DBM is IFF like format. It means that module consists of hunks. Each hunk has a 4 bytes identification and after that hunk length (LWORD - 4bytes). If the module doesn't consist of any hunk, for example VENV - volume envelope hunk that will mean this module doesn't use volume envelope effect. These hunks DBM module should always consits of: NAME, INFO, SONG, INST, PATT, SMPL

Mode Length Desciption
0 4 ID "DBM0" - module identification
4 2 tracker version:
    eg. $0200 - version 2.00
6 2 reserved
8 4 ID "NAME" - module name hunk identification
+4 4 hunk length
+8 44 mod name
??? 4 ID "INFO"
+4 4 hunk length
+8 2 number of instruments in module
+10 2 number of samples in module
+12 2 number of songs in module
+14 2 number of patterns in module
+16 2 number of channels
??? 4 ID "SONG" - songs hunk identification
+4 4 hunk length
+12 44 song name
+56 2 number of orders for this song
+58 ??? order list (words) NOTE: Each order list can use
    the same numbers of patterns.
??? 4 ID "INST" - instruments hunk identification
+4 4 hunk length
+8 30 instrument name
+38 2 sample number used in this instrument
+40 2 instrument volume
+42 4 instrument finetune (stored in HZ)
+46 4 instrument repeat start
+50 4 instrument repeat length
+54 4 flags:
    bit 0 set - forward loop uesd
    bit 1 set - ping pong loop uesd
??? 4 ID "PATT" - patterns hunk identification
+4 4 hunk length
+8 2 number of positions (rows) in pattern
+10 4 size of packed data
+14 ??? packed pattern data
??? 4 ID "SMPL" - samples hunk identification
+4 4 hunk length
+8 4 flags:
    bit 0 set - 8 bit sample
    bit 1 set - 16 bit sample
    bit 2 set - 32 bit sample
+12 4 sample length
+16 ??? sample data (unsigned)
??? 4 ID "VENV" - volume envelopes hunk identification
+4 4 hunk length
+8 2 how many volume envelope tables does this hunk contain
+10 2 to which instrument this volume envelope data belongs
+12 134 volume envelope data

 


  • Each volume envelope table takes 134 bytes.
  • Max. number of points is 32.
  • Max. number of sustain points is 2.
  • Max. number of loops is 1.
Offset Length Description
+0 1 type bit 0: envelope on/off
    bit 1: 1st sustain on/off
    bit 2: envelope loop on/off
    bit 3: 2nd sustain on/off
+1 1 number of envelope points
+2 1 1st sustain point
+3 1 loop start point
+4 1 loop end point
+5 1 2nd sustain point
+6 1 reserved
+8 2 1st point time (in vblanks)
+10 2 1st point volume (range: 0-64)
+12 2 2nd point time (in vblanks)
+14 2 2nd point volume (range: 0-64)
+16 2 ...

 

 

Here is a pattern format description:

 

If the byte is zero it means that you must skip to next position (row).
If the byte is nonzero bits are interpreted as follows:

  • bit 0 set: Note follows (byte)
  • bit 1 set: Instrument number follows (byte)
  • bit 2 set: 1st effect type follows (byte)
  • bit 3 set: 1st effect parameter follows (byte)
  • bit 4 set: 1st effect type follows (byte)
  • bit 5 set: 1st effect parameter follows (byte)
Next byte is a channel number to which this data belongs.

 

 

Example:
  • 00 - skip to next pattern position
  • 00 - skip to next pattern position
  • 03 - byte is nonzero; the bit 0 and 1 is set; take note and instrument
  • 24 - channel number to which following data belongs
  • 81 - note (hex: $51 - this is a 5th octave and 1st note)
  • 04 - instrument number


I think these informations are enough at the moment - the format is rather self - explaining. But if you have any problems you can always contact me.

 

Main | Copyrights | Requirements | Features | Authors | History | Register | Formats | Effects | Keyboard | DBM | Envelopes

DSP | TB303 | Links | XMs & MODs | Benchmarks | Problems | Future | Greets


Copyright © 1997-1999 Digital Multimedia Software
Designed by Tomasz Piasta
All Rights Reserved