MOD: Difference between revisions

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Module files (MODs) are a class of file formats used to represent music on a computer. They store several patterns or pages of music data in a form similar to that of a spreadsheet. These patterns contain note numbers, instrument numbers, and controller messages. The number of notes that can be played simultaneously depends on how many tracks there are per pattern.
Module files (MODs) are files that contain human-readable music data (based on pattern, page, effect and track info laid out in a spreadsheet-like manner) and sound samples. They are used to play music in [[MegaZeux]] games.


Module files also give a list of the order in which to play the patterns. However, the biggest advantage of MOD family over standard MIDI files is that MODs include their own audio samples and should sound exactly the same from one player to another barring interpolation methods and any errors in players.
Files with the extension of .MOD are the simplest and oldest of these formats. Until version 2.48b, the only options for music in MegaZeux were ProTracker-format .MOD files (limited to 4 channels and 31 samples). The switch to [[Bells, Whistles, and Sound Boards|BWSB]] for the music engine allowed several new formats, including Ultimate Soundtracker 15-instrument format .MODs and the popular S3M format. Most new formats had to be converted to an intermediary format called .[[GDM]] (short for '''G'''eneral '''D'''igital '''M'''usic).


Module files are often referred to as tracker modules, and composing modules is known as tracking, simply because the first ever module creating program was Soundtracker, created by Karsten Obarski in 1987. Soundtracker was cloned many times, with programs such as NoiseTracker and ProTracker being direct descendants from the original Soundtracker code, and others such as MED/OctaMED and Oktalyzer being written from scratch. Such programs are called trackers in general.
MegaZeux switched to the [[ModPlug]] music engine at 2.80, allowing the popular formats XM and IT (as well as several others) to play natively.
 
MegaZeux currently plays modules with one of two possible sound engines: ''ModPlug'', the default engine, and ''[[MikMod]]'', an alternative module engine used when running MegaZeux on more limited platforms. For compatibility reasons, all MZX versions past 2.81h will only play the module formats both engines can play (MOD, S3M, XM, IT, GDM, STM, MTM, 669, ULT, FAR, MED, DSM, OKT and AMF).
 
Programs used to create modules are called ''trackers''. Popular trackers include ModPlug Tracker (OpenMPT) and Skale. See [https://devlabs.linuxassist.net/projects/amigamml/wiki/Compare_features] for a list of some others.
 
===See Also===
*[[S3M]], the ScreamTracker 3.0 music format
*[[SAM]], the file format used for sound effects
*[[OGG|OGG Vorbis]], a lossy audio format supported since 2.81
 
[[Category:MegaZeux]]

Latest revision as of 01:31, 12 June 2021

Module files (MODs) are files that contain human-readable music data (based on pattern, page, effect and track info laid out in a spreadsheet-like manner) and sound samples. They are used to play music in MegaZeux games.

Files with the extension of .MOD are the simplest and oldest of these formats. Until version 2.48b, the only options for music in MegaZeux were ProTracker-format .MOD files (limited to 4 channels and 31 samples). The switch to BWSB for the music engine allowed several new formats, including Ultimate Soundtracker 15-instrument format .MODs and the popular S3M format. Most new formats had to be converted to an intermediary format called .GDM (short for General Digital Music).

MegaZeux switched to the ModPlug music engine at 2.80, allowing the popular formats XM and IT (as well as several others) to play natively.

MegaZeux currently plays modules with one of two possible sound engines: ModPlug, the default engine, and MikMod, an alternative module engine used when running MegaZeux on more limited platforms. For compatibility reasons, all MZX versions past 2.81h will only play the module formats both engines can play (MOD, S3M, XM, IT, GDM, STM, MTM, 669, ULT, FAR, MED, DSM, OKT and AMF).

Programs used to create modules are called trackers. Popular trackers include ModPlug Tracker (OpenMPT) and Skale. See [1] for a list of some others.

See Also

  • S3M, the ScreamTracker 3.0 music format
  • SAM, the file format used for sound effects
  • OGG Vorbis, a lossy audio format supported since 2.81
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