MIDAS Module Player v1.00b -------------------------- Copyright 1995 Petteri Kangaslampi and Jarno Paananen MIDAS MODULE PLAYER IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT WILL ANY OF THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE USE, OR INABILITY TO USE, OF MIDAS MODULE PLAYER. MIDAS Module Player may freely be distributed as long as no money is charged for it, and no attempt is made to restrict further copying, distribution and using of MIDAS Module Player. If you have problems with this, or do not understand this, contact us. MIDAS Module Player Foreword Page 2 1. Foreword As the version number shows, this is the first version of MIDP which we consider fully finished. Do not let it mislead you though, as MIDP is now almost a year old and has several releases already behind. All of the bugs reported from previous versions, mainly v0.41 and v0.42, have been fixed and numerous features have been added. MIDP is now very stable, at least on all computers tested, and plays almost every module it recognizes correctly. There is no other PC player we know of which plays Protracker or Scream Tracker 3 modules better than MIDP. However, we are still looking for feedback. During this long break in MIDAS releases, MIDAS Sound System has gone through an extensive rewrite, and is now much cleaner and more modular. Loads of bugs have been fixed and new features added, including support for Multitracker modules. To understand how well we have succeeded we need your comments. Especially we are looking for feedback regarding sound card support, as this is a major cause of problems in PC world today, and we are also very interested in hearing from you if you find a module that MIDP does not play correctly. And of course, if MIDP simply refuses to work on your computer please contact us. When giving us feedback, especially bug reports, please remember to include information about your computer system, especially the type of your sound card. Please also include, if possible, the MIDAS error list given by MIDP on an error situation. It gives us invaluable information about the error and, even more importantly, where that error occurred. This way we have better chances of finding the bugs. Also, if you encouter another kind of problem, such as Expanded Memory Manager exception dump or divide error (MIDP has its own internal divide error handler), please include as much of the information as possible, at least the exact error message and all addresses given. Otherwise we will not be able to locate the problem. Unlike most other module players, MIDP is not commercial, shareware, or even cardware. But, if you like MIDP, nothing naturally stops you from sending us something, money, a postcard or whatever. We would hope to get at least a "Hey, MIDP works with my sound card" e-mail message, but please include the type of the sound card as well. MIDAS Module Player Configuration Page 3 2. Configuration ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.1. Introduction ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- When you run MIDAS Module Player for the first time, you will be prompted for configuration information including sound card type, port, IRQ, DMA and sound output mode. Use cursor up/down to select the correct values, Enter to confirm and Escape to exit. The detected/recommended values will be highlighted as default, but please verify each selection before proceeding as these might be incorrect. The configuration information is saved to file MIDP.CFG, in the same directory with MIDP.EXE, and will be used in the future when MIDP is run. After the initial configuration, you can use the command line arguments to override the settings for one session, or use the command line option "-r" to completely reconfigure MIDP. Settings forced using the command line arguments are not saved to MIDP.CFG. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.2. Sound Devices ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MIDAS uses all sound cards through modules called Sound Devices. One Sound Device can include support for several sound cards which are functionally alike. In the configuration screen each supported sound card will appear as a separate selection, but if you later wish to force the sound card type from command line you must set both Sound Device and sound card type numbers. Currently available Sound Devices are: 1. Gravis UltraSound * Available sound card types: (-cx option) 1 - Gravis UltraSound (GF1 hardware mixing) * All Gravis UltraSound versions 2. Media Vision Pro Audio Spectrum series * Available sound card types: (-cx option) 1 - Pro Audio Spectrum 2 - Pro Audio Spectrum plus 3 - Pro Audio Spectrum 16 * Note that with normal PAS mixing rates over 22kHz may not work properly. 3. Microsoft Windows Sound System * Available sound card types: (-cx option) 1 - Windows Sound System (Crystal/Analog CODEC) * Should also work with other WSS compatible cards, such as Compaq Business Audio, and is tested to work with Audiotrix Pro. * Note that there is no autodetection for this Sound Device. MIDAS Module Player Configuration Page 4 4. Creative Labs Sound Blaster series * Available sound card types: (-cx option) 1 - Sound Blaster 1.0 or clone (DSP v1.xx) 2 - Sound Blaster 1.5 (DSP v2.00) 3 - Sound Blaster 2.0 (DSP v2.01) 4 - Sound Blaster Pro (DSP v3.xx) 5 - Sound Blaster 16 (DSP v4.00+) 5. No Sound * Available sound card types: (-cx option) 1 - No Sound * Plays nothing, is always used when nothing else is detected. * Just to allow sound synchronization even with no sound card. MIDAS Module Player MIDAS Module Player usage Page 5 3. MIDAS Module Player usage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.1. Command line syntax ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The command line syntax for MIDP is: MIDP [options] [options] At least one module file name must be included. MIDP also supports multiple modules and wildcards. Options: -r Reconfigure MIDAS Module Player. This prompts for new Sound Card, Port, IRQ and DMA values and output mode, and saves them to MIDP.CFG for later use. -sx Force Sound Device x (1 = GUS, 2 = PAS, 3 = WSS, 4 = SB, 5 = No Sound) -cx Force sound card type x (depends on Sound Device) -pxxx Force I/O port xxx (hex) for Sound Device -ix Force IRQ x for Sound Device -dx Force DMA channel x for Sound Device -mxxxx Set mixing rate to xxxx Hz -oxxx Force output mode (8 = 8-bit, 1 = 16-bit, s = stereo, m = mono). Can be combined, eg. 8-bit mono is "-o8m" -b Disable Virtual DMA usage. Use this if you experience problems related to Virtual DMA Servies. -e Disable EMS usage -t Disable BPM tempos in Protracker modules. Necessary with some (usually older) modules that attempt to use speeds over 31. -g Disable DMP-compatible 8-command panning in Protracker modules. Needed if the module uses the command 8 for other purposes, such as music synchronization in a demo. -x Enable extended octaves in Protracker modules. May be needed with some modules using notes in octaves above 3 or below 1. If this option is not enabled the notes may be cutted at the Amiga period limits. -u Enable Surround sound (affects only GUS). Uses twice the amount of GUS memory, but allows Surround panning. MIDP is the only player we know of that supports surround panning on GUS. -ax Force amplification level x. 64 is normal (no amplification), 128 200% etc. ------ -v Disable real VU-meters (saves memory) -y Disable timer screen synchronization -Y Enable timer screen synchronization also in DOS shell -O Scramble module playing order -nxx Default panning. Channels normally on left are panned to -xx, and those on right to xx. For example, if you are using headphones, try -n24. -M Display free memory information MIDAS Module Player MIDAS Module Player usage Page 6 Also '/' is recognized as option delimiter. Note that the options are CASE SENSITIVE. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.2. Environment variables ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MIDAS Sound System specific options (above the line in the command line option list above) can also be set to environment variable MIDAS, so that they do not have to be entered every time. The syntax is exactly the same as with the command line options. Also other programs that use MIDAS Sound System will probably recognize the environment variable. Any MIDP command line options can also be placed in environment variable MIDP, including also those below the line. This is preferred over the use of MIDAS environment. Note that you can override the options set in the environment variable from the command line. Example: SET MIDAS=-s3 -p530 -i9 -d3 -om -m32000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.3. Keyboard ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- When playing a module, MIDP can be controlled using the following keys: Alt-X Quick exit Esc Exit with fade out +/- Increase / Decrease master volume D Jump to DOS shell Left/Right Next / Previous position Up/Down Select active channel Page Up/Down Scroll instrument list Tab Toggle instrument list mode 1-9, 0 Toggle channels on/off ,/. Adjust active channel panning left / right M Set active channel panning to middle L Set active channel panning to left R Set active channel panning to right U Set active channel panning to surround T Toggle active channel on/off P Pause module. Pree P to continue Space Mute playing. Press Space again to un-mute N Next module A Amplification adjustment screen. See below for more information. V Show MIDAS and MIDP version information. F Display free memory information B Display free memory blocks F1, h Display keyboard help F8 Toggle screen blanking on/off MIDAS Module Player MIDAS Module Player usage Page 7 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.4. Amplification ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- When playing multiple channel digital sound, the output volume can get very low and sound quality with 8-bit sound cards decreases. MIDAS Sound System compensates for this using amplification. When playing on a 8-bit sound card, the sound is amplified as a default and also on 16-bit sound cards amplification can be added. This increases volume level and also improves sound quality on 8-bit cards. You can override the default amplification level using the "-ax" command line option, and adjust it while playing by pressing the "A" key. Keys in amplification adjustment screen: ./, Multiply / divide current amplification level by two. +/- Add / substract 16 to the current amplification level V Toggle output VU-meter mode between mixer output and channel VU meter sum. A Toggle automatic amplification limits on/off. Note that on 16-bit sound cards the sound will get distorted very quickly if you use too high amplification values. This is because there is no clipping in the sound mixer and the output will wrap. On 8-bit sound cards the mixing output is clipped and thus you can use higher amplification values without problems. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.5. Archive support ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MIDP also includes a primitive archive support, built as we ourselves needed it. When playing a file with extension .ZIP, .MDZ, .S3Z or .MTZ MIDP first decompresses the file using PKUNZIP to the directory set by environment variable "TEMP", or to C:\ if none is set. Then the first file from that directory with same name as the archive (but with any extension) will be played and deleted immediately after playing starts. When multiple archives are being played, the decompression of the next start immediately after starting to play the previous one, to give almost uninterrupted background music. Archive support will be enhanced in the future, after we implement some kind of configuration file, to include any archivers and extensions. But for now this must do. Please also note that the archive support fails if the archive is stored in the TEMP directory. MIDAS Module Player The future Page 8 4. The future MIDAS Module Player, as the whole MIDAS Sound System itself, is under constant development. As time permits we will add more features to MIDP, both to test new functions in MIDAS and to enhance its usefulness. MIDP currently represents what we think a module player should be like, but we are open to suggestions. So if you feel there is an important feature missing, or think that the existing ones are somehow faulty or unintuitive to use, do not hesitate to contact us. Features planned for some future MIDP version: - Configuration file, including customizable archiver support, colors, character set etc. - Module-specific configuration, probably added to 4DOS descript.ion file in the form of MIDP command line options for each module file - File selector with 4DOS description support MIDAS Module Player Contact information Page 9 5. Contact information If you have questions, comments, suggestions or bug reports about MIDAS Module Player or MIDAS Sound System itself, please contact us. The preferred method is naturally e-mail, because it is fast, inexpensive and lets us deal with the messages when we have time. Note also that we probably will not be able to answer your letters unless you include a stamped and addressed return envelope (International Reply Coupon is OK too). e-mail: pekangas@sci.fi (Petteri Kangaslampi) jpaana@kauhajoki.fi (Jarno Paananen) voice: +358-31-3646764 (Petteri Kangaslampi) +358-31-3422147 (Jarno Paananen) Please restrict your calls to 10.00 - 21.30, Finnish time. normal mail: Petteri Kangaslampi Simeoninkuja 4 FIN-36240 Kangasala 4 Finland Europe Jarno Paananen Puskalantie 6 FIN-37120 Nokia Finland Europe MIDAS Module Player Distribution Page 10 6. Distribution The latest MIDAS Sound System and MIDAS Module Player should always be available on these fine BBSes: WarmBoot BBS +55-194-265112 Sysop: Carlos Henrique Cantu (WarmBooter) Moir Brandts Honk #1: +31-(0)70-3461215 USR/DS 14.4k #2: +31-(0)70-3457929 ZyXEL 19.2k #3: +31-(0)70-3452981 LineLink 14.4k Sysop: Hugo Voerman The Pantheon 703-378-3553 (changing soon?) Sysops: Farmicus [CiA], Lord Soth [iCE], and Shaggy [iCE Senior Staff] ULTiMAT BBS +32-2-3755651 Sysops: Cobra, Access Sourcery BBS +46-8-7674313 Sysop: Martin Alexanderson Fidonet: 2:201/406, Freq. If you are supposed to be a MIDAS distribution site, but are not on this list, please contact us! MIDAS and MIDP can also be found in Internet. Whenever a new version is released, we will try to upload it to at least ftp.cdrom.com, /pub/msdos/demos/incoming/music and x2ftp.oulu.fi.