

MIDTAB.exe    version .98
POINTER.pcx
README.txt   *this file



"I do not accept any responsibility for any effects this program may
have on you or your computer. Please use at your own risk."



-32-bit MsDos program, should run under Windows95 

-programmed with DJGPP 32-bit c/c++ compiler

-uses the Allegro libary

-will not play,  no sound card needed

-!WARNING! when running stricly under ms-dos, it will not recognize 
 filenames that are too long. Rename them or run under Win95


INSTRUCTIONS
------------

-extract zip file using Winzip to a directory
   *try to keep the directory name and/or nesting to a minimum
  (example--c:\midtab\) not(c:\musty~1\rusty~1\temp\temp2\). It 
  should now work under those situations but will save the text 
  file as 'test.txt'
 
-pointer.pcx must be in same directory
 
-need at least 4meg of memory. 

-must have a mouse installed to choose a track

-keyboard during tabbing
  'F'     -move one measure forward
  'ESC'   -end program without saving a text file
  'ENTER' -change fret to another available string
  'ARROW KEYS' -moves cursor up and down strings and beats
 
-I`ve found it easiest to use when first transcribing to keep guitar
in hand to test certain arrangements. The text file will be much easier
to read when learning the song. 

-If there is a problem with writing to a text file with part of the 
midi file name and track, it will be saved as 'test.txt'.


PURPOSE
-------

 This program was designed to transcribe one midi track at a time
into guitar tabulature. Once that is acheived it then saves it as
a text file.

 Here are some things which may or may not be obvious.
- each dash should represent a 32nd note
- spaces don`t count, only there for higher fret numbers
- high E string is top string
- low  E string is bottom string
- notes which can not be represented on the guitar are not shown
- some notes dissappear that end up on same string and can not be 
  relocated to another string
- graphical representation may not exactly interpret the saved textfile

LIMITATIONS  --things still working on 
-----------

-It was not meant to be a graphical tab-editor program. The graphical 
part came about to give a better control over the way it is tabbed out.
I`m holding off on working on that part until I have an ironclad engine 
for dealing with all midi and text output. 


-TTRIPLETS! These are a big problem. At the moment sometimes they work, 
sometimes they don`t. My limitations with a text file causes most of 
this. The rest is caused by the quantizing of notes. What happens is 
that the position of the notes on the beats will stray off a dash or two. 
All the notes are there and are in the correct order. To correct this I
may allow to insert or delete a blank space to shift the fret sequence
to the right place. I`m still awaiting feedback.

-It will only write one track at a time to one text file. I hope to
change this soon to be able to layer multiple tracks on to one tab 
sequence. This is useful when trying to make an arrangement out of an
orchestrated piece.

-It only reads type 1 midi files. 

-very large measures will be off screen, sorry. I haven`t come to a 
 conclusion on that one yet. 

-very large measures will be not be 100% correct in a text file.

-Awaiting more feedback and/or bugs. If any plroblems please e-mail me.



THANKS
------

 First it would have to be Shawn Hargreaves and all the programmers 
related to the ALLEGRO library. Also many thanks to DJGPP. Thanks to 
both of them because people like me are given the opportunity to 
develop applications. 

ALLEGRO
shawn@talula.demon.co.uk
http://www.talula.demon.co.uk/
DJGPP url and related information can be found there.


TROUBLESHOOTING
---------------

-when running under dos. Long filenames may not work. Change the 
filename or run under Win95.

-my config.sys has 'himem.sys' and 'emm388.exe NOEMS' loaded

-if GPF error occurs try adding DMPI=OFF to the emm386.exe line 

- when 'alt-tab' ing out under windows the application may or may not 
be restored.

-use "alt-ctrl-end" as a "ctrl-c" to break a locked program.

CONCLUSION
----------
 
 If you have any suggestions, comments, or basic bug info please let 
me know. The purpose is to slowly develop an application which reflects
the users purpose. Some intersesting arrangments can be made, and when
tabbing standard acoustic tracks it works rather well. So I hope it is 
of some use to you in learning and in fun. 
 At the moment the cost for using the program for more than 30 days is
$5. This will get you a cheaper price on any major upgrades. Minor 
upgrades will be free to all registered users. If you send a money order
only send $4. This should cover the cost of the money order. These are 
the easiest to deal with. Please send to address below.
 If there are any programmers interested in the code or interested in 
making new versions with a joint effort please let me know. I'm a new
programmer and could always use the help. 
 
Thanks,

 Peter White
 99 Broad street 
 Waterford, New York
 12188  USA

//e-mail temporary, will change please keep in mind

<cousin@albany.net>



