PMPoze
                          A Digital Music Composer/Player

                                                          November 11, 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 (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 
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. 

What's New Highlights

New for version 1.3.0 is:

    - Four, six, and eight track support
    - Zoom in and out on the score from 200 percent to as low as 10 percent
    - Mouse pointer becomes a note which detents into position on a staff

Registration

PMPoze is copyrighted shareware.  It may be freely copied and distributed, but the 
author retains exclusive rights.  Version 1.3 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

      Compuserve 73770,3577