UMP.DOC Documentation for the Universal Module Player v5.99 rev. d Copyright (C) 1996, 1997 Terry Chatman. All Rights Reserved. What exactly is UMP anyway? --------------------------- UMP stands for Universal Module Player, UMP is a program that plays music module files ( These can be found everywhere! ) on your computer through your sound card. ( I do hope you have one of those! :-P ) * This version features the Universal File Manager ! Press 'F' while playing modules or leave command line blank to see ! * This version now works under Windows 3.1 / 95 ! * Also, you can now manipulate the palette by pressing Function Key 1 ( F1 ) while playing modules! What module formats does UMP support? ------------------------------------- UMP supports S3Ms, MODs & NSTs ( all formats ), STMs, 669s, XMs and MTMs .. UMP will support MUCH more in the future! * MTMs are supported via the MTM2S3M.EXE file, which converts MTMs into S3Ms. How do I set UMP up? -------------------- After unzipping UMP, execute UMP.EXE and configure UMP. The configuration program will save the settings to UMP.CFG so UMP can access these settings when you execute it again. Should hardware settings change, delete UMP.CFG to reconfigure it. Note : When using a Sound Blaster Pro or compatible and the channels are reversed, for example, Left sounds come from the Right, and vice versa, enable the reversed stereo option in the configuration program. Using UMP --------- UMP will attempt to load the module specified on the command line, Examples : UMP speed.s3m or UMP chopper.mod or UMP templsun.xm You may now also leave the command line blank to bring up the Universal File Manager ! Wildcards can be used too! Like typing "UMP *.S3M" etc, even multiple file names like "UMP speed.s3m chopper.mod" & "UMP C:\ST3\S\ARMANI.S3M C:\2ND_PM.S3M" UMP also supports play lists. ( Standard text files with just module paths & file names in them. ) You build them with standard text file editors. UMP will read this file and scan each line for a module name. There should only be one file name or wildcard per line. Using play lists with UMP is simple, here is an example : UMP @coolmods. etc,. coolmods is a standard text file containing the following lines : C:\SWAG\BEST\A*.MOD C:\SWAG\BEST\2ND_PM.S3M C:\ST3\S\SONG3RM.S3M So UMP would play C:\SWAG\BEST\A*.MOD, then C:\SWAG\BEST\2ND_PM.S3M, then C:\ST3\S\SONG3RM.S3M, although a play list cannot be defined in a play list file, you can specify multiple play lists on the command line. You must be sure to put the @ in front of the play list file name so UMP will recognize that it is a play list. There are also command line parameters in this release that can be used also on the command line, as follows : -W : Disable music sync. Use this option should you be annoyed by the screen flashing when the "Music sync." command on modules. -E : Disable BPM tempos on Protracker modules. Use this option should you encounter tempo problems on older Protracker modules. -L : Inhibit looping. Usually when you play one module UMP loops it forever. But when you play multiple modules when one is over UMP jumps to the next or previous. Using this option UMP loops every song forever until you press the next or previous key. -B : Disable EMS usage. -G : Disable DMP-compatible 8-command panning in Protracker modules. Needed if the module uses the command 8 for other purposes, such as music synchronization in a demo. -O : Scramble playing order of modules. -A : Force amplification level. 64 is 100% (no amplification), 128 is 200%, etc,. I need to be kept busy. ----------------------- There are many keys and things to watch and push while listening to your modules! :-) While UMP is playing your module you get a constantly updated status screen, here you can see many things like the song name, what position the player is currently at in the module. You can also see channel specific information like the current instrument being played on a certain track, note being played, current volume, effect, and volume bars to show you the approx. sound volume of that track. Pressing H brings up a help screen listing some of these keys-to-do while in UMP in case you forget them. How did you mix the sounds? --------------------------- UMP uses software mixing to play up to 32 different digital sounds on one mono or two stereo channels of your sound card, but, when using a GUS however, UMP uses hardware mixing to play up to 32 different digital sounds on 32 stereo channels. I want to speak with the manager. --------------------------------- Problems/suggestions/questions? Contact me! Mail Address: Terry Chatman 1660 Gateway Dr. Vallejo, Ca 94589 USA Phone : (707) 552 - 1286 E-mail : void201@geocities.com WWW : http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Arcade/2007/index.html I need the newest version of UMP! --------------------------------- You can currently get the latest version of UMP via the web at http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Arcade/2007/index.html BBS : Currently looking for support sites, read more for info! :) Disclaimer ---------- UMP is Freeware. ---------------- 1. UMP should be used & distributed in an unmodifed form. 2. Should weird things start happening to your computer, the author of UMP will not be liable for any damages caused by using it. 3. Using a modified version you will also not get any kind of technical support if problems do occur. 4. Freeware also means you cannot charge any person anything for distributing UMP to them. Requirements for UMP -------------------- 80386 compatible processor VGA card and monitor Sound Blaster compatible digital audio sound card 256k of conventional memory Recommended setup for UMP ------------------------- 80486 compatible processor VGA card and monitor Sound Blaster 16 or Pro Audio Spectrum 16 or Gravis UltraSound compatible digital audio sound card ( ! nice quality ! ) 640k of conventional memory, plus, at least 1024k of expanded memory How was it made? ---------------- UMP was developed under Turbo Pascal 7.0 using Turbo Assembler 4.0 for the digital mixing, timing, and EMS managing routines. We need more support! --------------------- I am looking for FTP, BBS, WWW, etc,. sites that would be willing to become offical UMP support sites ... You are expected to post UMP up as a FREE no hassle download, this means the user shouldn't have to go through any long display screens, and/or logins etc,. Preferably UMP should be mentioned on your home page and/or welcome screen and downloadable from there. You are also expected to have the latest UMP releases within 7 days from release time, so via Internet you'd have to check your mail box at least once every 7 days & download the latest release should one become availible, should you have any problems retriving the software contact me and I will take action. Support sites will be mentioned in later versions. Closing words... ---------------- There is bound to be some bugs some where, but hey no one is perfect. Everything else should be as stable as it gets! Should you come across any bugs or serious problems do not hesitate to contact me. Happy module playing! * Watch out IT support is coming!