                             PMPoze
                A Digital Music Composer/Player


                                        September 26, 1994

  Introduction 

       PMPoze is a notational composer/player of digital music files 
       known as MOD files.  MOD files have the elements of both MIDI 
       and WAV.  They contain music "notes", or instructions, on how 
       to play instrument samples.  The samples are also contained 
       within th e file and are digital recordings much like WAVs.  
       This technique has a superior sound quality over playing MIDI 
       files through an FM synthesizer.  The sound is comparable to 
       wavetable sound and is one of the reasons MODs remain popular.  

       The first MODs used 8-bit mono samples recorded at a 22khz 
       sample rate.  There was a limit of 15 samples, or instruments, 
       that played on four tracks, or channels.  The sample limit was 
       later extended to 31.  Still later, the number of tracks was 
       extended.  However, most popular and most common is the 31 
       sample MOD.  PMPoze uses this format for composing, but it can 
       play the 15 sample format.  The other formats are not currently 
       supported.  

  What is needed 

       PMPoze is written for OS/2 2.x and higher and runs under the 
       Presentation Manager and MMPM/2.  The system must have a 
       supported sound card.  The card may be an 8-bit card as only 
       MODs with 8-bit samples are supported.  If the system can play 
       WAV files, then PMPoze should work.  A collection of MODs is 
       also needed.  Almost any BBS with a music section will probably 
       have MOD files.  There are a few MODs on Compuserve in the 
       Sight and Sound forum (GO SSFORUM), library 9. To compose 
       music, a selection of SAM files is needed.  Probably the best 
       way to obtain SAM files is to extract them from MOD files.  
       This can be done in PMPoze by using the /ModFiles/Sam Info...  
       menu option.  Usually, the instrument name will be in this 
       info.  This process is called "ripping".  Copyright notices 
       may exist within the Sam Info should be observed.  

  Quick Start 

       I. Play a MOD 

          1. Select ModFiles/Open...  
          2. Select any number of MODs from the file dialog
          3. Select MofFiles/Play.

       II. Create a composition 

          1. Select the SamFiles menu and then select Collect...  
             or File List...  (see help) 
             (this step is needed only once per session) 
          2. Place notes on staves 
          3. Select the instrument tool (harp)
          4. Position the harp on a staff to the left of any notes and click
          5. Select a sample 
          6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for all the staves (tracks) 
          7. Select /Score/Play

       III.  Play from notes (.NTS) file.  

          1. From the menu, select Score/Load notes...  
          2. Select a .NTS file from the file dialog 
          3. Follow the procedure of step II

  General

       This is a short "readme" as the on-line help should be fairly 
       complete.  

       There is one action that needs a little clarification.  It is 
       assigning a sample to the on-screen notes.  This is done by
       clicking the harp symbol and placing the resultant I-Beam 
       cursor on a staff and to the left of all notes.  (Please refer 
       to 'assign sample' and 'Toolbar/I-Beam cursor' in the help 
       index.)  This must also be done when notes are loaded from a 
       notes (.NTS) file, as sample information is not saved in this 
       file format.

       Setting the speed of a composition is somewhat obscure as well.
       Speed is considered and effect in a MOD. To set it, select the
       lightning bolt and place the cursor before the first note on the
       first track. Speed is effect number 15. The sliders are in hex,
       so anything above 64 is faster and below is slower.

  Support

       PMPoze is supported in the Compuserve OS2SHARE forum.  Please 
       report all problems directly to me.  My CIS id is 73770,3577.  
       Also, I am very interested in likes, dislikes, what you would 
       like to see, etc.  This program is not finished, and will 
       continue to grow.  I need your support.  

  Registration 

       PMPoze is copyrighted shareware.  It may be freely copied and 
       distributed, but the author retains exclusive rights.  Version 
       1.0 is not crippled in any way, but you are encouraged to 
       register the program.  Include your mailing address when 
       registering.  This will entitle you to one year of free 
       upgrades, if any, and future versions may be crippled.  The 
       registration fee is only $25, so please send registration to:  

              Tom Stokes 
              27836 Finisterra 
              Mission Viejo, CA 92692

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