                             PMPoze
                A Digital Music Composer/Player

February 10, 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 the 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.  PMPoze currently supports 
compose and play of the 31 sample format for 4, 6, and 8 tracks. However, most popular and 
most common is the 31 sample, 4 track MOD.  

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 (red 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 red 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 an "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 1.4 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                      Compuserve ID 73770,3577;   tstokes@ibm.com
      27836 Finisterra
      Mission Viejo, CA 92692
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