
FT2 Frequently Asked Questiuons v1.10   (c) ube/uwp -94
                                            last edited: 20/11/1994 16:30
.
Hi!

As you all probably have noticed there is a wind of change blowing on the PC
music scene. Fasttracker 2 has been released. But as you also have noticed
there are many questions unanswered and I've taken it as my call to
straighten ut some questionmarks for you. These questions are mainly the ones 
that has acured five days after FT2 was released. Hopefully it won't be 
nessesary to update this file anymore! Most of the questions are rewritten to 
serve this text and so that everyone (allmost atleast!) can understand them. 
I've not included equipment trouble shooting (as why your stereo makes a funny 
little beeping sound). 

There seems to be some (read: lots of) bugs for the SB16 and AWE32 cards, but 
I'll try to push Triton to correct them. It seems to be a problem with playing 
.S3M too, can anybody tell me exactly what's the problem, 'cos I've never 
noticed it! (On the other hand I don't play S3Ms at all!)

FT2.FAQ has no relation to Triton (except the fact that they have written FT2!)
I take _no_ responsableties for _any_ misinterpretions that leeds to any 
damages on your computer and/or other equimpent. I can also not be held
resopnsable for any other misinterpretions (as Iraq invading Kuwait ;).

This text, FT2.FAQ included in the FT2FAQ.ZIP package may be spread as long
as it has not been changed in anyway, spelling errors may be sent to me and
I will correct them. No fee may be taken out for distrubating this file.

This package should contain the following files:

FT2.FAQ     - This file.                                          -  9995 Bytes
File_id.diz - BBS file.                                           -   368 Bytes
Lsavage.com - BBS addy for Little Savage, Triton and FT2.FAQ WHQ. -  1654 Bytes
\BBS\*.*    - BBS addies for other boards. Only .COM, .ANS or
.      ASC! No files with a length greather than 4kB!

All other files _must_ be deleted or put in the BBS directory.



I can be reached at:

Internet: Ube@lsavage.ct.se
DGI:      Post a message to Ube
FIDO:     Post a message to Ube at 2:205/104.1

Questions directly conserning FT2 or this FAQ can be posted to: 

Internet: FT2.FAQ@Lsavage.ct.se
DGI:      Post a message to FT2 FAQ
FIDO:     Post a message to FT2 FAQ at 2:205/104.1

Bug reports can also be posted to the address above.

When you ask a question, please tell me your equipment! And no questions as:
- Why does my monitor go bananas when I press the "G" key?
And please no questions about coding or fileformats, Mr. H and Vogue give you
a better answer.

Okey! Here we go!

CHAPTER:                Containin, ex:

        1. Starting up problems         - Trouble shooting
.2. True sound problems          - Problems with FT2 sample output
.3. File related problems        - File related problems!
.4. Effects and utilities        - Help with commands
.5. Soundcard problems           - Trouble shooting at SB (mainly!) ;)
.6. Other problems and questions - My wife doesn't understand me ;)

Notes: X is instead of a number, ex: 9XX is command 9 and two other numbers.
       Things written inside section marks are the button to press and/or the
       keyboard fast key.

8<---------8<---------------8<-------------8<----------------8<-----------



1: Starting up problems.
---------------------------


Q: I can't get FT2 to start.

A: It could have something to do with your bios. If you have the AMIbios
   and got the bootvirus check enabled, disable it and you'll have no
   problems to get it going.


Q: I can't even get FT2 to start, I only get the message: This program
   requires VGA. And I have a VGA card installed.

A: You have probably got a B&W monitor and as Triton didn't include support
   for B&W monitors, the only thing you can do is to buy yourself a color
   monitor or pray that they include it in the next version. ;)



2: True sound problems.
-------------------------


Q: I can't get FT2 to play in stero.

A: Try to enable stero in Config screen 1. If your problem is that you want
   to use the Amiga "stereo-type" ;) with the channel potision L-R-R-L, then
   you can do it one way, the hard and _very_ boring way:
   Use the P command in the volume colum and set it to P0 at channels 1, 4, 5,
   8 .. 32. And PF at channels 2, 3, 6, 7 .. 31. That's very boring! The reason
   why every channel is panned in the middle is taht you can use the panning
   envelope (Instr.Ed. , CLRT-I) to create the most stunning panning effects
   on one channel!


Q: How can I controll the channel to play the sample at when I'm test playing
   it?

A: You simply disable the key-jazz function in Config screen 3.


Q: How do I get FT2 to play the sample after I've released the key?

A: You make an envelope that outputs the sample at maximum volume before and 
   after the keyrelease and set the fadeout value to 0.


3: File related questions.
----------------------------


Q: FT2 won't save my module as a .MOD file.

A: The problem is as follows:
   
   1. You have used the linear frequence table. Change this in the Config
      screen 1 (Config, CTRL-1). BUT! If you have used command as 3XX, 6XX 
      or others that pitches the sample up or down, it can sound a bit offkey. 
    
   2. You have used envelopes in the intrument editor (Instr.Ed., Ctrl-I).
      To disable the envelopes, just press the button in the upper left coner
      of the envelope settings. FT2 uses the first envelope setting as default
      when loading a new sample, to disable auto envelope disable all XI 
      functions (Vibrato, Panning potision among others) and press right
      mousebutton on the button marked "1" in both windows.

   3. You still want to use the old .MOD format ;).



4: Effects and utilities
--------------------------


Q: What is an Instrument?

A: An instrument is one or a group of samples that share the same envelopes. To
   create an instrument isn't that hard. To create a piano that sounds _good_, 
   you just sample one tone from each octave in to the same instrument (don't 
   forget to change sample!). Then you give each sample a keyrange on the keys 
   located and the bottom of the instrument editor screen (You'll have to pitch

   the samples down or up, depending on where in the key range it's located).


Q: Isn't there a samplebooster as in the Amiga ProTracker?

A: Yes, there is! You'll find it in the sample editor (CTRL-S) by pressing
   the volume button. 


Q: How can I make FT2 time the samples correctly?

A: By using the EDX or the 9XX commands, you can delay the sample. 


Q: I have a string and I want to play it from left to right speaker, 
   there should be a way so you pan one channel to right, one to left, then
   put the string in one place of the left pattern and then to the right
   pattern. In ft2, the only way would be to load the instrument twice, 
   and pan it both ways and then use it, it is kinda of waste.

A: You don't have to load the sample twice. You can use the panning slide
   function (R or L in the volume-colum and PXX in the effect-colum) or
   you can use the set panning potision (PX in the volume-colum and 8XX
   in the effect-colum).


5: Soundcard problems.
-------------------------


Q: I can't FT2 to work with my SB, I've pressed the Soundblaster button
   in Config screen 1 but it wont work.

A: If you're an unlycky owner of a regular SB then I'm sorry, because Triton
   didn't get some support from Creative Labs (shame CL!) to get the SB to 
   work. If you're an owner of a SBP or better (read: SB16) the problem could 
   be that you have forgotten to set your blaster variable in Autoexec.bat. 
   Don't forget to set your mixer too.


Q: I can't change the volume in Config screen 1. I have a SB16

A: That is a true Soundblaster routine bug! But it's fixed in the next release.


Q: I can't get FT2 to work with my Pro Audio Spectrum card.

A: That function isn't implemented, yet! In a future version it MIGHT be.



6: Other problems and questions.
----------------------------------


Q: Isn't there a manual for FT2?

A: All functions included in FT2 are listed in the help screen (Help, Crtl-H).
   A brief listing, but yet, it works!


Q: I would like to buy a routine to play .XM files, can I do it?

A: NO! There is a little problem called "complexed code". The code for FT2
   is coded in a way that makes it allmost impossible to just use _one_ part 
   of it. If Triton were to release a routine like that, they would be forced 
   to release large bits of the other code (as their DOS extender).


Q: What do I get when I register FT2?

A: Basicly, your name put in the contrbution list.


Q: I can't find the DOS-shell key, where is it?

A: There is none! (Why do you want to shell to dos? Isn't FT2 wonderful
   or what? (Quote from Vouge when I first asked him about shelling.))


8<---------8<---------------8<-------------8<----------------8<-----------



I'd like to thank the follownig persons for asking quetions and helping
me out with bugs I couldn't find or couldn't find the solution to:

Richard Devereaux aka DWAYNE WAYNE
Stefan Petterson
Houman Ghahremanlou
Mike Currington
The Charlatan / Skavid
Dennis Papp
Magnus Hogdahl aka VOGUE / TRITON
Fredrik Huss aka MR. H / TRITON
Anders Aldengard aka LOOT / TRITON

I hope you've enjoyed this FAQ, 'cos it held me from playing Theme Park for
several hours! And remeber:
- No question it to silly to be asked, so keep 'em quetions comming in!
- Happy tracking, and please register your copy of FT2 soon!


                     / ube, betatester of FT2


      Med ett schysst jrnrr kan man sl vrlden med hpnad!



                               wWw  
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            Ube - Official Fasttracker ][ Betatester 


... Hey Dan! You have the UWP#1.ZIP packet, haven't you?


