@DATABASE D.A.SModulePlayer @NODE MAIN @TITLE "D.A.S Module Player V1.56 10-AUG-93" @next MAIN DAS ModulePlayer Documents Amigaguide edition ============================================= AmigaGuide edition of D.A.S Module Player documentation. All texts containing something new are marked with * For @{b}Version V.1.56 10-AUG-1993@{ub} @{" Contents " link conts} * @{" Features " link feats} * @{" Hints&Tips " link hints} * @{" Gadgets " link gads} @{" Tooltypes " link toolts} @{" Program list " link lists} @{" Packers " link packs} @{" Appwin/icon " link apps} @{" Fast ram Reloc " link fastram} * @{" Restrictions " link rests} @{" Commodities " link commods} @{" Contact&Thanx " link contact} -> Here is also something personal. * @{" History " link hists} -> New things listed here @{" Future " link futs} @ENDNODE @NODE conts "Contents of this package" @prev main @next feats PACKAGE: DasModPlayer - Program itself DASModPlayer.guide - Documentation in AmigaGuide format DMODPAPPICON.info - Application icon used by DMODP libs/das.library - Library needed by DMODP s/das-cfgfile.config - Example Configuration file @ENDNODE @NODE feats "Features list" @NEXT gads @PREV conts - @{" Packers " link packs} supported o XPK libraries o Powerpacker (using XPK master) o LHA archives (external packer needed) (Thanx to Stefan Boberg) Single file archives Multiple files can be extracted from single archive o Theoritically all external archivers supported (zip, zoo, shrink) Theory is usually different from reality :-) - @{"Main gadgets" link mgads} o Unique Active Module search from list o High speed module sorting o Hide window (iconify) o Speed/Tempo/Volume controls - @{"Commodity" link commods} hotkeys - @{" Tooltypes " link toolts} support o Automatic hide on startup (Very useful when started from WBStartup) o Commodity switchable through toolts o Application icon name changeable through toolts o Info window on startup switchable through toolts o Modplayer windows can be told to open on publicscreen through toolts - @{" Program List " link lists} o Automatic listfile loading on startup o About 20 different ways to read modules to list. Incl. Application win/icon, multi/single filerequester selection Directory selection (pattern match selection optional) Listfile selections...... - @{" Application icon " link apps} - @{" Application window " link apps} - @{" Enviroment " link pgads} o Fast ram relocation o Double Buffering o Selective Directory selection (Follows pattern definitions) o Listview auto positioning while play o Autoplay opt o Both the CIA and the VBlank interrupts by your choice ...... (Not every little but useful opt listed in here) @ENDNODE @NODE hints "Hints & Tips for optimal using" @prev feats @next toolts If you don't get LHA unpacking working the fault is about 99% propability on your setups, 'cos it works and it works FINE. It has been tested thoroughly. If you have 'First in extr' disabled, so that player uses External packer to find out whats in archive, then it would be wise to put your External archiver (lha) as resident (RESIDENT lha PURE) and put 'extr path' = lha Archive listing will be considerably faster when there is no more time wasted for loading archiver itself from disk. @ENDNODE @NODE gads "Gadget Information for D.A.S Module Player" @prev hints @next toolts @{" Main window gadgets " link mgads} @{" Enviroment gadgets " link pgads} @{" Other gadgets " link ogads} -> None at this time. @ENDNODE @NODE mgads "Gadgets for main window" @{b}Gadgets for main window@{ub} (These are partly in order of appearance) Sort Very simple yet very effective high speed bubble sort algorithm. (Done by me in half an hour, including gadgets :-) ) This simply sorts all modules in your list. NOTE: Sorting is done based on first seven letters, this was done for maximum speed while maintaining good sorting. SPEED: Very good. BUG: If you have in list, respective lha files are not necessarily kept within visible range of eachother. This is due that they may have different names. (can't help it) Search String gadget you can write search pattern for a module in list (Very helpful if you have over a 100 modules). Works As follows: You start writing letters to string and player actively keeps matching module in selected stage, updating search everytime you change the string. YOU DON'T HAVE TO WRITE '#? or *' TO THE PATTERN END, PROGRAM DOES THIS FOR YA. If you press return after some searching presently selected (highlited) module will start playing. If you press Tab key then selected module will start playing, while search gadget is still activated. Load/SaveList Load throws you with a filerequester where you should select list-file to load. This can also be accomplished by just using "ADD" or throwing files icon to appwindow/icon, @{" Program list " link lists} SaveList throws you with a filerequester from where you are supposed to select/create new file to where your current module list is to be saved. You can compress list files using xpk library based packers. Do not compress list files using lha! Add Hits you with a FileReq asking you to select a module to add to the module list. Multiselect supported. Whole directory loading supported. When youwant to select the whole directory don't select any files only the drawer. ---> ZAZAMMM... the whole directory is being scanned and added to list. Del Deletes selected module or first module in list. Exchg Swaps two modules with each other. First press Exchg then select first module and then the other. Clear Clears the whole current list Rep +/- Increase/decrease module's repetition count. Note: this is real repeat count so that count 3 in here means that module will be played 4 times. Rep (checkboxgad) overrides these values. Play Loads/start playing module selected, or first module in list if none selected. Stops As expected this one will terminate current play. Prev Loads/start playing previous module. Next Loads/starts playing next module in list. << Rewind - gadget. Goes one pattern backwards in module. >> Fwd - gadget. Adds currently playing pattern count by one. || Pauses the play, pressing this one again will continue Info Shows a window containing instrument info about module There is also some info about location of samples and song and their respective sizes, Compression factor also found here. CF is always 0 on lha files. Hide Closes the main window and maintains only the ApplicationIcon. If the appicon was not created then the hide option will be disabled. By double clicking the appicon you may bring the main window back to life. Same can be accomplished using hotkey combination @ENDNODE @NODE pgads "Gadgets for Enviroment window" @{b}Gadgets for Enviromentwindow@{ub} - Positioning Switch Enables/disables listview positioning. = Always shows the module which is currently playing (Enabled) - Alloc channels Switch If you want to allocate channels using audio.device you should enable this option - Locate mod >fast Read section: MODULE RELOCATION TO @{"FAST RAM" link fastram} - LHA e/x fullpath If your lha packet includes file with paths (not only file name) and you have used lha option x (or e without -x0) for extracting, then this option instructs ModPlayer to use full path when loading extracted file to memory. Example: You have lha packet with a file audio/modules/mod.anthrax Normally you would put to 'lha opts' string following "e -x0 >NIL:" then the lha should extract the file to tempdir:mod.anthrax but if you have used 'lha opts' "x >NIL:" then lha would extract file to tempdir:audio/modules/mod.anthrax and if you DON'T have the 'lha e/x fullpath' option enabled then player would try to read the file from tempdir:mod.Anthrax and not as it should be read tempdir: audio/modules/mod.Anthrax. (You got it right?) It is quite easy to just put lha opts = "e -x0 -N >NIL:" and let the 'LHA e/x fullpath' gadget be disabled then the modules will be extracted to tempdir without any paths and everything goes just fine. :) @{"Packers" link packs} - First in Ext In enabled state this instructs player to just load first file from lha packet and ignore the rest. In disabled state this tells the player to show every file in packet and play them accordingly. Check 'lha discard' gadget also. - Autoplay When enabled causes the player to play automatically module when you add it. If you do multiselect or load lha file with multiple files then last of them is played (not the first, which would seem logical! But Hey ! who says this program should be logical :) ) - Short Name hdr Lets you use some lha/lzh packets which didn't work before with 'First in external'. Uses only 1 byte name header size. - Dirsel obey patt When used with Whole directory selection: This instructs player to select only those files matching the pattern defined in FileRequesters pattern gadget. Forexample: Only "#?.LZH" ending files to be added or "a#?" only files starting with 'a' should be added. - Dbl Buffering Those annoying pauses while decrunching/loading is avoided. Uses lots of memory. Unfortunately I just have to free old module before relocation!!!! So there is a little pause in music if you use Fast ram reloc. - Play mode Lets you select of different playing modes. Selfexplanatory. Even random is finally working. - Int type Interrupt type selection (CIA/VBLANK) If vblank is used PT command $F(>32) (Tempo set) is ignored. With CIA interrupt this works quite fine. - Def list dir Write a default directory for list files. - Def module dir Write a default directory for modules - Ex.Ending External archiver postfix. forexample (#?.lha|#?.lzh) - PT DMA WAIT This is dma wait cycle amount for Protracker moduleplayer. Handle with care. If you change this one and start experiencing strange noises in near vicinity, try changing this back to what it was. I read somewhere that in fast machines like A3000/A4000 this should be set something like >1200-2000 - Modpatt/listpatt Selection patterns for lists and mods. These are feeded to FileRequester. If nothing in here then FileRequester won't have Pattern gadget attached in to it. (Example: for modules pattern "(mod.#?|#?.LHA)" - USE Closes the preferences window - SAVE Saves preferences to S:DAS-CFGFILE.config. @ENDNODE @NODE ogads "Other gadgets" No other gadget available @ENDNODE @NODE toolts "Tooltype support for D.A.SModulePlayer" @prev gads @next packs TOOLTYPES: When starting from workbench you can do certain initial procedures by setting Tooltypes in icon: =OFF ; turns option off, same as not using it at all. INITHIDE=ON Just pops up appicon. No window presented doubleclick in appicon causes the window popup INITINFO=ON opens info window immediately after start FILE= or OFF Loads named list when starting the player This may support module loading in a near future, currently it is not supported. OPENONPUBSCREEN=ON opens windows in a PUBLICSCREEN (if any present) instead of WBENCHSCREEN. APPICONNAME= icons name which you want to use as appicon. CX_PRIORITY=<-127...127> Commodities priority CX_POPUP=ON/OFF should we use popup keys or not CX_POPKEY=ctrl lalt p Or something similar (ctrl lalt p = default) NOCOMMODITY=ON/OFF When on, no commodity is used for player. Also a CLI parser supports these same values, sorry there is no shortcut keys for these. You just have to write everything as to the icons tooltypes. @ENDNODE @NODE commods "Commodity support" Main window popup key combination: Default "ctrl lalt p" Can be set using CX_POPKEY @{"Tooltype" link toolts} Other hotkeys: Next = ctrl lalt numericpad 2 Prev = ctrl lalt numericpad 8 Pause= ctrl lalt numericpad 5 @ENDNODE @NODE packs "Packer support" @prev toolts @next lists COMPRESSORS SUPPORTED: Powerpacker Through powerpacker.library AND xpkmaster.library So you will need xpkmaster.library for powerpacker files!!!! Xpk crunchers through xpkmaster.library + appropriate xpk????.library EXTERNAL PACKET HANDLING @{" Prefs gadgets " link pgads} Open the prefs window, there you will find three new gadgets. Extr path = Path to your lha packer + lha itself (dh0:packers/lha/lha) Extr opts = options commands feeded to lha. YOU MUST ADD >NIL: TO THIS LINE. This is good 'opts' line ---> e -x0 -N >NIL: temp dir = Temporary dir where lha packet should be temporarely extracted. Files extracted to here will be removed after loading. Extr discard = discard pattern to feed to lha packer. This one is used when 'extr first in lha' is disabled and player reads all files from Archive. If you set this gadget forexample ~(#?read#?) then all files in Archive with string 'read' will _not_ be added to list. Short name = This allows additions for some different lha headers Ending = With this you set the postfix which are to be handled as External packer files (#?.LHA|#?.LZH) RANDOMID: When you add a Extr packet to program list then player makes a random id code for that certain External base and uses same id for files that are in the Packet. If you load several previously saved lists at same time then this causes some distortion in list handling. Player won't crash your amiga or anything like that but when you remove one base several other files will be deleted also. So don't load same list twice! @ENDNODE @NODE lists "Program list" @next fastram @prev lists Program list in DASModPlayer differs somewhat from other moduleplayers lists. For instance there is one file type in the list which cannot be played, they just hang in there. These items are called "External bases". EXTERNAL BASES: External bases are different from other files in list that they have "< >" in start and end of name. When such a file is encountered when playing list they are simply skipped. When you have such a External base in list it usually has archived file(s) attached to it. if you remove External base file then all its attached files are also removed. If you remove all attached files then base file is also removed. HANDLING: You can add/remove files to/from list. You can clear the whole list and you can swap two items in list using "EXCHG" gadget. List is saved using "SAVE LIST" gadget. You can load these lists either using "LOAD LIST" gadget or selecting them from FileRequester (ADD) or just throwing their icons to player window or application icon. AUTOMATIC LIST FILE LOADING: You can instruct player to load 1 list file automatically on startup by using Tooltype FILE=, this file has to be placed in default list file directory @{"PREFS GADGETS" link pgads} FUNCTIONS: RightMouseButton = Positions the listview to last selected item. RightMouseButton Dblclick = Positions listview on playing item. LeftMouseButton Dblclick on list = starts playing selected item. @ENDNODE @NODE fastram "FAST RAM Relocation" @prev lists @next rests MODULE RELOCATION TO FASTRAM: You can switch option 'Relocate >FAST' on from prefs. By enabling this option, the whole module will be loaded to fast ram and then sliced to Songdata and samples. Samples are then moved to chip memory one by one. After this player will try to relocate songdata to different part of Fastram, if this succeeds original module will be deallocated, if it doesn't succeed then player will unfortunately consume considerably your fast memory resources, but still it is able to play the module. If there is not enough continuous FAST RAM then player will try to load the whole module to CHIP without asking user. Above mentioned Fastram relocation is just a first Phase of the Relocation implementation. I _may_ do a second phase which acts like Smartplay which takes only a certain amount of your CHIP and keeps most of the samples in fastram, copying them to chip as needed. Phase 2 takes quite a lot of CPU resources though. :(.. @ENDNODE @NODE rests "Restrictions, system needed" @prev fastram @next apps WHAT YOU NEED: You will need operating system V37++ At the present time I am doing this assembly on V40 kickstart so there might be some gadget outlook problems in KS2.04, due that commodore decided to change the Listview gadgets appearance. It should look same on every machine, but mainly 'cos I screwed up and used little too big listview size in KS2.04 it may look somewhat different. Sorry You should have V38 asl.library (or newer) If you have KS2.04++ there is no logical reason why you should not use V38 libraries (WB2.1), 'cos it is totally compatible with V37/V36. You might need Powerpacker and xpk.... libraries. If you are going to use modules packed with xpk/powerpacker libraries then you will need respective libraries. YOU WILL NEED das.library in your libs: drawer. (Version 6) WHAT YOU SHOULD **NOT** DO: Don't compress list files with lha. Don't compress files with xpk/pp and then stuff'em to lha packet. Multiple packings are not supported. Don't compress config file. @ENDNODE @NODE apps "Application window/icon implementation" @prev rests @next contact Application window/icon implementation This player supports these neat features presented in V36/37 such as: Application window: You can just throw module's icons to players window and they are loaded like you had selected them using filerequester. Application icon: Same as application window. 1. If you want to use the icon named DMODAPPICON as your application icon for DasModplayer you should keep it in a same drawer as DasModPlayer itself, otherwise DMODP will use default project icon. If you don't like the way DMODPAPPICON looks, then just draw another one and rename it as 'DMODPAPPICON' 2. You may also use the APPICONNAME=<> tooltype and define there the icon you want to use. @ENDNODE @NODE contact "Contact information & thanx" @prev apps @next hists This program has now been in development for almost 6 months, in which time I have done 3 other programs also, so not all that time has gone for making this one. Finally D.A.S ModulePlayer is almost what I wanted it to be from the beginning. Although all major features have now been added, I won't stop developing this one completely, there is always room for some bug fixes/speed adds and lots more, but as life goes on so will I. I hope you enjoy using this program. Thanx to following guys. Without them development of this program would not have been possible. Erno Tuomainen (@{b}Huge@{ub} amount of New ideas/Bug reports) Jari Pakarinen (Bug reports/New ideas) Mika Pöytäkivi (New ideas/Bug reports) Author. (snail mail address) Pauli Porkka Kaskitie 2 B 10 SF-37600 VALKEAKOSKI FINLAND Authors note: I keep Moonlight Sonata bbs as my main spreading point for this package, so you can always find the newest version of this prog from there. Moonlight Sonata +358-18-161763 (Fido: 2:221/112.0) (Finland) I like this bbs and I am sure you would like too. So make a visit it's worth calling. Signed __ __ /__| ___ /__| __ ___ / ___\ / ___/ Pauli Porkka PS. This is not paid advertisement although it might look like one. I Just plainly like the place. @ENDNODE @NODE hists "History of D.A.S ModulePlayer" @prev contact @next futs (ADD ) = Added new option/routine/thingy (CHNG) = Modified old working routine (FIXD) = Fixed old not working routine (Bug noticed and fixed) (BUGN) = Bug reported (Not corrected, 'cos I am a lazy bastard) (REMD) = Removed function/routine/option ******************************************************************** VERSION: (V1.56 10-AUG-93) (CHNG) Main window changed a bit (CHNG) Little internal FR definitions changed (please let me know if something is not working) VERSION: (V1.55 09-AUG-93) (Maintenance version) (FIXD) Several minor bugs fixed. (CHNG) Windows changed a little. VERSION: (V1.54 04-AUG-93) (Maintenance version) (FIXD) Volume control, now reflects real spacetime volume controls :-) (ADD ) Force Filter OFF, switch (ADD ) Default pref values, easier for beginner AND FOR THOSE WHO DON'T READ THESE MANUALS!!!!!! (ADD ) RightMouseButton = positions listview on selected item (ADD ) DoubleClick on module name will start playing. (ADD ) DoubleClick with RightMouseB = positions on playing item, even when no Positioning enabled. VERSION: (V1.53 01-AUG-93) (FIXD) Applicationwin/icon functioning properly (ADD ) Random play finally added (CHNG) Some cleaning operations all over the place. (CHNG) Little speed for everything (Very little though) Most speed gained when adding LHA packet(s) to list. VERSION: (V1.52 30-JUL-93) (ADD ) Sorting @{"Main gadgets" link mgads} (CHNG) Search, now it does active search. (CHNG) Little internal priorities, changed VERSION: (V1.51 29-JUL-93) (1.50 not released) (ADD ) Any list can be loaded on startup (CHNG) INITLIST tooltype --> FILE @{"TOOLTYPES" link toolts} (BUGN) Random play still missing (ADD ) Deletes old config version (presently version is 3) (ADD ) Modulecount show (MC 0) (ADD ) Search for modules (ADD ) Stop scan in multiselection if "not a known module" requester is shown (selectable "skip" or "stop scan"). (ADD ) Hotkeys "NEXT","PAUSE"&"PREV" "ctrl lalt numericpad 2","5","8" (FIXD) Some fixes to double buffering (works much better now) VERSION: (V1.49 27-JUL-93) (1.48 not released) (ADD ) Doublebuffering (This may not be what you expect,but still...) Note that I did this in 20 minutes and thus it may contain some odd things/side effects. (ADD ) ->Prefs-> 'Short name header' (ADD ) ->Prefs-> 'Ending' (ADD ) ->Prefs-> 'Dirsel Obey patt' (ADD ) ->Prefs-> 'Positioning' (ADD ) Listview follows the module while playing. (selectable) (ADD ) Save prefs saves now the window coordinates. @{b}(CHNG) List files rearranged, memory consumption is now about 50 - 70% smaller, depending on filename sizes. Due the better performance old list files are no longer valid.@{ub} (CHNG) Info window resizable (sorry about closing/opening) (CHNG) Changed config (Old won't work) (CHNG) Added new das.library V6. (old won't work) (FIXD) lots of misc little bugs (propably still several left) VERSION: (V1.47 25-JUL-93) (ADD ) Whole Directory add with single selection (ADD ) AmigaGuide documentation VERSION: (V.1.46 20-JUL-93) (ADD ) Commodity support (read docs for more exact info) (ADD ) Tooltypes CX_POPUP/CX_POPKEY/CX_PRIORITY (ADD ) Tooltypes OPENONPUBSCREEN, APPICONNAME, NOCOMMODITY (FIXD) Lha base handling in program list. VERSION: (V.1.45 06-JUL-93) (CHNG) You can treat list files same as separate modules (FIXD) Some Possible buggy routines VERSION: (V.1.44 05-JUL-93) * NOT RELEASED * (ADD ) Tooltype INITLIST added (CHNG) ProgramLists logic and intelligence increased considerably. :o) (CHNG) Window layout (FIXD) Shell/CLI crash bug (FIXD) Few (remotely) possible bug causes (REMD) Tempo type selector (prefs) VERSION: (V.1.43.2 03-JUL-93) (ADD ) Repeat gadgets, repeat count counters. (main) (ADD ) List files can be compressed using xpk libraries. (lists) (ADD ) Multiple files in one lha handled. (ADD ) Tooltype settings. (wb icon, read doc for full briefing) (ADD ) Autoplay added (prefs) (CHNG) List version number changed (lists) (CHNG) Powerpacked files now uses xpkmaster.library (CHNG) Window is now somewhat smaller. (-10,-15) (CHNG) Code optimised little (executable -3k) (FIXD) Handles now lha packets with spaces in namestring. VERSION: (V.1.42 24-JUN-93) (FIXD) Fixed lha. Handles now files with space in namestring. (BUGN) Players VBP wait routine still doesn't work :(... I am starting to be little pissed off 'cos this fucking wait routine doesn't work!!!! Why don't I have the money to buy faster amiga so that I could test this myself? (@#%&@@) Nowadays I have to rely on others reports about this one. VERSION: (V.1.41 21-JUN-93) (ADD ) Added few gadgets to prefs (FIXD) Fixed the lha handling. (CHNG) Changed VBP PT Wait routine a little, please test it first. (ADD ) Automatic 'prefs' -popup when no config file found. VERSION: (V1.40 20-JUN-93) * NOT RELEASED * (CHNG) E.Tuomainen reported that My player wait routine wasn't as good as I thought, so I decided to put back the old routine. New one is still there and you may enable it by setting DMA wait value to NULL. (ADD ) LHA PACKET HANDLING <== control gadgets in prefs (CHNG) Changed prefs a little, module/list default pattern gadgets added (CHNG) Changed prefs gadget handling a bit, works better now. (ADD ) 'About' window. VERSION: (V1.38VA 18.JUN.93) * NOT RELEASED * - Speed slider fixed, it used to be disabled always in OS3.x - Modules listview gadget also fixed, this used to be too big in OS3.x machines. (M. Pöytäkivi reported this one) VERSION: (V1.37VA 18.JUN.93) * NOT RELEASED * - Added some more things to info - Changed main window outlook a little - Some internal bugs fixed - CLI crash bug fixed (J. Pakarinen reported this one) - SONG RELOCATION TO FAST RAM, IMPLEMENTED (phase 1) VERSION: (V1.35.4VA 14.JUN.93) - Added some info to info window, and changed it a little VERSION: (V1.35VA 11.JUN.1993) - More bugs fixed VERSION: (V1.34VA 07.JUN.1993) - Few minor bugs fixed. (exchange, prefs window) - DSS module support removed. VERSION: (V1.31VA 31.05.1993) - AppIcon added - Code optimised a little (code is now about 3k smaller) - NEW PT PLAYER ROUTINE. 20-30% faster than previous one takes about 6000 (six thousand) instructions less (measured on AIBB 6.1 InstTest) on a A500PLUS. - Few minor bugs fixed. @ENDNODE @NODE futs "Future additions for D.A.SModulePlayer" @prev hists @next main Dated 03-JUL-93 * Do you have anything nice to add in here, if you do, let me know. - Some missing functions/options in prefs should be done to work. Things I won't do (unless someone asks for them): Multimodule format support. I just noticed that I have only PT modules in my modules dir, so everybody else should too,... **NOT** Yeah! Sorry about that moduletype support but I don't have time to design any libraries for different modules. If you have developer files (like lib offsetts) for SmartPlays/Delitrackers player libs, I would appreciate having them. So I might try using them. (With the authors permission ofcourse! :-D ) @ENDNODE