From: mccla_d@ceawlin.cs.odu.edu (dennis mcclain-furmanski)
Subject: NoiseTracker VAMPS How-To
Organization: Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
Distribution: comp.sys.apple2
Date: Sat, 12 Sep 1992 07:32:57 GMT

HOW TO DO IT - Part 2

7/22/92

As I promised, here is a detailed (step-by-step) outline of
the methods I used to:
VAMPS enhance the  SPACEFOX music (NTV modules) on the SFM1
and SFM2 disk.  I also used the exact same procedures on
this (NTV5) disk.

All the original songs/music files were in the SoundSmith
format (D5) ProDOS file types, with their AUX values at;
0007.  The wave files were SoundSmith binary (06) ProDOS
file types, with their AUX values at; 0000.

The first step was to load them into NoiseTracker v1.0, then
save each sound/sample, for each song/music file, as
individual samples, with their original names, in the same
folders where the songs were.   By doing this, I was able to
load the SoundSmith music file into SoundSmith.

After I loaded the music file into SoundSmith, the program
did an automatic load of all the required/assigned
samples/sounds for each song.  ( The SoundSmith
program can't load its own binary wavebank file for each
song)  and that is the reason I had to use NoiseTracker v1.0
to load the music and its wavebank file, then save each
sample/sound as an individual sound, so that SoundSmith
could load the music and its samples, accordingly.

Next, I played the music, in its original form, to audit the
composition, music/note scores and sound qualities of each
sample.   I then studied the musics note score for each
song, and made the needed (CUT-COPY-PASTE) modifications, to
my liking !   I did a select series of (CUT-COPY-PASTE) for
any/and/or; single notes, entire blocks, tracks, depending
on how I wanted to( alter/enhance/modify), the original
music for each song.

Almost all of the music was altered in this manner.  There
are some songs that I decided would have a much better 3-D
effect, if the octave were changed.  Thus, I changed the
octave, (* OF EITHER THE ENTIRE MUSIC/SONG, A SELECTED GROUP
OF/OR SINGLE NOTES, TRACKS AND/OR BLOCKS) via SoundSmith,
normally either (1) octave lower or higher but, not always
again, depending on how I decided the special VAMPS
enhancement effects should sound.

Some of the music was altered by note, using special effects
notations, as noted below.

Special Effects Notations- (Via) - SoundSmith

TO GET THE EFFECT OF A SAMPLES (NOTE) MAKING A 360 DEGREE
LOOP (360)

TO GET THE EFFECT OF A SAMPLES (NOTE) MAKING A CLIMB OR
ELEVATION ABOVE THE EARS LEVEL (361 TO 999) IS ADDED TO THE
SPECIAL EFFECTS INSERT OF THE SOUNDSMITH MUSIC SCORE, FOR
EACH NOTE AND DEGREE OF LOOP OR ROTATION (DOPPLER EFFECT)
DESIRED.

STAGGERING THE NOTES, IN DIFFERENT TRACKS, AJACENT TO THE
ORIGINAL NOTES TRACK,(I.E.) ONE TRACK OVER AND ONE POSITION
DOWN, AND SO ON, GIVES A PHASE-ECHO EFFECT.   IF THIS EFFECT
IS CARIED ALL THE WAY ACROSS, PROGRESSIVELY GOING DOWN (1)
POSITION WITH EACH TRACK ACROSS, THE EFFECT CAN MIMIC A
PROLONGED REVERB.

(There are many other special effects that can be used in
SoundSmith, which are reviewed in the documentation  for
SoundSmith).   Read the SoundSmith documentation,  for a
better understanding of the different special note effects
available).    If you can't get it, send me a self-address,
return postage envelope and a blank 3.5" disk and I'll send
them to you, with some other bonus' to fill up the disk.

FADING IN AND OUT FUNCTIONS ARE ALSO USED EXTENSIVELY IN THE
VAMPS ENHANCEMENTS.
(I COULD GIVE A MORE DETAILED SERIES OF EXAMPLE BUT, THIS
FILE WOULD BECOME TO LARGE TO FIT ON THE SPACE LEFT ON THIS
DISK).   BESIDES, I'M NOT GIVING YOU ALL MY VAMPS MAGIK
(AUDIO ALCHEMY) TRICKS.   I THEREFORE SUGGEST, THAT YOU
STUDY THE ORIGINAL SOUNDSMITH MUSIC FILE OF ONE OF THE
(SPACEFOX SONGS) AND COMPARE IT WITH ONE THAT WAS VAMPS
ENHANCED, TO GAIN A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT I AM REFERING
TO IN THE ABOVE SPECIAL EFFECTS NOTATIONS OUTLINES.    (IF
YOU DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO ONE OF THE ORIGINAL SOUNDSMITH
(SPACEFOX SONGS), DON'T WORRY.    I'M GOING TO INCLUDE ONE
IN THE NTV#6 DISK,, ALONG WITH THE SAME SONG AND ITS
INDIVIDUAL SAMPLES, THAT I VAMPS ENHANCED), AS AN EXAMPLE TO
STUDY AND COMPARE.    THIS WILL GIVE YOU A GUIDE TO COMPARE
WHAT WAS ACTUALLY DONE, THUS, ALLOWING YOU TO STUDY THE
PROCEEDURES I USED AND APPLY THE SAME ENHANCEMENTS, TO YOUR
DESIRES !

I really don't use any standard guidelines in my VAMPS
enhancements.  Every single VAMPS enhancement to any
music/song,( be it; a SoundSmith original, an Amega TXT MOD
or a NoiseTracker original module/music & wave file combo),
are original (one-of-a-kind) series of steps.  All my
efforts and enhancements are trial & error, over and over
and over again, until I get them just the way I want them.
(WHICH IS NOT ALWAYS THE WAY OTHERS WOULD LIKE TO HEAR THEM
AND THAT'S FINE.  THAT'S WHY I'M GIVING YOU ALL THIS
INFORMATION, SO YOU CAN DO THEM YOURSELF, THE WAY YOU WANT
THEM TO BE).   I might even do a dozen versions and save
each of them, then compare them all, doing random CUT &
PASTE, between any and/or all of them, with tracks and/or
blocks, via NoiseTracker v1.0, before I decide on the final
version and save it as a NTV (NoiseTracker VAMPS module).

If I'm using an original SoundSmith song, I customize it as
noted above, via SoundSmith, then save it, as a new song,
with a new SoundSmith (binary file) wavebank, then load it
into NoiseTracker v1.0, to make the final enhancements.

If I don't like one and/or more sound/samples, I'll replace
them, with others, until I like what I hear.   If I decide a
sound/sample needs more special effects, such as;
(dubbing/layering, echo, reverb, decay, delay, trimbe,
fade-in or fade-out, phasing,
etc., then I'll load it into one of the sound editor
programs and work with it, until I've got it the way I want
it to sound, then save it as a new file, with a new name,
for future use.

I use both programs extensively together, because they
compliment each others short comings.   Where one program
lacks certain effects the other has them.  Thus, I consider
both programs; NoiseTracker v1.0 & SoundSmith to be a team
that I can jointly work with to accomplish what I want to do
with the songs.

 I would like to make it very clear to you that: ->  I USED
NO OTHER HARDWARE WITH ANY OF THE MODULES ON THE ; NTV4
(SFM1 & SFM2) OR NTV5 DISKS.     All I used was my Apple
IIgs, with a Stereo output card and the following software;
SoundSmith v0.94 and NoiseTracker v1.0.

When I first starting doing my VAMPS 3-D enhancements, I
used a multitude of porting (back & forth) from the IIgs to
the Macintosh and/or the IBM, Amega, Atari, NeXT, etc.   I
also used a multitude of special effects DSP cards, software
and sound editors with this tedious porting procedure.   I
have come to realize that, (with the recent advanced Sound
Editor programs) available for use with the Apple IIgs, and
some recent tricks that I've learned to use, (most of which
are outlined above) I don't need to do any porting of
samples or music, to accomplish the VAMPS enhancements.
You see, it's all right under your noses, right in your
wonderfully designed Apple IIgs.

I actually never realized the true potential that was in the
Apple IIgs, for sound and music enhancements and
manipulations, until I spent this summer reviewing and using
all the many Apple IIgs music programs and sound editors, I
have available to use.

I'm including a list of sound editors, that I use to enhance
my samples with, which I
would advise you to get, if you don't already have them.
All of them but one (Sound Shop) are sharewares or
freewares, available (as downloads) from most BBS's.  If you
don't know where to get them, send me a self-addressed,
return postage envelope and a few 3.5" disks, for me to put
them on and I'll send them to you with the dox's for them
also.   If there is any room left on any of your disk you
send, I'll put some bonus FREEWARE goodies on them for you.

Suggested Sound Editor programs:

AudioZAP (available on most all BBS's)
Sound Edit (by SSS) (included on the original release of
NoiseTracker v1.0)
Sound Editor (by the Wizard)-(included on my NTV #4 (disk
SFM2)
Editsound v1.06 (shareware-$20) available from: Gary Osborn,
823 Lewis Rd. Watsonville, CA. 95076  (THIS IS ONE OF THE
MOST ADVANCED AND THROUGH SOUND EDITORS I'VE EVER SEEN FOR
THE IIgs  & IT IS WORTH EVERY BIT OF THE $20 SHAREWARE FEE)
Sound Shop (available with HyperStudio)

These are the only sound editors I use with my VAMPS
enhancements now !

About Stereo PARMS

When using either; NoiseTracker or SoundSmith , it is
important to study and play around with the Stereo PARMS, to
get the best over-all VAMPS enhancement effects.   For best
results use the TRACK assignments for the Stereo PARMs
channels.
When using SoundSmith , always select the instruments
track/channel data, for the best results.  An example is
given below for a standard 3-D STEREO PARM arrangement with
-> NoiseTracker v1.0.

(RL RL RL RR LL (ALL THE REST -R-) AND THE LAST  (L)

THIS IS ONLY A STANDARD 3-D EXAMPLE FOR A SELECTED SINGLE
SONG.  ARRANGE THE STEREO PARMS UNTIL THEY GIVE YOU THE
RESULTS YOU WANT.    YOU MAY EVEN HAVE TO ARRANGE THE
SAMPLES AND NOTE/SCORE POSITIONS IN SEVERAL TRACKS, VIA CUT
AND PASTE, THEN RETRY THE STEREO PARM ARRANGEMENTS AGAIN, &
AGAIN, & AGAIN,  UNTIL THE DESIRED EFFECTS ARE GIVEN, THE
WAY YOU WANT THEM TO SOUND !!!

There are about 3 or 4 dozen other; TIPS, TRICKS & METHODS,
I could give you to use, but, you'll have to read the ones I
give here, and wait to read the rest, I'll outline in  " HOW
TO DO IT - PART 3 ", on the NTV#6 disk,  which I'll release
around the end of August.

As always, you can load any NTV MODULE, via NoiseTracker 1.0
and save the individual sample/sound, as a single sound
file, (retaining all of its special effects) for use with
any other music/song file.

The CUT/COPY/PASTE options with both programs; NoiseTracker
& SoundSmith, are great tools to use, to customize your own
VAMPS (or standard) compositions with.
(KEEP IN MIND, THAT YOU CAN'T USE SOUNDSMITH TO
CUT/COPY/PASTE FROM ONE SONG TO ANOTHER) -BUT- YOU CAN USE
NOISETRACKER TO DO THIS.      Just as you can't use
NoiseTracker to encode note/position special effects, or
change octaves but, you can use SoundSmith to do it.   As
I've pointed out, using both programs together, you can do a
great deal of VAMPS 3-D (or normal) song/music enhancements.
Both programs have their short comings but, both are great
music composition and arrangement programs.  In my personal
opinion, they're the two best and most versatile, available
!

I have attempted to give the most concise and detailed
(step-by-step) outline and review of the procedures used to
VAMPS enhance the songs/music, that I can, (with the limited
space left on this disk).  If any of you that read this file
have any questions about any aspect of any VAMPS enhancement
special effect, please write or call me and I'll be glad to
give you a more through explanation of: HOW TO DO IT.

Be sure to look for NTV#6, for Part 3 of this report and
other helpful text files on;
VAMPS, 3-D Virtual Audio Technology and Psychoacoustics.
There is still a lot that hasn't been covered and a great
deal of exciting soon-to-be-released program preview
information will be included on this next NTV#6 disk. **
(Look for it on your favorite BBS around the end of August,
1992)**

As always, thanks for downloading this disk, and I look
forward to hearing from any of you that care to call or
write me.  If you can't (for any reason) download this disk
and want a copy, send me a self-addressed return postage
envelope and a 3.5" disk.   I'll send it right out to you,
the same day I receive it.

I hope you enjoy listening to the music on this disk and
urge you to read the text file (READ.ME) on this disk, for a
full review of the VAMPS MODULES included on this disk, with
an explanation of each, how they were constructed and why !!

I don't want anything from you in return, other than a reply
or comment !!!

FINAL MESSAGE TO ALL PROSPECTIVE DEVELOPMENT TEAM MEMBERS
AND PROGRAMMERS

I've got the (entire complete) SRC.CODES for both;
NoiseTracker v1.0 and SPACE HARRIER.

The SRC.CODES for PHOTONIX are on the way !     I'm waiting,
with the SRC.CODES in hand, to hear from you.   Get off of
your collective butts, and contact me, please!!!  I'm still
waiting to hear from some really good programmers that want
to donate their talents to do some upgrades for the FTA's
programs.    You'd be surprised at what I've got (ON-HAND)
to work with !!

Dr. Tom (THE VAMPSMAN)
OmniSoft Sound Research LAB
25 Wayland St.
S.F., CA. 94134
VOICE-ONLY) - TEL. (415) 467-0179

===================================

The latest VAMPS disk will be on c.b.a2 within a few days.

Posted on behalf of the above by:

-=<+|+>=--=<+|+>=--=<+|+>=--=<+|+>=--=<+|+>=--=<+|+>=--=<+|+>=--=<+|+>=-
>%> Dennis McClain-Furmanski        internet: mccla_d@cs.odu.edu     <%<
>%> Clinical Psychology             AOL: Dynasoar01@AOL.COM          <%<
>%> Old Dominion University         New Beginnings @ Serenity Lodge  <%<
>%> Norfolk, VA, USA, Earth, etc    Chesapeake, VA    800-444-9166   <%<
-=<+|+>=--=<+|+>=--=<+|+>=--=<+|+>=--=<+|+>=--=<+|+>=--=<+|+>=--=<+|+>=-