[SOF] AWEPATCH v1.01 -------------- Description ----------- The concept behind AWEpatch is that AWE32 users with limited dRAM (i.e. 512k to 2MB) can use it more efficiently than when using the user banks. The user can replace any of the General MIDI [ROM] voices (some of which are asking to be replaced!) with an alternative RAM patch saved in the format of a user SBK file. In my case I have a number of good quality GM patches, total size accumulating to about 6.5MB. There is no way I can load all these patches into one SBK file and upload it onto my 512K AWE32 as a User Bank! Noted though, on average I only use a few patches per song, AWEpatch allows you to upload patches as and when you need them (no more static banks!). You can also call Control Panel and Break Out Box from within AWEpatch (just an added extra). Requirements:- 1) An AWE32 sound card 2) The AWEMAN.DLL & AWEGUI.DLL drivers 3) Some good SBK's for upload! I hope you will find this program useful, I use it all the time and would find life hard without it! I suppose you could call it Virtual Patch Caching (I miss my old Ultrasound!). Technical Note -------------- AWEpatch accesses the above mentioned drivers in the same manner that the Control Panel does (i.e. not the normal route). This allows you to run AWEpatch at the same time as CakeWalk, EnsembleMIDI et al. It is worth noting that when the MIDI driver is in use (as it is when CakeWalk is running), the upload time to dRAM is roughly DOUBLED (just try it - and watch your hard-drive light!). This means that a normal upload of 8 seconds (on my 486SX 25Mhz) for the GS Synth Bank takes about 17 seconds when uploading alongside CakeWalk. Sorry, can't do nothing about that my friends. Note to Creative (SingaPore) ---------------------------- Seeing as you would not tell me how to access the drivers like I needed, I had to find out myself. Sorry, if you don't like this but there was no way I was going to put up with disabling the MIDI driver and then re- enabling it everytime I wanted to perform a upload!!! On the other hand, thanks to Ifor Powel (Creative UK) for his help on this project. ============================================================================ Using AWEpatch -------------- De-archive (pkunzip), all files to a previously created directory (e.g. mkdir C:\AWEPATCH). Add the application to program manager and the double click to run it. AWEpatch is easy to use and the commands should be self-explanatory, but if not see below... The Listbox ----------- There are 128 entries in the patch listbox, corresponding to the 128 General Midi patches available from your Sequencer/MIDI Player. Each entry will be either 'available' (denoted by a circle outline) or 'unavailable' (denoted by nothing!). An available entry has a pathname to a replacement SBK file stored in the GMIDI.INI file. Any entries which can not be found upon loading of the GMIDI.INI file will be marked as 'unobtainable' (crossed- square). Double clicking (or pressing the space bar) on an available entry toggles the entry's status betwen 'upload' state (denoted by a circle with a dot) and back to available state. AWEpatch will try and upload any entries with upload status when the UPDATE AWE DRAM button is pressed. Double clicking on a uploaded entry (filled circle), will toggle between 'remove' and 'uploaded' status. AWEpatch will remove any entries with remove status from the AWE DRAM when the UPDATE AWE DRAM button is pressed. When the user selects the CLEAR INSTRUMENTS button AWEpatch tries to clear all uploaded SBK's from the Synth Bank (note: all other user banks 1-127, should be unaffected). All uploaded entries on the listbox will return to 'upload' status after the clear process. (note: the current synth bank emulation will be re-loaded) The RESET UPLOADS button simply changes all 'upload' entries back to 'available' entries. The SAVESET button makes a record of only ALL THE ENTRIES CURRENTLY UPLOADED or in 'UPLOAD' state and saves this information to a file (RAMSET.INI). The LOADSET button loads the information stored in RAMSET.INI back in and any entries specified 'resident' in this file are marked as 'upload' status, ready to be uploaded to restore the saved config. Any entries which are marked as 'resident' in the RAMSET.INI but for which the current GMIDI.INI does not specify a link - will be marked with a broken link symbol (lightning symbol). EXTRA Menu Options ------------------ SBK INFORMATION :- Gives information about the currently selected listbox entry (seems to work with most SBKs). EDIT LINKS :- Loads the GMIDI.INI into Notepad (or whatever the TXT extension points to in the File Manager's Associations). RELOAD PATCH LINKS :- Reloads the information in the GMIDI.INI file back into the listbox, does not physcically affect the patches in the dRAM. TOOLS Menu Options ------------------ CONTROL PANEL & BREAK-OUT-BOX :- These open the required standard AWE dialogs. SB16 MIXER :- This searches for the MIXER entry in SBWIN.INI and loads the executable specified there. REFRESH PATCHES :- This re-loads all 'uploaded' and 'upload' entries, along with the current synth emulation. This is usefull if you had just changed the synth emulation with Control Panel, because this action will overwrite any entries you have previously upload with AWEpatch. SYSTEM MENU ----------- ALWAYS ON TOP :- This checked menu item decides whether to always keep the AWEpatch window in front all other windows (except other priority windows i.e. Control Panel). ============================================================================ The GMIDI.INI File ------------------ This file contains all your links from each entry in the listbox to a separate SBK file of your choice. Modify the supplied file. Make sure the pathname/filename is valid. Note: The patch names ARE USER DEFINABLE (see entries around 120-127 in my file). A short note about "SBK file style" :- The SBK file should have the required instrument (just one) at Patch Number Zero. Any other style may not work (I have not tried others). It is possible to create small SBK's which re-patch ROM instruments (or modified ROM presets) to different GM patch number (experiment with Vienna). The RAMSET.INI File ------------------- This file holds your favorite configuration of which SBK's you like to have in the AWE's RAM. At present only one RAMSET is supported. ============================================================================ SHORTCUT KEYS ------------- ESCAPE :- Minimize AWEpatch and return control (re-activate) to the window below. (i.e. use to return to CakeWalk) RETURN :- Toggles the AWEpatch window between minimized (but active) and restored state. (i.e. use to take a peek at what is behind the AWEpatch window) Various CTRL+xxx keys (see menu) and associated ALT+xxx keys (see underline of each button) ============================================================================ Known bugs/problems/frustrating things.. ---------------------------------------- 1) There is only one 'set' 2) Deleting a patch from memory needs re-loading of all other patches! 3) Due to sharing time with the MIDI driver (probably), uploading within CakeWalk takes approximately twice as long! (and then some...) 4) There is no file requester to add SBK pathname links with (as yet). ============================================================================ Final Rubbish ------------- Sorry if AWEpatch is naff, I wrote it because I could'nt find anything that replaced the ROM samples and I wanted something that could act a bit like the patch caching of the Gravis Ultrasound. I wrote this after only programming in windows for a few days, so it probably shows - bugs aplenty I expect. However... Please send any comments, bug reports (should be loads!), suggestions to: Mark McCormack 45 Fields Road Lepton Huddersfield West Yorkshire HD8 OAQ UK OR Email: M.J.J.McCormack-93@student.lut.ac.uk == Note: I wrote this for my own use and have no plans to update it unless no-one else brings out something much better, or if people really want a updated version (multiple bank support, multiple choices per GM patch number etc..) [EOF] Version v1.01 ------------- New AWEFONT.FON file, that actually works.