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FamiTracker v0.4.0
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 8:06 am
by B00daW
On the
downloads page version 0.4.0 has silently been released.
Release notes (v0.4.0)
----------------------
* The speed/tempo split-point has changed to 32 (as opposed to 21 in earlier versions)
to give access to a larger range of speed values, which are more useful than the tempo
control. Old files should have this point set to 21 automatically, but it's possible
to switch with the command Ctrl+Shift+S.
* Files created or saved in this version is not possible to open in earlier versions of
famitracker. Make sure to backup your files if you need to use older versions!
Changelog (v0.4.0)
------------------
New stuff:
- Added fixed and relative arpeggio modes
- Added DPCM bank switching
- Added Namco expansion sound
- Added pattern expand/shrink options
- Added pattern & instrument deep clone commands (by coda)
- Added assembly source export option
- Added some NSF export optimizations
- Added indication of unsaved files
- Added support for 24bit and 32bit samples to the DPCM importer
- Added better PCM to DPCM resampler (by Jarhmander)
- Added an option to toggle between old & new speed/tempo split-point
- Moved the home/end key behaviour to the impulse tracker mode
- Removed PAL option when using expansion chips
- Increased auto-scroll speed
- BPM calculation depends on the row highlight settings
- Added rainwarrior's new VRC7 patches
Fixed bugs:
- Fixed the file creation date being overwritten when saving files
- Fixed VRC6 sawtooth pitch bug
- Fixed VRC6 instrument switch bug
- Fixed FDS modulation bug (by rainwarrior)
- Fixed FDS fine pitch setting in the tracker
- Fixed FDS instrument release behaviour
- Fixed export problem that occured when trying to play unassigned samples
- Fixed VRC7 custom instrument bug in exported NSFs
- Fixed a tremolo (7xx) bug in exported NSFs
- Fixed volume problem when using the note halt command on VRC6 and MMC5
Edit: And now on the front page.
Re: FamiTracker v0.4.0
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 10:40 am
by jrlepage
Also, there's some pretty nifty new demo material in there. :D
Re: FamiTracker v0.4.0
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 11:21 am
by Bregalad
I just spent an hour trying to insert notes in tracks in FamiTracker. I tried everything really, no matter what I did FT refused to add anything in the tracks. I was able to create instruments though.
Now I just remember why I hate trackers and I'm better off typing values in hex. Seriously.
Re: FamiTracker v0.4.0
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 11:36 am
by rainwarrior
That sounds like you weren't in edit mode, maybe? To enter edit mode you can either click the red "record" button, or press the space bar. The current row highlight will change from blue to red.
Re: FamiTracker v0.4.0
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 11:37 am
by Bregalad
Oh thank you so much ! It works ! I'm relived.
Re: FamiTracker v0.4.0
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 12:57 pm
by Shiru
Switching Rec/Jam mode by pressing the Space button was kind of a standart for the last 15 years, actually.
Re: FamiTracker v0.4.0
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 1:19 pm
by Bregalad
Again, I'm not and never was into trackers. I don't get fun from them. They are very limited and you have to use the keyboard for everything, which got annoying very quickly.
I liked MCK/PPMCK pretty much however, it's a shame the sound driver is so old/obsolete/inefficient.
Re: FamiTracker v0.4.0
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 1:47 pm
by Shiru
I get the idea that you hate trackers for a personal reason. However, your arguments about limitations and using keyboard aren't correct. The first is obvious and proved by many thousands of incredible songs out there, the second - MIDI input support in trackers exists as long as the Space bar thing, and is very widespread, but in fact it is way less comfortable than just using the PC keyboard.
Re: FamiTracker v0.4.0
Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 1:57 am
by Bregalad
Ok, the words 'hate' and 'limited' were poorly choose.
What I really meant is that I tried many times to do something with trackers (not restricted famitracker) and that I always gave up after a few hours because I was getting nowhere, and could not do what I wanted. It's hard to describe but when I want to transcribe a melody in those lines, I feel like a disabled person which has huge trouble doing something that is in appearance extremely simple.
Maybe someday I'll eventually get into trackers, but so far all my attempts have failed.
As for limited : It's true it's not huge limitations, but :
- All tracks have to have the same tempo
- All tracks have to loop synchronously
- Triplets are apparently possible, but extremely tedious to make
- Only one effect at a time, and they hardly ever sound like I'd have liked to
- My keyboard has 'Z' and 'Y' swapped in comparison with English keyboards (we German keyboards in Switzerland) which makes using keys for tracking even more difficult. Thank god we don't use French keyboards which have almost all keys placed completely elsewhere.
Re: FamiTracker v0.4.0
Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 2:28 am
by Shiru
There are many people who don't like or don't get trackers, that's perfectly normal. You don't have to like everything/something/etc and don't have to use it if there are alternatives that you like. For example, composers with classic musical training or education often has a lot of difficulties with trackers - the trackers are designed by programmers who happen to be hobbyist musicians, so this is different kind of abstraction.
As for limitations you are listed:
- There is no problem to make a tracker with different tempo per channel, it just wasn't popular (I'm sure there are trackers like that) because it wouldn't be any convinent.
- There are trackers that allow async loops, I can recall Raster Music Tracker off top of the head.
- Occasional triplets require extra work, but there are few ways to do that, so it isn't exactly 'extremely' tedious. Maybe just tedious. There are modern trackers without strict rows, more resembling a vertical piano roll interface (see
Aodix) - triplets aren't tedious there, but so far this approach didn't get popular.
- Modern trackers allow more than one effect per note, including FamiTracker.
- Modern trackers often has either fully customizeable keyboard layouts, or switchable national layouts at least. The problem with different key layouts on isn't actually a problem related to trackers only, you'll face it in any modern DAW, for example.
Re: FamiTracker v0.4.0
Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 5:38 am
by tepples
Occasional triplets aren't hard if you use the "delay note" effect (
G02 and G04 in FamiTracker,
ED2 and ED4 in XM, or
SD2 and SD4 in S3M/IT). I can take a screenshot to help explain further if you want, but in general it'll look like this (ModPlug Tracker S3M pictured)
Code: Select all
A-5 -- --- ---
F#5 -- --- SD2
D-5 -- --- SD4
--- -- --- ---
G-5 -- --- ---
--- -- --- ---
--- -- --- ---
--- -- --- ---
Of course, if your whole piece is in
compound meter like the soundtrack of
Thwaite, you'll probably want to go to "speed" 8, 48-row patterns, and 12-row highlights.
My music engine is inspired by trackers in that it uses the "row" concept, but no pattern has a fixed length. Everything is an async loop, and the "conductor track" (counterpart to trackers' "order table") has row resolution for when to start a loop.
Re: FamiTracker v0.4.0
Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 6:36 am
by Bregalad
For example, composers with classic musical training or education often has a lot of difficulties with trackers - the trackers are designed by programmers who happen to be hobbyist musicians, so this is different kind of abstraction.
I think I probably fall in this category ? Although I'm still an hobbyist musician.
Re: FamiTracker v0.4.0
Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 9:29 am
by zzo38
Bregalad wrote:Again, I'm not and never was into trackers. I don't get fun from them. They are very limited and you have to use the keyboard for everything, which got annoying very quickly.
I liked MCK/PPMCK pretty much however, it's a shame the sound driver is so old/obsolete/inefficient.
I too prefer PPMCK, and have made various improvements to it. There are many things it does that tracker programs don't do easily. I also find MML to be easier and faster way to write music.
Re: FamiTracker v0.4.0
Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2012 12:33 am
by Hamtaro126
zzo38 wrote:Bregalad wrote:Again, I'm not and never was into trackers. I don't get fun from them. They are very limited and you have to use the keyboard for everything, which got annoying very quickly.
I liked MCK/PPMCK pretty much however, it's a shame the sound driver is so old/obsolete/inefficient.
I too prefer PPMCK, and have made various improvements to it. There are many things it does that tracker programs don't do easily. I also find MML to be easier and faster way to write music.
PPMCK is good for demos, but Sound Effects are lacking...
BTW Does ASM export need something? (FamiTone?)
Re: FamiTracker v0.4.0
Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2012 12:55 am
by Shiru
ASM export in FamiTracker exports music data only. You have to use FamiTracker player to play it, it is availalbe in the Downloads section on the website (NSF driver source). Compiles with CA65, does not support sound effects, so it is not quite useful for games 'as is' (but could be modified).
FamiTone is a different story. It is way less advanced than FamiTracker native player, but it is a bit smaller, a bit faster (good for games) and provides sound effects support. You have to use a special export plugin to get its data from FamiTracker.