
   FIRETRACKER 0058 ALPHA TEST VERSION 07 MARCH 2003

   written by tetsuoii@powertech.no

   this program may be freely distributed for test purposes only, and such use
   must be reported back to the author. if you like this program, email me to
   join the beta test crew.

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   FIRETRACKER 0058 ALPHA TEST VERSION.
   http://home.no.net/tetsuoii/firetracker.html
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   Firetracker is a multitrack recorder which can record up to four stereo
   tracks simultaneously from any standard soundcard device.

   The problem with making good music on a computer is that it falls victim
   to some ugly artifacts, namely locked bpm(metronome) and sensehumania.

   If you listen to old Black Sabbath records or a good DJ performance, you
   may notice that the music continously changes speed and sync, at the hands
   of the performers. Most music programs disregard this fact, and only
   encourage you to record static and dull tunes. Firetracker is different,
   because it is designed with the performing musician in mind.

   Since it records RAW audio, you may load the individual tracks into any
   standard sample editor, for effects and editing. You can edit and change
   the sound even while playing! It's a very powerful productivity feature
   since you can try different effects without restarting.

   Firetracker does not attempt to lock its files, unlike most applications.
   It could malfunction when other programs steal file permissions.

   The way to achieve nirvana is by recording individual tracks over and over
   until they fit, with multiple layers of vocal. Unfortunately firetracker
   does *not* support mix recording, which will be introduced later!

   I have plans for many new features, provided I can make a living from the
   program. It has taken four months to get into alpha testing. Another two
   months will be required to make the full release version, with optional
   24bit 96000Hz quality, mix recording and many hot features...

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   Registration fee is One-Day-Pay:

   If you make 20000 Euro a year, the price is 20000/365 = 54,79 Euro.

   Registered customers will receive updates for one year.
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   tetsuoii@powertech.no

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 SETTING THE PROJECT NAME AND DIRECTORY:
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When you first start the firetracker, it creates four harddisk files:

project: _
C:\Program files\Firetracker\

   __ch1.raw
   __ch2.raw
   __ch3.raw
   __ch4.raw

Click the FILESYS tab, then the folder icon. The standard windows requester
lets you select a new name and directory for your project. For example:

project: ProjectX
D:\Sound\

   ProjectX_ch1.raw
   ProjectX_ch2.raw
   ProjectX_ch3.raw
   ProjectX_ch4.raw

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 SOUNDDEVICE SELECTION & CALIBRATION
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Go to DEVICES, and choose which device to record for each track. Click on the
device names to change selection, with left and right mousebutton. Device 0 is
usually your first soundcard. Also choose an output device. At this time, open
the standard Windows mixer/volume control(sndvol32.exe):

   Click ctrl-s!
   Choose Options->Properties...
   Click Recording, and tag *all* the following volume controls... OK?
   Select which line to record. |Line|mic|wave|etc.|

Now is an important moment: Click one of the small *rec* buttons, next to each
of the volume sliders, until it goes red. The channel is now ready to record
from the assigned sounddevice. Press PLAY.

If all went ok, you now see the oscilloscope above the *rec* button. Otherwise
you are not receiving input on the selected channel. Go back to the mixer: Make
sure you have an instrument connected to your soundcard, or if you selected the
wave input, play an .mp3! Keep the project playing with the *rec* button on.

If nothing works, try another sounddevice.

If all went ok, click STOP. Nothing has been recorded yet, the firetracker only
writes to disk when the RECORD button is pressed. Also the *rec* lights switch
off when you stop playback. Enable *rec* on all channels, press PLAY and STOP.
You should now be aquainted with the oscilloscopes, and certain that there will
be input on at least one channel. If you did not see the oscilloscopes, go back
a few steps.

The oscilloscopes are helpful tools, and can assist you in determining quality
of the input signal. A dotted line means that the signal is very low. Fat lines
indicate when the signal is [near] clipping.

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 RECORDING AND PLAYBACK
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Ready to record: Enable the *rec* lights, and press keyboard [home]. That will
reset the timer to 0:00:00.00 - keyboard [end] will have the same result, since
nothing yet has been recorded. Make sure you've got some cool sounds going on
the selected input devices, and press RECORD...

Like before, you should now see the oscilloscopes jumping with joy! After some
time, maybe 30 seconds, you are ready to playback. Press STOP, [home] and PLAY.
If you have only one soundcard, the result may not be so impressive, but try to
record something else into some of the other channels and play again. Soon yie
will be bitten, mein friend. Watch the graphic display under the SPECTRUM tab,
while adjusting the volume controls... talk to the monkey and the rabbit!

  [F1]-[F4] rec select channel 1234
    [ENTER] record

       [UP] play
     [DOWN] stop
     [LEFT] rewind
    [RIGHT] forward.
   [PAGEUP] fast rewind 
 [PAGEDOWN] fast forward

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 ADVANCED FEATURES
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The Firetracker does not lock its files while playing or recording. This means
that you can load, modify and save the individual tracks in any other program.
For example you can open ProjectX_ch4.raw in a standard sample editor, remove
some part, or apply a filter to the track and save it right back. You can edit
and change the sound even while playing! It's a very powerful productivity
feature since you can try many different things without reloading.

Almost any sounddevice in your computer can be recorded, simultaneously. The
program can even record its own output.

Firetracker remembers your settings in the firetracker.ini file.

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 FUTURE PROMISE
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Simple effects are planned, echo and equalizers.
Optional 44100/48000/96000Hz 16/24Bit recording.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 KNOWN BUGS AND LIMITATIONS
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Does not detect/report full harddisk.
Sometimes klicking in playback output.
No looping function.

                     ...yes, and loads more

:EOF