================================================================== reViSiT v0.86 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/revisit/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 =================================================== v0.86 [ADD] Basic MIDI output, via VST Host and direct driver. Supported MIDI messages: initial pitch, inital volume, MIDI channel, note delay (SDx). [ADD] Support for 8/24/32-bit WAV's + all sample rates. [ADD] Info Page. F5 now displays information about currently playing tracks. Quite CPU intensive, but will not interfere with audio playback. [ADD] Loop points now displayed in waveform preview. [ADD] Host Sync accuracy improvements: now sample accurate. [ADD] Support for two methods of syncing with host: ppQ and sample position support. Switched internally, depending on host support. [ADD] Return key now sets current row to current instr. [ADD] Stereo sample playback and panning. Note: panning behaviour might alter slightly in next version. [ADD] Ctrl-'+'/'-' keys for instrument selection. [ADD] Playback cursor in Order list. [ADD] Cursor increment in Order list. [ADD] Variable cursor increment in Pattern Editor. [ADD] Alt-F1...F8 channel mute keyboard shortcuts. [ADD] Page Up/Down instrument inc/dec in F3/F4 pages. [ADD] Drop down lists for current instrument and octave. [ADD] Backspace key will delete previous row and move cursor up (unlike IT, which only moved cursor up). [ADD] New file system, including long and short XML tags (e.g. "module" and "mo", respectively). Backwards compatible to v0.85.x - NOTE: v0.85.x backwards compatibility will be dropped in v0.9. [ADD] Parameter Noise filter: abrupt panning and volume changes no longer produce clicks. [ADD] Shift-'-'/'=' (+/-) now affect the current octave (for laptop users, without numeric pads). [MOD] "Current Instrument" now refers to instruments, not samples. [MOD] Missing order entry no longer stops playback. [MOD] Mute / Solo channel status now saved with module. [FIX] WAV's with extra info now load in reViSiT. [FIX] Logic file crashes/problems. [FIX] Loop Begin/End now reset correctly for newly loaded samples. [FIX] D0F and DF0 now behave as in IT2. [FIX] Graphics update after sample/module loading. [FIX] Graphics updates on muted channels. [FIX] Graphics updates on selections. [FIX] AudioMulch playback crash problem fixed. [FIX] Crash bug when reViSiT deleted without displaying. [FIX] Cursor now longer increments off the bottom of the Pattern Editor. [FIX] Conflict between Alt-J and Main Menu Esc usage. v0.85.5 [ADD] 'Auto' Keyboard Mode reinstated as default for unknown VST hosts (use Ctrl-Alt-K, or the key icon to switch to 'Manual' mode) [ADD] Main Menu / Welcome Screen(Esc) added, with mouse support. [ADD] Mouse code added (not yet finished). [MOD] "K-key" icon now automatically sets the keyboard mode to 'Manual' (for guaranteed keyboard input). [ADD] Magix products (Samplitude, Sequoia) now have keyboard support (but still have some issues with playback). [ADD] Support for Audiomulch and EnergyXT. v0.85.4 [ADD] New and improved sync support for VST hosts, including FL Studio, Cakewalk SONAR, DirectiXer, Tracktion, among others. [ADD] New Keyboard Mode: "Win32". Essentially Host mode, but processed inside the plug-in. Works with several hosts, including Tracktion, Orion, Aero Studio and Buzz. [ADD] Mouse support for enabling/disabling keyboard. Use 'K' key icon in bottom-right of reViSiT screen. [MOD] Appropriate keyboard mode now selected auto- matically at startup, depending on host. [MOD] Ctrl-Alt-Shift-K "Auto" switch removed. [MOD] Ctrl-Alt-K now turns keyboard support on or off (where applicable). Essentially switches between selected keyboard mode (on) and Host mode (off). [FIX] Support for 16-bit graphics modes. [FIX] Alt-D now selects correct number of rows. [MOD] Alt-B/Alt-E behaviour now mirrors that in IT. [MOD] Alt-J (Volume Amp.) now defaults to last setting. [ADD] Ctrk-J (Default Volume Amp.) added. v0.85.3 [FIX] Fixed bug when Host uses samplerate != 44.1kHz [MOD] 'Auto' Keyboard Mode now default. [ADD] Alt-B/Alt-E/Alt-D IT selection shortcuts added. [ADD] Instrument keymap control now fully-editable with selection and clipboard support [ADD] Alt-V/Alt-W IT Volume shortcuts added. [ADD] Alt-S IT Instrument shortcut added. [ADD] Dedicated sample audition (and, in future, MIDI In) audio channels added (32 live channels + 64 tracked channels = 96 channels of STEREO audio) [FIX] Fixed graphics bug with muting channels. [FIX] Miscellaneous fixes of keyboard issues, including comma / decimal point discepency. v0.85.2 [MOD] Interface code overhauled. [ADD] Interfaces for Instrument List added (instrument mode not yet available). [FIX] Shift-key issue on some hosts fixed. [ADD] Initial stereo support added (loading & saving, but patterns only use left channel) [FIX] Selection graphics update issue fixed. [MOD] Audition a row will no longer interrupt playback. v0.85.1 [ADD] The number of channels has been doubled (32->64). [MOD] Keyboard Input now operates in 3 user-selectable modes (indicated on left of the status bar): [1] Host Mode. reViSiT relies on the VST host to pass key input to reViSiT (default - not supported by all hosts). [2] Auto Mode. reViSiT intercepts all key input to the host and tries to determine which is meant for reViSiT, passing the rest to the host (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+'K' - problematic in some hosts). [3] Manual Mode. When active, reViSiT intercepts all key input to the host with- out passing on. Can be enabled / disabled whenever keyboard input is needed. (Ctrl+Alt+'K' to toggle). [ADD] Added playback counter for row, pattern and song position (also indicates if Order List is empty when Song Playback fails). [ADD] Support for Aero Studio (use above Manual Mode). [MOD] Alt-L now reverts back to track select from pattern select. [FIX] Auditioning notes (e.g. in Sample Editor) will no longer interrupt song or pattern playback. [ADD] Added support for END key in Pattern Editor. [MOD] HOME / END keys now behave as in IT2 - e.g. left of column > left of pattern > top of pattern. [ADD] '8' key now auditions pattern row. [MOD] '4'/'8' keys now advance through pattern. 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 ================================================== Details of supported VST Hosts can now be found at: http://www.nashnet.co.uk/english/revisit/faq.htm#hosts KNOWN ISSUES / WORK IN PROGRESS ================================== Go to http://www.nashnet.co.uk/english/revisit/faq.htm for more questions and answers. The following issues are known in the current version: * "I'm getting a 'msvcr70.dll: File Not Found' error message." --> reViSiT is coded in MS Visual Studio .NET 2003, and should therefore require the msvcr71.dll library. However, the code has been changed to work with the msvcr70.dll file instead - as this is included with Windows XP. Users of previous Windows versions should be able to find this file readily available across the Internet. * "The mouse doesn't work." --> The current version of reViSiT does not fully 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 ." --> Details of supported VST Hosts can now be found at: http://www.nashnet.co.uk/english/revisit/faq.htm#hosts * "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 to offset your whole song by a bar or so. * "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. See the FAQ for a list of undocumented keyboard shortcuts. * "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." --> Most modern computers should be able to acheive the full 32/64 channels of polyphony using the current version of reViSiT. However, performance ultimately depends on the processing power of the host computer. An ASIO driver for your soundcard is highly recommend. See www.asio4all.de for details on how to obtain a generic low-latency ASIO driver that will work with most consumer soundcards. 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://revisit.nashnet.co.uk email: revisit@nashnet.co.uk ==================================================================