MOD file can be assigned an Effect. Some effects
persist only for the duration of a note, while others, such as volume or speed,
persist indefinitely. To assign an effect, place the I-beam cursor. to the left
of the note to be changed.

There are a total of 16 effects, but not all of these are used by PMPoze. Each
effect can be given a value (a command) that is one byte in size. The command
value is set by the vertical XY-sliders where X and Y are 4-bit hex values, or
nibbles. The different effects interpret this XY-cammand value in different
ways. For example, in some cases, XY is byte value. For other cases, XY are
treated as two independent nibbles as discussed below. Only those effects
marked with a * are supported by PMPoze.

 Effect/ Description
 0 - arpeggio
        play three pitches in rapid succession. X = first interval and Y =
        second interval.
 1 - pitch slide up
        increase pitch at the rate XY.
 2 - pitch slide down
        decrease pitch at the rate XY.
 3 - pitch slide to note
        continuously change pitch until it reaches that note. XY is the rate of
        pitch change.
 4 - vibrato
        produces a vibrato effect. X = rate, Y = depth.
 5 - note slide + volume slide

 6 - vibrato + volume slide
        XY
 7 - tremulo
        XY
 8 - (not defined)
        XY
 9 - sample offset
        XY
 10- volume slide *
        increase or decrease volume. X0 = increase volume at rate X. 0Y =
        decrease volume at rate Y.
 11- position jump *
        jump to pattern number XY. A pattern is 4 measures.
 12- set volume *
        Set volume to XY where XY is a percentage. Note that 64 hex is 100
        percent so the XY range is 0 to 64.
 13- pattern break *
        jump to the next pattern.
 14- (not defined)

 15- set speed *
        XY is percentange of default speed with 100 (64 hex) being normal play.
        Values less than 20 hex are ignored. Thus, the total range is 32
        percent to 255 percent. The speed effect persists until another speed
        effect is encountered or until the song ends.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 16. Track octave ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The I-beam cursor. can be used alter the octave of notes over a region on a
track. Select the red figure 8 symbol, and then select a note on a track by
placing the cursor to the left of the note to be changed. A spin button control
appears that allows changing the track octave by +- 2 downstream of this point.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 17. Accidental note ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Accidental notes are notes on the staff that are expressly given a sharp,
natural, or flat sign. These signs take precedent over the Key signature.

The accidentals look as follows:

Sharp  Flat  Natural

Note:  If the first note in a measure has an accidental, all notes of the same
value in that measure are given the same accidental value even though there is
no visible accidental. For example, if the first E note is flattened, all the
E-notes in that measure are also flattened. PMPoze does not do this
automatically. It must be done by the user.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 18. Note octave ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Choosing the blue figure 8 allows raising or lowering a note by 1 or 2 octaves.
This is most often used in a situation where a printed note is beyond the reach
of the staff. A note can be positioned high or low by one or more octaves and
then the tone can be corrected with this option.

An octave covers 7 notes (3-1/2 lines) which can be counted off. Also, the tool
for sliding the note vertically has slider control graduations that may be
helpful.