AM/FM: Amiga Musicians' Freeware Magazine 13

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ AM/FM: Amiga Musicians' Freeware Magazine 13 / AM-FM 13.adf / utilities / IntuiTracker / IntuiTracker.doc.pp / IntuiTracker.doc

Wrap

Text File | 1992-11-07 | 27.4 KB | 896 lines

_________ ________ __ __ __ ________ _______ __ __ /\___ ___\/\______ \ /\ \ /\ \ /\ \/\ _ _ \/\_____ \/\ \ /\ \ \/__/\ \__/\/______\ \\ \ \\ \ \\ \ \ \ \\_\\ \/_____\ \ \ \\_\ \ \ \ \ /\ _____\\ \ \\ \ \\ \ \ \ \__/\ \/\ ____\ \ ___ \ \ \ \ \ \ \____/_\ \ \\ \ \\_\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \___/\ \ \_/\ \ \ \_\ \ \_\ /\_\\ \_\\ \______\ \_\ \ \_\ \_\ \ \_\\ \_\ \/_/ \/_/ \/_/ \/_/ \/______/\/_/ \/_/\/_/ \/_/ \/_/ --------------------------------- Intuitracker 1.50 - 08 April 1992 --------------------------------- ====================================================================== CONTENTS ====================================================================== 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Features 1.2 "Yeah, so why is IntuiTracker better than whateverplayer?" 1.3 Disclaimer - legal information 1.4 Development info 1.5 Credits 1.6 How to contact the author 1.7 Revision history 1.8 Coming features 2. SETUP 2.1 System requirements 2.2 Files included 2.3 How to install IntuiTracker 2.4 Running from Shell 2.5 Running from Workbench 2.6 Easy how to use guide 3. THE GADGETS 4. COMMANDS IN THE "CONTROL" MENU 4.1 Play 4.2 Stop 4.3 Eject 4.4 Play next 4.5 Play prev 4.6 Program mode 4.7 Randomize program 4.8 Clear program 4.9 Do auto programming 4.10 Toggle filter 4.11 About 4.12 Quit 5. COMMANDS IN THE "PREFS" MENU 5.1 View... settings 5.2 Override... settings 5.3 Track... settings 5.4 Program... settings 5.5 Save settings 6. COMMANDS IN THE "TRACK" MENU 6.1 Select file/directory 6.2 Rescan directory 6.3 Clear track menu 6.4 Selecting modules 7. APPWINDOW & COMMODITY OPERATION 7.1 Dropping icons 7.2 Controlling IntuiTracker from "Exchange" 8. ERROR CONDITIONS 8.1 Error returncodes 8.2 Warnings 8.3 NukeIT support 9. THE INTUITRACKER MODULE COMMENT STANDARD 9.1 General information 9.2 How to add comments ====================================================================== 1. INTRODUCTION ====================================================================== 1.1 Features ------------- * MULTITASKS better than any other player. Does NOT use busywaits or rasterline counts in the replay routine. * NEW REPLAY ROUTINE that supports - SoundTracker 2.0 - 2.6 - NoiseTracker 1.0 - 1.3 & 2.0 - ProTracker 1.0 - 1.3b & 2.1a * COMPATIBLE with all screenmodes and processors * EASY TO USE file/directory requester via asl.library * ARQ requester support * POWERPACKER packing supported if powerpacker.library is available * XPK packing supported if xpk.library is available. * ADVANCED MENU SYSTEM. Select the modules you want to play from a menu, in the order you want, or select random mode. * SPECTRUM ANALYZER to visualize the music being played. * MODULE INFORMATION will be shown if you press the "Triumph" gadget. (see chapter 7 for more info) * 2.0 BASED COMMODITY OPERATION * TOTALLY INTUITION BASED 1.2 "Yeah, so why is IntuiTracker better than whateverplayer?" --------------------------------------------------------------- IntuiTracker is, as far as I know, the only module player with the following not-quite-so-ordinary features: * The first replayer ever used in a module player without busywaits. This of course makes IntuiTracker the fastest player available. No time is wasted anywhere! In fact, this is the way the ProTracker replayer should have been written, not to mention the first SoundTracker player! * Uses only standard system libraries * Does not force you to install packer libraries if you don't need them. If you need powerpacker, install powerpacker. If you need xpk, install xpk. * Supports -multiply- crunched XPK modules. Try using DLTA+NUKE or DLTA+SHRI for great results. * All decrunching is done is fast ram if possible. * Does not just allocate sound channels and sit on them. Tries to allocate the channels when needed instead. * Does not do the same with the timers needed either. * Guranteed to play SoundTracker, NoiseTracker AND ProTracker. Yes, we know there are differences, but they are taken care of. * Smarter module idenfication routine. 'M.K.' is not enough... * Great looking graphics in high res modes! :-) * Actually uses menus in a sensible way. 1.2 Disclaimer - legal information ----------------------------------- Intuitracker 1.50 and this documentation file are provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Further, Nils Corneliusen does not warrant, guarantee, or make any representations regarding the use, or the results of use, of Intuitracker 1.50 or this documentation file in terms of correctness or otherwise. All risks due to the performance or results of the use of Intuitracker 1.50 and this documentation are assumed by you. Intuitracker 1.50 is freely distributable provided no fee other than a moderate fee for disk copying charges is made for its acquirement. It may be distributed across any electronic network, provided no fee is charged specifically for it's download. A broad-based download fee is acceptable provided it is charged universally for all such file downloads. All associated files included with the distribution archive of Intuitracker 1.50 are to remain intact and unaltered. BBS listing notices and the like may be included in the archive provided no alterations are made to the actual distribution files themselves. This program, and all accompanying files are not public domain. They are copyright material and may not be used for commercial purposes without permission from the author. In most circumstances such permission will be granted, but the author must be contacted before any distribution with a commercial product. Intuitracker 1.50 is not shareware, as no donation or usage fee is required. However, any donations are always appreciated, and can only encourage further development of the program. This is an ongoing project, and will continue to be so as long as interest in it is shown. 1.4 Development info --------------------- This program was developed by: Nils Corneliusen - main code Darkman/Triumph Olav Kalgraf - replay routine Warp/Triumph Carl Henrik Aaby - IntuiTracker intro Smeagol/Triumph (available on the release disk) Programs and equipment used: CygnusEd 2.12 - main editor Devpac 3.02 - coding Enforcer - debugging Sushi - " Mungwall - " Source size: approx 220k with comments The program is based on Intuitracker 1.28 by Jan Ivar Bruarøy (Wiseguy/Triumph) and PowerPlay 2.32 by Øyvind Falch (Falch/Triumph). 1.5 Credits ------------ We wish to thank the following persons for their help and support: Jan Ivar Bruarøy - for the original replay source Wiseguy/Triumph Øyvind Falch - for the PowerPlay source Falch/Triumph Pierre Andersen - for his *GREAT* board! Crowley/Triumph Kim Andre Boye - for the icon And the betatesters: Mats Hansen Jan Roger Wilkens Kent Bakke Ivar Hagen Eivind Eklund Kim Andre Boye Lars Haugseth Christian Moen Carl Jørgen Gade 1.6 How to contact the author ------------------------------ I welcome bugreports and comments about Intuitracker and the documentation. You can reach me by the following means: Snail mail: Nils Corneliusen Heyerdahls vei 17 0386 OSLO Norway (valid until Summer 93) Internet: nilsco@ifi.uio.no IRC: IntuiMan on #amiga BBS: INTERFERENCE BBS, +46 525 13139/13091/13092/13094/13095 (in Sweden - username DARKMAN TRIUMPH) 1.7 Revision history --------------------- Release 1.28 - November 1990 by Jan Ivar Bruarøy Release 1.50 - January 1993 by Nils Corneliusen & Co. - 100% recoded from scratch - everything is better and all known bugs nonexistent :-) - Videotoaster 24-bit spectroscope support 1.8 Coming features -------------------- IntuiTracker is a program under constant development and the following features will be added in the next release: * replayer.library for increased tracker support * half height mode * extended Shell support * Arexx support * CD style directory organization ====================================================================== 2. SETUP ====================================================================== 2.1 System requirements ----------------------- Intuitracker 1.50 has the following requirements to run: - Kickstart release 37.175 or higher - 512k chip ram, preferrably some REAL fast ram - a stereo set attached to your Amiga If you want IntuiTracker 1.50 to look nice, be sure to use a screen- mode higher than 400 pixels! All gadgets etc. were designed for these modes. Of course, this gives the author a chance to boast about his equipment: Amiga 4000/040/10mb attached to a Denon PMA 1560 with 2xCerwin Vega DC-15 loudspeakers :-). 2.2 Files included ------------------ The files included in this archive should be: Intuitracker 31204 bytes Intuitracker.info 1119 bytes Intuitracker.doc 27154 bytes - this file Intuitracker.doc.info 779 bytes If any of these files are missing or the filesizes are different, call Interference BBS to obtain the latest version. If you want to play powerpacked modules, put powerpacker.library in the libs: directory. IntuiTracker also supports xpk crunched modules if you have installed the xpk libraries. 2.3 How to install IntuiTracker -------------------------------- To install IntuiTracker, just put it whereever you want. Drag the icon into a drawer, or use the shell copy command. IntuiTracker does not mind :-). 2.4 Running from Shell ----------------------- If you use IntuiTracker from Shell, you can specify a directory path (+ filename) as an argument. If you do so, the directory specified will automatically be scanned for modules and the module will be loaded. This will override the default directory setting saved in the config file. 2.5 Running from Workbench --------------------------- Running IntuiTracker from Workbench gives you a lot of additional options. The following tool types are allowed: Name Description Default System: ------- TOOLPRI=n sets start priority 0 STARTPRI=n starting order for WBStartup drawer DONOTWAIT tells WB not to wait for exit in WBStartup WAIT=n seconds to wait before scanning default dir 0 Commodity: ---------- CX_PRIORITY=n 0 IntuiTracker: ------------- DIRNAME=dir sets default module directory ST-00:Modules LOCKFILTER= equals Prefs/Override filter YES FORCEVB= equals Prefs/Force VB timing NO AUTOSCAN= equals Prefs/Track/Auto rescan YES MODONLY= equals Prefs/Track/Mod files only YES MODREPEAT= equals Prefs/Track/Repeat track NO AUTOPROGRAM= equals Prefs/Program/Automatic mode YES PROGREPEAT= equals Prefs/Program/Repeat program NO MAXMOD=n max number of modules in menu (0-56) 23 VIEW=VOLUME|SPECTRUM|CONTROL or NONE SPECTRUM|CONTROL To add a tool type, select the IntuiTracker icon and choose 'Information' from the WB Icon menu. The rest should be self explanatory. Note that tool types are always scanned AFTER the settings file is read. WB tool types therefore override saved settings. 2.6 Easy how to use guide -------------------------- The first time you start IntuiTracker, a warning requester will appear, stating that it is unable to read the config file. This is not dangerous! If no config file is found, all settings will be set to their default values. Next, check the "Track" menu to see if there are any modules there. The default mod dir is RAM:, so you probably want to change it. Select "Track/Select file/directory", and pick the directory where you keep your modules. If you don't like the size of the file requester, just change it. The new directory will now be scanned. If you still don't get any modules, try turning Prefs/Track/Mod files only off. Then use Track/Rescan... to re-read the directory. Now the track menu should be full of entries. Just select one and off you go! After the module has finished playing, the next one will be loaded automatically if Prefs/Track/Repeat track is turned off. To save your new configuration, select Prefs/Save settings. Could it be simpler? That is why we call it IntuiTracker! ====================================================================== 3. THE GADGETS ====================================================================== The Intuitracker window should look something like this: ______________________________ |9|____10_________________|11| | | | | | | |1| 14 | <- Spectrum analyzer |2| | | | | |_|__________________________| 1|2_|3_|4_|5_|6_|7_|8_|13____| <- Control panel ^- Volume control If the spectrum analyzer is not enabled in View settings, the Volume control will be placed horizontally: ______________________________ |9|____10_________________|11| | |____________12____________| <- Volume control 1|2_|3_|4_|5_|6_|7_|8_|13____| <- Control panel (Well, stop complaining about those stupid drawings, and look for yourself!) 1. Speed control (+/-) ---------------------- These two small gadgets lets you change the playback speed. If speed changes appear in the module, this setting will lose its effect. 2. Play previous module |< -------------------------- Jumps to the previous module in order if a program is active. 3. Rewind << ------------ Jumps one pattern back. 4. Play/pause |> ---------------- Starts playing the loaded module. If pressed a second time, the module will pause. Press it a third time to continue playing. 5. Forward >> ------------- Jumps one pattern forward. 6. Play next module >| ---------------------- Jumps to then next module in order if a program is active. 7. Eject ^ ---------- Removes the current module from memory. _ 8. Stop |_| ----------- Stops playing the current module. 9. Close button --------------- Quits IntuiTracker. 10. Title bar ------------- Shows numbers of patterns, the currently played pattern and module name. 11. Window to front/back ------------------------ Well, who knows? Try it! 12. Volume control ------------------ Controls the volume level. 13. TRIUMPH button ------------------ If no module is loaded, the "about" requester will be shown. Otherwise, Intuitracker tries to find some # info in the instrument names and view it. If no info is found, an error message will appear. For more information, read part x of this documentation. 14. Spectrum analyzer window ---------------------------- Yep, the amazing IntuiTracker spectrum analyzer. ====================================================================== 4. COMMANDS IN THE "CONTROL" MENU ====================================================================== 4.1 Play (AMIGA-P) ------------------- Starts playing the module. If a module is already playing, the module is paused. See gadget 4. 4.2 Stop (AMIGA-S) ------------------- Stops playing the module. 4.3 Eject (AMIGA-X) -------------------- Removes the current module from memory. 4.4 Play next (AMIGA-.) ------------------------ Jumps to the next module in order if a program is active. 4.5 Play prev (AMIGA-,) ------------------------ Jumps to the previous module in order if a program is active. 4.6 Program mode (AMIGA-L) --------------------------- When Program mode is enabled, all modules selected will be put in the program buffer. The 20 first selected will be assigned a hotkey each. When you are finished, reselect this item and the program will start playing from entry 1. 4.7 Randomize program (AMIGA-R) -------------------------------- If you have program active, selecting this item will randomize the order in which they are played. 4.8 Clear program (AMIGA-C) ---------------------------- Clears the active program. 4.9 Do auto programming (AMIGA-D) ---------------------------------- Automatically programs all modules in the current directory in alphabetical order. 4.10 Toggle filter (AMIGA-Z) ---------------------------- Toggles the audio filter. 4.11 About (AMIGA-?) -------------------- Shows info about IntuiTracker in a window. 4.12 Quit (AMIGA-Q) ------------------- Quits IntuiTracker. ====================================================================== 5. COMMANDS IN THE "PREFS" MENU ====================================================================== 5.1 VIEW... SETTINGS --------------------- 5.1.1 None ---------- Turns off all view settings. 5.1.2 Volume control -------------------- Toggles the volume control. 5.1.3 Spectrum analyzer ----------------------- Toggles the spectrum analyzer display. 5.1.4 Control panel ------------------- Toggles the control panel. 5.2 OVERRIDE... SETTINGS ------------------------- 5.2.1 Override filter --------------------- Implies that IntuiTracker won't change the filter mode even if it is requested in the module. Note that IntuiTracker has no control over what other programs do with the filter, so if the filter is ON when it should be off, use the Control/Toggle filter option. 5.2.2 Force VB timing --------------------- Forces VB timing. Some modules may need this to play correctly. The VB timing is actually faked using the CIA timer, so it will still sound correctly in other screenmodes. 5.3 TRACK... SETTINGS ---------------------- 5.3.1 Track/Set max number of tracks (AMIGA-M) ---------------------------------------------- Allows you to change the max number of entries in the track menu. This option is by default set to 23. If you want more modules to appear in the menu, change this setting to something that suits you. The maximum possible entries are 56. 5.3.2 Track/Auto scan at startup -------------------------------- If this option is selected and the configuration is saved, the current module directory will be automatically scanned next time you start IntuiTracker. 5.3.3 Track/MOD files only -------------------------- Will only show files matching MOD.* in Single file select or in Track select. If turned on after a Track directory is read, you must use Track/Rescan menu to update it. 5.3.4 Track/Repeat track ------------------------ If turned on, the track will be played forever and new modules will not be loaded when the current one is finished. 5.4 PROGRAM... SETTINGS ------------------------ 5.4.1 Automatic mode -------------------- If this option is turned on, automatic programming will be auto- matically done when a new directory is scanned. 5.4.2 Repeat/wrap ----------------- Implies that the program will automatically restart when finished playing through the list. Also lets you use the PREV/NEXT gadgets to wrap the program. 5.5 Save settings (Amiga-W) ---------------------------- Saves all prefs settings in S:IT.config. This file is automatically loaded every time you start IntuiTracker. ====================================================================== 6. COMMANDS IN THE "TRACK" MENU ====================================================================== 6.1 Select file/directory (Amiga-O) ------------------------------------ Opens up a standard requester asking for a filename or directory. If you select a file, that file will be loaded and played. If the directory is different from last time, the new directory will be scanned for modules and the track menu will be updated. 6.2 Rescan directory (Amiga-D) ------------------------------- Updates the track menu. Use this option if you have copied or deleted files in the module directory. 6.3 Clear track menu --------------------- Clears the track menu and the active program (if any). 6.4 Selecting modules ---------------------- Below "Clear track menu" there should be a lot of module names. If you want to hear one of them, just select it. If the selected module is in the program list, the program pointer will be moved. Note that you can use the hotkeys to select one of the 20 first programmed at any time. ====================================================================== 8. APPWINDOW & COMMODITY OPERATION ====================================================================== 7.1 Dropping icons ------------------- IntuiTracker lets you drop icons into the window. If a file is dropped, it is loaded and played. After playing is finished, IntuiTracker will continue to play the old program. If you drop a drawer or disk into the window, the default directory will be changed to that dir. The directory is then scanned and the first module starts playing. Note that dropping multiple icons into the window will have no effect, since IntuiTracker can't assume that all the modules are from the same directory. 7.2 Controlling IntuiTracker from "Exchange" --------------------------------------------- IntuiTracker has some limited commodity support. If you select Intui- Tracker in the Exchange program, the only sensible option to select is "Remove". None of the other will have any effect. ====================================================================== 8. ERROR CONDITIONS ====================================================================== 8.1 Error returncodes ---------------------- All errors are fatal and will quit IntuiTracker after cleaning up properly. The error codes stated will be returned to the Shell. OTHER 111: Error opening commodity (System problems) 112: Error opening commodity (Unknown version) 113: Error adding message ports WINDOW 121: Error opening IntuiTracker window MEMORY 131: Error allocating data section (public) 132: Error allocating bitmaps (chip) 133: Error allocating bitmaps (public) 134: Error allocating menu structure (public) LIBRARIES 141: Error opening dos.library any 142: Error opening intuition.library v37 143: Error opening graphics.library v37 144: Error opening gadtools.library v37 145: Error opening asl.library v37 146: Error opening workbench.library v37 147: Error opening commodities.library v37 148: Error opening icon.library v37 KICKSTART 199: Wrong kickstart version (v37.175 or newer needed) 8.2 Warnings ------------- General warnings (non fatal errors) that appear while running IntuiTracker. These will always appear in a requester. Note that warnings returned from the XPK library are not listed here. Can't find file --------------- The file has probably been deleted since your last rescan. Do another rescan to update the track menu. Not enough memory ----------------- You don't have enough memory to either load or decrunch the module. Try freeing up some memory, like deleting something on the ram disk, quitting AdPro etc. Load error ---------- Something went wrong during loading. The most likely cause is a read error. Module is password protected ---------------------------- The module has been encrypted with powerpacker and cannot be decrunched, since IntuiTracker 1.50 does not support encrypted modules. This is very likely to change in the future (ie. when I am so bored that I want to write ANOTHER stupid requester routine). Unable to save S:IT.config -------------------------- The old config file is probably protected from deletion and can't be removed. Do a "PROTECT S:IT.config +d" to fix it. Powerpacker.library unavailable ------------------------------- You have tried to load a powerpacked module, but IntuiTracker could not find powerpacker.library or the version is too old. Copy power- packer.library version 35 or newer to libs: and retry. Can't allocate audio.device --------------------------- Some other program is already using the audio device. Exit that program and try again. Notice that PowerPlayer always allocates the audio channels at startup, even if it doesn't need them. Can't allocate CIA timer ------------------------ Both the A and B timers in CIAB are currently in use. Try quitting a program which uses those timers, f ex ProTracker or Civilization. Invalid directory ----------------- The directory you have selected is invalid. It has probably been renamed, deleted or moved somewhere else. Select "Tracks/Select file..." again and try another dir. File is not a supported module type ----------------------------------- The file is not a module, trust us. If you insist that this is module, try loading it into ProTracker and save it before trying it in IntuiTracker again. ====================================================================== 9. THE INTUITRACKER MODULE COMMENT STANDARD ====================================================================== 9.1 General information ------------------------ This standard was designed to be able to read module comments easily. Normally, the author usually renames the instruments and places info about himself there. However, this can be quite confuzing to read or find. Some players (like ProPlay) lets you display all instrument names, but it somehow defeats the idea. The principle is: If there's something there that's meant to be read, it should be marked in a special way. The following method of reading module info has been incorporated in all versions of IntuiTracker, and others like Module Master 2, EdPlayer and ST-player also have support for it. It's up to you to use this method. If you don't like it, fine, don't use it. 9.2 How to add comments ------------------------ To add a message to your module, add a '#' in front of the instrument name. An example: modname: 'freeride 2' instr 1: 'st-00:blaaeh' instr 2: '#Clyde of Triumph.' instr 2: '#Have a nice day.' instr 3: '#Triumph 1992' instr 4: 'st-01:ringpiano' instr 5: '#4000 rules!' (...) Adds up to the following: "Clyde of Triumph. Have a nice day. Triumph 1992 4000 rules! " Of course, this looks much better in the requester. --- Said while developing IntuiTracker: "%=£%=)£%!!!!! FU*K!!!!! SH*T!!!! NIIIIIIIIIIIIIIH! GFLJ$EIGOW!!! %)(/£FJHESØH(/%$%=(/£! HAAAAAAAAAAASTUR!!!!!" - Darkman in the summer '92 when the harddisk crashed. Guess who had no backup? "Sure, no problem, I'll have it finished before christmas." - Darkman in November '92 "The WHAT? Oh, it's quite stupid really. Carl can do that!" - Warp on the modchecking routine "It worked on my old 3000! Why won't it work on your 500?" - Darkman on 68000 compatibility "Hmm, must be a hardware fault of some kind." - Darkman on 500/68000 compatibility again "Sure, no problem, I'll release it on The Gathering '93." - Darkman in March '93 "Which Christmas did you say?" - Crowley (Sysop on Interference) on the IntuiTracker release date Cthulhu in '96!