FCOMPOSE.EXE - FM COMPOSER

Introduction

Function      

Compose .FTM file from a text file format to a .CMF file format.

FCOMPOSE is a supplement to the C/MS Composer. Users are  advised 
to familiarize themselves with the C/MS Composer first.  You will 
also  need to refer to the chapter on "Creative  Digital  Musical 
Score  CDMS"  of the Creative Music System User  Manual  for  the 
composition commands.  This manual documents the differences  and 
new features added to support the FM Music chips.

As a reminder, the C/MS Composer is used to compose .THM file  to 
the .CMS file format.  To play the CMS music file,  you need  the 
optional  C/MS chips and insert them into the SOUND  BLASTER  1.5 
card.   The  details on running the C/MS music are found  in  the 
User Manual.


Command

FCOMPOSE ftm-file /P

where  /P is to play music after composing

FCOMPOSE will look up the sub-directory  SBI in the directory  as 
defined  by  the "SET SOUND = " environment  string.   This  sub-
directory  stores  the  .SBI  files  which  are  the  programming 
information for the instruments.


DOT COMMANDS


Channels

 .Channel x m1 m2 ...

where x is the channel number, m are the melody lines m1 .. m12

When  2 or more melody lines are placed on a same  channel,  they 
share a same instrument thus only the first melody lines of  that 
channel need define.



PARAMETERS

Octaves

The  octave  change  is now defined as a  parameter  thus  placed 
within a square bracket :

eg. C octave  -  [C]


Instrument

Instrument is defined within parameter as [ins=i]

where  i is an instrument of the Sound Blaster and its .SBI  file 
must be found in the SBI sub-directory.



Velocity (Volume)

 [vel=v]

where 1 < v > 128



Transposition

same as for C/MS Composer. 


NOTATION


Timing Divisor is now capable of accepting a one-sixteenth note, 

ie.   0////

Ties of less than 1 beat timing is now placed before the slashes, 

ie.  | 12^/ 23^/ 34^/ 45/ |




PERCUSSION


There are 2 ways of writing percussion :


1) the 9-voice melodic mode

In  this  mode, the percussion is treated as merely  one  of  the 
voices  using  a percussion sound-alike instrument.   Its  rhythm 
uses definite pitch instead of w,x,y.


2) the 6-voice 5-percussion mode

To switch to this mode, specify

a. Parameter [mode=P] in M1

b. Dot command .Channel p m

where p is the channel number namely,


and m is the percussion line - at users' disgression, any  melody 
lines M1 .. M12 can be used as a percussion line, 

eg     .channel 12 6 means the M6 is used as a bass drum

c.  Appropriate  instrument has to be specified  at  its  alloted 
percussion line.


Therefore, to play a Bass Drum at percussion line M8 :


m1| [mode=P] ....
m2| ....
 .
 .
m8| [ins=bdrum1] ....