XMPlay v1.2 - Copyright (c) 1998 Ian Luck. All rights reserved.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Files that you should have found in the XMPlay "package"
========================================================
XMPLAY.EXE    The executable
XMPLAY.TXT    This file
FILE_ID.DIZ   BBS description file


What's the point?
=================
XMPlay is a XM/MOD/S3M player for Windows 9x/NT. It's got the best
(most accurate to FT2) XM reproduction that I've heard from any player.
All features/effects are 100% supported. What more's there to say! :)


Main Features
=============
* Balls-on Accurate
- plays XMs the way nature intended.

* Sample Interpolation
- linear/spline interpolated sample mixing.

* Volume/Pan Ramping
- for output that's smoother than a baby's arse.

* 5 Band Equalizer
- adjustable gain at five frequency bands.

* Spectrum Analyzer
- something to look at while the music plays.

* Surround Sound
- now with all new surround "mode 2".

* WAV writer "device"
- use XMPlay's output to write your own (non-commercial) CD/MP3s.

* Track list saving/loading
- with "relative paths" and "keep output" options.

* Dragon droppings supported :)
- drag your files into XMPlay.

* Nice GUI! :)
- normal/double size, rollovers, customizeable colour scheme.


The SETUP Window
==================
Device Options
--------------
You can change which device (if you have multiple devices) to use, and
what frequency/resolution/channels/buffer to use with the device. You
may also choose the "XMPlay WAV Writer" device, to write the output to
WAV files rather than a soundcard.

The WAVs are saved with the original filename, but with ".WAV" replacing
the original extension. Use the amplification slider to control the volume
of the WAV. Be careful not to use a too high amplification level as this
may result in samples being clipped.

After you've made changes to the device settings, close the SETUP window
to apply the changes. If the device does not support the settings you
chose, XMPlay will use the closest settings that the device does support.
If you re-open the SETUP window, you will see which settings are actually
being used.

GUI Colour Scheme
-----------------
You can change the colour scheme of the GUI. Use the scroller on the right
to select the element you wish to change the colour of and then use the
three colour (red/green/blue) bars. When you have finished making changes,
close the SETUP window to apply the changes.

These are the 7 elements you can change the colour of :
        Text (includes the button text/symbols)
        Selected text (includes the button text/symbols)
        Inactive window frame and caption
        Activated window frame and caption
        Button frame
        Selected button frame
        Title text

Reset Track List
----------------
These options decide whether the TRACK LIST should be cleared when adding
new tracks in the various ways.

LIST   = Clear the track list when loading a track list (*.XMP file).
DROP   = Clear the track list when drag'n'dropping.
C.LINE = Clear the track list when loading from the command-line.
         This includes loading tracks from Windows Explorer.

NOTE: When drag'n'dropping (or loading from the command-line) track list
      files (*.XMP), the DROP (or C.LINE) setting takes precedence over
      the LIST setting. In other words, if DROP (or C.LINE) is off then
      the track list will not be cleared even if LIST is on.

Miscellaneous
-------------
LOOP     = Looping switch
ROLLOVERS= Rollover controls switch
           Rollovers make the controls (buttons/sliders etc...) light up
           as the mouse moves over them.
TIME     = Time display switch
           Displays the position in time, rather than patterns/divisions.
FT2 MOD  = FT2 plays MODs slightly differently than the convention. If you
           want to hear MOD files as FT2 plays them, then enable this option.
BIG      = Big GUI (double size) switch
           For those who use hi-res, where the normal GUI size is too tiny.
           Close the SETUP window to apply the change.
AUTOPLAY = Auto play switch
           Automatically jumps to new tracks, either clicked in the file
           selector, drag'n'dropped, or loaded from Windows Explorer.

The OUTPUT OPTIONS Window
===========================
LI/SI = Linear/Spline Interpolation switch
R     = Ramping switch (off/normal/sensitive)
S     = Surround Sound switch (off/normal/mode 2)
Eq    = Equalizer switch

The graphic equalizer sliders range from +10dB (top) to -10dB (bottom).

The slider on the far left is the amplification slider, this is different
to the volume slider. The volume slider controls the level of the sound
card output, the amplification slider controls the level of the actual
mixing output. The higher the amplification, the greater the resolution of
the mixing output, but if it's too high clipping may result. The slider
ranges from double the normal (top) to half the normal (bottom).

TIP: For best results, you should adjust the amplification so that the
     output reaches maximum level (check the level lights at the top). But,
     also make sure it isn't spending too long at the max level, otherwise
     clipping will probably result.

NOTE: The response speed to these options is dependant on the buffer size,
      the delay will be the length of the buffer chosen in the SETUP.


The TRACK LIST Window
=======================
CLEAR = Clear all tracks from list
SAVE  = Save the current track list
        This will bring up the SAVE TRACK LIST window, in which you can
        enter a filename for the track list. If no extension is supplied,
        ".XMP" will be used. You can also use the following options:
        KEEP OUTPUT = If enabled, the current OUTPUT OPTIONS settings are
                      stored with the track list, to be used as defaults
                      whenever the track list is loaded.
        REL. PATHS  = If enabled, the track filenames are stored relative
                      to the path of the track list file. When disabled,
                      the full paths are stored.


The Equalizer
=============
If you don't have your sound card output going through an equalizer (or a
hi-fi with one) then you can use this option to provide one.

The equalizer's five centre frequencies are 70hz, 350hz, 1000hz, 3500hz
and 10000hz. By using the equalizer you can emphasise or weaken these
frequencies. For example, you can boost the bass by using a positive gain
at the low frequencies, or you can boost the treble by using a positive
gain at the high frequencies. The gains are meusured in dB, a gain of 10dB
doubles the level of the frequency, a gain of -10dB halves the level, a
gain of 0dB leaves the level as it is.


The Keyboard Shortcuts
======================
 P (or Pause) = Pause/Play
         Home = Restart
  left cursor = Rewind
 right cursor = Forward
      Page Up = Previous track
    Page Down = Next track
 (numpad) +,- = Adjust volume
 (numpad) /,* = Adjust amplification
            I = Interpolation switch
            R = Ramping switch
            S = Surround sound switch
            Q = Equalizer switch
            T = Time display switch


Latest Version
==============
The latest version of XMPlay can always be found at the XMPlay homepage :

        http://www.icl.ndirect.co.uk/music/


Copyright, Disclaimer, and all that other jazz
==============================================
This program is free for non-commercial use, so if anyone tries to charge
you for it kick 'em where it hurts. But, if you can't live with the guilt
of using a quality piece of software like this without paying then by all
means send a few presidents heads (of the paper variety) my way, to help
you sleep more easily.

This software is provided as-is. The author makes absolutely no warranties
on it. You use it at your own risk. The author shall not be held responsible
for any damage that may result from its use, including, but not limited to,
burning your toast while being too engrossed in the XMPlay "experience".

All trademarks and other registered names contained in the XMPlay
"package" are the property of their respective owners.


History
=======
1.2 - 27/9/98
-------------
* S3M playback
* Play position slider
* Surround mode 2 - ignores pan pos, useful for mono MOD/S3Ms
* WAV writer "device"
* AUTOPLAY/ROLLOVERS/TIME/FT2 MOD options
* Amplification slider
* Optimized equalizer
* Track list saving/loading
* RESET TRACK LIST options
* Variable sized INSTRUMENT LIST/TRACK LIST/FILE SELECTOR windows

1.1 - 2/8/98
------------
* SETUP options window
* Optimized surround sound
* Heavily optimized spline interpolation
* BIG GUI option
* Fixed occasional XM loader problem

1.0 - 15/7/98
-------------
First Release


The "thank you" section
=======================
BIG thanks go to Isao Kasai, Maz, Progg, Pham Dang Quang, and especially
It-Alien for beta testing XMPlay and helping to find bugs to squash with
a pair of heavy steel toe-capped boots!

Also thanks to all who have sent suggestions and bug reports.


Bug reports, Suggestions, Coments etc...
========================================
If you have any of the aforementioned you can email :

        xmplay@icl.ndirect.co.uk
