Dave Lowe: IFF Samples File Conversion

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Text File | 1994-09-12 | 19.3 KB | 569 lines

****************************************************************************** SEGA MEGA DRIVE EDITOR Version 1.6 ****************************************************************************** NEW FEATURES IN THIS VERSION 1.6 Release date 12/09/94 -------------------------- 1. 'ALT X' added to convert MEGADRIVE format .SND file to SNES format. Procedure is:a) Alt L to load in MEGDRIVE file b) Alt X to convert c)Alt S to Save (use NEW filename to avoid writing over MEGDRIVE file). N.B. The SNES .SND files do not have 2 SUB banks, so only files with a maximum of 256 SUBs can be converted. 1.5 Release date 23/08/94 -------------------------- 1. Improved editor clock accuracy. 2. Improved sample playback (much clearer with no music in other channels). A single sample can now be replayed with no interference from other channels. A slight 'glitch' will be heard every time a new note is started in another channel, and bending notes causes a glitch every frame as the frequency is updated. The worst case is when using mutes in the editor, as each muted channel has 'note offs' sent every frame. So, for clearest sample replay, use slower tempo music (avoid semiquaver hihat lines!) and avoid bending notes. 3. New command 'I' (Info toggle) toggles between note names and chanoffset (useful with music) and note value and length (more useful with effects). 4. 'Play' indicator now in hex as well as decimal. 5. Filename for load/save no longer corrupted after a 'Find'. 6. All downloads to console now verified. Single byte edits are still sent to the console immediately, but any block edits (C/R/A/ALT A/ALT C/ALT E) are only updated on the PC. When the next 'Play' command is sent, the console is updated and the new data verified. This ensures: a) On-screen editing is always as quick as possible. b) The data is only sent and verified when next needed. If your ESYS has any problems downloading you will know straight away (normally you can just try downloading straight away unless a hardware problem has occurred). 1.4 Release date 08/07/94 -------------------------- 1. Voice limit changed to 128 ($00-$7F) 2. Screen playinfo update much faster. 3. New pan/note length display. 4. All mutes reset to off when starting editor (previously, any muted channels in the driver would remain muted when re-entering the editor so that the two could be 'out of sync'. 5. Samples now stop properly at the end of a SUB/TRK or when a rest starts. 6. Keyboard repeat speed forced to maximum for quick movement while editing. 7. GLB VOL added (opcode $9D) same as SNES system. 8. RANDNOTE and RAND DUR added(opcodes $9B and $9C). 9. All Z80BUS references changed to word accesses. 1.3 Release date 30/06/94 --------------------------- 1. Pause toggle command added to editor (ALT P) 2. ESYS error messages no longer corrupt screen - message holds until any key is pressed. 3. Maximum .SND file size increased from 25,000 to 40,000 bytes. 4. Editor and controller now call the driver via the JUMPTABLE rather than directly. 4. Editor Mutes improved (now work properly with chords). 5. Rests now work properly with chords. 6. More problem solving examples at the end of this manual. 1.2 Release date 24/06/94 -------------------------- 1. FM 'hanging on' after sample cured. 2. Pause & Continue added (this even preserves any sample, which will carry on from the stopped point when Continued). This can be tested using the new controller pad keys (START is now used to pause/ continue). 3. Fade added (samples stop dead/ FM fade in 1.5 seconds). 'F' key starts fade in editor. 4. Priorities can only now be set between $00 and $3F (64 levels). This is to make allow for SUB banks (see below). 5. Two banks of SUB allowed 'a' and 'b' (allowing a maximum of 512) using bit 6 of priority byte (see below in CALL PARAMETERS). SUB bank plotted in editor. 6. Alt A now checks for max limits (e.g. Trying to add a call $80 will give an error message). The current limits are: 128 samples (16 each in 8 banks/ maximum 256k sample size) 256 voices ($00-$FF) 512 subs ($0000-$01FF) 256 trks ($00-$FF) 128 calls ($00-$7F/ $80=INIT) 1.0 Release date 22/03/94 -------------------------- Initial release. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FUNCTIONS ESC Escape from disk operation or editor Alt A Add a column at the cursor position Alt C Compress a music file Alt D Download current music file Alt E Expand a compressed column to full size Alt F Find 1 or 2 hex bytes Alt L Load a music file Alt N find Next matching hex byte Alt O Download ON/OFF Alt P Pause toggle Alt S Save a music file Alt T Time signature (e.g. 6/8) Alt X convert MEGADRIVRE to SNES .SND format F1-F6 Toggle channel Mute Return/Enter Play current music track Spacebar Stop all music/effects F Fade music (1.5 seconds) H Half switching (toggle between halves of voice parameters) I Info switch (toggle between length/ chanoffset display K Keymode (toggle between sharps and flats) MOVEMENT Home Move cursor to top of column Ctrl Home Move cursor to beginning of column data End Move cursor to bottom of column Ctrl End Move cursor to end of column data Right & Left Change edit column Up & Page Up Move cursor up Down & Page Down Move cursor down + & Shift + Channel up - & Shift - Channel down [ & ] Play up/down P Play (using setting above) EDITING < & > Up/Down current parameter Keypad * Zero current parameter D Down 1 octave for current parameter U Up 1 octave for current parameter 1/2/4/8 Bitflip current parameter Insert Insert a byte at current cursor position Delete Delete a byte at current cursor position BLOCK C Copy current column into buffer R Replace current column with buffer A Append buffer to current column ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ DEMO FUNCTIONS To help test the music files, there is an equate DEMO at the top of the D-MEGA??.ASM file. Leave this with a value of '1' during sound development to interface with the music editor (M-MEGA.COM) It also enables the following test functions using a MEGADRIVE joypad plugged into CONTROL 1. The joypad keys to use are as follows: UP/DOWN Increment/Decrement current call number. LEFT or RIGHT Start music/effect. A Stop all sound calls. START Pause/ Continue sounds. B/C Increment/Decrement & send new level RESET Resets call number=0/level number=0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PRODUCING CUSTOMER DRIVER FILES When producing the final file for a customer, two things need to be obtained: 1. A starting ROM (cartridge) address on an $8000 boundary (Samples must start ona 32k boundary). For the editor this defaults to $8000. Other examples are $10000,$18000,$20000,$28000 etc. 2. A starting RAM (variables) address which must be even. The current version of the driver uses 324 bytes When these two values have been obtained, simply enter them into the equates at the top of D-MEGA??.ASM as shown and run ALLASM.BAT this will produce a file called D-MEGA??.BIN (this is the standard file used with the editor). With the DEMO equate set to '1' you will get a huge file which consists of the demo code, an empty area and then the driver itself. You can use this to check that everything still works (using M-MEGA as normal) and to find the JUMP address on the editor screen. This should be supplied to the programmer with the MEGA01.DOC (the format of PROJECT.DOC is a useful way to do this). The final driver is produced be setting DEMO to '0' and running ALLASM.BAT This again produces a file called D-MEGA??.BIN, usefully renamed MEGAMUS1.DRV This single file will then contain the driver, all sample banks and all sound files. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ VOICE PARAMETERS (VCE) dtmult Bits 0-3 (00-0Fh) set Multiple Bits 4-6 (00,10,20,30,40,50,60,70h) set Detune Bit 7 (80h) is not used tlevel Bits 0-6 (00-7Fh) set Total Level (00=largest/7F=smallest) Bit 7 (80h) is unused ks/atk Bits 0-4 (00-1Fh) set Attack rate Bit 5 (20h) is unused Bits 6-7 (00/40/80/C0) set keyboard scaling amdec1 Bits 0-4 (00-1Fh) set the initial decay rate Bits 5/6 (20,40h) are unused Bit 7 (80h) controls Amplitude Modulation (on/off) decay2 Bits 0-4 (00-1Fh) set the secondary decay rate Bits 5-7 (20,40,80h) are unused susrel Bits 0-4 (00-1Fh) set the release rate Bits 5-7 (20,40,80h) set the sustain level fb/alg Bits 0-2 (00-07h) set the type of algorithm Bits 3-5 (08,10,20h) set the feedback level Bits 6,7 (40,80h) are unused lrampm Bits 0-2 (00-07h) set the amount of vibrato Bit 3 (08h is unused Bits 4,5 (10,20h) set the amount of tremolo Bit 6 (40h) sets the right output on Bit 7 (80h) sets the left output on offset signed Offset to note (e.g. $0C=up 1 octave/$FF=down 1 note) specls Bit 2 ($04) DrumBend added to every note (but not chords) Bit 3 ($08) Chords (use note1-4 for offset) Bit 6 ($40) Fixed (unaffected by global offsets e.g. for drums) Bit 7 ($80) Sample (Ignored if not in channel 5) 80-8Fh = sample from bank0 (maximum 32k) 90-9Fh = sample from bank1 (maximum 32k) A0-AFh = sample from bank2 (maximum 32k) B0-BFh = sample from bank3 (maximum 32k) C0-CFh = sample from bank4 (maximum 32k) D0-DFh = sample from bank5 (maximum 32k) E0-EFh = sample from bank6 (maximum 32k) F0-FFh = sample from bank7 (maximum 32k) note1/2/3/4 note1 used by drumbend offset for chords if special $08 used SUBROUTINE PARAMETERS (SUB) NAME NO. PARAMETERS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ note $00-$5E ,duration ($00-$7F) $3C = C3 = middle C $00-$4F ,duration ($00-7F or $FF) sample only duration = $FF waits for the sample to end N.B. sample 'notes' set the sample rate, and do not correspond to actual notes VOICENUM $80 ,number The number is: $00-$3F REST $81 ,duration ($00-$7F) Starts the 'release' time CHNTEMPO $82 ,tempo ($01-$FF default=$FF) GLBTEMPO $83 ,channelbits,tempo,dummy ($01-$FF default=$FF) Sets the channel tempo of all associated channels. This is the value shown as TEMPO on the PC screen. SETGATE $85 ,notelength (default=$FF) At the end of the gated duration a note off is sent. This allows staccato notes to be produced. The default value of $FF is reset at the beginning of each new subroutine. CHNOFFST $8A ,transpose Acts similarly to the GLOBOFFS command, but on the current channel only. Channel offsets are independent, and can be used in tandem with a global offset. GLBOFFST $8B ,channelbits,transpose,dummy (default=$00) Adds ($00-$7F) or subtracts ($FF-$80) the transpose setting to all subsequent notes in all associated channels. It is reset to zero on starting any new piece of music, or by resetting the sound driver using the external command INIT (See SNES.DOC). CHANVOL $8C ,volume ($00-$FF default=$FF) CHANVOL defaults to $FF when a new call is started, and affects all subsequent notes until another CHANVOL command is issued. BEND $92 ,speed,dummy,dummy Starting from the next note, the pitch will bend up (speed $00-$7F) or down (speed $FF-$80) from the note value for the duration of the note. BEND is cancelled automatically at the start of the following note. RANDNOTE $9B ,and mask ($00-$FF default=$00=Off) All following note pairs will have a random offset added to the normal note with a value set by the and mask. The default value of $00 is reset at the beginning of each new subroutine. RAND DUR $9C ,and mask ($00-$FF default=$00=Off) All following note pairs will have a random duration added to the normal duration with a value set by the and mask. e.g. mask=$07 random added = 0,1,2,3,4,5,6 or 7 mask=$04 random added = 0 or 4 ('4' bit randomly set) The defualt value of $00 is reset at the start of each new subroutine. GLB VOL $9D ,channelbits,volume,dummy ($00-$FF default=$FF) Sets a master volume for each associated channel, from $FF (full) to $00 (off). This is useful for balancing music levels against effects without altering the music balance. END $FF Indicates the final byte of a subroutine. TRK PARAMETERS BYTE 1 BYTE 2 DETAILS 00-3F no. of times 00-7F sequence no. normal subroutine pair 40 loop end - use only after loop start 41-7F loop start - e.g. 46 = loop 6 times FC call 00-FE call no. start this call next FD link 00-7F track no. link to this track next FE end 00 (dummy) end in this channel FF loop channel 00-7F loop point loop channel to any step e.g. FF/02=loop to step 02 CALL PARAMETERS prior priority setting $00 (highest) to $3F (lowest) bit 6 set ($40) forces all SUB calls to bank b (All SUBs used by this call whether from TRK or direct call to SUB will be in the same bank) bit 7 set ($80) forces direct call to SUB 0-7 TRK used in this channel (prior less than $80) SUB used by this channel (prior greater than $80) NOTE VALUES NAME NORMAL DOTTED DOUBLE DOT TRIPLET Semibreve 30h 48h 54h 20h Minim 18h 24h 2Ah 10h Crotchet 0Ch 12h 15h 08h Quaver 06h 09h - 04h Semiquaver 03h - - 02h Demisemiquaver 2/2/1/1 - - 01h ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ MEGADRIVE MUSIC PROBLEM SOLVING ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PROBLEM 1: Editor 'locks up' when first run, or shows blanks where JUMP and MUSIC should be. REASON: Megadrive code not properly initialised. CURE: Exit editor and use S-MEGA to re-send driver to Megadrive. Press RESET when prompted and then wait until SEGA credit screen disappears. Then restart editor. If JUMP and MUSIC show a value then the Megadrive code is running OK. PROBLEM 2: Editor locks up during intensive editing e.g. multiple deletion of many bytes. REASON: ESYS hardware has 'fallen over'. CURE: Switch off Megadrive & then switch on again - this will normally clear the blockage, leaving the latest music data intact on the editing screen. Use Alt D to download to ensure that what is on the screen is also in the console. PROBLEM 3: On entering the editor, an error 'COMMS not found'. REASON: Normally the Megadrive has not been switched on, but sometimes this could be caused by a faulty lead between the PC and ESYS. CURE: Exit the editor, switch on the Megadrive and wait for initialisation, then re- enter the editor. PROBLEM 4: Pressing the spacebar in the editor doesn't stop the sound properly. REASON: Voice 00 is used as 'silence'. If this is set other than the default values (see BLANK.SND) then it will not work correctly. CURE: Always leave Voice 00 with all parameters exactly like that of BLANK.SND PROBLEM 5: The editor shows many many SUB parameters as 'unused'. REASON: To maintain compatibility with SNES .SND files, parameters like panslide or echo are read by the driver as either 'unused2' or 'unused4'. This means that the appropriate 2 or 4 bytes are read by the Megadrive driver, but ignored as actual values. You can therefore take a SNES file and simply ignore any parameters that are not used by the Megadrive (it beats stripping out all the extras by hand!) CURE: None is needed, but you can remove the extras if you want to be tidy. PROBLEM 6: Converted SNES .SND files run slowly on the Megadrive. REASON: Tempo commands have different values between the two formats. CURE: After converting a SNES .SND file, simply place the cursor at the beginning of SUB00 and use Alt F to search for '82' from beginning to end, and then the same for '83' (Globtempo). Whenever a value is found, multiply the tempo by 1.265 e.g. SNES tempo=$7A becomes MEGA tempo=$9A. PROBLEM 7: FM notes 'hang on' when a sound call has finished. REASON: The VCE parameter 'susrel' uses $00-$1F to set the release time once a 'key off' has occurred. Normally another note comes along and overrides this. CURE: If you don't want a long release at the end of a sound call set a short release time e.g. $1F. Set all release times to $1F except where specifically needed otherwise. PROBLEM 8: Muting a channel from the editor leaves a decaying or hanging note. REASON: The Mutes work by sending a rest immediately and then ignoring further notes until the mute is removed. This means that the current note will use the current voice's release time to fade away. If the release rate has been set in the voice as '00' then this note will hang indefinitely. CURE: Set all release times to $1F except where specifically needed otherwise. This will ensure 'instant' mutes!