List of Frequently Asked Questions about Psycle ----------------------------------------------- - General Questions - ------------------- Q) I need to talk to the developers! A) Via E-mail: * Write to the mailing list: psycle-devel@lists.sourceforge.net * You can also contact with the developers using the e-mails listed here http://sourceforge.net/project/memberlist.php?group_id=10384 DO NOT WRITE to those with "No Specific Role". They are Retired. Most probably, you want to talk to JosepMa/jaz, or johan_boule/bohan Via IRC: * Use an IRC client to connect to *EFnet* network, and there, to the #psycle channel. * use the web based interfaces at: http://psycle.free.fr/irc Q) Is it possible to import/load MOD/S3M/XM/IT files into Psycle? A) Latest 1.7.x alphas and all 1.8 versions include "Sampulse" and its importing routines. Those should allow you to import them with ease. Warnings: * Sampulse as a machine is unfinished. You might preffer replacing it by other native/VST machines after having imported the patterns/sequence. * Also, note that Psycle has an important limitation : It does not have a volume column, so all the volume changes are converted to a volume command, making it impossible to have a volume set and a command at the same line. Q) What is this 'dummy' machine? A) Dummy internal machine? It is mainly used to replace missing plugin machines when loading a .psy file. It can also be used to group machines, connecting them to it, and avoid a limitation that exists of max 12 machines connected to one. Q) I have problems playing a song in Winamp! A) The winamp plugin hasn't been updated for long, and it lacks several changes that have been since then. We no longer recommend using it, until we release an up-to-date version. - Samples and the Sampler Machine - -------------------------------- Q) I've loaded a sample but it doesn't make any sound. A) To play a sampled sound (.wav or .iff only!) you need to add a sampler machine and connect it to the master or to an effect that goes to the master. You might want to check if other machines make sound, and check your audio settings. Q) Can Psycle use OGG?/MP3? files as samples? A) Unfortunately not. This is a common question, because it would be good. Support for lossy compression (MP3?, etc) and lossless compression? (FLAC, etc) formats is on the TODO list. Q) When I load a sample and enter a note, it's really fast and high-pitched... ...when it plays. I've tried everything from halving the bit rate of the sample to re-installing Psycle. What should I do about this? A) The way trackers change pitch of a sample is by speeding up or slowing down the rate at which the individual sample points are played back. The result is similar to playing a 33 1/3 RPM record at 45, or vice versa. This depends on the note you press, and for the Sampler, the "standard" note is C-4, not C-5 like with most other plugins. Also, you can adjust the base note to another value, via the Edit instruments screen (Edit button in the toolbar, or F10 key) - Psycle Usage - -------------- Q) When Psycle loses focus, the music stops. Why? A) The "Exclusive" mode is selected in the Directsound Configuration. Go to the Configuration Menu -> Settings and select the Input/output tab, and press the configure button. There you will see the Exclusive option. Uncheck it. Q) I've put my xxx VST plugin in the "plugins" dir and Psycle doesn't show it! A) Psycle uses a different paths for Native plugins and VST plugins. By default, Native Plugins go under "Plugins\" and VST's go under "Vst\". If you want to change it, go to Configure-Settings, select the "Directories" tab, and select your VST plugins' dir. Q) Why doesn't/Can't/won't Psycle support buzz machines? A) Oskari Tammelin, the author of Buzz, declined us the right to develop a Buzz Plugins' Host for Psycle. Recently, some wrappers are being developed for other projects. Psycle is keeping an eye on those and in the future we could use one of those in Psycle Q) I can't enter notes into the Pattern Editor. What happens? A) The Edit Mode is Deactivated. The default key to switch it on/off is the "Space" key. You can see if you are on Edit mode in the status bar, to the right. Q) What is the Red Circle Button in the toolbar for? A) It allows you to enter Record Notes in realtime mode. To enter this mode Follow Song and Edit mode have to be activated so when you enable Record Notes in realtime, Follow Song and Edit mode are activated automatically if they were disabled. Q) I have only 16 tracks in my psycle song, how do i get 64? A) Under the save icon (the diskette), there is a track number selector. Unfold the list of tracks number and select 64. Q) What does the Autostop All Machines button exactly do? A) When enabled, if Psycle detects an effect that receives no sound input, it stops it, freeing CPU usage. This is beneficial in most cases, but plugins like delays, or those that have LFO's or any other parameter that needs to run constantly, will sound unexpectedly. Q) How do I change the pattern length? A) Right Click in the Pattern Window and then select "Properties" Q) Is it possible to have different patterns with a different length? A) See above: "How do I change the pattern length?" Q) How does the tweak_smooth command work? A) In the docs-Directory you find a .txt-file with in-depth info about tweaking. Q) Is it possible to let a tws command affect several rows (not only one)? A) Smooth tweaks between two tweak values can be achieved by entering the start and the end value, selecting via mouse the region and then select "Interpolate" from the context-menu. Q) how do I stop a synth playing in a track/ how do i create a NoteOff? A) put the cursor in a channel's first column, the row you want it to stop and press [ctrl]-1. This will put an "off", silencing the machine at that point. - Developement - ---------------- Q) How can I develop a Psycle Machine? A) There is no SDK yet, and format will change in Psycle 2. The recommended way right now is to get the source directly of one of the open source plugins ( arguru synth is a good start ), and use it as a template for your own. You can download them from Psycle's SVN repository at Source Forge Site: https://psycle.svn.sourceforge.net/svnroot/psycle/trunk/psycle-plugins/ Q) How can I port a Buzz machine to Psycle? A) An old SDK exists in the download section of Psycle in Sourceforge, but it is obsolete. The only way there is right now is starting with a Psycle plugin. M3 Would be your start point, since it is partially documented. Q) I would like to contribute to the project. What can I do? A) Psycle evolves continuously, and sometimes it is thanks small contributions from people not involved directly with it. You can contact the developers (See first Question of this FAQ) and ask what could you do. Or either tell us what you'd like to do, DSP, plugins, help files, graphics, tracker features... There are lots of places that can be improved in one way or another. Q) When will Psycle 2 be out?/ In which stage is Psycle 2 developement? What do you plan for Psycle 2? A) See the History and roadmap.txt file