Using the tracker (by Zola)


The General screen

In this screen, the basic parameters of the song are set. Most are self-explanatory. It should be noted that if you begin a tune with a set number of channels and decide to add more, this is the screen you want. Simply select the [change] option, and select the number of channels desired from the pull-down menu. This is also the place where you can convert to other formats. Again, select [change] and choose the file format and number of channels desired. Don't forget to save!

The Pattern screen

Getting Around in the Pattern Screen

ModPlug is a true Windows tracker, thus navigation is done with the mouse. Simply point and click! (Yes, you can use the cursor if you are a diehard cursor fan!)

Entering information

In the default set-up, 6 channels are displayed at a time. You can view more channels using the scrollbar. Each channel has a set of columns within it:

. . . . . . . . . . Empty columns
C-5 . . . . . . . Note column (C5 being the note C in the fifth octave)
. . . 01 . . . . . Sample/Instrument Column
. . . . . v56 . . . Volume or Panning Column
. . . . . . . E22 Effects Column

The note column is where the notes are entered. On a qwerty keyboard, the top row (qwerty etc) would represent C4-B4, the next C5-B5, and the bottom C6-B6. Simply press the key to enter the note.

If you want to enter the same note repeatedly, highlight the note and press the [enter] key. Then use the spacebar to enter the notes. (This also works with the other columns) To control how many rows are skipped between notes, enter the number in the [spacing] box. [0] means that the note entered will remain highlighted. [1] will automatically move the highlight to the next row, and so on.

Blocks

To highlight a block, click on the beginning of the block. Holding down the left mouse key, drag the highlight to where you want it. Then right click to view options, such as changing the pitch of the note, copying, cutting, etc.

Effects
ModPlug Tracker supports effects for the IT/S3M format, and the XM/MOD format. Which set of effects used depends on the type of module loaded or created in the tracker. For a complete list of these effects, please check the documentation for that particular type of tracker.

The Sample screen

Entering samples

Select [new sample], the icon in the upper left-hand corner of the sample screen. Then select the small folder icon to import the sample. To change a sample, display the sample you want to replace and use the folder icon to get the new sample.

Listen to sample

Samples can be listened to by clicking the button with the small musical notes on it.

Manipulate samples

Samples can be amplified, normalized, reversed and resampled according to your needs. Loops can be created by turning the loop option on and selecting the beginning and ending of the loop. The start point and end point will be represented by lines through the sample. Loops play continuously. To stop playback at any time, select the [stop] button on the tool bar.

The Instrument screen

Entering Instruments

Instruments can be created in two ways. First, select [new instrument] in the upper left-hand corner of the instrument screen. Then either use the folder icon to load a previously saved instrument, or move to the [note mapping] section. Change the numbers in the column to correspond to the sample you want. If you are using one sample only, simply enter the number once, then right click and select [map all notes to sample x].

Special note

If you are making changes to an existing mod, there may be [instruments] that are simply a line of type inserted by the previous author. In order to use these instruments, you must first delete the instrument (use the Windows explorer menu in the left screen, right click on the instrument name and select [delete instrument]), then follow the steps outlined above for entering an instrument.


Volume Envelope

Check the [use volume envelope] box. Right click on the black box and select [insert point]. You will need at least two points to create a volume envelope. The top of the screen is the maximum volume, the bottom, the minimum. Add points as necessary to make the volume fade in, fade out, or do other tricks.

Panning Envelope

Check the use [panning envelope] box. Works like the volume envelope except the line in the center represents the center panning position. The top represents the right speaker, the bottom, the left.


The Comment screen

Enter information about your tune or yourself here.


Additional Help

This help menu assumes you know a little about tracking. If you don't, there are a lot of good web pages to help!

For Fast Tracker Help (XM): http://start.at/fff

For Impulse Tracker Help (IT): http://www.zolaweb.com/Zola