Short description of Pocket Instant Music

Welcome
=======

Hello music lover! 
Since you've downloaded this piece of software I guess you have some
interest in writing music on your Psion. It can be easier than you 
think! If you've tried other Instant Music Packages before, you'll
quickly feel familiar with this one. I wrote it in OPL which makes it
quite easy to understand (and improve), but unfortunately slow.

I release it as freeware with the hope that someone else might
improve it and perhaps rewrite some parts in C so that it gets
faster.

I can be reached on Jonasforssell@hotmail.com if you want to ask
something or are interested in updating (and finishing) the program.

Good Luck with your music writing!
/Jonas


Status
======

The current version is uncomplete in many areas. The status is as
follows:

> No load and save available but the buttons are prepared.
> No installation program available
> No menu system available
> Some bugs are still there (you'll find out which).

> The entire program is written in OPL, making is slow. Especially
when it comes to "making" songs out of the inividual samples.
> The program relies on a rigid directory setup, explained later

A suggested release version would be 0.5

Installation
============

Create the following directories on your Psion:

c:\Pocket
c:\sound\base
c:\sound\drum
c:\sound\effect
c:\sound\extra
c:\sound\guitar
c:\sound\import
c:\sound\loop
c:\sound\synth
c:\sound\voice

Put the OPL program in the Pocket directory and start it with your
OPL translator built in to the Psion 5.

All samples must be placed in respective directory. They will 
automatically be accessable from the Pocket screen.

Samples
=======

An instant music package uses samples (pieces of sounds, for example a 
beat of a drum) which are pieced together by the user, to create
songs. The effects can be quite good if the samples are of good
quality.

THE SAMPLES MUST BE OF 120 BPM!

Due to copyright issues I cannot include samples with this software.
However, samples can be found on the net and also bought.

I have used samples from the Total Ejay package included in issue 10
of the Computer Music Magazine, but there are many samples available 
to buy is you look around.

The samples must be converted before usage. Do like this:

1. Convert each sample to a .WAV file. I used the total Ejay
software to EXPORT each sample to a WAV file.

2. Convert the sample to MONO. This can be done with the "Sound Gadget"
software. It can be found on www.download.com

3. Now, just port the file to your Psion by dragging it to the right 
directory in the file manager. The Psion software will automatically
convert the wav file to a more compressed 8-bit format which makes
it readable for my program (and for the tape player built in to the
Psion).

When you start the Pocket Instant Music software, your sample should
appear on the screen when you press the right sound bank.

Make sure you give the sample a good name so that you recognize it in 
your song.


Functions
=========

Drag the samples onto track 1 to 8. It is like pasting pieces of tape
onto an 8-track tape.

The lower window shows the samples available. Just use the pen and "take"
a sample from there and then drag it up to the track where you "release"
it by lifting the pen from the screen.

If you want to hear a sample, drag it to the "Play" button and release it
there. The sound will be played immediately.

When the song is finished, press the "Make" button and wait for a long time.
The making of the song may take up to 20 minutes per screen. When the 
making is finished, you can play the song by pressing the Play button.

Remember to allow for one megabyte free space on the Psion because the
somg will take up some space when it is made.

The finished song is called "mix" and resides in the c:\sound directory.
The description of the song is called "song" and resides in the c:\Pocket

The Pocket program reads the song file and builds up the mix file by adding
up the samples in correct order.


Declaration
===========

Carefully read the following legal agreement. Use of the software provided
with this agreement (the "software") constitutes your acceptance of these 
terms. If you do not agree to the terms of this agreement, promptly remove the 
software together with all copies from your computer. User's use of this 
Software is conditioned upon compliance by user with the terms of this 
agreement.

I do not warrant that the software is error free. I disclaim all other 
warranties with respect to the software, either express or implied, including, 
but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a 
particular purpose and non-infringement of third party rights.

There is no liability for consequential damages. In no event shall I be 
liable to you for any consequential, special, incidental or 
indirect damages of any kind arising out of the delivery, performance or use 
of the software, even if I have been advised of the possibility of such 
damages. 








