================================================================== reViSiT v0.85 Alpha Release (c) Chris Nash, 2004 Important Info Best Viewed: 640x480+, fixed-width font ================================================================== THIS RELEASE IS PROVIDED FOR THE PURPOSES OF TESTING AND FEEDBACK. TO THIS END, ALPHA USERS ARE REQUESTED TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK THROUGH AN ONLINE FORM, WHICH CAN BE VIEWED AT: http://www.nashnet.co.uk/english/vstrack/feedback.htm ABOUT reViSiT ==================================================== VSTrack is the ultimate union of sequencing and tracking. reViSiT is a VST Instrument (VSTi) plug-in for VST-hosts (such as sequencers) that provides a tracker interface, based on Impulse Tracker II, to the user. Unlike normal VSTi's which simply take MIDI input, reViSiT's editor window is a tracker interface, which takes on the role of the 'music sequencer' - synthesizing both music and sound. ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT ============================================== This document is best viewed in Notepad, or any text editor using fixed-width fonts, on screens with a resolution 640x480 or higher. Its contents are as follows: ABOUT reViSiT ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT (this section) COPYRIGHT and DISCLAIMER INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS GETTING STARTED GETTING FURTHER SUPPORT UPDATE HISTORY SUPPORTED HOSTS KNOWN ISSUES / WORK IN PROGRESS CONTACT INFO COPYRIGHT and DISCLAIMER ========================================= THESE FILES ARE FOR USE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. ANY MODIFICATION TO, OR RESELLING OF, ANY PART OF THESE FILES IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED WITHOUT EXPLICIT PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR. BOTH CHRIS NASH AND NASHNET ACCEPT NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR UNDESIRABLE EFFECTS (SUCH AS DATA LOSS, ETC.) ARISING FROM USE OR MISUSE OF THESE FILES. ALTHOUGH THE CODE HAS BEEN RIGOUROUSLY TESTED, THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED AS IS. INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS ======================================== The plug-in is provided in .dll binary format, for Windows*, and must be copied to the user's vstplugins directory, before the VST host is loaded. In the host, reViSiT is listed as one of the VST Instruments (VSTi's). Simply select it to load the plug-in. * Other platforms may be supported in subsequent releases. GETTING STARTED ================================================== reViSiT boasts an integrated help system, which can be accessed by pressing F1, inside the program. The pattern editor (F2) is a good place to start - the first of its help pages gives a quick guide to the principles of tracking. UPDATE HISTORY =================================================== v0.85 [ADD] Support added for Logic 5, Cubase VST and several other VST hosts. Keyboard issues fixed. [ADD] Native support for .ZIP archives. Module patterns and samples now automatically zipped to single file (compatible with WinXP, WinZip, etc.). [MOD] Extensive User Interface (UI) redesign, including streamlining and enlargement. [FIX] Numerous additional performance improvements. This version now up to 400% faster than v0.84. [FIX] Muting/Soloing now takes effect during playback. [DEL] Prototype Song Variables screen disabled. v0.84.2 [FIX] Misc. performance improvements [not released]. v0.84.1 [FIX] Sample loading bug resolved. v0.84 Initial Alpha Release for Cubase SX. GETTING FURTHER SUPPORT ========================================== Before seeking further help, please review the contents of this readme.txt (the release notes) - many frequently asked questions (FAQ) are answered here (see KNOWN ISSUES / WORK IN PROGRESS section). Failing that, there should be a number of knowledgable people (including myself) on the nashNET Forums (http://forum.nashnet.co.uk) who may be able to help you with your problem. If all else fails, users can contact me at vst@nashnet.co.uk, and I will endeavour to answer your queries. SUPPORTED HOSTS ================================================== This version of reViSiT has been developed to support as many VST hosts as possible. Although v0.84.x originally targetted the Cubase SX host, more recent versions have been tested, and adapted to work, on a variety of platforms. The following table sumarises the results. If you should come across a host not in the table, please report your findings to vst@nashnet.co.uk. Host Works? Comments ------------------------------------------------------------------ Steinberg Cubase SX Yes v2.0-v2.2 tested. No problems. Steinberg Cubase VST/32 Yes v5 (demo) tested. No problems. Emagic Logic Audio Yes v5.1-v5.2 tested. No problems. Plogue Bidule Yes v0.6602 tested. No problems. TobyBar MiniHost Yes* v1.04 tested. *First bar loops. Renoise No v1.27-1.5a3 tested. Unable to load files. VSTHost No v.1.11 tested. Unable to load files. KNOWN ISSUES / WORK IN PROGRESS ================================== The following issues are known in the current version: * "The mouse doesn't work." --> The current version of reViSiT does not support the use of the mouse. All program functions, however, should still be accessible using the keyboard. This omission is to force early users to experience the keyboard (which is more efficient) and test the keyboard handler code. Mouse support will be present in reViSiT Beta versions (v0.9+). * "How do I load samples?" --> Simply go to the sample list, choose a sample slot and hit ENTER. Select a .WAV file and click OK. * "reViSiT doesn't work on ." --> See SUPPORTED HOST section for more information. * "The first row sometimes doesn't play, when playing from the VST host's transport bar." --> This is not a problem with reViSiT. Some VST Hosts, upon rewind, do not return to absolute zero themselves. Methods of working around the problem will be investigated for future versions of reViSiT. Currently, the best solution is offset * "The help system does not work." --> The current version of reViSiT only boasts basic help content, such as rudimentary pattern editor (F2) support. Beta and release versions will comprise a more comprehensive help system. Undocumented features include: Keyboard Shortcuts - Alt-F9 Mute/Unmute channel Alt-F10 Solo/Unsolo channel(s) Alt-M Mix clipboard Shift-= Increment current sample Shift-- Decrement current sample * "Sharp changes in parameters produce clicks in the audio." --> Technically, this is not a bug, but a phenomena known as parameter noise. Sizeable instantaneous changes in volume will often lead to apparent audio clips. Nonetheless, future versions of reViSiT will employ parameter interpolation to solve this problem. * "IT Import doesn't load samples or instruments." --> Some features of Impulse Tracker 2 are not supported in the current version of reViSiT - notably, instruments. reViSiT will support both IT samples and instruments, in future versions. * "The sound begins to break up when number of channels are playing simultaneously." --> Performance ultimately depends on the processing power of the host computer. However, improvements in the efficieny of current reViSiT code are planned that will significantly increase polyphony, etc. As such: THIS *ALPHA* RELEASE IS NOT PROVIDED IN ANY CAPACITY AS A BENCKMARK OF PERFORMANCE FOR FUTURE RELEASE VERSIONS. * "How do I load my reViSiT v0.84.x files in reViSiT v0.85+?" --> reViSiT's file architecture stores all logical data in XML format ("Module.xml"), and then all sample file data in separate WAVE-compatible files ("Sample X.wav", where 'X' represents the sample number). reViSiT v0.85 automatically compresses all the files into a single ZIP-compatible archive. The result is a flexible, portable, extensible, efficient and accessible format. For example: all files can be unzipped and independently edited by appropriate editors. To convert your old (v0.84.x) to the new format, you can rename the old ".vstr" file as "Module.xml", and rename the old ".smpX" samples as "Sample X.wav" and then use WinZIP (or WinXP, or a zip-compatible compression utility) to zip them into a single file. This file should load directly in reViSiT v0.85+. CONTACT INFO ===================================================== All questions, comments, criticisms (constructive) and bug reports are welcome. Users are recommended to use the feedback URL, or forums (http://www.nashnet.co.uk) stated at the outset, for matters relating to reViSiT. nashNET Website: http://www.nashnet.co.uk reViSiT Website: http://www.nashnet.co.uk/english/vstrack email: vst@nashnet.co.uk ==================================================================