Welcome Alesis D4 Enthusiasts! Thank you for downloading or requesting the unregistered version of D4man, developed by Bret Costin of Zorch brotherz software. This package should contain several compressed files that require installation onto your hard disk before using the D4man program. There are also a couple of uncompressed files that you should be aware of: SETUP.EXE - D4man for Windows Setup Utility, which installs D4man for Windows onto your system. D4WIN.TXT - This file: manual and documentation text. D4WIN.LOG - D4man for Windows program update history. ORDER.FRM - Order form for registering your copy. Please include the completed order form with your order. INTRODUCTION ------------ As of mid-1995, the Alesis D4 Drum Module was the latest in the line of popular Alesis drum modules/machines. It offers over 500 sounds in the space of a single-height 19" rack-mount unit, with an incredibly low price tag. Although its number of sounds and its size are advantageous, they present a problem as far as managing and configuring the unit - so many options, but only one two-line LCD to program it with... With this in mind, I developed the first DOS version of D4man in 1992. The program has been popular enough to warrant porting it to run under Windows and Windows95, allowing a D4 user to edit all D4 parameters while taking advantage of the Windows graphical user interface. D4man for Windows is available to D4 users for a reasonable registration fee (please see order form). This one-time fee will also include D4man for Windows upgrades as required. Upgrades will be made available to registered users for the cost of shipping and handling. If you are already a registered DOS D4man user, you will receive a discount towards the Windows version (please see ORDER.FRM for pricing). Thank you for your past support -- it's what has kept this project alive these past few years. And now a commercial from our sponsor: ************************************************************************** This manual and the software application it pertains to are distributed as shareware, (C)Copyright 1995-96, by Bret Costin. The unregistered version of this material may be copied and distributed freely, provided the following conditions are met: - The D4man for Windows program, this manual, and any data or utility files included in this package must be distributed together and unaltered. - Any copying or distribution must be done free-of-charge. - The names "Bret Costin" and "Zorch brotherz software" must not be removed or altered in any way. - If you do decide to keep a copy of this material for your own use, please register your copy so that we can keep you posted on upgrades. Your registration and money will help us to continue supporting our products and make them available to users at a reasonable price. If you find D4man for Windows useful, please distribute the unregistered version to your favorite local MIDI and/or Music BBS, or website. As with any software package, the more users there are, the better environment for exchanging advice, configurations and ideas. Thank you in advance for supporting the shareware concept. ************************************************************************** HOW TO REGISTER --------------- It is easy to register D4man for Windows and there are several benefits if you do. Just fill out the order form that came zipped with the unregistered version of D4man (file name is ORDER.FRM) and send with check or money order to the address in ORDER.FRM. (It is important that you fill out the form so that I can note your address, configuration, media preference, etc. for future upgrades and technical support.) Please allow two weeks for your D4man for Windows disk to arrive in the mail. Future upgrades of D4man for Windows will be available via mail for a shipping and handling charge of $5.00 (US) per upgrade. If you live outside of the USA, there may be an additional shipping charge. Well, now that the obligatory text is out of the way, let's roll up our sleeves (some musicians still prefer them) and get down to business... WHAT D4man CAN DO (AND CAN'T DO) -------------------------------- The D4man for Windows program is a Windows-based D4 Librarian and Editor that allows an Alesis D4 user to configure the D4 and store/recall its configurations from PC disk. D4man, in quick summary, allows a user to: - Setup an entire D4 "system" configuration, including all drumsets, triggers, program change table, footswitch modes, etc. - Define individual drumsets and modify all drumset parameters. - Setup all parameters associated with each trigger input. - Audition individual sounds or entire drumsets via computer keyboard and mouse. - Modify the 128 Program Change Table locations. - Store and retrieve all data to/from disk media, using a widely accepted and supported (by both commercial and shareware programs) file format, MIDIEX (a.k.a., Sysex, System Exclusive, or Cakewalk System Exclusive). - Print all drumset Note and Trigger assignments. - Operate the D4 via a programmable MIDI Patch Bay. The D4man program is available in two versions, the "registered" and the "unregistered" version. Both operate in the same fashion with a few exceptions: - The unregistered version displays an invocation message that informs the user that the program is unregistered. - The unregistered version's "About" pull-down menu displays "How To Register" information. - The unregistered version does not allow data to be stored to disk. It does, however, allow data to be loaded from disk. Samples of all file formats are provided so that you may evaluate D4man and test file compatibility with other products. - The unregistered version displays an exit message that gives information regarding registration. The unregistered version contains no hidden "time bombs". It does not automatically exit after a given amount of session time, nor does it self-destruct after a given time period. If either occurs with your version, please check your setup. This software has been tested on several different brands and configurations of computers and MIDI interfaces. If D4man for Windows does not operate correctly on your machine, notify me and I will attempt to remedy the situation. Also, if there is a feature you would like to see, I'm open to suggestions - many of the powerful features of our software products are the result of registered users' and unregistered evaluators' suggestions. HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS --------------------- To take advantage of all D4man for Windows features, you should have the following as a minimum: - Alesis D4, with internal software revision 1.03 or later, - IBM PC or compatible computer with at least 4M of RAM (8M recommended if running Windows95), - Windows 3.1, Windows 3.11, Windows95 or later operating system, - A MIDI interface with installed Windows MME-compliant drivers (most MIDI hardware manufacturers provide these, including Midiman, Creative Labs, Voyetra, Opcode, etc.), - 2 megabytes of hard disk space to hold the D4man for Windows application and documentation files. INSTALLING D4man for Windows ---------------------------- D4man for Windows installation is similar to most Windows applications. From within Windows, select "Run" from the File Menu of the Program Manager, then type "A:setup.exe" (if the D4man for Windows setup files are in drive A: for example) and select OK. The setup program will decompress the D4man files and then ask you where you would like to install them. After getting your preference, the setup program copies the D4man for Windows application files onto you hard disk, creates a "D4man for Windows" group on the Windows desktop, and places a D4man icon within the group. RUNNING D4man for Windows ------------------------- To start D4man for Windows, double-click on the D4man icon in the "D4man for Windows" group. The program will display a logo banner with program name, copyright notice, software revision number, and a notice that the program is not registered. After a few seconds, the logo banner will clear and then the drumset (main) window will appear. After the drumset (main) window appears, if it is the first time you have run D4man (or no D4MAN.INI file exists in the Windows root directory) you will be prompted to set up the D4man program to communicate properly with your MIDI interface's software drivers (see Options Menu Section). After valid drivers have been selected, if you have D4man's MIDI Patch Bay feature enabled (see Options Menu section), D4man will now switch your Patch Bay over to your predefined setup. Next the program will proceed and if D4WIN.SYX exists in the D4man directory (and it should!), D4man will load the default drumsets and setup into memory. By the way, the file D4WIN.SYX may be modified to your own preference (See D4WIN.SYX Section) so that D4man for Windows always loads a specific configuration each time you start it. USING THE INTERACTIVE MENU SYSTEM --------------------------------- D4man implements an interactive pull-down menu system consistent with Windows. The menu system makes the tasks associated with the D4man program simpler and more intuitive. Menus may be operated by either a mouse or the computer's keyboard. Also, various dialog windows will allow selection via mouse single- and double-click. Just place the mouse cursor over the selected field and click once or twice. CRUISING THE MAIN (OR "CURRENT DRUMSET") WINDOW ----------------------------------------------- Users may cruise the drumset (main) screen and edit the various parameters of the currently selected drumset. Supporting both the mouse and the keyboard, D4man provides multiple methods for operating the display. There are several ways to select a parameter. A parameter may be selected by moving the gray highlight bar via the computer's cursor, , , and keys until the desired field is highlighted with a blue rectangle. The easiest way to select a parameter is via the mouse, by merely clicking on a desired field to highlight it. Once highlighted, a parameter may be selected for edit by double-clicking the mouse on that parameter field. Double-clicking will pop up a dialog box that will allow you to edit the parameter. Also, the D4 sounds may be auditioned from the computer keyboard, as well as via mouse. Keyboard keys '1' through '0' (left to right across the keyboard) will trigger the drums assigned to your D4 triggers 1 through 10, while the '-' key will trigger drum trigger 11 and the '=' key will trigger drum trigger 12. In addition, when the D4 has been set for Footswitch Mode you may trigger the sound assigned to FootClose by pressing the 'F' key, and trigger the sound assigned to FootHeld by holding the key down and simultaneously pressing the 'F' key. To audition sounds other than those assigned to triggers and foot hold/close, select a sound by clicking on its row in the drumset display (the line should then get the gray highlight bar). Pressing the space bar will play the highlighted sound. Experiment in the drumset display - there are lots of thrill-packed features. You cannot hurt anything if you do not write to disk or D4, so practice freely. Now let's go over the various pull-down menus that are accessible from the top line menu. FILE Menu --------- The File menu allows the user to open (load) various types of files from disk, save data to disk files, print configurations, and exit the program. FILE - Open ----------- The File Open function allows the user to load data files into the computer's memory. Once Load is selected, a standard Windows directory dialog box appears and enables the user to select a specific file to load. A file may be selected via mouse double-click, clicking the OK button, or by pressing the Enter key. To exit the Open function without loading a file, press the key or click the CANCEL button. After you select a file to open, D4man will automatically determine the file type and display the file type information. When asked if you want to load the file or not, select the YES button to load the file, or NO to cancel loading the file. Note that although program change maps, system setups, and trigger setups will be transferred to the D4 upon file load, the drumset data loaded from disk will not automatically be sent to D4 permanent memory. Only the current drumset will go to the D4's drumset edit buffer; all other D4 drumsets remain unchanged. See the "Transfer" section on how to make permanent changes in the D4. FILE - Save As -------------- The File Save As function allows you to store specific D4 information to the computer's disk as a MIDIEX format file. When prompted for a file name, you must enter a filename that conforms to DOS conventions. To exit the File Save As function without storing the data to disk, either click on the CANCEL button or press the key. Once the output filename has been specified, D4man prompts the user for the type of file to save. The user has 4 options: - Single Drumset (Current). Save the currently selected drumset as the specified filename. - Program Change Map. Save the current Program Change Map as the specified filename. - Trigger Setup. Save the current setup for all 12 trigger inputs as the specified filename. - System All. Save the state of the entire D4 as the specified filename. This is the same format as the D4's built-in MIDI "System (All)" function. Please note that the unregistered version of D4man for Windows does not actually store the files to disk. It is important to note that all drumset data saved to disk by this function is the data contained inside the D4man for Windows program, and not necessarily the D4 itself. To ensure all drumset data from the actual D4 is saved to the file, first transfer the data to the D4man for Windows program (see the "Transfer" section), then use the File Save As function. FILE - Print Drumset -------------------- Available on DOS version only at this time. To be added in the next major revision of the Windows version. The Print Drumset function allows you to print the current drumset's note and trigger assignments. The resulting hard-copy is a convenient reference for use on the road, in the studio, or when D4man is not readily accessible. FILE - Exit ----------- The File Exit function causes the D4man for Windows program to terminate. When Exit is selected, D4man will ask you if you really meant to exit the program. Select the YES button to exit, otherwise select NO to continue running the program. DRUMSET Menu ------------ The drumset menu allows you to select a specific drumset for editing in the drumset (main) window. The drumset names and assignments displayed in the menu are those in the current system setup loaded in D4man. When you select a new drumset from this menu, the display is updated, the D4 drumset number is changed, and the new drumset info is transmitted to the D4 edit buffer. EDIT Menu --------- The Edit Menu allows the user to modify the Footswitch Setup, Program Change Map, Trigger Setup, current Drumset Name, and drumset Root Note(s). EDIT - Footswitch Setup ----------------------- The Footswitch Setup function enables the user to set the Footswitch Mode (as either Hi-Hat or Drumset Advance mode), and the Footswitch Close and Footswitch Open note assignments. The footswitch setup is shared amongst all 21 loaded drumsets. Please note that Footswitch Close and Footswitch Open note assignments are only valid if the Footswitch Mode is currently set to "Hi-Hat." EDIT - Program Change Map ------------------------- The Program Change Map dialog box allows modification of the D4's program change map. When the D4 receives a program change message across MIDI, the program number in that message (0..127) is translated, using the D4's program change map, to a drumset number. The D4 then changes to the drumset number in the map. This dialog allows you to select a program number from the list box, and then assign a drumset to that program number via the radio buttons on the right side of the dialog. Be aware that program change numbers vary amongst manufacturers. Some manufacturers' MIDI devices may implement program numbers starting with 1 instead of 0. You may adjust for this by either modifying the D4 program change map, or changing the setting of the MIDI device that is transmitting the program change message to the D4. For example, if you are running a sequencer that automatically sets the program number of the D4 before starting the sequence, just adjust the program number setting in your sequencer. EDIT - Trigger Setup -------------------- The Trigger Setup dialog box is used to set the parameters of the D4's 12 trigger inputs. These trigger parameters include MIDI Note Assignment, Gain, Velocity Curve, Cross-talk, Decay, and Noise Floor. A parameter may be selected by clicking on the desired field or list box. For the non- listbox items, a data scroller will appear immediately to the right of the field, allowing you to increment and/or decrement the selected parameter. Pressing the key while using the data scroller accelerates the increment/decrement by a factor of 10. A shortcut to the Trigger Setup that avoids pulling down the menu is to double-click on the drumset name on the program's bottom bar. You might notice that when a trigger's velocity curve parameter is zeroed, the trigger may not be assigned to a MIDI note, effectively disabling it. Also note that the Note Assignment in the Trigger Setup is actually relative to the Root Note of the currently selected drumset. As you select different drumsets that have different Root Notes, you will notice that the Trigger Setup's MIDI Note Assignments change along with them. Neither of these implementations are program anomalies - they instead concur with the D4's design. EDIT - Drumset Name ------------------- The Drumset Name function allows the user to edit the name of the currently selected drumset. A shortcut to this function that avoids pulling down the menu is to double-click on the drumset name on the program's bottom bar. EDIT - Drumset Root Note ------------------------ This function sets the Root Note for the current drumset, or all drumsets if you wish. Each drumset maintains its own root note, ranging from MIDI note #0 (note C-2) to #67 (note G3). The data scroller is used to change this value. OPTIONS Menu ------------ The MIDI menu allows the user to select the MIDI input and output interfaces, set the MIDI channel on which to communicate with the D4, and to configure an external MIDI patchbay. OPTIONS - MIDI Drivers ---------------------- The Options MIDI Drivers function allows the user to select the MIDI input and output interfaces that the program will use to communicate with the D4. Two list boxes will display the MIDI driver(s) presently installed in the computer. Highlight one MIDI input driver and one MIDI output driver and press OK to initialize the MIDI links. OPTIONS - MIDI Channel/Patchbay ------------------------------- This dialog box allows selection of a MIDI channel on which to communicate with the D4, and to configure an external MIDI patchbay. The selected MIDI channel should match the MIDI channel set in the D4 in order for the program to properly communicate with the D4. If you are using the program in conjunction with a MIDI-controllable patchbay, you might want to have D4man for Windows set the patchbay to a certain configuration on startup, then return it to another configuration on exit. This dialog enables you to set the MIDI channel that corresponds to the MIDI patchbay, as well as the entry and exit program change values that are sent to the patchbay when enabled. See also the "MIDI Patchbay Support" section. TRANSFER Menu ------------- The transfer menu enables you to write "permanent" settings to the D4, as well as read back the current "permanent" settings of the D4. The term "Permanent settings in the D4" means the settings that are stored internal to the D4 and remain there even when the D4 is turned off. They are not truly permanent in that the D4 allows you to restore the factory settings (which are stored in ROM and are therefore permanent) at any time by pressing a special button combination. If you ever have problems transferring data between the D4 and the computer, make sure the D4man MIDI channel matches the unit's MIDI channel and the unit's MIDI In and MIDI Out cables are connected properly. Also make sure you have selected the proper MIDI drivers from the Options Menu. TRANSFER - Read D4 Drumset -------------------------- Via MIDI, this function reads a D4 drumset via MIDI and stores the information in program drumset memory. The user specifies the source drumset number (drumset on the D4) and the destination drumset number (D4man drumset), then selects OK to start the transfer. This function reads data to the D4man current drumset, but does not store the information to disk. If you desire to save this data to disk, it must be saved via the File Save As function. TRANSFER - Read D4 All ---------------------- Via MIDI, this function reads all D4 data that is included in a D4 System (All) dump. This data includes all 12 trigger setups, program change table, all 21 internal drumsets, and system data such as MIDI channel and footswitch setup. This function reads the D4 information into D4man's memory, but does not store the information to disk. If you desire to save this data to disk, it must be saved afterwards via the File Save As function. TRANSFER - Write D4 Drumset --------------------------- After the user specifies the source drumset number (D4man drumset) and the destination drumset number (D4 drumset), then selects OK, the drumset data is transferred via MIDI to the specified destination internal drumset on the D4. The term "internal drumset" refers to a drumset location, 0 through 20. The storage is similar to storing a drumset from the D4 front panel - once stored, the D4 "remembers" the drumset even if you select another drumset number. TRANSFER - Write D4 All ----------------------- Via MIDI, this function writes all D4 data that is included in a D4 System (All) dump to the D4 unit. This data includes all 12 trigger setups, program change table, all 21 internal drumsets, and system data such as MIDI channel and footswitch setup. HELP Menu --------- This menu offers information about the D4man for Windows program. HELP - About ------------ The ABOUT menu displays information about the program itself, such as copyright information and software revision number. The unregistered version of D4man for Windows also displays information on how to register your copy of the program. QUITTING D4man for Windows -------------------------- To quit the D4man program, select the Exit function under the Files menu, or type from the keyboard. D4man will verify that you do indeed want to quit the program. Press YES to exit, or NO to continue. MIDI PATCH BAY SUPPORT ---------------------- D4man for Windows provides support for MIDI Patch Bays that are MIDI- controllable via MIDI "Program Change" messages. D4man does this by sending specific program change numbers to your MIDI patch bay on your patch bay's MIDI channel. A program change number must be specified for entry into the D4man program, and another must be specified for exit from D4man. The "entry" value will set your patch bay so that your D4 Midi In and Midi Out ports will be routed to your computer's MIDI interface. The "exit" value will return your patch bay to your default setting. Also, you must specify your patch bay's MIDI channel (this should be a different channel than your D4 is on!). "Entry" and "Exit" patch numbers, and patch bay MIDI channel are product- specific and vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. In order to configure D4man for your patch bay setup, open the Options - MIDI Channel/Patchbay dialog box, enable patch bay support, set the MIDI channel of your patch bay, and then set the "entry" and "exit" values for your specific system configuration. FILE FORMATS ------------ Four different file formats are supported by D4man for Windows, all of which contain one or more consecutive MIDI System Exclusive message(s). The file formats are identical to those output by the D4 when manually running a Sysex Backup from the D4's fifth MIDI page. This means that data dumped directly to disk from the D4 may also be loaded by D4man, and vice-versa. Here are the 4 supported formats: Single Drumset -------------- Same format as D4's "Edit Buffer" format. Data includes drumset name, footswitch closing and holding notes, trigger note assignments, and volume, pan, output, bank, voice, tune, and group assign information. Program Change Map -------------- Same format as D4's "Program Table" format. Data includes all 128 Program Change assignments. Trigger Setup -------------- Same format as D4's "Trigger Setup" format. Data includes gain, velocity curve, cross-talk, noise floor, and decay settings for all 12 trigger inputs. System (All) -------------- Same format as D4's "System (All)" format. Data includes 25 consecutive MIDIEX messages: the Program Change Table, Trigger Setup, Edit Buffer, 21 Single Drumsets, and the System Info message. All four types of files may be used with other popular shareware programs such as SYSX.EXE (any version) or MIDIEX.EXE (we suggest version 1.8 or later), or with commercial products such as the Cakewalk sequencer. When a D4 file is loaded by the D4man program, the MIDI channel embedded in the file is replaced by D4man's current MIDI channel setting. When storing the files, D4man replaces the embedded MIDI channel settings with the value 7Fh (hexadecimal notation). 7Fh is used to select "any MIDI channel" and allows other programs to load the files and transmit them successfully to D4's set to any MIDI channel. D4WIN.INI File -------------- The D4WIN.INI file is stored in the Windows root directory and contains the program configuration. The D4WIN.INI file contents are loaded automatically every time you start D4man for Windows. Included in the D4WIN.INI file is information such as software revision, MIDI Input and Output Drivers' names, Midi channel, and patch bay settings. D4WIN.SYX File -------------- The D4WIN.SYX file is stored in the same directory as D4man for Windows and is loaded automatically every time you start D4man for Windows. It includes the base D4 configuration such as the data for all 21 drumsets, the trigger setup, the program change map setup, the footswitch setup, and all D4 system parameters. The D4WIN.SYX file is actually a MIDI System Exclusive file in the same format as the D4's "System (All)" format (same as D4man's "System (All)" format). Therefore, you may replace D4WIN.SYX with your own file (must be "System (All)" format) by just renaming or copying your file to the same disk directory as the D4WIN.EXE file. We recommend that you keep a copy of the original D4WIN.SYX as a safety precaution. The original D4WIN.SYX file matches the Alesis D4 factory configuration. HOT KEY REFERENCE ----------------- The following keys access specific functions within the drumset (main) window: F = Play sound assigned to Foot Close (if Hi Hat Mode enabled). Shift-F = Play sound assigned to Foot Held (if Hi Hat Mode enabled). 1 = Play sound assigned to Trigger 1. 2 = Play sound assigned to Trigger 2. 3 = Play sound assigned to Trigger 3. 4 = Play sound assigned to Trigger 4. 5 = Play sound assigned to Trigger 5. 6 = Play sound assigned to Trigger 6. 7 = Play sound assigned to Trigger 7. 8 = Play sound assigned to Trigger 8. 9 = Play sound assigned to Trigger 9. 0 = Play sound assigned to Trigger 10. - = Play sound assigned to Trigger 11. = = Play sound assigned to Trigger 12. FUTURE UPGRADES --------------- Print Drumset function Compare Drumsets function Alesis DM5 support MORE INFO --------- A great deal of time and effort went into developing and testing D4man for Windows. If you experience problems with the program, please note the symptoms and contact me. I will do my best to rectify the situation. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions about D4man for Windows or other products, I would be glad to receive and/or answer them. I can be contacted by mail at: Bret Costin c/o Zorch brotherz software 18 Terraglen Drive The Woodlands, TX 77382 or leave me a message at one of these systems: - Any member BBS of the MIDILINK Musicians' Network, (To: Bret Costin), - Compuserve Mail [70474,3534] (To: Bret Costin). - Internet email 70474.3534@compuserve.com