GMPlay GUI V1.4 Author: Andrea Fiorito Date: 18 June 1997 Introduction... As known, Amiga shows itself (as good) at the world of the MIDI files, with the favour of the well known program GMPlay. However, al least in the first releases, GMPlay has not any graphic interface, by which the utent can set the necessary parameters simply. The only way is to use the command line interface and set the parameters time after time. For this reason many times i tried to find an effective remedy, to resolve this drawback. After several efforts GMPGUI was born; it means: General MIDI Player Graphic User Interface. Disclaimer: ----------- Naturally the use of the program is 'AS IS', that is : AT YOUR OWN RISK. I am not responsible for ANY problem caused by the use of this program. But problems shall not occur, because i tested it without particular drawbacks, on my Amiga 1200 System Requirements: -------------------- -Kickstart 2.0 or higher -The DOS commands: Break Delete Run Search Status -The libraries: diskfont.library mathieeedoubbas.library mathieeedoubtrans.library rexxsyslib.library -The fonts: Topaz/8 (virtually) Topaz/11 The DOS commands, the libraries and the fonts are integral part of the system disks (however the Topaz 11 font is supplied, for every eventuality). Warning: if GMPGUI does not find the needed dos commands, it will not work -------- properly! Installation: ------------- There are 2 ways: Automatic or Manually Automatic: just double-click on the 'Install-GMPGUI' icon! Manually : follow the steps below * Copy the 'GMPGUI' file with its icon in the wished directory * Copy the 'ExitDeck' file the same directory where GMPGUI is * Copy the missing DOS commands in C: (for example), if not present * Copy the all the needed libraries in LIBS: , if not present * Copy the files 'Topaz/11' and 'Topaz.font' in FONTS: , if not present REM: It is necessary the font Topaz 8 is not present in FONTS: because it ---- alters the graphic interface of GMPGUI. This because all smaller buttons use the Topaz 11 scaled, to gain space on the interface. How It Works: ------------- GMPGUI is easy to use. When loaded, from Workbench or CLI, you can set the Volume, Frequency and Priority parameters of a previously selected MIDI file, simply by moving the relative slides that are in the centre of the window. Then you can listen the MIDI file by clicking on 'PlayMIDI File'. The program runs GMPlay - that shall be in GM: - with your settings. If you wish to see GMPlay to come to action, it is sufficient you set to on the 'GMPlay Output' button before playing, to display the output of GMPlay. During play you can equally select another MIDI file, change parameters or even abort playing, with the 'Stop Playing' button. :-) Naturally the new settings will have effect in the next playing session; in fact if you choose a new file (during play) on the right you will see its name with a '(next)' string. Besides, during a playing session, on the right of the window-bar GMPGUI displays the playing time. =-> The other informations are displayed in the space between the 'Play MIDI File' button and the 'QUIT' one. This new version of GMPGUI has 2 coll newness: a button to play MIDI Files in MONO and another to set the kind of music-map to use, Standard or Yamaha XG ; also this last option is adequately signaled by a 'ON-OFF' field. Finally an useful function recognizes if loaded data is a MIDI file or not; also, turning on the 'MIDIFile Info' button (before loading a file), it shows the version and the number of tracks of the MIDI file. To quit GMPGUI simply click on the 'QUIT' button. Technical Informations: ----------------------- GMPGui was completely built by the program 'CanDo 2.00', by the INOVAtronics Inc. All the algorithms were conceived by me, during some hard-work-weeks. Warning: cause i could not find (directly) a way to make GMPGUI to understand when GMPlay starts or completes the playing, i used a joke. The effect is the following: GMPGUI starts the counting of the elapsed playing time in a not much precise manner when you click the 'Play MIDI File' button, and it takes at the most 6 seconds to realize the playing is over. Therefore the duration of a MIDI file will be approximated in excess or defect, :-| besides the 'Playing Complete' message will be displayed after 0 to 6 seconds. Sorry! ;-( (However to stop GMPlay is immediate). So if sometimes your hard disk «become nervous», remain calm! :-9 It is normal: GMPGUI is informing itself only! Technically the program creates 3 files in the 'RAM:T' directory: the first contains the task where GMPlay runs, the second provides the status of all tasks, the third indicates if GMPlay is running or not. About the Program: ------------------ GMPGUI is freeware, however donations (of any kind) will not be refused! Send me your comments and/or suggestions to the addresses below. The News Corner: ---------------- - Improved the timing management and the count of the elapsed playing time - Recognition of the loaded file is more precise now - Now GMPGUI indicates the presence of a second loaded file - The command line routines for GMPlay are more fast to built now - Inserted the 'Mono' and 'XG' buttons - Optimized the 'ON-OFF' field with the 'XG' button - More dynamic indication of informations in the below of interface Informations about Andrea Fiorito: ---------------------------------- I am a student of Electronic Engineering University of Catania (Italy), i am 23 years old and i like (too much) to find the way to make anything working, in the best way. Also for this reason, to code a program is one of my favourite «hobbies», especially if i can make it in a simple but effective way. To contact me: *E-Mail : s180676@pentium.cdc.unict.it *Snail-Mail: Andrea Fiorito via Plebiscito 873 95124 Catania (ITALY) NOTE: When GMPGUI13 (the previous version) appeared on Aminet, in my university was formatted the hard disk containing my account. So I invite who emailed me his messages to re-send them, if an answer is wished. Thanks!