TRACKERS MOONBLASTER EN 05
Contents
THE SAMPLER
Those who only have access to an MSX-MUSIC chip or a Toshiba module with MSX-AUDIO (both lack an ADPCM sampler) can skip this chapter.
5.1What is a sample?
A sample is a digitized sound, in which case the data of the sample is stored in the computer. The sampler of the MSX-AUDIO always scans for a few thousandths of seconds the external signal (eg the microphone) and converts the incoming value into a number. The time between these scans can vary, this is called the sampling frequency.
5.2The Moon Blaster sampler
MoonBlaster has the ability to use the sampler of the MSX-AUDIO, and to record, play and edit samples. The sample memory of the MSX-AUDIO is 32 kB and MoonBlaster divides it over 14 samples. These 14 samples together are called a sample kit. In these sample kits you also find the location in the sample memory where a specific sample is located. You can go to the sampler from the music editor by pressing the [F3] key. The following things can be set in the sampler:
Adjust sample signal
This allows you to set the correct volume of the incoming signal (eg via the microphone). The volume is indicated by a red expanding bar at the bottom of the screen. If you turn up the signal, the bar will continue to expand, if you make the signal softer, the bar will turn out less far.
Start sampling
This is the real sampler, the incoming signal is recorded. A variety of factors can be set for proper sampling. These factors are described below.
Set sample adresses (F4)
This allows you to set the start and end address of the 14 samples. This has some advantages: a (sampled) bass drum is not very long, leaving sample memory for a long sample. If you omit a sample (see Section 7), the length of the sample is saved. If you load a sample at a different starting address, then the end address is automatically adjusted. The start and end addresses are stored in the sample kit. The addresses must be entered hexadecimal. It means that the number system does not run from 0-9, but from 0-F (after the 9 follows the A). The lowest possible address is 0000 and the highest possible is 1FFF. Note that leading zeros must also be entered.
Current sample block
You can use this to select one of the 14 sample blocks. This applies to both sampling and loading and storing samples. There are 14 sample blocks.
Sample frequency
This function sets the frequency of recording the sample. A high frequency means high quality, but short sample, a low frequency means low quality, but long sample. The highest frequency is 16 kHz, the lowest 2 kHz.
Threshold
An incoming signal has a certain volume. With the Threshold function you can draw a limit to how loud the signal may be before the sampler is allowed to sample. If this limit is exceeded, the sampler starts his work. The border is shown with an arrow, the loudness of the signal is shown with a red bar. This function only works when the Sample Control is set to Automatic (see below).
Sample control
You can set the Sample Control to Automatic or Manual. If the Sample Control is set to Automatic, the incoming sound is only sampled when it is hard enough to exceed the threshold value (see Threshold). However, when Sample Control is set to Manual, it is only sampled if the space bar is pressed again after selecting Start Sampling.
Back to Editor (ESC)
With [ESC] or Back to Editor you leave the sample menu and go to the music edit screen
With [F5] you go to the disc menu. Here you can load and save individual samples or complete sample kits. See chapter 7.
For all the above functions money: choose a function with cursors, change a value with the spacebar and then the numeric keys.
The samples that have been recorded can be played while playing music in the music edit screen, or in the sample menu. With F3 you can choose the right keyboard to play the sample with. You can choose from the keyboard of your MSX, the Philips Klavier that belongs to the Music Module, or MIDI. The MIDI interfaces supported by MoonBlaster are the MSX-MIDI (which is built into the turbo R FS-A1GT), NMS 1205 MIDI (in the Music Module) or FMI (the FAC MIDl interface). With the [M] - key you can select one of these MIDI interfaces, MoonBlaster tells you whether this interface is present or not. If you press one of the keys on your keyboard , the current sample (Current Sample Block) will be played. The height of the frequency of the sample depends on the key you press.
