Addendum notes for the Farandole Composer DOX --------------------------------------------- First of all, I want to apologize for not putting this info into the real doc files - it's just that i would basically have to rewrite the whole thing. In addition, I already have old printed copies to send to registered users. Here are the usage notes on the new features for this version. ** New for version .90 ---------------------- MOD Saving for registered users ------------------------------- To save a MOD file if your copy is registered, simply turn on the channels you want to save, then press CTRL-F12. It will tell you what kind of MOD it saves, and this will be based on how many channels you have selected. It will save into these formats: - 4,6,8 Channel FastTracker MODs - 14,15,16 Channel TakeTracker MODs In addition, I am sending along each person's key file to expedite any problems you might have had in getting it to work correctly. EQ Bars Off ----------- Some people have been having problems with the new EQ bars. If it bothers you, simply use the switch /b to turn them off. Registration by keyfile ----------------------- If you have a key from me, use the command line switch /r. The rest will be fairly self explanatory. If you have not obtained a keyfile and you are a registered user, please contact me to get one. DO NOT leave netmail, or mail on my BBS. Instead, in this order: a) leave internet email, b) call Digital Oxygene BBS and leave mail, c) call voice and ask for me, d) Mail me. Letter C is risky; I may not be home, or I may be asleep (ARRRRG! :) PGUP/PGDN fixed --------------- Due to excessive complaint by one certain annoying person :) I have added the CTRL-PGUP/DN keys that move a whole page without having to push them twice. Change drive command -------------------- You can now change drives in the file box - simply press D and it will ask for a new drive. It also returns you to the correct drive before exiting if you have changed drives. PANIC KEYS ---------- READ THIS CAREFULLY. USE THESE AT YOUR OWN RISK. These keys are what I define as 'panic keys'. The function of each is described below: ALT-SHIFT-U: Unlock file i/o safeguard. If for some reason the program locks up while doing file i/o you may press this key to regain control of the keyboard handler. ALT-SHIFT-CTRL-`: This releases the keyboard handler routine. WARNING! You CANNOT, repeat CANNOT exit the program or use it in any way whatsoever once you press this. All this does is return control of the keyboard to the BIOS. This is useful if you get some kind of stupid QEMM error, you can then press 'T' to terminate (possibly saving your current DOS environment). This also (sometimes) allows you to use ALT-CTRL-DEL to reboot in case of a lockup. DO NOT USE THE ABOVE KEYS UNLESS YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO. Configuration screen -------------------- This new screen is brought up using ALT-F10. It shows some 'about' info at the bottom, and allows you to configure several options of Farandole. Use the context sensitive help and experiment to see what these do (most are pretty obvious). Individual pattern options -------------------------- You can now save and load individual patterns from your songs. They will be saved as .FPT files, in the same general format as all the other composer files. You can name the patterns to keep track of them (up to 32 chars). Load a pattern using SHIFT-F11, and save one using SHIFT-F12. 16 bit instruments ------------------ There are some serious problems with 16 bit instruments, that I have not been able to fix yet. The Gravis SDK gives no help with a small skimover, so it will take some asking around, etc to get this working. If you know how the Gravis treats 16 bit samples, please contact me. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** New for version .91 ---------------------- Ambient Fine Tempo ------------------ Since it's rather hard to edit a song when you are using fine tempo, and it resets itself, the composer now does not reset fine tempo unless you do. You can accomplish this by using CTRL-4,1 on the number pad (same keys as for tempo adjustment, except with CTRL). You may also adjust it while the song is still playing. If you use fine tempo, make sure that you reset it at the beginning of each pattern so that it does not stack up (E0, then Ex). Abort mode ---------- I have added a few things that should help with the lockup/reboot on exit 'feature' that some people have had problems with :). But if all else fails, try the Borland C abort() function instead of a standard DOS exit by using the /a switch on the command line. Note that you can see if this worked - it prints 'abnormal program termination' when you quit. If you are not having problems and you use this switch, it will have no adverse effects. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** New for version .92 ---------------------- Loading Gravis Patch Files -------------------------- You can now load Gravis MIDI patch files as samples! When you try loading a file with the .PAT extension from the sample box, it will perform a check to see that it really is a patch file. From there it will automatically load the only sample if there's 1, or it will ask you which one to load if there are more. It attempts to preserve looping values, but there are some problems right now (not sure exactly). The sample name will be the filename of the patch file + the sample number (0 if only one sample). Patches are converted to 8 bit samples because 8 bit samples are easier to deal with, etc. Also this makes it easy to export them for use in MOD's and stuff.. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** New for version .93 ---------------------- Additional on Gravis Patch files -------------------------------- I forgot to mention above, that you cannot load them straight from their directory. This is because FAR only allows directories with 256 filenames, and there are more patch files than that. Shell to DOS and copy over the one you want instead. I might fix this later on.. Default Video Mode ------------------ You can now specify a default video mode on the CFG screen so that you don't have to use the /c switch anymore. To cancel this effect (in other words, if you change video cards, or something) use the /c switch again, and it will override the CFG settings. Since changes were made in the CFG file and there is some important info in there now, FAR will convert your old CFG file when it starts up to the new format (to make it stay you must press ALT-F10 to edit it then exit). Additionally, new version CFG files work with an older version of FAR, but some settings may not take effect depending on the version you are trying it with. Loading of names off -------------------- Now you can tell FAR not to load the song/sample names along with the directory in the loading box. This will speed up the directory process by a factor of TWENTY! It's also good if you have a slow computer. In the future I might rewrite the routine that does that in assembler, but not right now. Smart registration ------------------ Now if you can't figure out how to enter your name and number correctly, you can now enter your name in ANY case whatsoever, and your phone number in one of these formats: +00000000000 (etc foreign, non-US) (000)000-0000 U.S. standard 1-000-000-0000 Another U.S. standard 000-000-0000 Another U.S. standard Sample Editor additions ----------------------- Now the sample editor caps off samples at 64k temporarily (for editing purposes). I forgot to mention before that you can hold down the press the right button after selecting a function and it will abort. Also the new function, optimize loop, will smooth out loop points at a position as close to your selected one as possible, to eliminate major pops in loops. The original point is taken from the first loop point first. The program searches within 100h bytes of the original for a match within +-10 amplitude bytes. If none close enough is found, it tries with the end loop point as the original. The closest match will be used. If none is found, no changes are made to looping values. You may also access this function using ALT-O from the sample menu on the main edit screen. However, a visual representation of the waveform from (ALT-E) will be much easier to make it perfect. Of course, you will have to realize that this function is not AI; it cannot perfect your looping for you. Only you can do that - with a little practice- and this AMAZING function! Please note also that some samples are already optimized - this function could quite possible screw them up! Be careful! >64k samples ------------ FAR composer (except the sample editor above) now FULLY supports >64k samples! This means you can load/save your favorite MODs/669s with samples up to 1 meg in size. This also means that you will have to watch your memory; I've had reports of the composer CRASHING if you exceed the memory limit on your GUS.