---------------------------------------------------- MegaPlayer¿ Version 1.15, the 15th of October 1995 By St‚phane LESAGE aka Simplet / FATAL DESIGN e-mail 100620,2673@compuserve.com (Skynet/FD) ---------------------------------------------------- It is strictly forbidden to modify this program or use of some parts of it without my agreement. The Replay Routines, are freeware and you can freely use them in any public domain program to the condition that you mention where they come from. It is forbidden to use them in a commercial product. Contact me if you need them for such a project. You don't have to remove files from the archive. You must transmit it completely and gratis. Some PD organisms can take copying fees and only for copying, as long as no benefit is made. I authorise magazines to put this program on their cover disk to only condition that they send me the corresponding number, which is not too much ask. Shareware : ----------- The MegaPlayer has now become a shareware program ! If you regularly use the MegaPlayer, you must send a modest contribution You will then receive a registered version to your name and will benefit of all the advantages it has on the unregistered release. Try to make an effort, take an envelop, stamps, a 50FF, 15DM, œ5 or 10$ cheque or a 50FF bank-note and send it to me. The last updates of this program will be found on ftp.cnam.fr But keep in mind that there will not be many updates before June 1996 because I must continue my studies and prepare for exams. So get registered if you want to have a good version of the MegaPlayer. You won't regret it. And think a little about me who works for more than one year on this program ! Little Doc ---------- The MegaPlayer¿ lets you listen SoundTracker music modules composed with digitalised instruments. It has a GEM interface and can run as an accessory (rename it MGT-PLAY.ACC et place it in C:\ with the resource file) It uses the DSP to procedure an 16 bits stereo sound at 49KHz withtout slowing down your machine. It supports several different formats with any number of voices : - .MOD SoundTracker,ProTracker,NoiseTracker,StarTrekker (Amiga) Octalyser (ST-Falcon), FastTracker I (PC) - .669 Composer 669 (PC) - .OKT Oktalyzer (Amiga) - .MTM MultiTracker (PC) - .S3M ScreamTracker 3.0 to 3.2 (PC) - .ULT UltraTracker 1.4 to 1.6 (GUS on PC) (Registered version only) - .DTM Digital Tracker 2.04 (Falcon) (Registered version only) - .XM FastTracker II (PC) (Registered version only) You can pack your modules with the following packers : Atomik 3.5, Ice 2.4, SpeedPacker 3, Sentry 2.0 or PowerPacker 2.0 (Amiga) Please don't use the NoisePacker, it DESTROYS your module by coding the samples on 4 bits !!! The MegaPlayer¿ is very simple to use. Its interface is that of a CD player. Here is the detail for some options : - click on the module name makes display the samples names every second. click once again to stop it. - 'Rep' is used to select the automatic restart mode of a module. It should be disabled in order to cope with the List mode. - 'Inf' shows you some information on the currently loaded module. - 'Osc' displays the Oscilloscops window. - 'SpA' displays the Spectrum Analyser window. This option is not implemented in the unregistered version. - 'Snd' allows you to access the Sound Control Window, to change the replay frequency or several volume parameters. - 'Cfg' is used to change so configuration parameters. - 'List' allows you to access to the Modules List functions of the MegaPlayer¿. In a way, they are equivalent to the programmation of a CD player. When a module is finished, the MegaPlayer¿ plays the next one in the List. (if the 'Rep' option is not enabled !) Use the 'Add' option to add a module after the end of the list, or click on a module and then use 'Insert' to insert a module just before the one you have selected. Use 'Remove' to remove the selected module from the list. You can 'Save' this list to 'Load' it after or to play it automatically on the accessory boot, just rename it MGT-PLAY.MPL and place it in C:\. You can use the 'Merge' option to add a whole list to the current list. Of course, the 'Clear' option clears the whole list. When selecting modules, you can use wildcards (? and *) to specify a set of files. You can also select several modules if you use the Selectric¿ fileselector. The MegaPlayer¿ (as program) automatically loads the modules or list passed into the command line. This means you can install it as an GEM application with parameters (.GTP) for the *.MOD, *.S3M, *.ULT..etc files. The MegaPlayer¿ includes the drag'n'drop protocol, which means that under MultiTos, you can drag GEM desktop icons for example, on the MegaPlayer¿ windows. If you drag one file on the main window, the module will be loaded and played. If there are several files or if the only file is a list, then all the modules will be aded to the list (List Window) or a new list will be created and played (All other windows). Available only in the registered version. The MegaPlayer¿ includes the AV-protocol too. It is used by alternative desktops like Thing,Ease or Gemini. It provides Drag'n'Drop without Multitos and run-time command lines to be passed to currently running programs. For example, if you install the MegaPlayer¿ as application for *.MOD files, double-clicking on a module will load and play it without loading the player once again if it is already in memory. Available only in the registered version. Another feature is to cycle ALL windows with the Control-W key. The MegaPlayer¿ uses a special system to match to your language. Dependently of the system language (set-up with the NVRAM by default or by the new AES), it looks for the following Resource files : MGPL-ENG, MGPL-FRA, MGPL-DEU, MGPL-ESP, MGPL-ITA, MGPL-SWE I made the French & english Resource files. You can translate yourselft a Resource file (Warning, don't modify the file's structure) and send it to me. Antonio Lillo made the Spanish translation. Do like him. Don't forget this little .TXT documention file. I wait especially a german translation because there is a lot a Atari computers there. (Mein Deutch ist nicht sehr gut..) So, that's all for the MegaPlayer. Have fun with it ! GEM Interface on ATARI : ------------------------ I recommend you to use the Thing alternative desktop and Freedom fileselector. Your machine takes really another dimension with these two programs. Don't hesitate if you want to improove the comfort of your system. Alternative desktops don't take a lot of memory because they can be removed from memory before starting a program. As for Freedom, try it, it's really I recommend you to use the AES 4.1 too, you will have several advantages with many applications, and in particular, the MegaPlayer (Inconified Oscillos and Spectrum are really great !) You just need to take the GEM.SYS file in your MULTITOS folder or in the root directory, rename it GEM.PRG or AES41.PRG for example, and place it at the of your AUTO folder (it must be the last executed program). The only drawback is that it takes some memory. You can also use the freeware program Winx. Programmers : ------------- You can use the MegaPlayer in you own GEM applications. To detect its presence, just search the MGT-PLAY or MGPL-REG application with Appl_Find. Then use the VA_START protocol with as line command, the name(s) of the module(s) or the list to play. Specify the whole path. I recommend you to recognize the AV Protocol in your applications each time it is possible. It improoves really the conviviality of the system. You will find a description of this protocol in the helps of ST-GUIDE and THING or in the file VA-PROTO.H of Gemini. History of the MegaPlayer¿ : ---------------------------- * First version - beginning of June 1994 Only runs as a program. Load only MegaTracker¿ modules ! and plays them immediatly after loading.. no checking of sound system use. no other words : a big shit ! * v0.93ž --> 06/11/1994 Load module of all formats but not packed. Function keys are active and the player runs as an accessory 100% bug free version ! * v0.94ž --> 06/14/1994 Modules conversion improved (conversion in memory and not from disk) allowing packed modules loading (but maybe some bugs with big ones) Atomik 3.5, Ice 2.4, SpeedPacker 3 & PowerPacker 2.0 depacking. Funk Repeat effect implemented * v0.95ž --> 06/21/1994 Interface improved and modules list implementation. Bug fixing and improving of my GEM routs. * v0.95ž --> 07/11/1994 Parasite noises are attenuated, but there are still some noises. Big Bug Fixed. Automatic Playback after loading. Keyclick is re-installed after playing. S3M format is no more available because pattern data depack takes too much memory and it bugs. * v0.96ž - 07/31/1994 - 9H PM to 9H10 PM The Strange bug which arrived on some falcons is removed. Automatic loading of the modules list MGT-PLAY.MPL on the boot. * v0.96ž - I don't remember when ! When the DSP doesn't respond, it's not to you to restart the replay with Pause & PlayBack becoz there is no more sound, the Player does it automatically for you ! * v0.96ž - 08/31/1994 - 9H10 PM to 9H20 PM 669 Modules Tempo corrected. It is now fixed to 30 Hz, which seems to be good. Bug Report by STORM. * v0.96á - 09/03/1994 - 5H PM to 6H PM Command 8 is now implemented as Fine Panning as some Trackers on PC use it like this and not as Phasor Effect. * v0.96á - 10/23/1994 - 0H07 AM to 0H08 AM 669 Modules Tempo now fixed to 32 Hz ( CIA Tempo 80 ), according to BLISS. * v0.97á - 10/26/1994 --> 10/27/1994 S3M format is now loaded again, the bugs responsible for the problems during conversion have been supressed. All effects are implemented but Tremor and Retrig+Volume Slide. Base Frequency of 669 Module fixed to 8740 Hz (according to BLISS) * v0.97á - 10/28/1994 --> 10/29/1994 New management of resource files. New Replay Rout which takes less DSP memory & workspace 030 memory releasing 50Kb. * v0.97á - 10/31/1994 - 1H10 PM to 1H45 PM Shitty Bug Extermination for low tempos modules. * v0.97á - 11/12/1994 - 2H PM to 3H10 PM Timer Event was fixed to 1 sec but is now fixed to 1/100 sec because it doesn't slow down the system and because it allows Next Module of the List to be loaded fastly or DSP-Prog to be loaded again immediately if it has bugged. Implementation of 669 Format Effects. New Big Bug not detected. * v0.98á - 12/26/1994 - 9H55 PM I have removed THE bug...(a6)+ was replaced by (a0)+ in the effects conversion and it shifted pattern data having for consequences beautiful crashes...I hate bugs like that, but I must stay cool... * v1.0á - 04/18/1995 --> 04/22/1995 not Spreaded New MGT v1.0 format used internaly... Replay routines & converter spreaded... AES 4.0 friendly interface ! - Botommed windows - Iconification - Resolution Change under Multitos with automatic save of the windows configuration. No more memory limit for the modules size. Only loads .MOD modules. * - 06/03/1995 --> 06/11/1995 MGT v1.0 format a bit modified. Module List is now avaiblable without the bug it has, I hope. Its size is limited to 20Ko rather than 500 Modules Loading of modules or list passed by the command line. Loading of several modules in the list if the specified file contains wildcards (? or *) or if you use the fabulous Selectric¿ Fileselector. Drag'n'Drop protocol under Multitos implemented. * - 08/08/1995 - 3H PM to 3H30 PM When you click on the module name, the player now displays the names of the samples each second. * v1.0 - 08/11/1995 to 08/17/1995 Conversion of MTM and S3M modules implemented. Optimisation of the number of tracks by removing the same ones. Conversion of ULT modules implemented (not very great) Improving of the S3M conversion by playing the 2 specifics effects : Tremor and Note Retrig+Volume Slide and with the 2 new effects of the ScreamTracker 3.2 : Fine Vibrato & Panning New Oktalyzer-style effects Arpeggio 3,4,5 and (Fine) Note Slide. Conversion of 669, OKT implemented. XM too, but very strange. The replay routine can play samples of any type: 8 bits Mono, 8 bits Stereo, 16 bits Mono and 16 bits Stereo. Conversion of DTM modules implemented. Automatic Detection of old 15 samples modules & 8 voices .WOW First Freeware version Release on ftp.cnam.fr : Module list size limited to 1Ko The Total size of a module in memory is limited to 350Ko No Drag'n'Drop under multitos. Loads only .MOD, .669,.MTM and .S3M modules. * v1.03 - 08/19/1995 - not spreaded The OKT conversion which didn't work anymore due to a cut-paste instead of a copy-paste bloc operation has be made again. Correction of the XM conversion which was totally bugged. Better modules size limitation without bugs (freeware) * v1.05 - 08/20/1995 Implementation of the Oscilloscops. Under Aes >=4.0, the MegaPlayer ask to the desktop to update its windows when the list is saved. Conversion of Initial Global Volume for S3M modules. Now 100% compatible to S3M format. First shareware release. * v1.1 - 08/25/1995 The bug of the 'Add' button when you have no replacement fileselector has been exterminated. Improoving of replay-routines. Sound control and configuration windows. * - 08/26/1995 Implementation of the Spectrum Analyzer (2*16 bands) (For registered people only..) * - 08/27/1995 GEM interface improved for interactivity with non on-top windows. Just click on the buttons you which to active, you needn't click twice to activate the window first and then accomplish the action. Do you remember the Mouse and Keyboard bugs with strong modules ? I have removed this interrupt problem. The spectrum Analyzer displays now 2*32 bands because 2*16 wasn't enough. It runs always at 50 frames per second with NVDI in 2,4 or 16 colors. * - 08/28/1995 The Command Line now accepts the wildcards (* and ?) The 'Add' and 'Insert' functions are debugged. * v1.11 - 08/31/1995 The Bug of the Tremolo effect conversion is removed. * v1.12 - 09/03/1995 The panoramics for Amiga and 669 modules are now $c040 and $40c0 for Left and Right (like the S3M modules), it is a lot better than mono $ff00 and $00ff panoramics, especially for headphones. Only in Mod-Conv and Registered version. * v1.13 - 09/16/1995 There was a bug in Mod conversion (some patterns forgotten) which caused samples data to be shifted. You can now play AUTOWASH, ARKHANGE, POSEIDON, DOUBLED2, CREAMOTE... If you load a new module manually (Eject button), it will be automatically played (You don't need click on play) * v1.14 - 09/24/1995 You can modify the sound levels (e.g. with XControl), the MegaPlayer won't restore them as it saved them to the end of a module. Spectrum Analyzer bands are now from 41 to 1311 Hz * v1.15 - 07 & 08 of October 1995 AV-Protocol is now supported : - cycling of ALL windows (AV_SENDKEY) - update of the desktop windows when saving a list (AV_PATH_UPDATE) - Drag'n'Drop (VA_DRAGACCWIND) and VA_START for the registered version You can now double-click on a module of the List window to play it. * - 10/15/1995 S3M module sequence is now correctly converted. Panoramics $c040 and $40c0 are only used above 12 voices. OKT modules can be played with the demo version. Known Bugs : ------------ - Without NVDI, the Spectrum & Oscillos are over-displayed on the left when they are on the right - If you select all the files of an directory with Selectric¿, the first file will be replaced by the last one which is then selected twice. - Freedom seems not to work with List Window. It should be compatible with Selectric¿ protocol but apparenlty it doesn't work. The Future, in order of priority : ---------------------------------- New MGT format with multi-samples instruments with Tonality, Volume and panning envelops and more pratical volumes. => Real compatibility with XM modules and new GT2 format of the Graoumf Tracker on Falcon. New faster replay routs. Setting of Speed and Tempo (BPM). Intro and Shuffle Options for the modules list. Releasing of the memory used by the module when you don't want to hear it no more. Keyboard Shortcuts. Compatibility with Freedom and use of its protocol. Number of repetitions for each module of the list (for Chip modules) Sound Control Panel for Filter, Trebles, Basses... Parameters for the Spectrum Analyzer. Inter-application communication protocol for remoting by a program which wants to use the MegaPlayer¿ Loading of - Old Falcon DTM and GTK formats - OktaMED-PRO (Amiga), DMF (PC) and Farandole (PC) formats. - Old TCB Tracker (ST) and STM Scream-Tracker (PC) formats. The Author ---------- This GEM Player has been entirely made by Simplet of FATAL DESIGN. It has been completely programmed in pure 68030 & 56001 assembly code. Nice Color Icon by Zack / FATAL DESIGN alias J.P. Maras. Spanish Resource File and Docs by Antonio Lillo. This program is now Shareware, that is to say that you should send me 50FF, 15DM, œ5 or $10 if you want to receive the registered version. I'd like to thank all that have already send me their contribution (BLISS,Antonio Lillo and Arto/OH- in particular.) Don't hesitate to contact me for suggestions or critics and don't forget to report bugs !! You can contact me at the following adress : ( In French, English or German ) Simplet / FATAL DESIGN ---> LESAGE St‚phane Rue des Monts Jura 01200 Chƒtillon-en-Michaille FRANCE If you can access the Internet or Compuserve e-mail, you can contact me by sending me an electronic mail to the Compuserve address of Skynet / FATAL DESIGN : 100620,2673@compuserve.com Just precise it's for me. You can get the last version of the Megaplayer on ftp.cnam.fr