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[Sub-Zero]

On XMplay, this song is missing a few channels.  If played back on Modplug or in other trackers, the tracks are present.
I'd post it, but I don't have any decent webspace currently.  Ian, I can email a copy to you or upload it somewhere.

[Ralesk]

upload to http://ftp://ftp.un4seen.com/incoming

[Sub-Zero]

Done...

Also, one other thing I noticed.  The filters on .ITs/.XMs sound different than those on modplug and on impulse tracker (I didn't test FT2, but the difference spans both ITs and XMs in MP).  For example, in xeegee's lost in the forest, the intro synth sounds like someone pushed the 500hz-1khz eq sliders all the way up, and the envelope sounds like it starts later and levels off sooner.  Is this intentional, an effect of the implementation or am I just going deaf?

[Ralesk]

I'm still severely disturbed about how MPT has never been even near to compatible with IT and FT2 -- and as an effect, their filters differ a lot.  Anyway, some months back I noticed some differences with my IT-made IT files played in IT and XMPlay, but then it sounded like it was a difference between the DirectX driver and the SB16 driver (got the SB16 to work only once in my life, under Win2000, with a software that emulates sound devices to DOS programs under NT.  Ever since that occasion, I only get SB 2.0 out of it *sigh*)

[Zarggg]

Core Dump?  I have that mod...  Now I'm trying to figure out where I got it...  

[Ian @ un4seen]

On XMplay, this song is missing a few channels.  If played back on Modplug or in other trackers, the tracks are present.

...except in FT2

The problem again is muted channels (or actually instrument). Most players/trackers probably don't respect the mute settings, but XMPlay does. So if you load the file into FT2, select instrument 19 (hex), press the "I.E.Ext." button, untick the "Mute computer" box, and save it back out... then you can play it fully in XMPlay

Regarding filters, here's a pretty good file to compare accuracy (almost all it's instruments use filters)...
http://www.futurecrew.com/skaven/song_files/4thsym.it

[Sub-Zero]

Hey, I'm not ragging on xmplay..I love the player.  I'm just trying to help by posting my observations.
I used Impulse Tracker 2.14 with the sb16b.mmx driver under dos using the sblive/audigy sb16 emulator (worked well actually I was surprised).  For the record, I did NOT compare XMplay with FT2.  I don't have that program anymore :\.  

To my ears, the following modules sounded similar in MP and Impulse tracker.  In XMplay, they sounded good, just 'different.'(ie the warmer midrange and a less linear envelope for high and low pass filters).  I hope I am using the right terminology :\..

1. xeegee-lostinforst.it
2. XeeGee-WinterParadise.it
3. acera-dsx.it (DreamShifter by Acecream)
There were others, but my memory is less sure of them at this point .  If you want, I'll try to post a few mp3s to highlight the differences I hear.  Again, I'm not complaining, just trying to help.  Keep up the good work..

Alpha: I think I got core dump from homemusic.cc or scene.org.  I'm sure its still around .

[Ian @ un4seen]

Hey, I'm not ragging on xmplay..I love the player.  I'm just trying to help by posting my observations.

I appreciate that, keep'em coming

To my ears, the following modules sounded similar in MP and Impulse tracker.  In XMplay, they sounded good, just 'different.'(ie the warmer midrange and a less linear envelope for high and low pass filters).  I hope I am using the right terminology :\..

1. xeegee-lostinforst.it
2. XeeGee-WinterParadise.it
3. acera-dsx.it (DreamShifter by Acecream)

I couldn't find the 1st 2 files you mention (upload please ), but the 3rd one uses "extended filter range", which is an MPT invention, so it can't possibly sound the same in IT. The difference is particularly apparent in the percussive sounds at order 15 onwards - more muffled in IT due to the lower filter range.

[Sub-Zero]

I appreciate that, keep'em coming :)

I couldn't find the 1st 2 files you mention (upload please :)), but the 3rd one uses "extended filter range", which is an MPT invention, so it can't possibly sound the same in IT. The difference is particularly apparent in the percussive sounds at order 15 onwards - more muffled in IT due to the lower filter range.

I uploaded:
lost in forest
mechanic dreams
mystical watchers (took two tries sorry)

Would it be possible to add these extended filters as an option?  I realize its not strictly part of the impulse tracker standard, but since at least some of these files use them, it would be nice to have :).
I'm sure there are other 'extensions'  added by trackers that save out to other formats.  Maybe some toggles to enable/disable them?  Or, how about a generic strict/relaxed mode toggle that enables/disables all of these? (I know of the XM/PT/FT2 switch but it doesn't seem like the same thing).

[Ian @ un4seen]

Yep, those other files all use "extended filter range" too. Support for "extended filter range" was added in XMPlay 2.5, but it probably has a bit more resonance than in MPT... I'll fiddle with it for 2.5a

[Sub-Zero]

Yep, those other files all use "extended filter range" too. Support for "extended filter range" was added in XMPlay 2.5, but it probably has a bit more resonance than in MPT... I'll fiddle with it for 2.5a

Ok, cool.

If you're interested, I can upload two short wav files that highlight the difference I'm talking about.  Though, I think its rather obvious .

[Sub-Zero]

Oh yeah, one other interesting bug I found...Try playing back those files I sent at 44100khz and lower...listen to one of them all the way through at each sample rate..96000, 48000,44100,22050 and 11025.  There's a weird harmonic that occurs as the song becomes more busy, getting worse each time you drop the sample rate.  Eventually all you hear is static at the lower rates.  22050 and 11025 are unlistenable..44100 is tolerable, but that occasional high freq. 'whistle' shatters my eardrums.  96000 and 48000 are the only two that sound ok to me, 48000 being barely noticable.

While I doubt many people use <44100, there definately seems to be an issue.
I tested this with the wav writer and the same thing occurs.  I know its not my soundcard's drivers .  If you would like, I can send you an mp3 of it.

--

I also uploaded another module I found that doesn't seem to play back properly.  08-diamond.s3m.  On channel 3, the bass-guitar is supposed to 'slide' up a note.  To see what I mean, listen to the first 3 patterns (0, then 6, and then 6 again) in MP, and then listen in XMplay.  You'll hear it right away.
Btw, I believe the MP output is closer to the playback engine in Jazz2.

[Ralesk]

I found out earlier when I used to track that MP volume column slides are just about perfectly incompatible with IT214's vc slides (dunno about FT2, but I suppose it's like that there too...).  Also there used to be a bug where MP disregarded the vc slides if there was something else in the effect column.  Olive-boy couldn't have cared less

[Ian @ un4seen]

If you're interested, I can upload two short wav files that highlight the difference I'm talking about.  Though, I think its rather obvious .

I can send an update to try, if you'ld like to check the files yourself

[Sub-Zero]

Sure, that'd be fine.  
If its under 1MB you can send it to subz3r0(at)hotmail
Unfortunately, its the only address I have at the moment :\.

[Ralesk]

Sub, get a yahoo.co.uk account.  It's 6 megs and is really a cool thing.  Yahoo.com only gives 4 megs.  I have three yahoo mail addies and have been very content with them ^_^

[Torkell]

Yay! Another Yahoo fan!

No, seriously, Yahoo is (IMO) loads better than hotmail. 15 meg web space, 6 meg e-mail, better instant messenger, less spam, less hacked, no auto account deactivation...

[Sub-Zero]

Well, I know yahoo offers a better deal.  I don't usually get a lot of mail, so it serves the purpose.  If the traffic starts picking up and I am getting lots of attachments, I'll probably get off my lazy ass and switch .

Ian, I got your build and replied in email.

[Olego]

He he he...

Win2K Server: Email (if you can write your own sendmail script in ASP, or configure a mailserver), unlimited webspace (limited by your HDD), unlimited transfers (unless you get B-grade ISP), and that's pretty much all you need.  

(Well, for ease of use, you can get yourself a *.yi.org or a *.dyndns.org, or if you're feeling rich, pay for a *.tld for $9 per year.  )

~Olego~

[Sub-Zero]

Used to do that actually, with a linux system .  Right now I'm on 56k dialup wiht a provider that blocks outgoing port 25 connections except those destined to their own servers.  Oh well, someday when I can afford a T1/T3 (ahaha right..)