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alt.binaries.sounds.mods FAQ v2.6 part 1/2
Archive-name: sound-file-format/mod-faq/part1
Posting-Frequency: every 14 days
Last-modified: 1995/11/13
Version: 2.6
======================================================= MOD-FAQ part 1 of 2 ==
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) LIST FOR ALT.BINARIES.SOUNDS.MODS
official release v2.6 dated 13.11.95 (DDMMYY)
READ THIS BEFORE POSTING A QUESTION TO A.B.S.MODS, IT MIGHT BE ANSWERED HERE
THIS IS THE FIRST OF TWO PARTS OF THIS FAQ, WHICH HAS BEEN SPLIT BECAUSE ITS
LENGTH MIGHT OTHERWISE OFFEND SOME NEWSREADERS.
Maintained by jester (Tobias Reckhard), jester@rbg.informatik.th-darmstadt.de
Copyright notice:
This FAQ is copyright (c) 1995 by jester (Tobias Reckhard), all rights
reserved. Sections not written by myself are copyright (c) by the
respective authors. This FAQ may be posted to any Usenet newsgroup,
on-line service or BBS as long as it is posted in its entirety, includes
this copyright statement and is the most recent version (reasonable effort
to obtain this is required). This FAQ may not be distributed for financial
gain. It may not be included in commercial collections or compilations
without express permission from the maintainer.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this document is believed to be
correct, but the originators will not be held responsible for any negative
effects of its contents. Anything positive is, of course, our doing ;)
(Main sections are separated by a line of 78 equal signs (as below),
subsections by 78 minusses, sub-subsections by 39 times "- " (corny ;) )
==============================================================================
[0] Table of Contents
[1] General
[1.1] Motivation/Purpose of the FAQ
[1.1.1] Submitting to the FAQ
[1.2] Modules
[1.3] Terminology used in this FAQ
[1.4] Commonly Used Abbreviations
[2] Types of Modules
[3] Playing Mods
[3.1] Amiga
[3.2] Atari ST
[3.3] Mac
[3.4] MS-DOS
[3.5] OS/2
[3.6] UNIX (Sun/Linux/NeXT)
[3.7] Windows
[4] Creating Mods
[4.1] Trackers
[4.1.1] Amiga
[4.1.2] Atari ST
[4.1.3] Mac
[4.1.4] MS-DOS
[4.1.5] OS/2
[4.1.6] UNIX (Sun/Linux/NeXT)
[4.1.7] Windows
[4.2] Converters
[4.2.1] from MIDI
[4.2.2] Mod Format Converters
END OF PART 1, START OF PART 2
[5] Samples
[5.1] Acquisition
[5.1.1] Sampling
[5.1.2] 'Ripping'
[5.1.3] Conversion From Other Formats
[5.2] Sample Editors
[5.2.1] Amiga
[5.2.2] Atari
[5.2.3] Mac
[5.2.4] MS-DOS
[5.2.5] OS/2
[5.2.6] UNIX (Sun/Linux/NeXT)
[5.2.7] Windows
[5.3] FTP Sites with Samples
[6] Obtaining MODs
[6.1] FTP Servers
[6.2] BBSs
[6.3] Newgroup(s)
[6.4] WWW
[6.5] CD-ROMs
[7] Distributing Mods
[7.0.1] Compression
[7.1] Usenet Posting
[7.2] FTP Uploads
[7.3] BBS Uploads
Appendix A: Contributors/Credits/Greetings
Appendix B: Common Properties of Module File Formats
Appendix C: Mods and MIDI
Appendix D: Musicians
Appendix E: All-Time Faves
Appendix F: the MOD Charts
Appendix G: Availability of Compressors/Archivers
Appendix H: Table of Note Frequencies
Appendix I: Overview of Effects Used in Digital Music Modules
Appendix J: Answers to as yet Unanswered FAQs
==============================================================================
[1] General
This is the official FAQ for the UseNet Newsgroup alt.binaries.sounds.mods.
Should the date on this document be over a month old, you might want to check
for a current version.
Availability:
- It is posted to alt.binaries.sounds.mods, alt.answers and news.answers every
two weeks, on Mondays. When this is not possible, the next possible day will
be used.
- You can also obtain the most recent plain text version of the FAQ by
Internet finger, dumping the answer to a file, as in: finger
jester@rbg.informatik.th-darmstadt.de > modfaq.txt . If your system fails to
find my host, try specifying a terminal number in my address, such as
jester@hp21.rbg.informatik.th-darmstadt.de instead (Or any hpXX, except our
servers with designations hp56, hp57, hp88 and hp89).
You can also use a finger-by-mail server. Send the following message:
Subject: FINGER jester@hp21.rbg.informatik.th-darmstadt.de
To: infobot@infomania.com
Message Body: *none*
and you will receive the latest plain text version of the FAQ in your
mailbox.
Note that you will receive the complete FAQ (i.e. both parts), even if the
header states otherwise.
- Zigg (Matt Behrens) maintains a WWW HTML version of the FAQ at
http://www2.gvsu.edu/~behrensm/absm-faq/index.html
(This version is always at least slightly behind the ASCII FAQ)
- It is archived at rtfm.mit.edu as
/pub/usenet/news.answers/sound-file-format/mod-faq/part1 and
/pub/usenet/news.answers/sound-file-format/mod-faq/part2
Changes from previous version (v2.5):
- removed section on accessing news by email because service has been shut
down (6.3.1)
- updated Mod4Win version number to 2.30 (3.7)
- updated Cubic Player version to 1.5 (3.4)
- corrected archive file name for PMP (3.4)
ToDo's (contributions on the following topics are either present or in
preparation, but didn't make it into this release):
- update of Player Pro (Mac player)
- AWE32 players
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1.1] Motivation/Purpose of the FAQ
The newsgroup alt.binaries.sounds.mods (hereafter referred to as a.b.s.mods)
is being flooded by a lot of questions lately, most of them cropping up over
and over again. These, commonly referred to as Frequently Asked Questions
(hence the term FAQ, but you knew that already), are pretty bugging after a
while, so this is an attempt at answering them.
What is the purpose of this FAQ? Well, it is centered around a.b.s.mods, of
course, and deals with the problems that are usually encountered there. It is
supposed to help new readers of the group find programs and modules, decode
the posts, make contributions of their own and give pointers on where to find
further information. This FAQ does NOT attempt to teach you how to make music.
As of now, I am also not planning to devote sections of this FAQ to the
explanation of certain editors/trackers/players. Should a question concerning
a specific program come up very frequently, it would of course qualify as an
FAQ, but I do not consider it my job to teach you how to use ScreamTracker,
for example. That's the .DOC's job.
Keep in mind, please, that I manage this FAQ in my private time, which isn't
much anyway. I only know my own hardware platform (MS-DOS/Windows/GUS/SB), so
I am dependent on your feedback and contributions. If you have something you
feel belongs here or any other form of constructive criticism, don't hesitate
to email me with it (see 1.1.1). I check my mail folder almost every day,
except on weekends, when I don't have Internet access at all.
You can reach me at: jester@rbg.informatik.th-darmstadt.de
(Note: I am NOT Jester/Sanity).
If you've contributed to the FAQ, your name and address (optional) will be
listed in the contributors section. You will also be entitled to a list of
your favourite mods and composers (might be dropped in the future if it
becomes too large).
Thank you.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[1.1.1] Submitting to the FAQ
As I already stated, the information included in this FAQ is believed to be
correct. If you happen to find errors, inaccuracies or out-of-date information
though, don't hesitate to inform me of it. The same applies to suggestions
you may have concerning additions or omissions.
When submitting to the FAQ, be sure to include all information that is
necessary. The easiest way for me is if you take the present FAQ as a
guideline. Pre-written and ready-to-use submissions are a lot less prone to
errors I could make in editing and summarising your information, helping both
of us.
Be sure to state which version of the FAQ and which section you are referring
to. I archive all versions since beta v0.7. Chances are that if you are
submitting to an old version of the FAQ, the information may already be there.
So if you think you have something to say, try to obtain the most recent
version before going to the trouble of writing a submission.
Expect me to ask you to give me more information than is in your submission.
So please supply me with a valid email address if my simply replying is not
reliable. If an email of mine containing further questions bounces, I will not
attempt to find you. I might try some other address specified in your email's
header, but don't count on it.
Suggestions implying complete rewrites of sections will be considered, but
you'll need some damn good reasons.
Thanks.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1.2] Modules (What are mods?)
Modules are digital music files, made up of a set of samples (the instruments)
and sequencing information, telling a mod player when to play which sample on
which track at what pitch, optionally performing an effect like vibrato, for
example. Thus mods are different from pure sample files such as WAV or AU,
which contain no sequencing information, and MIDI files, which do not include
any custom samples/instruments. Mods are extremely popular in the demo world
and offer a way of making music of an acceptable level of quality rather
cheaply. With the advent of high-quality sound hardware, new generations of
mods may even rise to a sound quality nearing that of professional equipment.
Mods' sequencing information is based on patterns and tracks. A pattern is a
group of tracks with a certain length, usually 64 rows (see 1.3). The tracks
are independent of each other, meaning that a four track mod can play four
voices or notes simultaneously. The patterns can be sequenced in a playlist,
so that repeating the same sequence of patterns doesn't require rewriting of
them.
This makes mods a hybrid between pure sample data files such as WAV, VOC or
IFF/8SVX and pure sequencing information files like MIDI. One of the most
frequently asked questions is "how do I convert a WAV to MOD?". This can be
done, but is rather senseless. The other way around might be interesting for
people with enormous hard drives, so they could listen to what used to be a
mod at higher quality than before at the cost of several megabytes of drive
space (10 MB/min. at 16 bits, 44.1kHz, stereo), or for those who want to show
off a mod to others who don't have a mod player (or worse, can only play 8kHz
AU files.. ;) ). SoundApp for the Mac, Multiplayer 2.0 for MS-DOS and the
upcoming Mod4Win 2.20 are programs that do this. For SoundApp and Mod4Win, see
the appropriate sections in this FAQ. The URL for Multiplayer is:
ftp://musie.phlab.missouri.edu:/pub/trs/tandy1000/sound/multip20.zip
It runs on any 286+ PC (not just Tandy).
Numerous mods have been released in the past year that were basically huge
samples off a CD (is there a connection to CD-ROM drives gaining increasing
popularity?), the only parts actually sequenced were the chorus bits. Most of
these mods were some form of top ten hit. These are, in effect, WAV to MOD
conversions. I don't mind them floating around, but it is a widely
acknowledged opinion that these kinds of mods defeat their own prupose. I
therefore don't recommend their making (but this is my opinion). Note that
this is NOT the same as using sampled drum loops or riffs in mods. While I
don't like these myself either, these do require a lot more sequencing than
huge 64KB chunks of a complete song.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1.3] Terminology used in this FAQ
- Throughout this FAQ, modules will be referred to as 'mods'. This term will
be used for all types of modules, be they M.K., 8CHN, ULT, S3M, XM or
anything else.
IMPORTANT: Note that the term MOD (i.e. capitalized) refers to the group of
mods that have this filename extension.
- A 'track' is a module voice. The number of tracks denotes the number of
notes/instruments/voices that can play simultaneously.
- A 'pattern' is the largest sub-unit modules are composed of. Patterns are
arranged in an order or sequencing list, so a pattern can be played several
times within the same module. Patterns have a fixed length in most formats,
but can also be of variable length in others. The standard M.K. pattern is 4
tracks by 64 rows, for example.
- A 'row' is the smallest unit of time measurement in which notes can be
placed on tracks. A M.K. pattern has 64 rows. OKT and FAR, for example, can
have patterns of differing length in the same mod.
- A 'slot' is an element of a row, dedicated to hold a specific piece of
information. These are notes, volume and effects, for example.
- A 'column' is an element of a track, such as the note column, the volume
column and the effect column. A 'column' is a group of 'slots' of one type
in a common track.
- A 'sample' is a digitized sound included in the mod, which serves as an
instrument. As mods don't use a fixed instrument set (as General MIDI does),
anything can be used as an instrument, including noises or human voices.
- A 'channel' is a source of emitted sound. Channel and track are often used
interchangeably in the mod community. I'd prefer to define a channel as one
of a few sound sources, as in stereo or quadro channels, but this would only
prove confusing here.
- A 'player' is a program that decodes mods and ouputs these on a sound
device.
- A 'tracker' is a program that enables creation of mods. Trackers usually
feature a 'player'.
- A section saying 'NHY' isn't there yet (NHY = Not Here Yet). I don't have
any information on the topic. If you do, get back to me immediately! (see
1.1.1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1.4] Commonly Used Abbreviations (see section 2 for mod type abbrevs)
BPM - Beats per minute. When used in mods, this usually refers to how many
groups of four rows are played per minute at default tempo (i.e. ticks
per row) settings. This default tempo is 6 in MOD and S3M. Setting the
tempo to 3 means that as many groups of eight rows are played per
minute as set by the BPM set command.
CxSpd - Sampling rate at which a sample is reproduced by a tracker/player when
it encounters the note C in octave x.
DAC - Digital to Analogue Converter. Digital sound output medium used with the
parallel port of a computer.
DMA - Direct Memory Access (method of transferring data quickly across the
computer's bus, DMA channel is a sound card parameter)
FM - Frequency Modulation sound synthesis (used by Adlib and SB in FM mode)
FT1 - Mr.H/Triton's FastTracker 1.xx, MS-DOS MOD tracker
FT2 - Triton's FastTracker II
GUS - Gravis Ultrasound (sound card)
Hz - Hertz, metric unit. 1 Hz = 1/sec. Used to express frequencies.
IRQ - Interrupt (not only, but also a sound card parameter)
PAS - Pro Audio Spectrum (sound card)
PT - ProTracker (Amiga tracker)
SB - SoundBlaster (sound card)
ST3 - PSI/Future Crew's Scream Tracker 3.2
==============================================================================
[2] Types of Mods
This is a brief summary of mod types. For further information, see the
documentation of file formats and/or the associated trackers' documentation.
This is probably the best place to mention that the most common filetype
today on the Amiga is still MOD, while S3M and MTM have taken over on PC's. XM
is expected to gain popularity pretty quick.
In this list, Name refers to the identifier string found in modules of this
type or a term, which unambiguously identifies the module format type. The
Default Extension is the filename extension typically given to the mod type.
Note that, even though they are often used, extensions do not clearly define
formats. The No. of Tracks is pretty obviously the number of tracks mods
stored in this format can have. The No. of Samples states how many instrument
(sample) slots are available in the format. The Sample Properties denote the
no. of bits (i.e. the resolution) the format can store and wether the CxSpd is
fixed or variable. The Associated Tracker entry is only meant as an example.
Name Default No. of No. of Sample Associated
Extension Tracks Samples Properties Tracker
M.K. MOD 4 31 8 bits/fixed ProTracker
xCHN MOD 6/8 31 8 bits/fixed FastTracker 1
FLTx MOD 4/8 31 8 bits/fixed StarTrekker
NST MOD 4 15 8 bits/fixed Noise Tracker
669 669 8 64 8 bits/fixed Composer 669
UNIS 669 8 64 8 bits/fixed UNIS669
MTM MTM 1-32 31 8 bits/fixed MultiModuleEdit 1.01b
(63)*** (16 bits)***
STM STM 4 31 8 bits/var ScreamTracker 2.xx
S3M S3M 16+9** 99 8 bits/var ScreamTracker 3.2
(32)* (255)* (16 bits)*
ULT ULT 1-32 64 8/16 bits/var UltraTracker 1.6
XM XM 2-32 128 8/16 bits/var FastTracker II
FAR FAR 16 64 8/16 bits/fixed Farandole Composer 1.00
WOW WOW 8 31 8 bits/fixed Grave Composer
OKT OKT 4-8 255 7/8 bits/fixed Oktalyzer
DMF DMF 32 ?? ?? X-Tracker 0.3
MED MED 4-8**** 32 8 bits/fixed MED/OctaMED****
* - The S3M format is capable of storing these, but there isn't a tracker
there yet to implement them.
** - S3M can store 9 FM-based channels (Adlib).
*** - MTM supports these, but the current version of MMEdit doesn't allow for
them.
**** - There are several versions of MED (MMD0, MMD1, MMD2 and MED). MED is
the file format prior to OctaMED. All MEDs can be saved as so-called
song files, i.e. w/o actual intrument sample data.
==============================================================================
[3] Playing Mods
This section only features a maximum of 6 players per system. An extended list
is available separately (not in this release, but to come).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[3.1] Amiga
This section supplied by Steven Innell <spi@dcs.qmw.ac.uk>, Christian Stieber
<stieber@informatik.tu-muenchen.de> and Heikki Kantola
<hkantola@cc.helsinki.fi>.
All of the following players can be found on aminet in mus/play/ (see 6.1).
All of the following players are proper applications, i.e. they use windows
and don't hack the hardware (except for the sound hardware). All of the
following players use external players to allow for an unlimited number of
formats (provided that somebody writes a player). All of the following players
support Pro/Noise/SoundTracker, ScreamTracker, FastTracker. I believe that
most of the players support MultiTracker and TakeTracker as well (DeliTracker
does).
- Delitracker V2.14
As with Eagleplayer, a majority of the program has been re-written to speed
it up, as well as adding several new players (Deli-AY being one), and
improved S3M support. There are also a host of new "Genies", such as the
Christmas Snow-Scene, and The Dr-Who genie. Fast Tracker II XM support has
been added in version 2.14.
This player is my personal favorite (editor's note: Steven Innell speaking),
having a better gui, and nicer "feel". It too is a shareware production,
costing around $20 (or 20 DM) again to register for. All features are
available in the demo version.
FTP: mus/play/Delitracker214.lha (757K)
- EaglePlayer1.54c
This player now has been re-written in areas, making it faster, and better
looking. It also added several new "eagleplayers" which has increased the
number of mod/music formats which it will play. It currently supports a
majority of PC mod formats (S3M, MTM, FastTracker V1) and many Amiga style
mods (too numerous to mention). You can also use some of the players from
Delitracker, although some do not work, or are already included with the
distribution archive.
This is a Shareware production, and most features are available (except
saving of configs, and mods) in the demo version. The registration fee is
around $20.
FTP: mus/play/Eagleplay1.54c.lha (807K)
- D.A.S.ModulePlayer 3.5b
Plays M.K., NST, 6CHN, 8CHN, MTM, S3M, Quadracomposer, MED, FutureComposer,
SoundMon 2.0, FRED, MusicAssembler and David Whittaker mods. New formats may
be added via external player libraries. Requires MUI for its GUI. Requires
AmigaOS 2.0+. Crippled shareware 25 AUD, 70 FIM, $15.
FTP: mus/play/DMODP35b.lha (449K)
- PS3M V3.12
V3.12 of this player is now the first player to support the PC Fasttracker2
XM style mod. It also supports the other PC favorites (S3M - hence the name,
MTM and Fasttracker V1), as well as the standard Amiga MOD format, and also
PlaySid format, providing you have the playsid.library in your LIBS:
directory.
FTP: mus/play/PS3M312.lha (32K)
- Hippoplayer V2.12
This is the second player to support the FastTracker 2 XM mods. It is also
one of the only players that will uncompress ZIPped files (as well as LHA -
as do Eagle/Deli, and LZX'ed files) saving you the bother of having to do it
8*). The sound quality from this player in most cases is IMO the best for
the higher channel numbered PC mods (8-16 Ch in XM and S3M formats). It also
supports the standard protracker format, and Playsid (providing you have the
Playsid.library as with PS3M). In fact, the XM support was taken from PS3M,
and so the player routines for the PC format mods are nigh on identical to
those from PS3M, the difference being Hippo has a better front-end, making
it nicer, and easier to use. Hippoplayer now incorporates directory opus
Right Mouse Button selection boxes and external "Scopes" such as the PT-Note
scope and various equalisers. Several enhancements and additions have been
made to the program in this latest release.
FTP: mus/play/HiP212.lha (118K)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[3.2] Atari
Thanks to Dan <cs93dlh@dcs.ex.ac.uk> for this information.
Note: To the best of Dan's knowledge, the programs mentioned here can be
downloaded via ftp from atari.archive.umich.edu/pub/atari/ and its
mirrors. A lot of them are also available from micros.hensa.ac.uk, but
gopher of WWW access to this site is mich preferred to ftp as they have a
weird directory structure.
Atari ST: This machine is very bad at playing MODs 'cause its sound basically
isn't up to it. However, a player does exist. It is called Paula and is
now at version 2.4. In order to run on the base ST you also need a driver
called Petra, which is distributed with Paula. This will handle 4 track PT
MOD format.
Atari STE/TT/Mega STE: These Ataris have massively improved sound abilities,
roughly equivalent to the Amiga. You can use Paula (mentioned above) to
playback 4-track PT MODs at a very respectable quality. Other 4 track
players are DeskTracker and StarTracker.
Atari Falcon030: This latest of Atari's computers has a sound system as
standard which blows away all but the most expensive of PC soundcards. It
has 8-voice 16-bit stereo sound at 50kHz. This means it is very good at
mod playback. It also has a Motorola 56001 DSP chip installed as standard
- this chip can mix voices very fast, making 32 track mod playback
possible at unbelievable quality.
There are literally hundreds of 4-track MOD players out there, ranging
from Paula through BSW, CPU_MOD and many more. There are fewer 8-track
players and only one 32-track player. The best players for sound quality
are:
CPU_MOD - Handles 4-track PT MODs only, but gives the best sound quality
I've heard. Will run in the background but is expensive on CPU time.
BOBTracker - Handles 4, 6 or 8-track mods in a variety of mod formats (not
S3M or MTM though). Sound playback uses the DSP for mixing and quality
is good and very little CPU time is used. The DSP is also used to
improve the sound quality of the samples in realtime and boost the
bass and/or treble if desired
MegaPlayer - Handles up to 32 tracks, virtually and mod format ever,
including S3M and MTM. DSP is used for mixing, so little CPU time is
used. Distributed with MegaTracker (see 4.1.2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[3.3] Mac
See below (i.e. after the descriptions of the players) for solutions to the
"Mac and mod" FAQ par excellence, "how do you play S3M on a Mac".
For a description of Player Pro and Sound Tracker, the obviously most popular
Mac programs, see section 4.1.3
Rich "Akira" Pizor <pizor@lclark.edu> notes:
* The Macintosh-tracker. This freeware program plays MODs compatible with the
Mar Epsie's Tracker, Player-Pro and the Sound-Tracker. It also features
icons courtesy of Skaven and the Future Crew.
* Alpha-Tracker. This system extension is a tiny, faceless application that
automatically plays randomly selected MODs in the background while you work.
Slightly old, supports most 4-track formats.
* MusicBox XCMD. This XCMD for HyperCard adds a very functional MOD player to
a HyperCard stack, allowing the more adventurous Mac owner to quickly and
easily design their own MOD player. Supports most 4-track formats.
* Mod Player 1.3.1. Newly added to the info-mac archives, this program is
designed to play mods with as small a footprint in the system memory heap as
possible. There are no bells and whistles, but this little gem is great for
anyone running a low-end system. Compatible with most mods that work with
Sound-Trecker.
Lyman Green <lymang@uswsay.glaxo.com> adds on 21 Dec 1994:
* SoundApp 1.5.1 by Norman Franke will play or convert sound files dropped
onto it. Currently, it supports: SoundCap, SoundEdit, AIFF, AIFF-C, System 7
sound, Sun Audio AU, NeXT SND, Windows WAV, Creative VOC, Amiga MOD
(including Oktalyzer, MED/OctaMED and some other variations with up to 32
tracks), Amiga IFF/8SVX, Sound Designer II, DVI ADPCM, Studio Session
Instruments and any 'snd' resource file. SoundApp can convert all of these
formats to System 7 sound, sound suitcase, AIFF, WAV and NeXT formats.
SoundApp can also convert QuickTime soundtracks and audio CD tracks to AIFF,
System 7 sound or suitcase formats. Mod playback is PowerPC-accelerated on
Power Macs.
The following paragraph is from the SoundApp help file:
Amiga MOD: This is not really a sound format but a music format. it stores
digitized instruments and contains a musical score which produces a lengthy
composition with a very small amount of data. There have been various
extensions to this format, but SoundApp only supports those which Sound
Trecker 2.2 supports. These include Amiga SoundTracker, StarTracker,
NoiseTracker, ProTracker (4-track), Amiga StarTracker (4- and 8-track),
Oktalyzer (4-8 track), Amiga MED/OctaMED (4-16 track MMD0/1/2 formats), IBM
FastTracker (4-, 6- and 8-track), IBM TakeTracker (1-32 track). SoundApp
does not support MTM or S3M formats. Native code will be used for MOD
playback on a Power Macintosh.
Righto, here we go, "how DO you play S3M on a Mac?". What follows contributed
by Rich "Akira" Pizor on 22 Apr 95.
Yes, S3Ms are the current standard for mods. No, there's not a lot of support
for them on the Mac. So, without getting into platform politics, here's what
you need to know.
As of this writing (4/22/95), there are only two ways to play a S3M format mod
on a Mac of any model:
1) Use PlayerPro (see above). For those of you looking for a cheap way to
download a free S3M player though, think again. PlayerPro only handles S3M
files via import and until you pay the shareware fee, the import feature is
disabled.
2) Find a friend with a different platform of computer, one that supports
S3Ms. Give them the file you want. Have them save it in a format compatible
with the player you prefer (Safest is M.K. or M!K!, but most Mac Players
also support MED and a few other formats).
(Note by jester: This is a way, *but* converting S3M to MOD will most
definitely irrevocably lose you information, if it is at all possible, as
S3M is a much more advanced format than MOD.)
*3*) A handful of Mac models have an option for a DOS compatibility card,
essentially putting a PC clone in the same box as your Mac and allowing you
to start up in either OS. If you're a technonerd with bucks to spend, this
may be an option.
MacModPro (version 3.2.2 as of this writing) promises S3M support in its next
release. It's promised that since 3.0.1. Have faith, but don't hold your
breath if it's of serious importance to you.
A note about SoftWindows: For those of you with monster systems, $200 laying
around and 23 megs of disk space, you can get a DOS/Windows emulator called
SoftWindows. However, a machine slower than an 80 MHz PowerPC, trying to play
an S3M in a DOS or Windows program in SoftWindows will not be terribly
attractive to listen to. If you've got access to SoftWindows, you can take
advantage of S3M -> MOD conversion, but not much else.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[3.4] MS-DOS
- Inertia Player 1.21
IPlay plays MOD, STM, S3M, 669, FAR, MTM, UNIS, ULT, WOW on GUS, PAS16,
Windows Sound System, SB16(ASP), SB Pro, SB, Covox(DAC8) on LPT1,
Stereo-on-1 on LPT1, Adlib, PC Speaker, General MIDI. Looks pretty spiffy
and features 256x oversampling. Has a built-in file selector and playlist
support. As of version 1.21, most (if not all) of the formerly ignored
enhanced S3M commands are supported (Sxy commands). Freeware.
By Stefan Danes and Ramon van Gorkom of Inertia.
ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/demos/music/programs/players/iplay121.zip
NOTE!!: The Assembly '94 CD version of Inertia Player 1.21 seems to be
virus-infected (with a Tai-Pan virus, the infected file is claimed
to be the ISETUP.EXE). The archive at Hornet (the ftp site named
above) seems clean (I use it, no problems so far). If you want to be
on the absolutely safe side, fetch the older (buggier) version:
ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/demos/music/programs/players/iplay120.arj
Or issue a cold reboot (i.e. reset button or turn the computer off)
directly after using ISETUP, before any EXEs can be infected.
- Dual Module Player 4.00
DMP plays MOD/NST, STM/S3M, 669, FAR, MTM and AMF on PAS16, SB16, SB Pro,
GUS, GUS MAX, Windows Sound System. Has software filters (reverb/echo,
lowpass)and quality mode, supports both flavours of MOD and S3M stereo
panning, now has a 'handy module file selector'. Archiver support has been
removed in v4.00. The overall accuracy of DMP's playback seems to have
improved a great deal. Careware and/or cardware. By Otto Chrons.
ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/demos/music/programs/players/dmp400.zip
Note: The archive contains both the 'normal' and the 32-bit protected mode
version of DMP.
- CapaMOD 2.25
CMOD plays MOD and S3M files. Gravis Ultrasound ONLY! Claims to be the most
ProTracker-compliant MS-DOS player. S3M support has been added in version 2
and is pretty good by now (S8x and Xxx panning, mono/stereo detection). This
player is rubberware (you're supposed to send the dude a condom). :) By
Heikki Ylinen (flap/Capacala).
ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/demos/music/programs/players/cmod225.zip
- Starplayer 2.22
A protected mode (i.e. 32-bit coded, 386 or higher required) MOD, S3M and
MTM player for the GUS and SB (mono, 44kHz). Starplayer can load up to 64
(!) songs into expanded memory and these can be flipped even from a DOS
shell (background playing). Starplayer now features a sile selection menu
and volume bar displays. You can load modules from within a DOS shell. Built
in MOD / MTM -> S3M conversion is also featured. The executable is only
~20KBytes in size. Freeware. By jedi / oxygen.
ftp://peace.wit.com/kosmic/oxygen/starp222.zip
http://kosmic.wit.com/~kosmic/oxygen/starplay.html
- Cubic Player v1.5
A protected mode player for XM, S3M, MTM, MOD/NST/WOW, OKT, 669, ULT, DMF,
PTM, AMS (and MIDI, using GUS patches, also on SB!) on SB/2/Pro/16,
GUS/DB/MAX, PAS, WSS, quiet. This player is large in program size, but
features a lot of fancy scopes (FPU required for some) and is the only
full-fledged player with XM support so far! Supports archives (ZIP and ARJ),
has an integrated fancy file selector, echo/reverb and filter effects. There
is a 'normal' and a 'lite' archive. The 'lite' archive is considerably
smaller and contains only those files that changed from the previous version
(1.4), so download it if you still have the old archive. Freeware.
By pascal / doj / ?hook.
ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/demos/music/programs/players/cp15.zip
ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/demos/music/programs/players/cp15l.zip
- Triton's PMP (no version number)
Don't confuse this one with the DSMI-originated PMP, the old protected-mode
companion to DMP. This one plays XMs, MODs and S3Ms (on GUS for sure, has
anybody tried other cards?), but S3M support is poor at best. Packaged with
FT2.03, it features no documentation at all. :( At least, I haven't been
able to find any. This player has NO frills at all, it doesn't show or tell
you anything apart from the size of your memory.
ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/demos/music/programs/trackers/ft204.zip
- OmniPlayer v0.99
Plays MOD/NST, WOW, OCT, MED (MMD0), STM, S3M, MTM, ULT, FAR and 669 on GUS,
SB, SB Pro, SB16 and PAS. By Edward Schlunder and/or Zilym Limms (I dunno..)
ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/demos/music/programs/players/oplay099.zip
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[3.5] OS/2
This section from David E. Wach <dave@gladstone.uoregon.edu> on 10 Nov 1994,
DMPlayer part updated by Doug White <dwhite@gladstone.uoregon.edu> 2 Sep 1995:
Digital Music Player 1.3 by Keith Murray <dodger@peak.org>:
Digital Music Player is a native, multithreaded OS/2 Presentation Manager
application that plays MODs, MIDs, WAVs, AVIs, and any other format that
MultiMedia Presentation Manager/2 (MMPM/2) supports. Supports any soundcard
that works with OS/2 (which is most). DMPlayer can play sounds at a maximum of
16-bit 44.1kHz stereo output. Output is placed in a buffer to keep the music
playing during high system activity, and contains priority management to
increase priority when the buffer drops below a specified point, and drop it
down when the buffer is increased. DMPlayer plays from a songlist, which
supports drag-n-drop and saveable songlists with a variety of sort and display
options. The songlist can contain any playable format, as well as archived
files. DMPlayer comes set up for gzip and zip files, but any archiver that can
extract files to standard output is supported.
DMPlayer's main screen looks like a CD player, with a songlist, buffer size,
current and total tracks, and song title. DMPlayer contains a sub-panel for
adjusting the volume, balance, bass and treble for drivers that support it.
An info panel displays the sample names/message, module format and source
filename.
DMPlayer supports 4 track, 31 and 15 instrument Protracker/Noisetracker
modules, 4 and 8 track Startrekker modules and 6 and 8 track Fasttracker
modules.
The shareware version can't save the settings or playlists, registration is
$25 and the key is sent back via EMail.
I've (editor's note: 1st person narrator is Doug White) used DMPlayer
extensively and, unfortunately, it isn't very tolerant of broken MODs,
archives or errors. It usually ends up locking and requiring a system reboot
to unfreeze. Hopefully these problems will be addressed in the next release.
ftp://hobbes.nmsu.edu/os2/mmedia/dmplay13.zip
There is also ftp://hobbes.nmsu.edu/os2/2_1/mmedia/tracker.zip which is
another .mod-only player, but it is rather buggy. However it includes the
source code, so it might be of interest to hackers.
One last thing at hobbes.nmsu.edu in /os2/2_1/mmedia is pmixos2.zip which
is a Pro-Audio Spectrum 16 mixer for os/2. Don't know how good it is, i
have a SB16!
By the way, i was a little mis-leading. I CAN run Mod4Win in a WinOS/2
session. DMPlayer is the only NATIVE OS/2 mod player i know of. The only
thing i have to do to Mod4Win to make it run with os/2 is to reduce its
number of buffers. And I usually run it in a full-screen WinOS/2 session
(which makes some win apps. a little more stable). -dave
Eric Lowe <ericl@erinet.com> told me on 18 April 95:
DMP v4 (see section 3.4) runs correctly under OS/2. I use DMP32.EXE, though
DMP will run too, just not as well. The catch is that you can't run DMP32.EXE
from an icon directly, for some reason OS/2 doesn't recognize it as a valid
executable, so I created a dummy batch file DMP32S.BAT that I put in an icon
that just shells and runs DMP32. In fact, DMP32 runs better under OS/2 in a
VDM than the native Presentation-Manager DMPlayer and supports a heck of a lot
more formats.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[3.6] UNIX (and Sun, NeXt, Linux)
Thanks to Aaron J. Luz <ajl8039@ultb.isc.rit.edu>, Mike Muuss <mike@arl.mil>
and Andrew Robinson <robinson@cnj.digex.net> for this information.
The players mentioned here are ftp'able from sunsite.unc.edu (and probably its
mirrors) in /pub/Linux/apps/sound/players. A Sound-HOWTO is in it's alpha
stages at tsx-11.mit.edu, which mentions mod-players.
- GMOD 2.0
GMOD is a music module player for Linux and the GUS. Supports MOD, 669, MTM,
ULT and S3M. Requires a GUS and VoxKit v3.0-proto or later sound drivers.
Xgmod adds an X interface. By Andrew J. Robinson <robinson@cnj.digex.net>.
Freely distributable.
ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/apps/sound/players/gmod+x-2.0.tgz
- S3MOD 1.05
This is a trackered music player. It is capable of playing S3M files in
addition to 4, 6 and 8 track MOD files. Requires either a /dev/dsp
compatible device or a GUS (/dev/sequencer) and the VoxWare sound drivers by
Hannu Savolainen. By Daniel L. Marks <dlm40629@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu>. Freely
distributable and usable source code, copyright retained.
ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/apps/sound/players/s3mod-v1.05.tar.gz
- Tracker 4.31
This is a fully-fledged protracker/soundtracker module player that is mostly
portable. It now runs successfully on the Amiga, Silicon Graphics, Sparc,
Linux...
ftp://wuarchive.wustl.edu/pub/aminet/misc/unix/tracker-4.31.tar.Z
- PGMOD (version number not contributed)
Linux player (XM, MOD, S3M, 669, MTM) for the Gravis Ultrasound (Max), comes
with GUS low level driver, very good quality and low CPU overhead, still
under development.
ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/apps/sound/players/(filename not
contributed)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[3.7] Windows
- MOD4WIN 2.30
Plays MOD/STM/S3M/669/FAR/MTM/UNIS/OKT/WOW/XM on a Windows asynchronous wave
driver (no PC speaker) or GF1- (GUS/MAX/ACE) or OPL4-based card (direct
support). Direct to Disk Recording is also available (WAV recording of a
mod). Up to 16 bits, 48kHz. Features surround sound (also with GF1 for mods
with up to 8 tracks), IDO2, panning, integrated file selection, playlists,
file management and archiver support. Perhaps the most accurate player for
PC's. A 'light' archive is available, which contains only the English help
file and only one example mod to save download time.By Kay Bruns, Uwe
Zaenker and Jens Puchert. Shareware $30 (new user fee, update prices range
from free to $15), runs for 30 days.
ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/demos/music/programs/players/m4w230sx.zip
ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/demos/music/programs/players/m4w230sl.zip
- MIDAS for Windows 1.03á
Plays 4-track MOD and (up to) 16-track S3M files using the Windows WAV
device for output to any Windows compatible sound card. Supports the GUS
directly. Supports 16 bit mixing and stereo. Supports mixing rates of
11.025, 22.05 and 44.1 kHz. Supports Dolby (TM) surround sound panning for
S3M files. Supports Microsoft Windows Media Control Interface (MCI). By
Petteri Kangaslampi, Jarno Pannanen and Benjamin Cooley. Freeware for
non-commercial applications.
ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/demos/music/misc/wmidas13.zip
- WinMOD Pro (current version 0.04á)
This information supplied by Frenchy (Tim Fries) <ad082@detroit.freenet.org,
frenchy@dynahill.com>:
Plays MOD/NST/STM files in Windows 3.1 or greater through a sound card's
asynchronous sound driver (most cards except PC Speaker and AdLib Drivers).
Plays up to 44,000kHz in Stereo. Features playlists, drag and drop and
archive support. Doesn't run too well in the background, especially at
anything over 8,000kHz, mono. Postware (send a postcard to the author).
Written by James Holderness (holderne@beastie.cs.und.ac.za).
ftp://ftp.cica.indiana.edu/pub/win3/sound/wmp004b.zip
- WinMOD
Very simple player capable of playing MOD (which subtypes is unknown to me)
files on 386SX and better computers running Windows 3.1 and equipped with a
sound card capable of playing digital samples and an according driver. This
is a very small, rather basic and absolutely no-frills player. Programmed by
Norbert Unterberg.
ftp://ftp.cica.indiana.edu/pub/win3/sound/winmod10.zip
==============================================================================
[4] Creating Mods
I consider it pretty normal for most people to tire of simply listening to the
tunes others have made after a while and to decide to use (perhaps waste) some
time in composing some of their own. This is where you need a tracker.
You might also want to convert this fabulous MIDI arrangement you downloaded
from someplace to a mod so you could muck around with it a bit, or simply to
be able to listen to it with digital instruments (if you're stuck with
SB/Adlib FM MIDI). You then need a converter and probably a tracker for
post-processing.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[4.1] Trackers
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[4.1.1] Amiga
This section supplied by Steven Innell <spi@dcs.qmw.ac.uk> on Thu, 24 Nov 94,
updated/corrected by Sir Fitz <sirfitz@kaiwan.com> on Fri, 10 Feb 95:
- Protracker V3.15 ( / V3.10b - see the note below)
Probably the most used tracker until recently (with people using versions of
Octamed in preference). This tracker is the most up-to-date mod creator for
the amiga, based on the original Soundtracker interface (although highly
upgraded). This version was re-written by Cryptoburners, and has plenty of
editing options including simple sample manipulation (sampling, reverb,
reverse, cut/paste etc.), but, as of yet, does not have a midi option, nor
does it support any form of synthetic sound generation. It does however have
an option for using 14-bit samples, although these are few and far between.
It is a daunting program to use at first, especially if you have never had the
experience of using any tracker on the amiga (e.g. Soundtracker/Noisetracker/
Protracker V1-2.3), since this version uses the sample effect commands found
in those older version...and unlike the older versions, this does not have
on-line help listing the effects, and what they do.
Protracker is Freeware, with no form of registration/shareware fees to be
paid. A new version (3.20) was supposed to be out, but as of yet I have been
unable to find it. It can be found on Aminet under mus/edit/pt315.lha.
NOTE: On Wed, 17 May, Markus Weichselbaum contacted me (jester), saying
(excerpt):
"The last official version was PT3.10b, available on ftp.funet.fi. PT315 is an
internal version never meant to be released (...). PT3.15 has been removed
from Aminet, however there is a PT2.3 available. There are simply no '14-bit'
samples released. The so-called 'DYN 14bit' system was working to some
extent, but since the 'DYN' system was entirely rewritten, the development of
PT315 was stopped. Only 2 or 3 test mods have been released, but no samples
or documentation (...). I recommend use of PT310b which essentially has the
same features as PT315. PT310 is indeed freeware, but PT3.15 is NOT."
When I (jester) asked Steven Innell about this, he replied (excerpt):
"I've had the program for 2 years. (...) I know U4IA, who once was a member of
Cryptoburners, and also tested a lot of the original trackers out, and he has
never said that PT3.15 was a leaked version never intended for release...in
fact, a while back he told me they were working away on a commercial V4."
Finally, on 28 Sep 1995, Steven Innell mentioned the subject again, saying
(excerpt):
".. and I can now confirm that the release of most of the V3 series were not
intended to be available as soon as they were (the exception being V3.00).
However the programmer of V3.15 didn't seem to be worried (...) that PT was
available, ... BTW, V3.10 is very unstable and unusable on accelerated
machines but if you (or anyone else) feel that V3 should not be available,
then the next best valid release that works is V2.3b AGA, which was fixed to
run on AGA machines."
Now, all I (jester) have to say is that I don't mind anyone using whichever
version they wish and I hope the above, especially the last note, clears up
any confusion that may have been created.
- OctaMed (V6)
This is the latest version of this series of Trackers by Teijo Kinnuen.
Several changes have been made to the program, the first and most notable
being that OctaMed now opens its screen on the WorkBench screen, using
whatever ScreenMode was being used by the WB. Amongst the many features added
are better/or new SoundCard support (Aura/Tocatta) improved 8 channel
handling, completely new interface (as mentioned above - sortof)
The New features are numerous, and if you are a med fan, you are advised to
Download the demo of Version 6 from Aminet, and read the large documentation
that comes with it. Note that OctaMed is a Commercial Program, and can be
Purchased from Ray Burt-Frost software at:
RBF Software
169 Dale Valley Road
HollyBrook
Southampton
SO1 6QX
England
(01703) 785680 - Voice/Answerphone
(01703) 703446 - Fax
Email: rbfsoft@cix.compulink.co.uk
(c) Teijo Kinnuen & RBF Software
(FAQ editor's note: the rest of the OctaMed description is retained from the
former entry concerning V5, as it offers more details)
This tracker started way back as a clone of Soundtracker 2.5, and was called
MEDV1.13. It grew and changed till V3 became the basis of octamed (an
8-channel tracker). Med all versions up to OctaMed V4.00g are freeware.
This program (V5) is now fully protracker compatible, in that it now imports
protracker modules, and will play them at the correct speed. It also has the
option for using some of protrackers shortcut keyboard commands. This version
of Octamed also now has a vastly improved front end. It opens its own window
on the Workbench, and uses proper intuition gadgets/menus. It is very easy to
work around, and comes with on-line amigaguide help. (There is also the manual
on disk - as a guide if you wish to look up something). Octamed allows for the
creation of synthetic sounds via its own special editor, which may take a
while to get used to. It also has good sampling capabilities and editing of
samples. This program also allows for the use of midi equipment, providing
16-channels of midi on to of the 4/8 amiga channels. However, be
warned...using 8 channels slows the machine, and reduces sample quality..it is
not advised. There is a High Quality mode which tries to increase the quality
of samples when played in 8 ch mode, but it requires a 68020 or higher to be
in your machine (030 really at least).
Octamed also has the ability to vary the length of patterns up to a maximum of
999 rows/pattern. This allows for better structuring of the way you create
your tune, so whereas before you may have had to shove a patternbreak in a few
rows before the end of the pattern, now you can just increase the length of
the pattern et voila!.
Octamed has a variety of ways of saving the tunes you create in it. It can
save as its format (MMD2), Octamed2-4 (MMD1) or Protracker. You can also use
compression, the two modes being offered are LH (requires Lh.library) or
Powerpacker (requires Powerpacker.library v35 at least). You can save
with/without instruments, although you'll probably end up saving as a tracker
mod, as this is more widely playable on other formats....be warned
however...protracker doesnt support some of the commands available in Octamed
(8 ch mode - midi - extended/shortened patterns - synthetic sounds) so if they
are used, they will not appear in the tracker version, and so the mod will not
sound/behave as you may have expected.
A freely distributable version of Octamed can be found on Aminet under:
Octa5.lha mus/edit 618K - demo of V5
OctaMedv4.lha mus/edit 299K - Music editing software, 8 voices
- Noise/Soundtrackers - see above on protracker, as these are all alike except
v2.6 of soundtracker..which used a different approach to making the mods.
- StarTrekker (Vers unknown sorry ;-)
This is a mod editor in the same vain as Octamed. It has a layout the same as
the old sound/noisetrackers, but also has the ability to use 8
channels...hoever 8 channel mode sounds really bad, and you are better off
using octamed, or protracker.
Availability of the above: almost nill....some PD houses may still stock them
- FTM (Face The Music)
This is an 8 channel mod editor. The mods it produces are usually of very good
quality (even on a straight A500), although the program itself is very fiddly
to use. I cannot say much about this program as I havent really used it much
at all. There is a demo of it on Aminet though, under:
FTM_Demo.lha biz/demo 381K
It is a shareware demo...and I cant remember the Reg. fee...sorry =8*)
- Future Composer V1.3/4
This is a wholly synthetic mod editor (saying that..it does allow the use of
samples). It does not import/export tracker mods though. This program is very
old (1989 ish) and is very fiddly to use..even with the manual printed out and
In front of me. The tunes this "tracker" generates sound a lot like the 8-bit
machines tunes (eg C64 music). Some of the tunes are however very nice
sounding, its just a shame the program is so damn hard to use ;-)
Availability: almost nill...some PD houses may have them...but apart from that
I cant say where they can be obtained... They are freeware though.
- Art Of Noise
This is a recent mod Editor for the Amiga. It is a shareware demo of the
program, the full version costing 79 DM (available only from the author).
First of all, it is 100% protracker compatible (load-format !) That means,
that you don't have to get used to new shortcuts to old (protracker) functions
! But that doesn't mean, that this tracker is just another protracker clone!
You might already have noticed, that AON has got dozens of new functions. If
you load AON for the first time, you might be slayed by all these new
functions, but it's worth taking a look at them. I think it would be the best
to list up a few of them:
+ OS-2 graphical environment ! Reqtools-Requester !
+ Supports euro-72 monitors !!
+ 8 channels! But in contrary to startrekker/octamed/oktalyzer this time
REAL 8 channels, that means free volume/pitch-settings on EVERY channel,
loops ofcourse also possible (achieved by real-time Mixing of channels)
+ maximal number of instruments increased to 61 !
+ maximal number of patterns increased to 128 !
+ maximal number of positions increased to 256, including restartposition !!
+ wavetable & sampleinstruments.
+ 'macro' instruments possible: E.g. 10 instruments can share the same
waveform, but the samplestart (for example, there is certainly a greater
number of possibilities offered by this feature!) can vary from instrument
to instrument ! Wavetable instruments can be used to create 64er-like
sounds, but they are also great for big resonance-pads etc. !!
+ number of player-commands increased from 28 (protracker) to 45 ! And there
are ofcourse a lot to come in future versions !
+ Supports powerpacker and STONECRACKER (the best cruncher around!)
+ Arpeggio (maximal 7 notes!) + any other effect, arpeggio speed changeable
+ Remark (normal textfile/ansi) linkable to module !!
+ FM-Synthesis !
+ Drumsequencer! Make your own drumlines with up to 16 tracks !!
+ Big sampleeditor ! Features samples>128k, multisampling, sample-trigger
digital-filter with selectable depth, flanger, phase-distortion, direct
'freestyle' sampleediting: paint your own waves !
+ supports external-synchronizing, e.g. for demos or other presentations!
+ Player is easy to build in in own programs.
+ Turbo-Player available, takes about 1-2 rasterlines (faster than any other
player!)
+ Update service for future versions!
The whole handling has been changed ofcourse, so just check out the preview !
If you like this program, please don't copy it. A program worth using is a
program worth buying ! Contact me at the following address:
BASTIAN SPIEGEL
TRUPERMOORER LANDSTRASSE 17A
28865 LILIENTHAL
GERMANY
or call: 04298-30731 or 04298-4873 (16h-22h) (if other line is busy or nobody
picks up)
The full-version will cost 79DM and features a very nice printed manual plus 4
disks (program/workshop/instruments/demomods) !
The preview version lacks of save-routines, but all effects and functions are
useable!
Demo Available on Aminet As:
FTP: mus/edit/ArtOfNoise.lha (1.3M)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[4.1.2] Atari ST
Thanks to Dan <cs93dlh@dcs.ex.ac.uk> for this information.
Note: To the best of Dan's knowledge, the programs mentioned here can be
downloaded via ftp from atari.archive.umich.edu/pub/atari/ and its
mirrors. A lot of them are also available from micros.hensa.ac.uk, but
gopher or WWW access to this site is much preferred to ftp as they have a
weird directory structure.
Atari ST: There is a port of ProTracker from the Amiga. This will allow you to
create 4-track MODs.
Atari STE/TT/Mega STE: To create mods on these machines, you basically have a
choice of two programs - ProtrackerSTE or Octalyser
ProtrackerSTE is an upgraded port of ProTracker from the Amiga. It handles
only 4 tracks, but has the full PT command set and gives good quality
playback. (Note there are also a bundle of PT clones for these machines,
such as Esion)
Octalyser is an 8-track tracker. You need a fast STE or a TT to playback
all 8 tracks though. Octalyser will let you create or play back 4, 6 or 8
track mods. It will load many different mod formats, but not S3M or MTM.
Sound quality is quite good.
Atari Falcon030: For creating mods on this machine, there are basically three
main choices:
Octalyser (mentioned above) has drivers for the enhanced sound system,
thus giving good quality playback, but only 4, 6 and 8 track mod formats,
not S3M or MTM.
MegaTracker - 32 track tracker. All tracker commands and practically all
mod formats are supported including S3M and MTM. Unbelievable speed
and quality are produced by the DSP mixing. Unfortunately, the
instructions have not yet been translated from french, but it is only
a matter of time.
Digital Tracker - 32 track tracker. Supports almost all tracker commands
and formats, although it hangs on some S3Ms. this is commercial
software and only a demo is available, which has certain restrictions.
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[4.1.3] Mac
This section by Barry Nathan <barryn@netcom.com> and Rich "Akira" Pizor
<pizor@lclark.edu>. Barry writes on Thu, 17 Nov 1994:
The programs mentioned here are available from:
info-mac: ftp://ftp.sumex-aim.stanford.edu/pub/info-mac/
umich: ftp://mac.archives.umich.edu/pub/
However, sumex (info-mac) itself is hardly accessible, and one of its mirrors
(like ftp://ftp.hawaii.edu://mirrors/info-mac/snd/util) will be better.
Player Pro 4.4.1: Can access the sound chip directly, so it takes less
processor time than SoundTrecker. It'll still work when new Macs with new
sound chips come out, because it can also use the regular Sound Manager 3.0 if
necessary, like when the PowerMacs came out and Player Pro didn't support
their sound chip. Only edits its own format, MADF, but it can import and
export MOD, S3M, MIDI, and some other formats I can't remember right now.
PlayerPro has a very mixed track record for some of its more obscure import
and tracking options, but reportedly plays many of the basic mod formats
better than the other Mac heavyweight, Sound-Trecker 2.2. PlayerPro is
shareware and until you pay the $20 registration fee, most tracking/editing
features are turned off (including import and save) and it will automatically
quit after having been open for 20 minutes. A CD-ROM version is also
available for $40, which comes with a library of mods and instrument samples.
Upgrades are free, except for the upgrade from the disk to the CD-ROM version,
which will cost $20 for an upgrade. Unlike Sound-Trecker, it is fully
PowerMac-native, which means it FLIES by on a PowerMac.
Sound-Trecker: $40 shareware. Partially, but not fully, PMac native, but
it can do simulated surround sound for headphones or (I think...) Dolby
Surround decoders. However, with the Surround option, the fact that it's
not fully native really shows, as you hear clicks when you try to do
other stuff. However, the slowdown isn't that severe on normal Macs. The
two other advantages are that it can play (Okta)MEDs, which Player Pro
can't handle, and some MODs play better with it than Player Pro. Keep in
mind that with the extra features and bug fixes with Player Pro 4.2, most
MODs play -much- better with Player Pro, though, and PP is cheaper.
Rich "Akira" Pizor adds: Sound-Tracker is a shell program which plays formats
based on plug-ins, providing for maximum flexibility, since plug-ins can
easily be written whenever a new format is introduced. Currently, most of the
standard 4- and 8-track MOD formats are supported. Also available is a plug-in
that makes it PowerPC native. It is also known for having one of the better
interfaces of Mac MOD players. The resoucres for creating/editing MODs are
present, yet the appropriate menu items are geryed out. I've not met anyone
who could explain this anomaly to me. The two theories I've heard are that you
get editing capabilities if you register the program (German ReadMe not too
well understood) or that the resources are simply sitting there while the
author learns how to integrate the corresponding features into a later release
of the program.
MacMod Pro is currently on release 3.22. It is a complete player and tracker
for the Mac, capable of creating mods from 4-32 channels. (The jury is still
out on the file type, but it seems to save currently in standard ProTracker
(M.K.) format.) It features all of the player options of Sound-Trecker 2.2,
and the version currently on the info-mac archives also includes a sample mod
that's quite good, along with 5 instrument samples so you can get going right
away.
Since version 3.0.1, the help system has been improved tremendously. The
staff editor and S3M compaitibility options haven't yet been implemented, but
these are promised for the next release. The interface has also markedly
improved. Looks like the author got some help from a more experienced
programmer.
MacMod Pro is shareware. A $25 registration fee is required to unlock the
Save option, but all other functions work off the shelf, so you can get a good
feel for how the program works and for what it takes to make a mod.
ftp://wuarchive.wustl.edu/systems/mac/info-mac/snd/util/mac-mod-pro-322.hqx
Meditor 0.55 Delta: The first freeware tracker for the mac has arrived! Unlike
PlayerPro or MacMod Pro, Meditor gives you full access to all its features
right from download, so there's nothing to stop you from editing to your
heart's content. It supports all the sound formats supported by Sound-Trecker
as well as a new one called MMF; a Sound-Trecker plub for MMF format is
included, but to my (editor's note: i.e. Akira's) knowledge there is no
IBM-compatible program that supports this format. (About time Macs had one
that IBM didn't! ;)
Meditor uses a variation of the "classical" editor, with no option for staff
editing or digital editing. Supports all the standard effects and octave
ranges, and allows up to 32 channels (more in MMF format, but why would you
need more than 32?). Only one file can be open at a time and it's a little
buggy, but hey - it's free.
(editor's note: no URL/filename supplied)
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[4.1.4] MS-DOS
MS-DOS users have quite a few trackers available to them nowadays, with
capabilities superior to first-generation mods. Beta releases and unpopular
trackers are not mentioned, the ones listed should suffice to get you started.
That'd include:
- Scream Tracker 3.21 - programmed by PSI of Future Crew. Supports GUS, SB, SB
Pro. Edits up to 32 digital tracks (but plays only up to 16), 99
instruments (S3M format supports 255), features a superset of the
ProTracker command set (but some effects are handled a little different),
8 bit samples with adjustable C4Spd (S3M format allows for 16 bit ADPCM
packed stereo samples), 9 Adlib FM channels (only playable on SB or SB
Pro) and 8 octaves. Features separate volume column (and track panning
available in most players). Extensive block commands and editing
capabilities make this one of the best trackers around nowadays. Version
3.2 is extensively bugfixed over the previous release. Writes in S3M and
MOD formats (but S3M to MOD conversion is NOT recommended!). Reads S3M,
STM (perfect), M.K., 6CHN, 8CHN, Oktalyzer MOD, 5 to 10 track MOD (pretty
good MOD loader) and a proprietary import format. Has an own sample
format, which it shares with Advanced Digiplayer, but ST3 can also read
raw 8-bit samples (signed and unsigned). MOD samples (signed 8-bit) can be
imported by loading a MOD that uses them into ST3 (all information is
retained). Freeware.
ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/demos/music/programs/trackers/s3m/scrmt321.zip
- FastTracker II - programmed by Mr H and Vogue of Triton. Supports GUS, SB
and SB Pro. Edits up to 32 tracks, 128 instruments, multi-sampled
intruments (up to 16 samples per instrument), volume and panning envelopes
for instruments, instrument panning, 4 GB maximum sample size,
bidirectional looping, variable pattern length, built-in sample editor and
sampler, 256 patterns, separate volume/panning/vibrato column, claims full
MIDI support. Imports MOD, STM, S3M type mods (S3M import is buggy, and
imported MODs and S3Ms lose panning info), imports GUS patches, raw
samples (signed and unsigned) and IFF samples. Samples can be 8 or 16
bits. Sample tuning by finetune and relative note value. Shareware $20.
ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/demos/music/programs/trackers/ft203.zip
Note: Due to numerous problems with FT2, Triton has seemingly decided to
write an FAQ for it. Check comp.sys.ibm.pc.demos for up to date
information. The filename is supposed to be similar to FT2FAQ10.ZIP.
- MultiTracker Module Editor 1.01b - programmed by Daniel Goldstein aka
Starscream of Renaissance. Supports GUS, SB and SB Pro. Edits up to 32
tracks, 31 instruments, features the PT command set (which is not
completely compatible), 8 bit samples (MTM format can store 16 bits).
Features track panning. Imports raw samples and GUS patches (only
registered). Loads MOD, 669, MTM and FAR mods, more formats planned. Right
now, loading anything but MTM is not recommended (FAR and 669 sound bad).
Shareware $24.95
ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/demos/music/programs/trackers/mtm101b.zip
- Farandole Composer 1.00 - programmed by Daniel Potter of Digital Infinity.
Supports GUS only. Edits 16 tracks, 64 instruments, an own command set
(does not claim to be PT-compliant), 8 and 16 bit sample support, sample
size up to 1 Meg, imports MOD, 669, GUD PAT and ST3/Digiplayer samples.
Features separate volume column and track panning. Loads MOD, 669, ULT
(buggy) mods. Uses SVGA to display all tracks on screen simultaneously in
132x50 mode. Has a built-in sample editor. Shareware $15. The FAR format
is not very well supported (outside this tracker).
ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/demos/music/programs/trackers/far100.arj
- UltraTracker v1.6 - programmed by MAS of Prophecy. Supports GUS. Edits up to
32 tracks, 8 and 16 bit instruments, variable C2Spd with finetune,
bidirectional looping, instrument panning, 255 patterns, subset of the PT
commands, two effect slots per note. Built-in sample editor. Imports S3M,
MOD, 669, FAR and MTM mods. Imports IFF, PAT, WAV, FSM, SND and raw sample
types. Mouse driven. Shareware $20. The ULT format is not very well
supported (outside this tracker).
ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/demos/music/programs/trackers/ultra160.zip
- FastTracker 1 - programmed by Mr H of Triton. Supports SB, SB Pro,
Soundplayer, DAC, Internal Speaker. Edits 4, 6 or 8 tracks, 31
instruments, 8-bit samples of 64KB maximum size, ProTracker command set,
track panning supported by external players, 100 patterns. Relatively
simple, easy to use tracker, which is good for starters, but it suffers
from its output formats' deficiencies. Partly mouse driven. Freeware.
ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/demos/music/programs/trackers/ftracker.zip
- ModEdit (current version reported to be v3.01) - programmed by Norman Lin.
Supports SB, DAC and the internal speaker using Mark J. Cox's playing
routine (it runs even on 286 PC's). Edits only M.K. format. Mouse-driven
menu interface. This editor's main quality is its sort-of-musical
notation. Whereas almost all other trackers display the tracks vertically
and notes are only discernible by their key character, ModEdit displays
the current pattern horizontally and the notes on a vertical spread. This
editor is old but could suit some people to get started on. It has a very
good documentation, which can unfortunately be a bit misleading at times,
however. Shareware $??
ftp://ftp.uni-jena.de/pub/msdos/mix/modedit.zip
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[4.1.5] OS/2
NHY
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[4.1.6] UNIX (Sun/Linux/NeXt)
Thanks to Andreas (?) <andreas@karlsberg.usask.ca> for this information.
With the new version of DOSEMU (ver. 0.60), quite a number of trackers work
under Linux. Since DOSEMU does not support DMA, sound output is in general not
possible, unless the tracker supports LPT-DAC output or internal speaker (i.e.
ScreamTracker 3.2 works fine under Linux + DOSEMU 0.60).
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[4.1.7] Windows
- EasyMod for Windows 1.0
The features of this seemingly only Windows tracker are unknown to me, as I
couldn't maintain a link to the ftp site. All I know is that it's coded by
Captain Apathy <75713.2012@compusrv.com> for PlayItSoLoudItHz Productions
and that the URL is:
ftp://ftpp.iinet.com.au/pub/users/bsouth/ezmod.zip
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[4.2] Converters
Conversion between mod formats and especially conversion from/to non-mod music
file formats is pretty sure to lose some information of the original piece.
In most of the cases, there is no way around this. You can't, for example,
convert a 16-track S3M using Qxy and excessive volume commands to a 4-track
M.K.. The M.K. just can't hold the information. It is possible, on the other
hand, to convert a M.K. to S3M very accurately. There are a few minor
incompatibilities, but these would hardly be noticeable by many.
Conversions to and from MIDI are also very difficult to get done right with
today's mod formats. MIDI files, while seemingly similar, have a very
different command set from mods. Only one of the differences is that the MIDI
output device 'knows' how to process its sounds when it receives commands from
the MIDI file/player, for example how fast to decay a piano waveform. This
information is not stored in the MIDI file itself, but a mod would have it
included. A converter has no means of asking the MIDI device how it would
handle a certain situation (this is not completely correct, at least when
using a GUS, the patches could be parsed), so it has to assume certain things.
I suppose, however, that better converters could do the trick if they were
programmed for certain situations (I think a converter that creates mod
instruments by itself from a GUS' patches, for example, could accurately
convert from MIDI to an advanced mod format such as S3M, XM or ULT).
But did you want to know any of this?
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[4.2.1] from MIDI
- PTMID 0.3 - converts General MIDI files to MOD (i.e. M.K., 6CHN and 8CHN)
and MTM files. To do this, it relies on a configuration file which specifies
the samples to be used, the number of tracks to generate and the resolution
to use. A careful setup is therefore absolutely necessary if anything good
is going to emerge. The resulting mods will generally still require some
re-editing in a mod editor. Seems like it's freeware.
By Andrew Scott (ascott@tartarus.uwa.edu.au)
ftp://x2ftp.oulu.fi:/pub/msdos/programming/convert/ptmid3.zip MS-DOS
ftp://ftp.mm.se/playerpro/ptmid_0.3_folder.sit.bin Mac
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[4.2.2] Module Format Converters
Amiga (this subsection supplied by Heikki Kantola <hkantola@cc.helsinki.fi>):
There's several "exotic" mod formats for Amiga which are usually just
differently packed ProTracker variants and therefore pretty easy to convert to
normal PT format. There are at least the following mod converters on Aminet
(see section 6.1; unless a path is given, the files mentioned below reside in
mus/misc/):
- Perverter-V1.41.lha - Converts exotic mods to MOD
- Pro-Wizard.lha - Convert many music formats to PT
- xmodule26b.lha - Music module converter v2.6b
And then also a bit weirder ones:
- mus/edit/smus2mod.lha - Convert SMUS music files to MOD files
- mus/midi/Mod2Midi10.lha - Convert MODs to General MIDI type 1 files
MS-DOS:
- Mtm2S3m 0.91á - converts MTM to S3M modules. Doesn't convert samples >64K
yet, but this is planned for the future. By Zab/DA
ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/demos/music/programs/converters/m2s091b.zip
- M2AMF - supplied with DMP (see MS-DOS players), this generates an AMF file
from all file formats understood by DMP. AMF files are generally smaller
than the corresponding MOD files. However, DMP is the ONLY player for these
files and conversion of AMF to other formats isn't possible yet, so it's a
one-way street. And we all know that DMP, versatile as it may be, doesn't
play anything (except AMF) right. By Otto Chrons.
ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/demos/music/programs/players/dmp400.zip
- ScreamTracker 3.21 contains the option to save mods as M.K., 6CHN, 8CHN, S3M.
MOD output is, however, slightly inaccurate, since S3M commands are not
fully ProTracker-compliant. Another deficiency arises from the variable
C4Spd available in S3M. ST3 tries to finetune the samples, but doesn't
perform any resampling or note adjustments. This means that an instrument
with a C4Spd of above 8795Hz or below 7902Hz (or integer multiples of these)
will sound off tune if the note isn't adjusted in the resulting MOD. By
PSI/FC.
ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/demos/music/programs/trackers/scrmt321.zip
- 669 to MOD v1.0 - converts 669 to 8CHN mods - (c)1993 by Kenneth Galbraith
ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/demos/music/programs/converters/6692mod.zip
- MOD to 669 - converts PT mods to 669 - (c)1993 by DTown Inc.
ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/demos/music/programs/converters/mod2669.zip
- MTM to MOD v1.1 - converts MTM to MOD - (c) Daniel Goldstein (StarScream)
ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/demos/music/programs/converters/mtmmod11.zip
(also packaged with MultiModule Editor 1.01b)
- STX2STM v1.0 - converts STX (STMIK 0.2) back to STM - (c)1994 by Lutz Roeder
ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/demos/music/programs/converters/stx2stm.zip
- TOAMIGA - converts STM to PT MOD. Comes with the old MOD-Player MP219b by
Mark J. Cox
ftp:??
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