MULTI_PLAYER Version 1.0 contents: 1. General overview 2. Usage 3. Modify the programm 4. History 6. Future improvement 5. Copyright information ######################### # 1. GENERAL OVERVIEW # ######################### This programm tries to make only one workbench-replayer instead of ten... For example an intuitracker, a jamcracker replay...and so on! But, before finishing this project the 'NoisePlayer' appeared, Noiseplayer attempted to accomplish the same functions but was lacking in some areas: The addition of new replayers was not possible and had an unnecessarily large window on-screen. With this in mind I have continued this project and will hopefully make this program as-good as or better that Noiseplayer... Source will be available in public domain, so everybody can add their own replayer routines. See end to see how this is done. Features: - Uses arp.library selector (soon req.library) - Support: Soundtracker (but not the earlier ones) Noisetracker Protracker Startrekker (include AM and FM modules) Jamcracker Soundmonitor FutureCOmposer Delta TFMX Sidmon (bugmon?) Noisetracked Packed - Can load crunched modules with powerpacker - Can be used "automatically" to start different song, without any action of the user. Nice for slideshows (or musicshows) - Can be iconified - Little window! - Uses timer for replay, so it must work even on NTSC! - "Real amiga program", this means: correct use of workbench(read on) Note: there is no continuous (loop)play, because it is difficult to check when the module is finished with all the different replayers (i.e. Delta). There is the same problem when trying to incorporate VU meters, so no extra Controls... ######################### # 2.USAGE # ######################### From cli: --------- Just type multi_player and the requester will appear. Or Typing multi_player will start the named song In this case, press the both mousebuttons to stop playing. From Workbench: --------------- just click on the icon and the requester will apears. But, you can also do multi-selection: - Press AND Click on one or more icons of the songs that you want to play, and finally on the multi_player icon. - If the default tool of the icon is c:multi_player, just click on it! And in the both cases, juste click on the both mousebuttons to stop. If there is no songname specifed, a filerequester will appear, choose one module to load. After choosing a file, ( or clicking CANCEL), a window will appear, containing four buttons: '-': to iconify the window -> just click on the window to re-open 'STOP': to exit from the replayer(or press the closing gadget) 'NEW': to choose a new module to play '?' : to get some information on: the current module. Version of the programm. Name of the module,size and type of replay used. If you try to choose an unknown type of module, the programm will continue playing the previous one (if one exists). NOTES: 1) When you use TFMX modules, you can press keys 1-0 for different songs, but only when you load it using the requester. 2) AM startrecker need two files: and . If the second one is missing, the song won't start! It's the same with TFMX, there must be two files: (the song data?) and (the samples?). If one file is missing, the song wont start! IMPORTANT NOTE: You can start to play a new song without stopping the other one (if you have started another one). The first one will be automaticlly be stopped and the second one will be played. But only if you are in the "no window mode", when you start the player by pressing on the icon of the song, or when you start it from the cli WITH argument. Example: you can do slideshow and changing the music during the show! Look at this sample script: --------------------------- runback multi_player modules/song1 ; Don't forget to put a tempo if ; you do this from disk! show image_1 show image_2 ... ... show image_n runback multi_player modules/song2 ; Here we start another song! ; the first one is stopped! show image_n+1 show image_n+2 .... .... ######################################### # 3.ADDING OTHER PLAYROUTINES # ######################################### (programmers Only....sorry) If you have a playroutine and some modules to test, you can send them to me. I'll add them in the player, and I'll send you an updated version. NOTE: If you are a programmer, especially a C and assembly programmer, it's not difficult to add a new replay...If you are only one of the two it's a little bit more difficult...but if you are none of them, you'd better let me do it! To do this, look at the sources directory, and read the README file. ######################### # 4.HISTORY # ######################### Version 1.0 (31/03/91): Many modules can be replayed. Maybe a memory error with soundtracker modules? Very strange and hard to find! The c.o startup code of lattice always opens a window when you start from workbench...I'll do my own c.o code, but for the moment I patch the size of the window using zap (beurk!). Version 1.1 (04/04/91) I've used the req.library requester instead of the arp.library. Version 1.2 (25/05/91) Own c.o code. No debug window is open from workbench. Bug fixed witch the CIA. Now work on WB2.0 New replay added: Noisetracker packed! New you can start a new multi_player without exiting another one. ############################ # 5. Future improvment # ############################ Maybe I'll add an ARexx interface, so the user will be able to change the music from CLI, without pressing the stop button. And of course, more replay routines! ############################ # 6. Copyright information # ############################ This programm is freeware and can not be used for commercial purposes. If you want to distribue it, you must keep this document intact and with the programm. If you have any suggestions, remarks about this programm or maybe you have discovered a bug the you can write to: Thomas LANDSPURG 9, Rue Baldung-Grien 67000 STRASBOURG FRANCE This program is freeware, but if you want to have updated version, send me 50FF (approx $10). And any contribution is accepted! I must greet: Francois NICO for doing some very good programms Flynn/TRISTAR for his great noiseplayer Martyn of UGA (and of course RON) for the great NewsFlash mag.. F.Nico for his grat powerpacker. Han Solo/CONCEPT for giving me the new demos! F.Fleuret/E.Brunet Darren Lambourne for his cool music (and for helping me with English!). Skrew for his nices Icons!!! The windows have been made using powerwindow. The Amiga for being the best computer at this price!!