File: Orc-Manl.txt	project: ORACLE v1.10	update:27/08/97 User manual document. The full docs!	(c) Fuzzy Logic
+ 	+

Here it (finally) is, the document which descripes ORACLE in full details. There wasn't any time left for this text in order to release ORACLE at the MSX fair in Tilburg. So many of you probably discovered most funtions already (very unlikely, ORACLE uses so much keys it drives you nuts when it comes to remember all of'em)

Oracle is a FUZZY LOGIC project and is published by SUNRISE. All rights are reserved and copying is for own purpose only!

An assembly	source of	the replayer (driver) has been released for own use and may be altered to your own whishes. The replayer may be used	freely in any kind	of software. However all credits remain under the name of Fuzzy Logic.









This document was written by:

Rman van der meulen alias
SHADOW from Fuzzy logic (r).












ORACLE is a SUNRISE publication all rights reserved.

Table of contents:

$1	Pattern editor

$2	File menu
$2.1
New track
$2.2
Open track
$2.3/4
Save track
$2.5
Track type
$2.6
Truncate track
$2.7

$2.8
Load other song format Load FST files
Load MB files
Main directory
$2.9
Quit Oracle

$3

Play

menu
$3.1/2
Play
track/position/pattern
$3.3
Pattern scanning
$3.4
View play
$3.5
Equal hertz play
$3.6
V.U. monitor
$3.7
Stop playing
$4
Track menu
$4.1
Set track name
$4.2
Position editor
$4.3
Restart position
$4.4
Song length
$4.5
Default tempo
$4.6
Channel routing (see also $10)
$5
Edit menu
$5.1
Copy pattern
$5.2
Copy channel
$5.3
Goto pattern
$5.4
Polyhone
$5.5
Quant
$5.6
Input mode (keyboard)
$6
Block
$6.1/2
Begin/End markers
$6.3/4
Copy block
$6.5
Block display / (Un)Hide
$6.6
Link notes
$6.7/8
Stretch / Shrink
$6.9
Clear
$6.10
Printer
$6.11/12
Load/Save
$7
Instrument menu
$7.1
Instrument setup list
$7.2/3
Instrument editors
$7.4
FM drum setup list
$7.5
FM drum editor
$7.6
Sampler

$8
Options
$8.1
Automatic save of opt_file
$8.2
Output chips
$8.3
Amplifier
$8.4
Enviroment
$8.4.1 Track/pattern format setup
$8.4.2 Interface
$8.4.2.1
Disk/Dir window
$8.4.2.2
Editors
$8.4.2.3
Files
$8.4.3
Screen installation
$8.4.4
Printer setup
$8.4.5
Boot and run
$8.5
Load options
$8.6
Save options
$9
Help
$9.1
Program information
$9.2
Index
$9.2.1
Keys
$9.2.2
Errors
$9.2.3
Options
$9.2.4
Effects
$9.3
Topic
$9.4
About/Info
$9.5
Help files path
$10
Channel routing explained
$11
Original user_instrument editor
$12
Standard_plus user_instrument editor
$12.1
What are Standard_plus instruments
$13
FM user_drumkit editor
$14
Sampler
$15
Realtime Keyboard System
$16
Easy String Search
$17
Dir_Window
$18
File types
$19
Program instruments:
$19.1
Original
$19.2
Standard plus
$19.3
Drums
$20
       Appendix A, Pattern_Editor keys Appendix B, replay effects (+keys).
$21
Wolf's tips and hints.

$1 The pattern editor (main screen)

This pattern	editor contains a lot of keys/short cuts to gain more speed	concerning the development of a track. Ofcourse there is the possibility to		use the			so called "Pull Down Menus" (PDM in short) to	acces	all		menus. But		it's so	much quicker	using short-cuts (alias		hot-keys).	We've	mentioned		the	short-cut-keys for	each option		in the		pull-down-menus, so	they can	be rememberd easely.
Next there is a explanation of the PDM options with each short-cut.

When a	Main-PDM is		opened u can use cursor keys LEFT and RIGHT to go	to		another	PDM.	Or	simply	use	a	short-cut,the
GRAPH combinations (will be explained later). A PDM topic can be selec- ted by pressing	the SPACE	bar or RETURN key, or (again) use a hot-key which are presented with FAT characters. Some topics can be altered with	CTRL+LEFT/RIGHT (e.g	in the	track menu:	Restart pos./tempo etc.).

The main menus:

"FILE"	(graph+"F")	The file menu to load/save tracks "PLAY"	(graph+"P")	(re)play your track here.
"TRACK"	(graph+"T")	Track setting are done here. "EDIT"	(graph+"E")	For pattern edit funtions. "BLOCK"	(graph+"B")	Contents (most) block funtions. "INSTRUM" (graph+"I")	To select all kinda Instruments.
"OPTIONS" (graph+"O")	Install ORACLE at your best whishes here. "HELP"	(graph+"H")	The on-board Help-Desk.

The	GRAPH+key combinations can be used at the editor but also in a MAIN-PDM!

To escape	from such	a PDM	simply press	ESCape. Most topics will always	return to the first PDM you've opened. But a few will clear the	current	PDM	before	executing	a topic (the	OPEN file	for instance).

For the keys used at the Pattern_Editor check out section $19.A




$2 File menu
============

topics:

New	Clear track.
Open	Open a new track.
Save	Save current (named) track. Save As..	Save track with new name.
Truncate	Cruncher On/Off (currently unused!). Type	Select track type (Song or Module). Load other		Load another file format.
Directory		Set current path (drive/directory). Quit	Quit ORACLE.

$2.1 New:

When	this topic	is selected, another window will pop up where you can	choose whether	you want to clear patterns only or all
track-data.	Note that	NEW does	not clear	the samples,	goto sampler to clear them.
The (new) track-installations (see $8.4.1) will be set to build up new patterns.

$2.2 Open:

Will open	a file	that matches	the current file type (song or module). See DIR WINDOW for more detailed information.
When	a file is selected, the track will be cleared (NEW) first before it's loaded in memory.

$2.3 Save:

If	the current	track has	already got	a file-name, it can be quick-saved	with	this option.	If there	was no	name given', ORACLE will	open the	DIR WINDOW and ask for a file-name (save as...).

$2.4 Save as...:

This	save function will always	open the	DIR WINDOW to ask a file-name for the current track.

$2.5 Truncate:

A track can either be saved as a normal(clean) file or crunched (shorted)	(crunchy	bite ain'it?).	If ON,	it will	take less disk-space		than	when		it's	ON (how		obvious). If	a crunched
(truncated) track is loaded it will be decrunched in memory. Note that this function is (still) not in use!!

$2.6 File_type:

If "Module",	the current	SAMPLE KIT	will be	attached at the track	when saving. This is called a MODULE (not to be confused with the	AMIGA MOD	files, but likely structured!). This gives the advantage to	load the track including the SAMPLES at one go! Otherwise		it will	only load	the track	data.
Note	that a	track can	only be saved as a Module if any ADPCM sample_ram is present!

$2.7 Load Other:

With this	option you	can load	file formats	made with	other trackers. We've included the following drivers (yet):

o Fac Sound Tracker (song and samplekit, all versions)
o Moonblaster v1.4 (song and samplekit)

For	future releases we probably will	include a driver for MoonBlaster OPL4 (FM and Wave) also.


$2.8 Directory:

Opens	the	DIR	WINDOW to	select the	default path.	Also the default drive can be changed.
This Path	will be	saved in the Option_file, so it will be set next time you start up Oracle.

$2.9 Quit:

Leave Oracle....
If a	track is	present and altered without saving before Quit, Oracle will ask if you will save the track first.

$3 Play menu

============

Topics:

Play Track	Replay current track.
Play Position	Replay current possition/pattern. Track scan	Pattern scan before playing On/Off.
View	Track view while playing On/Off.
50 Hz play	Equal play at 50 or 60 Hz On/Off.
Monitor	Set monitor (VU meter) On/Off.
shut up	Quit playing at any mode.

$3.1 Play track:

Replay the track starting at the current position.

$3.2 Play position:

Replay the current position continiously.

$3.3 Track scanning:

If this		topic	is	set	ON,		the	replayer	will	scan		all positions/patterns previous	of the current position before it begins	replaying		the		track.		This		is done		b'coz of	effect settings			at previous		patterns (this options is simular to the one in MoonBlaster).

$3.4 View:

If	ON, a	bar will	present the	current row	that is playing. Press ESCape	while replaying		to continue	playing without the bar-presentation.	Or press	[STOP] to quit playing and set the cursor at the last replayed position (got it?)

$3.5 Equal Hertz play:

Set this	ON to		replay the	track at	the same	tempo at	any frequency mode	(50 or	60 Hz).

$3.6 Monitor:

Use this to toggle the V.U. (Volume Unit that is). This is the line	at	the top	of the	screen that shows the channel output (notes/volume) while replaying (View is On).

$3.7 Shut the fuck up: Quez wha'diz doz.

$4 Track menu
=============

Topics:

Set track Name	Input name for current track. Position edit	Position/pattern editor.
Last position	Input song lenght (or use CTRL+curs). Restart	Input restart position (or use
CTRL+cursors).
Tempo	Default speed to play track (or use CTRL+cursors).
Chanl. routing	Goto Channel setup (start vars).

$4.1 Set track name:

Click on this to enter the name of this track.

$4.2 Position editor:

This topic will pop_up the pattern/position editor. At this editor		you can	build up	the pattern sequence. Use cursors to walk through	the table, with space the current position can be altered (or use CTRL + cursors to smooth adjust). Graph+Cursors will	change	the		restart_position while	Shift+Cursors	will change the songlength.

Other keys:
[F1]
[F3]/[c]
Play song
Copy positions

[F4]
Options

[stop]
Cut playing

$4.3 Last position:

Enter here the last position to be played (read: song_length).

$4.4 Restart position:

This one contains the Loop_position. In other words; when the track reaches the Last_Pos. it will goto the position given at Restart Pos. When #FF, the loop function is OFF.

$4.5 Tempo:

Here	the (start)	tempo must	be set.	The tempo (speed) is in V_blanks (interrupts	that is),		this means	that tempo	#02 is FAST while #31 will play a track like it's song by a turtle.

$4.6 Channel routing:

This	important	topic	is	to set	the START	voices, volumes, tuning and	instruments for each channel.	See section $10 for further information.

$5 Edit menu
============

Topics:

Copy patts   Copy one or more patterns. Copy Chanls  Copy one or more channels. Goto patt Goto a pattern.
Polyphone Toggle	Polyphone On or Off. Quant	Quant step value.
Multi drum	Toggle Multi drums On or Off. Keyboard	What kind of input method.

$5.1 Copy pattern(s):

Will pop_up a window for the following parameters:

o Source pattern:	First pattern to copy from.
o Destination pattern:	First pattern to copy to.
o Total patterns:	Total patts to copy.

Need	I tell	more? You must be as stupid as a clumbsy rabit if ya do not understand this. (sorry I let my self go ones more..)

$5.2 Copy channel(s):

A window will appear for the following parameters:

o Source channel:	First channel to copy from.
o Destination channel:	First channel to copy to.
o Total channels:	How many channels to copy.
o Total patterns:	Over how many patterns.

The	copy_command will	start reading	from and	writing to the current pattern that is displayed.
If you	set "1" at "Total patterns:" then is will only copy the channels at the current pattern.

$5.3 Goto pattern:

Hey! This option is very clear I think.

$5.4 Polyphone:

Yes! Oracle is a polyphonic editor, which simply means
that if	this is ON, the cursor at the pattern editor will goto the next channel	if you've	set any	data (e.g. notes/fx). In combination with	the Quant option this may be very usefull for editing chords.

$5.5 Quant:

Here you	can set	the amount	of steps (#0-#F) the edit_cursor has to go forwards at the channel whenever data is set.
It's a very usefull option for bass/drum lines. For example; if you want	to set	on each		4th step of a channel a note/drum/fx you	have to	set Quant	to "4".	Each time	you input data the cursor will goto the next 4th step! (find out the possibilities for yourself if your still confuzed). See also the EDIT_options at section $8.4.2.2(quant mode) for more info.

$5.6 Multi drum:
Use this one to set/reset more than one Drum_items at the Drum channel. If OFF, it will only set/reset the last drum you've given. (Find out why we added this...)

$5.7 Keyboard:

This topic is not yet in use! But it's got something to do with the note_input_mode!

$6 Block menu
=============

Topics:

Set Begin	Set block begin marker. Set End	Set block end marker. (Un)Hide	Display block On/Off.
Copy	Copy block (normal).
Copy Trans	Copy block (transparant). Link	Link notes in block.
Stretch Out Stretch block (multiply by x 2) Shrink	Shrink block (divide by 2) Clear	Clear its contents.
Print	Block dump to printer.
Load	Load a block from disk.
Save	Save a block to disk.

$6.1 Set Begin Mark:

This will set the Block_Begin position at the current position of your cursor (Pattern/Row and Step). The block will be shown highlighted (blink for experts). If a block has already been defined, the block will adjust to this new begin marker.

$6.2 Set End Mark:+

This will set the Block_End position at the current position of your cursor (Pattern/Row and Step). (see also: Begin_Mark).

$6.3 (Un)Hide Block:

If	a block is defined the display of it can be switched on or off. The block markers will not change if a block is hidden.

$6.4 Copy block:

This function	is a		very powerfull	one! Use it to duplicate a pattern piece or a channel or even a whole track. The current position of the edit	cursor will	be the		destination of	the block to be copied.

$6.5 Copy block transparant:

This	one	copies	a	block	(see	Copy		block) but leaves the destination channels unchanged	if the	original step(s)	were empty.

example: TransCop "Chnl 1" over "Chnl 2"
(before:)	(after:)
Chnl 1	Chnl 2	-> Chnl 1	Chnl 2 A_4i01	D_2i02		A_4i01	A_4i01
VIB 00	 	00	VIB 00	VIB 00
 	00	D_2v3F	 	00	D_2v3F G_4 00	 	00	G_4 00	G_4 00

 	00	D_2 00	 	00	D_2 00
 	00	 	00	 	00	 	00

$6.6 Link:

Link all notes that are within the block.

$6.7 Stretch:

Expand block two times ( NOT AVAILABLE YET! )

Because it's a bitch when it comes to code this option, I have not included this one yet!

$6.8 Shrink:

Divide block by two and clear 2nd part of block. Best explained with an example:

(before:) (after:)
Chnl 1 Chnl 2 -> Chnl 1 Chnl 2 A_4i01 D_2i02 A_4i01  D_2i02 VIB 00      00         00  D_2 00
    00  D_2 00 VIB 00  D_2 00 G_4 00    00      00      00 VIB 00  D_2 00         00     00
    00      00         00     00

$6.9 Clear contents:

Clear all data within block.

$6.10 Print block:

Dump block's contents to printer. Each pattern that fits in a block will be printed seperately. See section $8.4.4 (options) for more detailed information.

$6.11 Load block:

Once a block is selected you can either load or save it from/to disk.	This comes	in handy if you've created a superb piece of drumline or something likely	and wanna use it in other tracks too.
The	disk functions are also needed when a track pattern format must be changed after the track is created.

A	block	will	be	located	at	the	current	position	of the Edit_cursor after it's been loaded.

$6.12 Save block:

See previous funtion (load).







$7 Instruments menu
=====================

Topics: Instrument list	Built instrument list.
Org.Instr.Edit	Make own original instruments. Stp.Instr.Edit	Make own standard plus instruments. FM drum list	Built drum list.
FM drum editor	Make own drums. Sampler	Goto sampler.

$7.1 Instrument list:
Here you can select the instruments you want to use at the track. There are 32/#20 positions for each chip (Music and Audio).

When selecting a MSX MUSIC instrument, a window will apear. Here you can decide whether you want to use Original, Standard or Standard_plus instruments. (see section $12 for more info).

Selecting		MSX Audio will always goto the Original Instruments. This	topic		makes also	use of	the "Keyboard"		functions (see section	$15).		The performance_output	depends	on	where the cursors stands		(Audio or		Music). When		pressing F2 both chips will temporary be set for output.

$7.2 Original instrument editor:
Here you can create your own original instruments. See section $11 for more.

$7.3 Standard plus instrument editor:
Here you can create your own Standard_plus instruments. See section $12 for more.

$7.4 FM_Drum list:
Use this one to select the drums you wanna use. See "Instrument list" for info.

$7.5 FM_Drum editor:
Here you can create your own FM drums. See section $13.

$7.6 Sampler:
Goto the ADPCM sampler. See section $14.







$8 Options menu
===============

Topics:

Auto save	Toggle Opt_Save On/Off. Chips	Select which chips to use. Amplifier	Change (chip) volumes.
Enviroment	Program installations. Load	Load settings.
Save	Save settings.

$8.1 Auto save:

When	this is on, the Options_file (setting) will be saved when ever a track is being saved. (see $8.6, Save opts).

$8.2 Chips:

Here you	can switch	output chips	On or	Off. There	are four output types:

o MSX Music
o MSX Audio
o Sample (ADPCM, Audio)
o PSG

This	will	not	affect	the track	chip_settings. It's	pure a user_option used in the replayer.

$8.3 Amplifier:

This can be used for setting a perfect balance between the output chips. All four output types have their own potpan. A master volume will affect all output and is therfore global. This function is very usefull for fades in the replayer!

$8.4 Enviroment:

This is the topic for installing Oracle at your best whishes. There are 5 sub_topics:

o Track	Set pattern format.
o Interface	For user communication.
o Screen	Set screen parameters.
o Printer	Printer installations.
o Boot/Run	Set start_funtions.

$8.4.1 Track:

The pattern/track	format which	is used	for the "NEW" command can	be set here. There are 3 setting_topics and a topic which contains presets we've already made for you.

Default rows:

How many	row a	pattern contains.	At this	time you	can only select	#1 to	#10 rows	but we've already included function to use more rows (up to 256!) but it's not being used yet.

Total channels:

A maximum of 32/#20 channels can be used at a pattern. However, only 22/#16 channels can	be used	(9xMusic_FM +	9xAudio_FM + 1xAudio_Sample + 3xPSG).
But	we've done	this for future version which will make use of the OPL4!

Channel devision:

Here you can alter the type and chip presets for each channel. Preset setups:
We've included 8 diverent track_setups already. Check'm out!

Once the format is selected, use "NEW" (see $2.1; FILE menu) to set the new track format!

$8.4.2 Interface:
This is divided in 3 other sub_menus: o Dir window
o Editors
o File

$8.4.2.1 Dirwindow:

When	ever the	diskopts are	used the "Dirwindow" will pop_up. Some options	can be	set for		this window.	(When opening	the dirwindow	you can	also set	this installations by pressing F4
(see section $17 for more info). The swithes:
o Auto filetype load
o Auto path preset
  o Update preset path Automatic load:
If a file is being opened and is not the same as  the Type you've selected it will prenounce a "Wrong file type" error.
When this switch is ON, it will not give an error, but loads the file as it was set to that file type. See section $18 (filetypes) and $17 (dirwindow) for more info.

Automatic path preset:

If	ON, the	path that's	being set	for the specific file type will be	set at		the "Path".		Otherwise it will use the current path. See also section $17 (dirwindow).

Update path preset:

If ON, the path conecting to the file type will be updated whenever you change (sub)directory.


$8.4.2.2 Editors:
Here you can set some switches concerning different editors. (pattern/instrument/position editors).

o Position edit: return with pos On/Off
o hide unused positions.
o Instr.edit: update instrumentlists.
o Pattern edit: Max. channels to display.
o Empty effect indication.
o Display "OFF" channels On/Off
o Quant mode.

Pos.edit return with pos:
If ON, the last selected position will be set at the main editor.

Pos.edit hide unused pos:
If ON, it will only display the positions that are used in the track. This contains all positions untill the "Last/Songlength" position. Otherwise it will show the whole position table (256 positions!).

Instr.list update:
If any	user_instrument has		been chanched or loaded (Original, standard	plus or	drums), it	will be	copied to the specified instrument_list if this thing is ON.

Max. channel displ:
The pattern_editor can only display 9 channels at the time. This switch will enable you to lower the total channels that will be displayed (1-9).

Empty FX contents:
If an	effect at		a channel		is empty	it will standard display "00".	But with	this you		can decide how an empty_FX has to be displayed.	For	example	you	could input		two spaced	here to display nothing at all.

Displ."OFF" chanl:
If a channel has been switched OFF (shift+"O") it can also be removed from the screen. If this switch is ON, it will display the channel like it was in use. But if this is OFF, nothing but spaces will be displayed.

Quant mode:
Select how to use the Quant (see $5.5):

o OFF	(do not use at all)
o Note	(only after note input)
o FX	(only after FX input)
o Note & FX (use always)

$8.4.2.3 File:
Install the track_file options:

o Link information file
o Automatic extention add.
o Extention list.
o Update user_instrument lists.

Link info file:
Add file with instrument names etc. to the track when saving. (see $18, Info file)

Extention add:
If ON, a filename at the DirWindow will always be extented with preset	extentions.	These		extentions		can	be	altered	at "Extention list"	(see below).	For example	a standard		Oracle SONG_track will have the extention: ".ORC". So a filename could
be: "MyFile.ORC".
When	OFF, you have to add the extentions yourself or, whatever you want, do not add an extention at all!.

Extention list:
In this list you can set default extention names for each filetype. (see also previous switch; "Add extention").
We've set the default names how we like'em best. Ofcourse your free to use own names. However it is recomandable for everybody to use the same extentions, atleast for the track files!.

For	the	trackfile_type		MODULE		we've	choosen	to	use	the extention ".MOD". A lot of people complained that this was very confusable		with	the		Amiga	MOD	file	that also	prefers the extention		".MOD".	Well it's		up to	you what	you choose		for MOD_extentions! (but		then again Amiga MOD file are OLD! Do you still listen to those 4_track files?)

Update user instruments after track loading:
If a track's being loaded which contains any User_Instruments it will copy the data and name of these instruments/drums to the User_Instrument lists if this switch is set ON.

$8.4.3 Screen:
Installation of screen functions:

o Text colour Set text RGB
o Background colour Set background RGB
o Bar text colour	Set highlighted text RGB
o Bar backgr. col.	Set highlighted background RGB
o Character set	Load characters.

Text colour:
A RBG window will pop up to set new parameters. Use cursors left and right to edit.

Background colour: See text colour.

Highlighted text colour: See text colour.

Highlighted background colour: See text colour.

Character set:
In	Oracle you	can load	your fave chars. Charfile formats are the same as used in TED. We've smashed a few on disk already.
The	current	character_set will	also	be	loaded again when booting!

$8.4.4 Printer:
Here you can set the following switches for the Block_Print function:

Formfeed after pattern:
After one pattern (in block) is printed, a formfeed will be send as remainder.

Continue print:
If ON, the PRINTER will beep, and a single key is needed to continue printing.

Untill pattern break:
When a PatterBreak command is passed at a pattern while printing, it can either print the whole pattern anyway or stops after the break command. If ON, patterns will be printed untill the last row or untill a Break command is passed.

Setup string:
At	this string	(64 chars)	you can	install your printer with the right codes. Note that also the ESC code can be included.

$8.4.5 Boot and run:
Here you can find some start_up switches:

Start with help:
If	ON,	Oracle	will	goto	the HELP,	INFORMATION file	after completing the start_up procedure.

Open last track:
This is a very usefull option if you're busy on a certain track and	you want to continue working on it the next time you start up Oracle again.
It will	remember the	last Track	(any filetype) that has been saved to load it again during the next booting.

Converters resident:
The "Other file format" converters will be loaded in memory while booting if this is ON. If OFF, it saves memory but the converters will be loaded each time you load another file format!
Note: Yet	this option	will always be ON. I'll have to rewrite some	DOS coding	if this	is gonna	work. In	a next version I hope!

$8.5 Load opts:
The		installations	made	in	Oracle	can be	saved and	loaded to/from		disk. You can make own files with differend names. The file "STANDARD.PRF"		(at the program's booting directory!) will always	be loaded	when Oracle is booted. So if you change this file, Oracle	will start	up with		your own settings! Otherwise you have to load them yourself.

$8.6 Save opts:
See previous function (load opts).

$9 Help menu
============

topics:

Info	Global information about Oracle. Index	Specific information files.
Topic	Search for help on topics. About	Who done it.
Path	Set path for help files.

Text	files	can	be	read	by	using	the	cursor keys	at the Info_window:

<up/down>	One line up/down
<right/left> One pate up/down
<home>	Top of text

Each time a help file is loaded again, it will show the last lines that have been accesed before. If the help file is the same as the last opened, the file will not be loaded again (that is if no Disk action is done in the mean time!).
Make sure you set the right path for these files! (see $9.5, path/disk_window).
Help_files are pure ASCII files, so print'em if you like. But do not attempt to rewrite it!!

$9.1 Info:
This will load and display the Oracle_Information file.
It's just an introduction file which is of no importance really. This info file will be loaded when the "Start with help" item is set ON (see $8.4.5, options).

$9.2 Index:
This index table looks like:

o Keys
o Errors
o Options
o Effects

Keys:
This	help_file will	show all	of the	(sub) keys	used in the pattern editor.

Errors:
Some information about the Errors Oracle can come up with.

Options:
Shows you briefly about the (many) topics at the option menu.

Effects:
On	board	explenation	about	the	replay effects	that Oracle supports. Including some examples.

$9.3 Topic:
Here you can search for information about certain topics, just type in the name and the String Search function (see $16) will help you find the right info about whatever.

I'm sorry to say, but; THIS ONE DOES NOT WORK YET!


$9.4 About:
Hell, we could atleast inform you who designed Oracle, or not?

$9.5 Path:
This is a very inportant topic 'coz it is to set the correct drive/path for the help files. Standard it will be set at the Program_directory (boot). If this path isn't correct, no help_files can be found!

$10 Channel routing
===================

The Channel routing must be used to set up the correct instruments, volumes, tunings and chipsmodes for each channel. These values are all Start_settings! This means that all the thinx you set here are used to install the start instruments/volumes for the channels.
The channels can be reset with the fx command "res", which will set all the channel_routing vars again!

The volume of a channel is NOT depending on the instrument that is set! Unlike MoonBlaster, the volume will only be changed if you set it yourself. We did this because chip_volumes will be equal after setting a volume effect. So, setting different volumes for each chip/instrument will have no effect! I personally think that this was a very stupid idea from Remco Schrijvers! He must have been on drugs or so? (well that's no difference with us !)
Anyhow, here's a little explenation about the routing: Mode:
This	is were	you set the output_chips. Use either spacekey or the following keys:
[t]	change channel type (Note or Drum)
[m]	Toggle MSX Music
[a]	Toggle MSX Audio
[s]	Toggle Sample (ADPCM, MSX Audio)
[p]	Toggle PSG

When more than 9 channels of FM (Music/Audio) or 3 channels of PSG are used, Oracle will come up with a warning. However, it will not affect the channel mode; you can still set over 9 FM or 3 PSG channels! (The replayer will check on overflows!)

Volume:
This (ofcourse) will represent the start volume of a channel. To change it, use space/return or CTRL+cursors to smooth adjust.

Tuning:
Set here	the channel	Detune start	value (-#F	-> #0	-> #F). Space/Return to input or CTRL+Keys to smooth adjust.

Instrument:
At this you can set the start instruments for both MSX Music and MSX Audio. The instrument of each chip will only be shown if that chip is present in MODE.
For example

MODE:	Instr. Music	Instr. Audio
..AM	<instrument 1>	<instrument 1>
...M	<instrument 2>	--
..A.	--	<instrument 3>
....	--	--

If the channel type is "NOTE", then instruments can be selected from	the Instrument_List.	If type	is DRUM, then drums can be selected. If	MODE is	not containing		Music and/or Audio, this function can not be accesed!

The channel routing also makes use of the Realtime Keyboard System (see section $15).

It's also possible to copy channel_routings by pressing the [F3] or
[c] keys. All channel vars will be copied!

$11 Original user instruments editor
====================================

At this editor you'll be able to create your own FM voices. We will not descripe the FM synthese concept. The OPL registers are very common with MSX users, so no space wasted on that anymore!

At the top of the editor you'll find the following topics:

Select instr.	Copy instr. Octave	Load instr./lib. Edit OPL	Clear	Keyboard	Save instr./lib.
Name instr.	Performance	Exit

Select instrument:
A cursor will appear on the User_Instrument_list. With cursors you can select an instrument. [HOME] will warp you to the top of the list. The Easy String Search is supported here (see section $16).

Edit OPL registers:
Here you can actually alter the voice data. At this version only the two-operator voices are used, however we already supported some four-operator voice functions for the OPL4. That's why the top of the registers will show "4-op" topics.
With space/return data can be altered or use CTRL+Cursors to smooth adjust. The feedback and connection functions can also be adjusted with only cursors left/right.

Name instrument:
Here a	voice can	be given		a (new)	name. The	names of	user instruments		will be	saved with	the OPL	data. In	a song the names will	only be saved if	"Info_file link" is set ON! (see section $8.4.2.3, options)

Copy instrument:
Will show all original instruments to select one to copy to the current user_instrument. This option can also be accessed with [F3] at anytime.

Clear instrument:
Clear instrument data including instrument name.

Octave:
Because		the	RKS is	used here	(see section		$15) the		output octave	can		be set		here. Or	use the	F-keys as	mentioned at section $15.

Keyboard:
Set input keyboard for RKS (see $15)

Performance:
Set output_chips for RKS (see $15)

Load instrument/library:
This will warp you to the DIR_Window (see section $17).
Either a		single user_instrument	or all user_instruments (lib) can	be loaded/saved.	See section	$18 for filetypes! The Load funtion can be accessed with [F5] at all times.
The Dir	opening filetype	(instr. or	lib) depends on the last instrument filetype that was loaded or saved

We've already included the following LIBs on disk: o "Wolf.FML"	64(!) instruments by Wolf.
o "Wolf2.FML"	Whoohaa! More funky shit from wolf
o "Kid_Cnoz.FML"	Some instruments made by Hans Cnossen.
o "Basic.FML"	The instruments used by OPL_Basic.
o "Saurus.FML"	Instr. from Synth_Saurus (same as Basic!)
o "FST2-a.FML"	Part 1 of the instrument from FST.
o "FST2-b.FML"	Part 2 of the instrument from FST.
o "FST2-c.FML"	Part 3 of the instrument from FST.
o "FST2-d.FML"	Part 4 of the instrument from FST.
o "SokSoft.FML"	Instruments of KousTracker.
o "MBFM.FML"	New FM instruments from MoonBlaster FM.

Save instrument/library:
See	above	(load).	The	Save	funtion	can	be	accessed with [F5]_shifted at all times.

X-it:
Quit	this editor. Will also execute the "Update list" function if this is set On (see section $8.4.2.2)

used keys:
[F1] / +shift Increase/Decrease RKS_octave. [F2]	Change RKS_performance.
[F3]	Copy instrument.
[F4]	Options.
[F5] / +shift Load/Save instrument/lib. [+]	Lib instr. one up
[-]	Lib instr. one down

$12 Standard plus user instruments editor
=========================================

At	this editor you'll be	able to	create Standard_Plus FM voices. This is a new type of instrument aspecially made for MSX Music!
Because		MSX	Music		is		not	capable	of replaying		more than	one Original	instrument	at	the	time, Fuzzy		Logic came	up with an alternative		instrument!	With this	instrument you'll	be able	to create new			(never been heard before) sounds. Check out the library we've already included and be stunned!
All credits and ideas by: WOLF!

$12.1 How does it work?

Well the	trick is	to send Standard instruments quickly after each other	to the	MSX Music	registers. By adjusting the time between instrument change,	the envelopes	will be altered. Just experiment with it to get that feeling!
Because of		the use of Standard instruments, the MSX Audio will not support	this	kind	of	instrument	(but then	again MSX	Audio is capable of 9 different original voices at the time!).

At the top of the editor you'll find the following topics:

Select instr. Copy instr. Octave   Load instr./lib. Edit instr.   Clear    Keyboard    Save instr./lib. Name instr.	Exit

Select instrument:
A cursor will appear on the User_Instrument_list. With cursors you can select an instrument. [HOME] will warp you to the top of the list. The Easy String Search is supported here (see section $16).

Edit:
Here you can actually alter the voice data.
Press space at this editor to select one of the standard instruments and put them on the current position (1 out of 4). With cursors left and right the delay can be altered (0=END).

Name instrument:
Here a	voice can	be given		a (new)	name. The	names of	user instruments		will be		saved with the instrument data. In a song the names	will only	be saved	if "Info_file	link" is set ON! (see $8.4.2.3, options)

Copy instrument:
Will show all standard_plus instruments to select one to copy to user_instrument. This option can also be accessed with [F3] at all time.

Clear instrument:
Clear data and name of current instrument.

Octave:
Because		the	RKS is	used here	(see section		$15) the		output octave	can		be set		here. Or	use the	F-keys as	mentioned at section $15).

Keyboard:
Set input keyboard for RKS (see $15)

Load instrument/library:
This will warp you to the DIRwindow (see $17).
Either a	single user_instrument	or all user_instruments (lib) can be loaded/saved. See $18 for filetypes!

Save instrument/library: See above (load).

X-it:
Quit this editor.

used keys:
[F1] / +shift Increase/Decrease RKS_octave. [F3]	Copy instrument.
[F4]	Options.
[F5] / +shift Load/Save instrument/lib. [+]	Lib instr. one up
[-]	Lib instr. one down

$13 FM user drumkit editor
==========================

In this editor you'll be able to create your own FM_drums. A drumsound is made out of Frequency and (relative) Volume. FM_drums are a bit strange to me, it's a mess how they're build up. But who am I to discuss with Yamaha about this issue.
Experiment	with the	drums to		understand it!	But ofcourse		we've already included	some drums	which are good enough	to use	(Wolf made'em!)

At the top of the editor you'll find the following topics:

Select kit
Copy
xx
Load kit/lib.
Edit
Clear
Keyboard
Save kit/lib.
Name

Performance
Exit

Select drumkit:
A cursor will appear on the User_Drumkit_list. With cursors keys you can select a drumkit. [HOME] will warp you to the top of the list. The Easy String Search is supported here (see section $16).

Edit drumkit:
This is the actual editor. Frequency and volumes can be set here with [CTRL]+cursors.

Name drumkit:
Here	a	kit	can	be given	a (new)	name. The	names of	user drumkits will		be saved	with the	FM data. In a song the names will	only be saved if "Info_file link" is set ON! (see section
$8.4.2.3, options)

Copy drumkit:
Will show all drumkits (Program and User kits) to select one to copy to the current user_kit. This option can also be accessed with [F3] at anytime.

Clear drumkit:
Clear data and name of current kit.

Keyboard:
Set input keyboard for RKS (see $15)

Performance:
Set output_chips for RKS (see $15)

Load drumkit/library:
This will warp you to the DIR_Window (see section $17).
Either a single user_drumkit or all user_drumkits (lib) can be loaded/saved. See section $18 for filetypes! The Load function can be accessed with [F5] at all times.
The Dir opening filetype  (kit or  lib) depends  on the  last drumkit filetype that was loaded or saved.

Save kit/lib:
See	above	(load).	The	Save	funtion	can	be	accessed with [F5]_shifted at all times.

X-it:
Quit	this editor. Will also execute the "Update list" function if this is set On (see section $8.4.2.2)

used keys:
[F2]	Change RKS_performance.
[F3]	Copy.
[F4]	Options. [F5] / +shift Load/Save.
[+]	Lib instr. one up
[-]	Lib instr. one down

$14 Sampler
===========

The ADPCM sampler that's build in Oracle is only to record samples no edit functions are applied!! Just find yourself a good sample_EDITOR to fix samples (must have ADPCM-PCM-ADPCM conversions, SME from Xelasoft has this I believe...)

In this version samples must be set in memory by the user itselves. This means sample start addresses have to set.
Each sample's got a start, length and loop address. The tuning is to adjust samples for the right frequency to replay.

Topics:

Select sample         Record sample	Load sample/kit Set attributes      Sample control       Save sample/kit Name	Treshold	Load Raw sample
Octave	Record Frequancy Clear
Keyboard	Speaker	Exit

Select sample:
A cursor		will appear on the sample_list. With cursors keys you can	select a	Sample. [HOME]	will warp	you to the top of the list. The		Easy String	Search is	supported here	(see section
$16).

Set attributes:
Here	you can		alter the attributes (addresses, tuning) of each sample. Use	cursors left/right	for attrib		select and up/down for		sample	select.	Space/Return	to	set,	CTRL+cursors to smooth_adjust, BackSpace to clear attrib.

Name sampe:
Sample name input. Names will always (!) be saved together with attribs in sample(kit).

Keyboard:
See section #15, RKS.

Record sample:
With	this	you	can	actually	record	a		sample!		The	sample frequency	has		to		be	set		first		(default	16kHz).	If Sample_Control is		AUTOMATIC recording will be engaged when the Treshold is passed. If Sample_Control is MANUAL, recording will start when a key has been pressed.
During	the recording	of a	sample ESCape	can be used to quit recording.

Sample Control:
When a sample has to be recorded is can be done AUTOMATICALY or MANUALY.	If	AUTO, then	the	sample	will be	recorded AFTER treshold	has		been passed.		With MANUAL	recording will	start after the		user has pressed a key (ESC will abort it). See also above (Record sample).

Treshold:
This contains the amount of volume that has to be passed when a sample must	be recorded	(if AUTO	record!). Adjust	this with cursor keys!

Record frequency:
This	is the actual frequency that's being used while recording a sample.	The value	is shown	in HEXadecimals!!	So 16kHz	is presented as #10kHz !!!

Speaker On/Of:
Togle	the output	speaker. If	ON, sound that is incoming will also be send to the ouput speaker of your Monitor/Ampli.

Load sample/sample kit:
This will warp you to the DIR_Window (see section $17).
Either	a	single		sample	or	all	samples	(kit)	can	be loaded/saved. See	section $18 for filetypes! The Load function
can be accessed with [F5] at all times.
The	Dir	opening	filetype (kit	or lib)	depends on	the last sample filetype that was loaded or saved.

Save sample/kit:
See above, "Load sample/kit".

Load RAW sample:
Here	you can	load raw ADPCM samples (samples without headers, none	Oracle	formats).	For	example	to	load	a	raw	MBS (MoonBlaster_Sample) file.

Clear:
Will	pop_up a	window to select if you wanna clear all or just one sample.

Exit:
Quit sampler.


used keys:
[F1] / +shift Octave up/down [F2]	xxx
[F2]+shift		Toggle keyboard [F3]	Copy sample
[F3]+shift		Set first available address on startadr. [F4]	Options
[F4] + shift	Help
[F5] / +shift Load / Save
[+]	One sample up
[-]	One sample down

$15 Realtime Keyboard System
============================

Oracle supports the keyboard as it was a true (musical) keyboard. In other words; the MSX keyboard will be set up in two octaves which contains the neccesary notes (12 notes in each octave). The keyboard than looks like:

("2")->
C#4 D#4
F#4 G#4 A#4
C#5 D#5
F#5 G#5
("Q")->
C4	D4	E4
F4	G4	A4	B4
C5	D5	E5
F5	G5

("S")->		C#5 D#5		F#5 G$5 A#5		C#6 D#6		F#6 ("Z")->	C5	D5	E5	F5		G5	A5	B5	C6		D6	E6	F6

(Octave: 4/5)

The RKS	(Realtime Keyboard System) will only work when CAPSlock is ON!.	This becauze you can replay a song and meanwhile goto several editors without loosing the	right instruments	at the song that's replaying.		The moment	you switch RKS On, the instrument data will
be set,	so the	song will be messed up. And alos the ESS (see $16) can	be active	at the		same time. That's why we've choosen for the
CAPS on/off principle.

If	RKS	is	used,	the	following	key	can	be used	in order to manipulate the keyboard output:

F1	Octave up
F1 shifted	Octave down
F2	Performance / Output chips F2 shifted	Keyboard type

Octave:
The octave will inform which 2 basic octaves are used. The upper part of the keyboard will handle the first shown octave, while the lower part will handel the second shown octave.
For example:

Octave: 4/5

Upper part is octave 4 (and a part of the 5th) Lower part is octave 5 (and a part of the 6th)

Performance:
This contains the chips that are used for output: For example:
Performance: ..AM

Will send output data to MSX Music and MSX Audio.

Keyboard type:
This	function is	not yet implemented. But it has something to do with the input keyboards (MSX, MIDI or MSX Audio).
But	since	no-one	ever	uses	other	keyboards than	MSX, I'm thinking of removing this part at all.

The RKS can be used at the following parts: o Original instrument editor
o Standard plus editor
o FM drum editor
o Sampler
o Instruments/Drums list
o Channel routing

$16 Easy String Search
======================

With Oracle,	Fuzzy Logic	introduces the	ESS (Easy String Search) which	is an	unique search	system for strings like	Instrument-, file- or topic names!

How does this work? Well to be short; just type in the name of a string you're searching for and the cursor will automaticaly go to the first matching name in alphabetic order to be found. This can best be explained with an example:

For instance if you're looking for a filename called "Myfile.ORC" when you're at the Dirwindow, just type in:

"M", and	the cursor	will go to the first filename that starts with the letter "M".
If this is not the correct file, just type in the next letter: "y", and if you're lucky you've got the right filename already!

ESS will always use LOWER_cased characters!
Mostly	the		wildcard	option	is	also available	. Only	the "?" wildcard can be used. This is done because name/strings with spaces in	it can	not be	searched (space=activate remember!), therefor a question mark ("?") can be used instead.
For	example if you search for "String violin 1", the search_string would look like: "string?violin?1".

Using the BackSpace allows you to delete the last character of the string.

ESS can be used at:

o The Dirwindow (file search)
o Instrument/Drum/Sample editors (instrument search/copy)
o Help/Info (Topic search)
o Instrument/Drum list

Note that the CAPSlock must be OFF, becoz of the Realtime Keyboard System which can also be in use at that time (except at the DirWindow).

$17 Dir Window
==============

The Dir Window used in Oracle is a standard used for every disk read and write modes. So, whenever a file is loaded/saved or a directory is set, this Dir Window will be opened.
At the top of the window you can reconize whether it's a Save, Load or Directory type.
The format looks like:

+------- acces mode	+
|path:	|
|file:	total:	|
|type:	free:	|
+ 	+
|	|
|	files	|
|	|
+ 	+
|search string:	|
+ 	+

acces mode:
Can be Load, Save or Directory.

path:
This is the current Drive/Path for this filetype. Use [F1] to enter manualy.

file:
The file that will be used to load or save Use [F2] to set.

type:
Here the current filetype is displayed (see #18) Use [F3] to alter.

total:
Total matching files found (in hex)

free:
Total diskspace left (in hex)

files:
Here are	all present	files/directories shown that matches the path's diskmask (e.g. *.ORC will show all track files)

search string:
This is the string used for the ESS (see $16). Type in any letter to add to this string (CAPSlock can either be On or Off!).

Used keys:
[F1]	Set Drive/Path/Dirmask [F2]	Set filename
[F3]	Select filetype (not always possible) [F4]	Dir options
[HOME] Top of files
[.]	One directory level back
[\]	Root directory

When a "No mathing files found" error occurs, use F1 to alter the Dirmask or use [F2] in case of saving files.

$18 File types
==============

Each Oracle_file has it's own filetype which is stored in the standard header that will is set previous of the file data (see the text file "Orc-Form.txt" for specified information).

Whenever	the	Dirwindow	is	opened,	the	right filetype	will be selected conserning	the file		you want to load	or save. However, using	the [F3] key will allow the user to select a filetype other than the current one.
Note	that	all editors	will	remember	the	last	used	filetype regarding to the editors.
For example if you're loading/saving a track that's of the type "Module", the next time you open the Track_Dir_window it'l open with the "Module" file_type items.

The filetypes used in Oracle: Nr.	Description
 	+	 00 Song (Edit or User)
01 Module (Always User) 02 Info (instr.names) 03 FM Instrument (2OP)
04 FM Instr.library (2OP) 05 FM Instrument (4OP)
06 FM Instr.library (4OP) 07 FM Plus_Instrument
08 FM Plus_Instr. library 09 FM Drum_Kit
0A FM Drum_Kit library 0B ADPCM sample
0C ADPCM Sample_Kit 0D AMP_Envelope
0E PCM sample (raw) 0F Tone
10 Wave / Patch
11 Block
12 Preferences
13 Character set [*1]
14 Raw ADPCM sample [*1]
15 Text files (HELP) [*1]

[*1] Not a standard Oracle file.

Names of instruments can be saved seperately of the track file with the INFO	files. This		is done	for tracks	that are being released without		instrument	names	(Info File	link=OFF). So	the composer still	has acces	to the	instruments used	for the track using the INFO files!

$19 Program instruments
=======================
In Oracle already 3 different instrument libraries are build in: o Original instruments
o Standard plus instruments and
o FM drums kits

The progam libraries contain enough  entries  for  your tracks. However it is (ofcourse!) possible to create your own ditties.
These instruments (user instruments) are attached to the program libs. That means when selecting a library the first entries will be the standard program instruments and the last part are for user perpose. See next sections for detailed info.
So, when selecting or copying an instrument goto the bottem of the lib to select user instruments!


$19.1 Original instrument lib
=============================

The	instruments	stored	here	are the	same	as	those	in Moonblaster_v1.4 (Music/Audio		version). Because	these are	mostly used and reconised instruments we decided to include them in Oracle
as	well!	Almost	all	instrument	data are	designed by	Moonsoft (let'em have some credits too...)
There are	176 program	instruments and room for	another 64	user instruments:

Instruments #00-#AF are program instruments Instruments #B0-#EF are user instruments


$19.2 Standard_plus instrument lib
==================================

A lot of instruments are stored here made by: Shadow and Wolf. The entries at this librarie are stored in alphabetic order.
There	are 64	program instruments	and room for another 64 for the user instruments:

Instruments #00-#3F are program instruments Instruments #40-#7F are user instruments


$19.3 FM drumkit lib
====================

We included a few FM drums already which are most used by WOLF, so I think these are good enough! Note that we also added drums for AUDIO; These are adjusted copies of the MUSIC drums.
At this lib there are 16 program kits and room for another 16 for user kits:

Instruments #00-#0F are program drumkits Instruments #10-#1F are user drumkits

$20 Appendix A: Pattern editor keys and short cuts
==================================================

Normal Unshifted

> Channel dependant
Key	Note channel	Drum channel
 	+ 	+ 	
A
Note
"A"
x
B
Note
"B"
Bass
C
Note
"C"
Cymbal
D
Note
"D"
x
E
Note
"E"
x
F
Note
"F"
x
G
Note
"G"
x
H	Wah-Wah (FM)		Hi-Hat I	Instrument	Instrument J	Key Velocity		x
K	Kill all local FX Kill all local FX L	Note Link	x
M Vibration	x
N Tremolo	x
O Key OFF	x P	Pitch-bend/slide x
Q	Global transpose Global Transpose R	Retrig	Retrig
S	Global Speed		Snare T	Tune	Tom
U	Sustain (OFF, release) x V	Volume / -Slide	Volume
W	Global speed (as "S")		Global Speed X	Brightness / -Slide	x
Y Timer Byte	Timer Byte
Z Pattern Break	Pattern Break
0	Clear FX	Clear FX
1-8	Arpegio	Write Item Macro
.	Reset channel	Reset channel
+	Half note up (cur.step) x
- Half note down	,,	,,	x

> Channel undependant Key	Description
 	+		 Cursors		Move through pattern
BS	Clear item (read note/drum, prim.collumn of step) Del	Delete one step (move rest of channel backwards) Ins	Insert one step (move rest of channel forewards) Return	Write last item
Home Goto Top channel / first channel
Select	Toggle video frequency (50Hz/60Hz)
Stop Stop playing. If view, Edit cursor at last played pattern F1	Play song from current position (view on)
F2	Goto Original_User_Instrument editor F3	Goto FM_User_Drum_editor
F4	Goto instrument_list F5	Open file

Normal Shifted

Cursors	Change songlength Return	Reset songlength
Space	Set songlength at current position

BS	Clear whole channel (Item & FX) A	Toggle MSX Audio at channel
M	Toggle MSX Music at channel
S Toggle ADPCM sample at (note)channel P	Toggle PSG at (note)channel
T Toggle channel type (note -> drum -> note) C	Copy channel(s)
G	Goto channel
+	Whole channel half note up
- Whole channel half note down
Home Goto top of channel / first channel
Del	Delete one row (move rest of rows backwards) Ins	Insert one row (move rest of rows forewards)

Select	Toggle 50 Hz equal_playing.
Stop Stop playing. Edit cursor always at last played pattern F1	Play song from current position (view OFF)
F2	Goto Standard-Plus_User_Instrument editor F3	Goto sampler
F4	Goto channel_routing F5	(Quick) save file

CTRL

Cursors	Change pattern BS	Clear whole pattern
Space	Set current pattern at current position HOME Goto pattern 0
C	Copy pattern(s) G	Goto pattern
P	Toggle polyphone Q	Set quant
S	Togle track_Scanning M	Togle Multidrum
1-8 Get Drum_item Macro

F1	Play current pattern (View ON) F3	Chip setting
F4	Amplifier
F5	New

                           Tab Cursors	Change position
Space	Set current pattern at current position Return	Make position_pattern equal to position

Del Delete one position (move rest backwards) Ins Insert one position (move rest forewards) Home Goto position 0
C	Copy position(s) G	Goto position
F1	Play current position (view on) F4	Goto position editor

Graph

Cursors	Change restart BS	Restart OFF
Return	Reset restart (position 00) Space	Set restart at current position

F	File menu
P	Play menu
T	Track menu
E	Edit menu
B	Block menu
I	Instruments menu O	Options menu
H	Help menu

+	Octave up (current step!)
- Octave down ,,	,,

                      Code (block) Cursors	Move block
BS	Clear contents
Return	Move block to cursor Space	Mark channel with block
Del	Delete one step, and move rest up (in block!) Ins	Clear one step, and move rest down (in block!)
+	Half notes up (in block!)
- Half notes down (in block!) B	Set start marker
E	Set end marker
H	(Un)Hide
C	Copy normal
T	Copy transparant
L	Link notes (in block!)
I	Change instruments (in block!) S	Shrink (x 1/2)
U Stretch_out / expand (x 2) G	Goto block
O	Load
V Save

Code & Graph

+	Whole block octave up
- Whole block octave down

Space (short cuts)

BS	Clear whole step (item & FX!) Space	Adjust FX value (if present)

A Amplifier
B Booting options C	Chips
D	Dir window options E	Editor options
F	File options G
H Last opened Helpfile I
J K L
M	Toggle Monitor N
O
P	Printer options Q	Quit
R
S	Screen settings T	Track settings U
V W
X	X-it (quit) Y
Z
1-9 Total channels to display

Appendix B: Effects
===================

Note_Link ("l")

This effect will only set the corresponding frequency of a NOTE that's been given in the primairy collumn of a step without key change!

Key OFF ("o")

A note will only be performed if the KEY of this note is set ON. (see Note/Note_link).
When ever a note is done, it can be killed with the "OFF" instruction (see also SUSTAIN)

Sustained key OFF ("u")

When		ever a	note is	done, it	can be	killed with either the instruction "OFF"	or "SUS". When SUStain is used, the KEY will be	set OFF		and the		Sustain of the instrument will handle the fade_out of the note (also see KEY_ON/OFF)
Note that this effect will only work on MSX Music channels!

Vibration ("m")

This	is a	FREQUENCY MODULATION	effect, which is given in the primairy (read:note) collumn and printed as "VIB".

Tremolo ("n")

This is	a AMPLITUDE	(read:volume) MODULATION effect, which is given in the primairy collumn and printed as "TRM".

Make sure the volume (V) is somewhere between #03 and #3B !

Wah_wah ("h")

This	is a FILTER (read: brighness) MODULATION effect, which is given in the primairy collumn and printed as "WAH".

Make sure the brightness (X) is somewhere between #05 and #39 !

Arpeggio ("1"-"8")

This effect will act like an one_channel chord.
It	rapidly	chanches	the	frequency	of	the	channel without keying.
The	max. 2	additional (half)notes are based	on the original note.

example: C_4
47
Plays the following 3 notes:
 	
00
C4 / E4 / G4	^
C_4
44
Plays the following 2 notes:
 	
00
C4 / E4	^

Volume ("v")

With this effect it is possible to alter the Amplitude of a channel from #00 to #3F.

Any Volume effect (see Tremolo  and slides)  will be based on this value.
The volume will always be the same for this channel untill another volume command is set. An instrument change does not affect the current volume of a channel!

Volume slide ("v")

With this effect must be used to make a fast (de-)cresendo. The slide will be based on the current VOLUME (see Volume).

The	value is	signed, so it can be either Positive or Negative with a range from:
-#F	to	+/-#0	to	+#F.

Velocity ("j")

Key	velocity is	simulated with	this effect!	A random volume will be subtracted from the original volume to create velocity.

The depth of the random value can be set between: #0	to	#F
Where #0 will do no velocity at all!

Instrument ("i")

Represents the voice/colour of a note.

Various	instruments	are	available	in Oracle	(see sections
$11,	$12,	#13	and	$14 for	more detailed	information about different instruments).

Instruments must be selected in the "Instrument List" before it can be used.
This function	will NOT	set a	new volume! But the Brightness will be updated from the instrument voice data.

Tuning ("t")

This command will adjust the Note_frequencies of a channel. The value is signed, so it can be either Positive or Negative with a range from:
-#F	to	+/-#0	to	+#F.

Pitch bend ("p")

Pitch_bending	is	another word	for Frequency_sliding.	Once a note is given (key must be On!), a pitch_bend can be performed.

The value	is signed,	so it can be either Positive or Negative with a range from:
-#F to +/-#0 to +#F.

Filter/brightness ("x")

Controls	the	sound/voice	of	a	FM_instrument. It	regulates sertain hi_frequencies which can sound very 'agresive'.

Therefore	a	FILTER	(read:	Brightness,	also	known	as	the
X-effect)	command	is	needed to	make instruments	sound more 'softly'.	Just experiment with it, to understand it's perpose.
The max. X-value is set at #3F.

This function will only work with Original instruments!
An (org)instrument change updates the brightness of a channel.

Brighntess slide ("x")

With	this	effect it	is possible	to make a fast	brightness slide.

The	slide	will	be	based on	the	current	BRIGHTNESS	(see FILTER/BRIGHTNESS).
The value is signed, so it can be either Positive or Negative with a range from:
-#F  to  +/-#0  to +#F.

Tempo/speed ("s", if note. "l", if drum!)

This function regulates the current Tempo of a replayed song. It is Global, so all channels will respont on this.

The max. value is set at #1F.

Transpose ("q")

With this command it is possible to adjust all notes (global). It will add/Sub the (half)notes to each note.

It is a global function, so all channels will respont on it. Note that the transpose will be activated at the NEXT ROW to be played!
The value is signed, so it can be either Positive or Negative with a range from:
-#F to +/-#0 to +#F.

Retrig ("r")

With	this	function	a	Note	can	be retriged	(see: Note	or KEY_ON/OFF)

The value given at the secondairy collumn represents the speed (Vertical Blanks) between the Keying.
The value is set at max. #F

Timer byte ("y")

When this function is executed, the application can read it's contents to respond on the playing song.

For example when a program needs to be timed on a certain part of the music, it can simply read the TIMER_BYTE untill it's set for the right value.
The value is set at max. #F


Pattern break ("z")

Will cut	the current	playing pattern, and goes on to the next position/pattern.

It is	needed to	play other	timings than just straight 4/4 if the pattern format is of 4/4 counting.



Reset channel (".")

With	this functin the original data (set at "Channel Routing") will be set at the current channel.

This comes	in handy when a piece of music has to be restarted. Just	give each	channel the	Reset command at the	secundairy collumn, and	the Instrument/Volume and Tuning will be restored
as given in the Channel Routing.

Kill effect ("k")

The	Kill command	will cut ALL effects playing at the current channel.

$21 Next up: Some tips 'n hints from Wolf
=========================================

First	of all,	I'm not	gonna explain	Oracle, I'm	gonna give you short rules to remember, concerning composing and arranging.
Here are a few (?) points:

* Think of real music: don't do chords with saxophones.

* FM doesn't give you a piano sound. If you wanna make some real piano concert.. then DON'T do it.. make tunes with in- struments that fit in FM synthesis.

* Think of instruments: if you play flute you'll HAVE to breath sometimes.. so give these kinda instruments some rest, some moments..

* Think of drums: men have 2 hands (remember: these people get a limit when they've active firework innit..) and 2 feet (Don't swim near Australia, mr JAWS likes them too!) so that freak who uses a crash, a snare, a tom and an open hihat at the same time is a true miracle! (believe me I (shadow) know!)

* Think of balance: Don't give your lead an overruling volume level.. your arrangements need air too..

* Think of balance 2: Don't make your bas blow up your hifi set.. many people double their basline with a (de-)tune.. well..
I don't want you to change your life completely, but I never did that bas crap and my hifi set is still alive, my ears too by the way.. (Do it your way, but do it with care. It's WRONG to think that a basline, 'just' doubled, sounds better.. it mostly sounds worse!)

* Think of structure: Don't use A=RND(1):PLAY STR$(A) to build your lead and structure. THINK before you do. (See some Read Only Magazine issue about structures (I can't remember the number.. funny isn't it??) :)

A little example about structures:

the song	'we all	stand together'	with that	animated clip	(with those animals.. those huge frogs) by a guy called Paul(!):

It's like: (3/4)
#1 Bom ... Bom	Bom ... ...
#2 Bom ... Bom	Bom ... ...
#3 Bom Bom Bom	Bom Bom Bom #4 Bom Bom Bom	Bom ... ...

#1 and #2 are questions, #3 and #4 are answers. #4 is almost equal to #1 and #2, so you could say that #1, #2 and #4 are the main way while #3 is some way out.. on the other hand: #1 AND #2 could be one phrase,  #3 AND  #4 too..  ..very obvious  as #4  is a suitable
closing to #3. Now I'm only speaking of 4 phrases.. this song as actually 8 phrases.. so #1..#4 could be the questions where #5 #8
are the answers..

This is a structure.. a brilliant one, I must say..

* Tune your samples.. nothing is as worse as untuned samples. with previous editors you had a limit.. with Oracle there's no excuse anymore..

* Only release a tune if everyone in your house likes it (ask them to be objective.. your family likes everything you do 'cause you're their little muppet they care for.. they like everything you do... even if it sounds like frogbarf. :)

* Think of spaceness.. take care of echo's. They'll make the difference between flat boring stuff and deep space sounds.. Set your echo volumes with care (logaritmic), not the way Jarre did on Oxygene 8!!

* Don't let your arrangement overrule your lead..

* Don't cut samples (tuned stuff like orchestra hits, basses and huge reverbed stuff) 'cause on your next step you want a hihat or somthing... Then better don't use that sample.

* Take your time! better a musicdisk with one good song than a musicdisk with over 40 crap songs. 'cause people listen to good tracks, not to crap tracks.

* FM doesn't suck! trying to imitate acoustic instruments with FM does!

* The synthesiser is a neverending era. Don't be lame like millions of people do currently with the biggest synths and explore your soundchip carefully.

* Edit your own voices carefully! Edit them even more if your song needs it!

* Make a structure in your editor (again: with Oracle there's no excuse anymore).

* In the land where fouls own big sound sets, the real compo- ser who owns a PSG is their leader! (konami/usas)

* 'sound' is more than only some element of music.

* Peopple get populair by setting a 'sound', think of ABBA.

* Don't RIP. Use your own style, the style of another won't work when YOU use it!

* Making all instruments and samples by yourself feels better!

* What'ver you do, DON'T BUY A MACINTOSH!!! (not because of the software, but because of the OS and the 'thing' itself)

* When eating at the MAC, bring scissors to open that %@#DW^%@ ketchup.

* When there's a huge pile of wishes for new versions of Oracle, just give Shadow some beer! (not too much! If he gets drunk, he might want to make a new developement first, which takes another year to code..;)

* If you also make a new tracker.. don't make the manual too long :-)

..which is a good rule to end with..

Next	I've included	a list	which describes the file "Wolf2.FML" a bit.

Good luck.. signed, Wolf

"Wolf2.FML"

Basses:

SYNBAS1	SynthBas #1
SYNBAS2	SynthBas #2
BASS1	Bass #1
BASS2	Bass #2
leads:

LD1	Lead #1
LD1_HPF	Lead #1 HPF
SBELL1	Soft Bell #1
SBELL2	Soft Bell #2
VHORN	Vangelis Horn
Orchestral/Normal: CLARI1	Clarinet #1
CLARI2	Clarinet #2
OBOE	Oboe
TUBBELL		Tubular Bell VIBRAPHO	Vibraphone SPINET1		Harpsicord #1
SPINET2	Harpsicord #2
SYNSTR1		Stringz #1 SYNSTR1b	Stringz #1 BPF SAX1	Sax #1
SAX2	Sax #2
HARMON		Harmonica HARP	Harp
Synthesizers:

PSG1	Raw PSG PSG2	PSG Lead #1 PSG3	PSG Lead #2
SHORT1	Short PSG
SHORT2	Short SAW
SHORT3	Short SAW HPF
SHORT4	Short Pulse #1
SHORT5		Short Pulse #2 DEEPSYNT	Deep "Wow"
Percussion:

808TOM	TR-808 TOM
SD	Snare
BD1	Basdrum #1
BD2	Basdrum #2
BD3	Basdrum #3
HH	HiHat



* End of Document*
_
