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Audio 4.94 - Over 11,000 Files
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audio-11000.iso
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msdos
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midi
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play2
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play.hlp
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1989-09-05
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** Function key usage **
F1 - Display this help information.
F3 - Exit program.
F4 - Save configuration information to disk for quicker
start up the next time this file is played.
F5 - Rewind to beginning (00:00).
F6 - Fast forward (advances 10 seconds at a time).
F7 - Toggles between play and pause.
F9 - Decrease value of current field.
F10 - Increase value of current field.
Home - Move to first screen cell (File).
Alt-F3 - Push to DOS (suspends playing).
** Editing **
Use the arrow keys to move the large block cursor around the screen to
select the available data fields or "cells". On a color monitor, the data
in cells which can be changed will appear yellow. Note the input area near
the bottom of the screen, indicated by ">" and the small blinking cursor.
To enter or change a selected cell, type into the input area and press
return. The value entered will then appear in the cell (if the input was
valid). A description of the valid input for the current cell will always
appear on the line above the input area.
Use the following keys for editing:
Return - Retrieves the current contents of a cell and places it in the
input area for modification (if the input area is empty).
Insert - Toggles between character insert and overwrite modes.
Delete - Deletes the character at the cursor.
BackSpace - Deletes the character before the cursor.
End - Moves to the end of the character string.
Home - Moves to the beginning of the character string.
Escape - Erases the input area.
** Operation **
To load a MIDI file, move to the "File:" cell (press Home). Then type the
name of the file and press return. If no extension is given, ".MFF" is
assumed. After the file has been loaded, it will be scanned for the various
types of data described below. This will take some time, unless the data
has been previously saved for this file using the F4 function. Press F7 to
begin playing. Note that any operation may be performed while a song is
playing.
Data cells:
- Length: Duration of the song in minutes and seconds.
- Position: The current song position in minutes and seconds. This cell is
updated every second while playing is in progress. It may be selected and
changed at any time. It may take a few seconds to skip to a new position,
depending on how far away it is. Selecting an earlier location requires
scanning from the beginning. The F6 (fast forward) function advances the
position 10 seconds at a time. F10 may also be used when this cell is
selected to advance 1 second. F9 (decrease) is not recommended.
The numbered rows show channel data as follows:
- Chan: MIDI channel number (1-16).
- Notes: Maximum number of notes played concurrently on the channel (as
determined by note on/off messages).
- Lo/Hi: Lowest and highest note pitches used on the channel.
- Vol: Maximum volume of notes played on the channel, from 0 to 100 percent
(determined by note velocities). If this value is changed, subsequent
note volumes will be adjusted *relative* to the original maximum value.
- Map: Channel to which the original output for this channel is to be
redirected (1 to 16). Default is the same channel.
- Chg: Determines whether program changes are allowed for the channel. "On"
indicates changes enabled.
- Xpos: The number of half steps that notes on the channel are to be
transposed. From -127 to +127. Notes transposed below 0 or above 127
will not be played.
- Tracks: Lists the MIDI file track numbers which contain messages for the
channel. (There may be more than can be displayed - use the program in
line mode to get full track information.) Note that track 1 typically
contains only tempo information and will probably not appear.
- Info: Originally contains textual information found while scanning the
track(s) corresponding to the channel. This information may be changed as
desired to record information about the file for future reference. It can
be saved along with the rest of the screen data by using the F4 function.
** Saving **
When the F4 (save) function key is pressed, the current data on the screen
will be saved to a file. The same name as the current file is used, but
with the extension ".PLA". If a .PLA file corresponding to the MIDI file
being loaded is found, that data will be used and the (sometimes slow)
initial scan step is eliminated. F4 will replace the existing .PLA file
whenever it is pressed.
** Command line usage **
PLAY <filename> <mode> <options>
If <filename> is specified, PLAY is run non-interactively (i.e., the file is
just played, without the full-screen editing display). Interactive mode is
selected simply by leaving off the file name.
<mode> may only be specified if a file name is given. If <mode> is a number
from 1 to 16, it indicates the channel to which all channel messages will be
redirected. This is useful for quick "auditioning" of a file when the
actual channels are unknown, or when they do not match the equipment
settings. For more control, run PLAY interactively.
If <mode> is the letter "S", no playing is done, but the file is scanned and
pertinent channel and track information is listed (similar to that displayed
in interactive mode). To capture scan output to a file, use standard DOS
output redirection: play midifile s >outfile
<options> may be "-r" and/or "-p", and may be specified for either
interactive or non-interactive mode. "-r" indicates that the Roland MPU
compatible interface is to be used if an IBM Music Feature card is also
present. "-p" followed by a hexidecimal number defines the base I/O address
to be used for the MPU interface. Note that MIDI hardware interrupts are
not used, so the IRQ setting of the interface is not relevant.
Examples:
play (Runs the program interactively)
play test.mff (Plays the file non-interactively)
play test.mff s (Just scans the file and lists data)
play test.mff 3 (Maps all channels to channel 3)
play -p336 (Runs interactively; forces MPU I/O address 336)
play test.mff -r (Plays file, forcing MPU mode)
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