Audio Version 4.94/audioversion4.94knowledgemediaresourcelibraryoctober1994.iso/msdos/midi/playpak/play.hlp

Text File | 1990-12-26 | 40KB | 499 lines

         ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
         │                  Play Help - Contents                   │
         ├────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────┤
         │   *Function key usage      │   *Mouse usage             │
         │   *Editing                 │   *Sliders                 │
         │   *Operation               │   *MIDI initialization     │
         │   *Saving                  │   *Updating MIDI files     │
         │   *Play lists              │   *Command line usage      │
         │   *File selection          │                            │
         └────────────────────────────┴────────────────────────────┘

 To go directly to a help section, type * plus the first few letters of the
 section title and press return.  If using a mouse, you may click on any word
 and the next page containing that word will be displayed.  You may also move
 back and forth freely through the help text using the up/down arrow and page
 keys, or click on the appropriate button.

 Press [Page Down] for function key summaries.

 ┌─────────────────────┐
 │ *Function key usage │
 └─────────────────────┘                                       Mouse

   F1      - Display this help information.                  [ Help  ]
   F2      - Select and load from a set of MIDI files.       [ Files ]
   F3      - Exit program.                                   [ Exit  ]
   F4      - Save configuration information to disk.         [ Save  ]
   F5      - Rewind to beginning (00:00) or skip backward.   [  |  ]
   F6      - Fast forward (advances 10 seconds at a time).   [     ]
   F7      - Toggles between play and pause.                 [   ## ]
   F8      - Skip to next song in play list                  [  |  ]
   F9      - Decrease value of current field.                <left button>
   F10     - Increase value of current field.                <right button>
   Home    - Move to first screen cell (File:).
   Alt-F1  - Toggle channel activity indicators off/on.
   Alt-F2  - Toggle MIDI thru mode on/off (default is off).  [ Thru  ]
   Alt-F3  - Push to DOS. *
   Alt-F4  - Write new MIDI file.
   Alt-F5  - Toggle modify mode on/off (default is off)      [  Mod  ]
   Alt-F6  - Toggle between real-time/meter displays.
   Alt-C   - Set other cells in column the same as current cell.

   Sliders (Available in mouse mode only)

    Left Slider  - Master Volume
    Right Slider - Song Position
    Alt-F9  - Decrease volume slider sensitivity
    Alt-F10 - Increase volume slider sensitivity

   * Note: When pushing to DOS, playing in progress will continue in the
     background.  The timing resolution of background play is not as fine
     as normal play - approx. 25 milliseconds vs. the usual sub-millisecond
     resolution.  Background playing should not be performed while critical
     system activities, such as backup, are in progress.  For extended
     background playing, use the program Play/R instead.

 ┌──────────┐
 │ *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",
 ".MID", ".STD", and ".SMF" are tried.  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.

 When entering a file name, if it is followed by a space and a number from 1
 to 16, all output channels will be forced to the number specified.  This
 will also disable program changes.  This is a shortcut for quick auditioning
 of songs having many channels and varying voices.  The same effect can be
 achieved by manually setting the parameters for each channel as described
 later.

 If the MIDI file name is entered with wildcard characters (* or ?), a list
 of matching files will be displayed.  Move to the desired file and press
 return (or click if using a mouse) to select and load the highlighted file.
 The same rules used by DOS for file matching apply.  The match specification
 can be changed by typing a new one in the cell at the top of the file list
 screen.  The F2 (Files) function may also be used to display and select from
 a list of files.

 In addition to the standard MIDI file formats 1, 2, and 3, Play supports the
 Creative Music file format (CMF), which is a close variant of standard MIDI.

 Data cells:

 - Tempo or Speed:  For metrically specified time bases, this cell controls
   the overall, or "master", tempo in beats per minute.  The first tempo
   value encountered in the file is used as the reference for subsequent
   manual changes.  If the file does not specify tempo, 120 is assumed.  The
   speed of play at any given point is determined by the ratio of the current
   setting to the original value (regardless of tempo changes in the file).
   For example, if the original value is 120, play will occur at half speed
   whenever the master tempo is changed to 60.

   For files having a time base specified in SMPTE or MIDI time code units,
   this cell is indicated as speed, rather than tempo, and is given as a
   percentage of the initial speed (100%).  Half speed is 50%, double speed
   is 200%, etc.

 - Len (Length):  Duration of the song in minutes and seconds.  Note that
   when the master tempo is changed, the duration is adjusted accordingly.

 - Time:  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.

   Note: This cell represents elapsed time since the start of play - if the
   master tempo is changed while playing, counting continues in one second
   intervals and the ending time may not match the song duration for that
   play.

 Pressing Alt-F6 will change to a meter-based time display.  "Len:" changes
 to "End:" and displays the last measure and beat in the song.  "Time:"
 becomes "Meas:" and shows the current measure and beat.  When changing the
 position in this mode, enter the time in the format measure:beat.  While
 in meter display mode, the current time signature is displayed at the
 bottom of the screen.  Pressing Alt-F6 again will return to the real-time
 display mode.


 Channel data cells

 - 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.  The
   reference range is C-2 to G8 for MIDI notes 0 to 127.  Middle C is C3
   (MIDI note 60).

 - 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.  Program change times can be determined by
   running Play in scan mode (see Command line usage).

 - 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
   scan 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.

   See the MIDI Initialization section below for further uses of the Info
   fields.


 ┌─────────┐
 │ *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 a 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.  Note: F4 does not alter the basic MIDI file in any
 way.

 ┌─────────────┐
 │ *Play lists │
 └─────────────┘

 Play lists are ordinary text files containing a list of MIDI (or CMF) file
 names.  Such a file can be created with any text editor, or with a
 wordprocessor capable of "exporting" ASCII files.  They may also be created
 by Play via the file selection screen.  Such files permit automatic playing
 of songs in a list without intervention.

 A play list file name is entered in the "File:" field, but it must be
 preceded by the character "@" to indicate that it is a play list.  A file
 name which actually begins with "@" is also assumed to be a play list.  The
 advantage of naming play list files beginning with "@" is that they may be
 selected by wild card from the file list screen (F2).  Otherwise, there is
 no special requirement for naming them.

 Play expects one file name per line in a play list, followed by an optional
 channel override number.  If corresponding .PLA files exists, they will be
 used to control MIDI output.  Note, however, that if a channel number is
 specified following the MIDI file name, it will take precedence and the .PLA
 file will be ignored.  Up to 30 files may be specified.

 Once a play list is entered, the first file will be loaded and ready to play
 by pressing F7 (or clicking on play/pause using a mouse).  Playing will then
 proceed uninterrupted, one song after the other.  Play ceases when the end
 of the list is reached.  Play may be paused and resumed at any point.
 Pressing F5 (rewind) will go to the beginning of the current song if it is
 past 0:00; otherwise F5 functions as a reverse skip and will load the
 previous song in the list.  F8 will skip to the next song in the list.  It
 is suggested that F4 (save) be done for each file in a list to speed
 subsequent loading and skipping.

 Typing a regular MIDI file name, or another play list name in the "File:"
 field will cancel the current play list and load the requested file.  Play
 lists will not advance while pushed to DOS, or when viewing the help or file
 selection screens.

 ┌─────────────────┐
 │ *File Selection │
 └─────────────────┘

 To obtain a list of MIDI files from which to select a new song, do one of
 the following on the main screen:  Press F2, click on "Files" with a mouse,
 or enter a file name containing wildcard characters.  The file selection
 screen will display a list of all matching files.

 The cell at the top left shows the wildcard pattern used.  It may be changed
 by moving to it (using the arrow keys), and typing a new file specification
 into it.  The list of matching files will change accordingly.  To choose a
 file to play, move the cursor to it and press return (or double click on it
 using the mouse).  The program will return to the main screen and load the
 selected file.

 Another option while on the file selection screen is to create a play list
 file.  Press F4 (or click on "Create list"), and you will be prompted for a
 play list file name.  After entering the name, an optional output channel
 will be requested.  If given, this number will be added after each file name
 in the play list to force output to the given channel on playback.  Press
 return if none is desired.  Then you may freely move around the file screen
 and "select" the ones to be added to the play list by pressing return (or
 double clicking the mouse).  When done, press F4 (or click "Create list")
 again.  You will be returned to the main screen and the first play list song
 will be loaded, ready to start playing.

 ┌──────────────┐
 │ *Mouse usage │
 └──────────────┘

 When a Microsoft-compatible mouse is available and the mouse driver software
 properly loaded, operations using the mouse will be enabled.  The mouse may
 be used to select an input cell on the screen by positioning the small mouse
 cursor on the cell and single clicking either button.  The cell will be
 highlighted, just as if the cell had been selected using the arrow keys.

 Any cell which can be changed using the F10/F9 keys to increment/decrement,
 may be changed in a similar manner using the mouse.  Once a cell is selected
 by clicking on it, subsequent clicking of the left button will decrement the
 cell value, and clicking of the right button will increment it.

 In mouse mode, the function key designations normally displayed at the
 bottom of the screen are changed to selector blocks for each available
 function.  Clicking on a block will perform the indicated function.  All
 functions may still be invoked via the normal keyboard equivalents.

 If mouse operations are not desired, add the -k option on the command line
 when the program is run to force keyboard mode.

 ┌──────────┐
 │ *Sliders │
 └──────────┘

 Two "slider" controls are available only when the mouse is active.  The left
 edge slider is a master volume control.  Click above the center to increase
 volume, below the center to decrease volume.  If note velocities are already
 at maximum (or adjusted to maximum via the channel volume controls),
 increasing the master volume will have no further effect.  Volume changes
 are made in specific increments of velocity units for each position above or
 below center.  The sensitivity may be decreased or increased by pressing
 Alt-F9 or Alt-F10, respectively.  The default sensitivity is 3 velocity
 units per position, with possible values ranging from 1 to 9 units per
 position.

 If both mouse buttons are clicked simultaneously while the cursor is on the
 volume slider, the level indicator will be released and further clicking is
 not necessary.  Whenever the cursor is on the slider bar, the level
 indicator will follow it.  This is to permit continuous adjustments without
 holding the button down, i.e., it is possible to "conduct" the performance
 in terms of overall volume.  See also the section on modification below.

 The right edge slider allows rough positioning within the song.  Clicking
 anywhere along its length will set the song pointer to the corresponding
 song location.  The top is the beginning, and the bottom is near the end.
 As the song plays, the marker will move down the screen to show the current,
 approximate song position.  The full length of the slider always represents
 the full song, even if the tempo is altered.

 ┌──────────────────────┐
 │ *MIDI Initialization │
 └──────────────────────┘

 Users familiar with the construction of MIDI messages may use the Info
 fields to specify MIDI initialization sequences.  If a string starting with
 a dollar sign ($) is encountered, it is assumed to be a series of
 hexadecimal digits (0-9, A-F) representing MIDI codes to be sent prior to
 the beginning of play.  Two-byte MIDI codes may be strung together without
 separators, or may be delimited by commas or spaces.  To end a MIDI sequence
 and include other text in an info field, use a period at the end of the
 sequence.  The string "$C0 06" would mean change to program 6 on the first
 MIDI channel.  That could also be entered as "$C006" or just "$C06" (since 6
 is the last value).  Unrecognized characters will be treated as separators.
 Letters may be in upper or lower case.

 These sequences may appear anywhere in the 16 info fields, and are processed
 in order, from top to bottom.  The letter "N" may be included in a sequence
 to specify the 4-bit channel of the line on which it appears.  For example,
 "$CN 06" would send a program change on the channel indicated by the Map
 column for the line in which it occurs.  This is generally a better method
 to use, since channel mapping may be changed without worrying about channel
 messages in the initialization string.  This is the only relationship of the
 string to a particular screen line; otherwise, any line may be used.

 ┌──────────────────────┐
 │ *Updating MIDI files │
 └──────────────────────┘

 Selected playing parameters may be permanently changed in the MIDI file
 through the use of "Modify Mode".  This differs from changes saved in the
 auxiliary .PLA files, which do not alter the basic MIDI file.  Modify mode
 is toggled on or off using the Alt-F5 key (or clicking on Mod if using a
 mouse).  While modify mode is on, any portions of the song traversed by
 playing or skipping are changed according to the following parameter values
 in effect:  channel map, channel volume, transpose, and master volume.

 Note: Once such changes are made, it is possible that the only way to
 restore the original values is to reload the MIDI file, so care should be
 exercised.  For example, if a wide range of volume levels existed and they
 are all forced to maximum, it is not possible to restore the original range.

 In order to save changes made under modify mode, press Alt-F4.  This will
 prompt for a MIDI file name, and then write a new file.  Remember that only
 sections played under modify mode will have been altered.  The easiest way
 to quickly apply changes to the entire song is to rewind and then position
 to the end of the song.

 ** Some examples **

 To change all channels to play on channel 1:  Set the channel map field for
 each active channel to 1 (a shortcut is to set one of them and press Alt-C
 to make the others the same).  Press Alt-F5 to turn on modify mode, then
 play (or skip) through the song.  Save the file using Alt-F4.

 To transpose a section of the song:  Set the transpose field for all
 affected channels; position to just before the section to be transposed;
 start playing (F7); press Alt-F5 when the section begins (this is a type of
 "punch in" process - you need to be accurate); press Alt-F5 the instant the
 section to be transposed is complete to turn off modify mode.  To listen to
 your change, first restore the transpose fields to their original values (or
 playback will appear to be transposed twice).  Save the file using Alt-F4.

 To punch in a volume correction:  Change the volume field for the affected
 channel(s), position to just before the affected area, start playing (F7),
 press Alt-F5 at the correction point, and again after it.  Save using
 Alt-F4.  If the volume change is to apply to all channels, the mouse volume
 slider can be used as well.

 To change the overall volume level of the song in real time using a mouse:
 Rewind; set the volume slider to the initial volume level; click both mouse
 buttons to release the slider (so a button does not need to be pressed again
 during play); press Alt-F5; start playing (F7); move the slider up and down
 to adjust the volume level at any instant.  Save using Alt-F4.  Note: It is
 best to practice this a few times before actually turning on Modify mode.
 Remember that you can always reload the original MIDI file if necessary (as
 long as you haven't replaced it with Alt-F4).

 Don't forget that changes are applied *every* time a section is played, so
 changes may accumulate if you are not careful.


 ┌─────────────────────┐
 │ *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" (for Scan), 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

 if <mode> is the letter "D" (for Debug), the events in the MIDI file are
 listed on the screen as they are played, along with the corresponding track
 times in microseconds.  Playing may be choppy in this mode due to time
 delays as information is displayed on the screen.  If "X" is specified
 instead of "D", no playing occurs - only events are listed.  Output may be
 captured to a file as mentioned above.


 <-options> may be any of the following:

 -d  Selects the MIDI interface to use if more than one is present in the
     system:

              -dmfc      selects IBM Music Feature
              -dmpu      selects MPU-401 compatible
              -dmidiator selects MIDIator
              -dsbmidi   selects Sound Blaster MIDI

              (The first 3 letters of the device name are sufficient.)

     The MIDIator cannot be detected automatically and the -dmid option
     must always be specified if one is in use.

     Non-standard IRQ and I/O port address information can be added following
     the device id if necessary:

              -dxxx:<irq>:<ioaddr>

     For example, to define an MPU-compatible interface using IRQ 5 and I/O
     address 332 (hex), use:

              -dMPU:5:332

     If only the I/O address is required but the default IRQ is alright,
     use -dMPU::332.

     The irq and ioaddr are not relevant to the MIDIator, though the first
     option number can be given to indicate use of the com port 2 instead of
     the default com 1.  (ex: -dmid:2)

 -i  Try to determine the IRQ in use automatically (MPU and MFC only).

 -v  List the type of interface actually selected before starting.

 -k  forces keyboard mode if a mouse is present.

 -m  forces monochrome mode (mono mode is automatically detected).

 -b  selects BIOS writes to the screen, instead of the default direct
     output mode.  This slows screen updating substantially, but may be
     necessary for proper operation on certain systems.

 -w  specifies the number of seconds to wait before loading the next
     song when advancing automatically.  Default is -w1 (one second).


  Separate all options with at least one space.


 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 -dmpu::336          (Runs interactively; forces MPU I/O address 336)

   play test.mff -dmfc      (Plays file, using Music Feature output)

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------