================================================================================================= ProTrekkr Docs ================================================================================================= Contents -------- - Introduction - How to install - Compressed modules - FAQ/Troubleshooting - The sequencer - Keyboard Shortcuts - Thanks to... ================================================================================================= INTRODUCTION ================================================================================================= ProTrekkr (formerly known as NoiseTrekker by Juan Antonio Arguelles Rius aka Arguru) is an attempt to create a tracker program targetting the creation of electronic music for small sized intros & games by combining a synthesizer together with a traditional samples tracker. ProTrekkr is a music workstation composed of: - 16 tracks sampler. - Sample editor (support up to 16 bits stereo samples). - Pattern based tracker style sequencer. - 16 tracks synthesizer with custom waveforms support. - 2 303s units. - Wav files import/export.<br> - Multi effects engine with reverb, distortion, filters, delay, EQs, flanger, etc... - Midi in/out support. - .mod files import. - Samples compressor handling Gsm/Mp3/TrueSpeech. - Replay routine to be included & used inside your own programs. ProTrekkr is a FREEWARE tool, this means that you can use it for whatever you want and for free, but if you're planning to release any commercial stuff with it (who knows), i would be glad if you could mention the original authors of that program, especially Arguru (even if the original code has been heavily modified) and myself, eventually. Also, There's NO GUARANTEE that this program will perform well or even run on your computer. If you like the program and find it useful: congratulations, enjoy it and make some more music and 64k intros. :] ================================================================================================= HOW TO INSTALL ================================================================================================= Simply copy the files lame_acm.xml & lameACM.acm located in the install directory into the Windows/system32 directory of your system. The particular version of the lame mp3 encoder will strip some datas off compared to the official one. ================================================================================================= COMPRESSED MODULES ================================================================================================= These modules can be recognized as they're using the ".ptp" extension (normal modules use ".ptk"), they can be reloaded inside the tracker so the musician can actually hear how damaged by the lossy compression they've been, there's two commands related to compressed modules: - "Save packed": Create a module with extension ".ptp" in the current directory. - "Calc packed": Calculate (roughly) the size that the module would take once used in an intro. Samples inside .ptp modules can be packed, the user have the ability to select the packing algorithm which will be used (GSM, MP3, TRUESPEECH or no compression at all) on a per sample basis, the 3 available compression schemes are lossy. GSM: Adapted to drums/snares. MP3: Adapted for longer samples like cymbals (it's tuned to pack at 64kbits). True Speech: Adapted for human voices (you can use some track effects to cover the radio like quality). None: Adapted for very short ("chip") samples (if you want to keep perfect quality). These .ptp are the only modules format recognized by the replay routine. Note: The MP3 compression might not work on a bare bone Windows 2000 (it works on any others). Note2: When a packing is selected for a sample (other than none) samples are reconstructed by interpolation. Alongside with the .ptp are the optional .psy files which contain possible synchro informations related to the effect "07" used within the patterns, the .psy file format is as follow: Header: 1.w: number of synchros Synchro datas * number of synchros: 1.b: position 1.b: row 1.b: fx data Note: The fx data field is discard in the .ptp files and moved to the .psy files Note2: Only one fx per position/row is saved. ================================================================================================= F.A.Q./TROUBLESHOOTING ================================================================================================= ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q> No Fasttracker support, no 53194 tracks ? No etc...?, "m... i dont like the gui, the key shortcuts, you should have to..." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A1> Get a compiler and code the best tracker ever. I'm sure you'll do fine. A2> Use fastracker, impulse tracker, buzz or whatever stuff you want. A3> Use your browser and search for some stuff... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q> I Cannot run the program! Any idea ? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A> If u have got a SBLive, try disabling EMU driver on your soundcard. Be sure you have got lastest DirectX drivers for your stuff [gfx/sfx card] and DirectX6.1 or above installed. [Microsoft DirectX 6.1 or above is required to run ptk] Ptk won't run on Windows NT, it will run on Windows 95, 98, 2k, xp and (possibly) vista. Also, might not work with some gfx/sfx cards. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q> Well, the program runs ok but ... how I can quit it ? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A> Click 2 times on the exit button. Or just close the window if you're running ptk in windows mode. Alternatively, you can also use the key combo: LALT + F4. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q> Ehh Everything sounds clicks, distorted and weird !!? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Plan A> Try to use higher latency in Master/Misc. section. This means that the CPU is not having enough time to render/fill the audio buffer data, and this produce clicking... Plan B> Buy a faster computer. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q> How I play 303 patterns in ptk ? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A> Use ptk command 31xy and 32xy. 31xy will trigger pattern 'y' (1-8) from bank 'x' (A-D) from the first 303 unit (ptk has got 2 303 units, just like Rebirth) Example ------- --- .. .. .. 31A3 <- Play the 3th pattern of the bank A of the 1st 303 unit for 4 rows. --- .. .. .. 0000 --- .. .. .. 0000 --- .. .. .. 0000 Off .. .. .. 0000 <- Switch the 303 unit off. This will start to play the pattern '3' in the bank 'A', from the FIRST 303 unit. The 303 unit 1 will be assigned to the track 0 stream. This means, that panning, fx setup, filter settings of the track will be applied to the sound of the 303 unit 1. To play the second 303 unit, is the same method but using 32xy, command instead 31. To stop 303 playing [patterns are played "looped" continuously] just put a note off (Right shift key) on the track were it was triggered. Also, using -3100- or -3200- will replay the patterns that are currently selected on the 303 editor. Can be handy while composing basslines. Btw: 303 engine will not "eat" the track sampler/csynth engine, so u can have both playing ex. a bassdrum and a 303 line on the same pattern. Also, both 303 units can be triggered in the same track. Well, just play with them :]. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q> Oh!, the 303 sounds great, will you code a 'buzz' port ? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A> Nope. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q> How I can record 303 or the tracks tweakings on the fly ? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A> Press the "Live Rec: OFF" [top/left of the screen] button and, voil?, the 303 tweakings or current track are autofilled on pattern while the tune is being played. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q> How I can alter 303s CutOff, Resonance, etc.. on the pattern while playing ? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A> Easy, just use the 303 special pattern commands. They're very useful to automatize 303 stuff. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q1> What're the pattern commands effects on ptk ? Are they the same as .xm or .mod ? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A> No they aren't, this is the complete list of the pattern effects: General ------- Command '00': No Effect Command '01': Pitch Up (Disabled when using Arpeggio) Command '02':...
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