
                   ----------------------------------------
                   BeatMaster Version 2.1 PC MIDI Sequencer
                   ----------------------------------------
                    Copyright (C) 1998 by Eamonn F. Martin
                             All Rights Reserved


 This file gives a basic outline of the BeatMaster V2 package.  BeatMaster's
 on-line, context-sensitive help provides full program documentation.  There
 is a utility program included in the package (HELPTEXT.COM) for converting
 the Help files into plain DOS-text files.

   CONTENTS
   --------
   1. BeatMaster's Purpose..: Why BeatMaster exists
   2. Program Overview......: General description of the program
   3. Features..............: Notable program features
   4. Machine Requirements..: What you need to use BeatMaster
   5. BeatMaster Files......: Files included in the V2.1 package
   6. Legalities............: Legal mumbo jumbo
   7. Licence...............: Distribution licence


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1. BEATMASTER'S PURPOSE
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BeatMaster is the latest in a stream of non-commercial software that I've
produced over the past seventeen years.  It was created because I needed
a useful tool and had to make it myself (in C).  It's only other purpose
in this mad universe is to satisfy my latent desire for publicity.

BeatMaster is all my own work and I am (quite) proud of it.  It successfully
fulfills the purpose for which it was intended;  to exploit the MIDI music
capabilities of MY OWN home computer.  Since it worked for me, I have made
it available to others with similar needs.

This package contains the shareware edition of BeatMaster V2.1.  Everything
is included except the File-Save option.  It must be distributed strictly
in accordance with the terms of the LICENCE below.  To obtain the complete
registered version of BeatMaster, please contact the author:

              8 Wellfield Avenue, London N10 2EA, United Kingdom

                               efm001@unl.ac.uk

Registration for the full version of BeatMaster costs 10 UK pounds (+post).
This lets you save files and can also handle tracks larger than 64K.  User-
support and updates are only available to registered users of the program.


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2. PROGRAM OVERVIEW
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BeatMaster is a MIDI sequencer program for IBM PC compatible computers. MIDI
is an electronic code used to communicate with musical instruments and other
devices.  Using the 'MIDI language' BeatMaster can control (or 'sequence') a
system of interconnected MIDI devices like a conductor playing an orchestra.

BeatMaster can both transmit and receive MIDI messages.  A MIDI-equipped
instrument like a keyboard sends a note-message every time a key is pressed
or released.  BeatMaster can record these messages with very precise timing
information and then re-transmit them reproduce exactly the note sequence
played.  Several parts can be recorded independently and then combined to
build a complete sequence.  Parts can also be created and modified using a
wide variety of editing facilities.


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3. FEATURES
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* Full on-line context-sensitive help covering all aspects of the program.
* Supports both Sound Blaster and MPU-401 compatible MIDI interfaces.
* Full support for system-exclusives (includes a selection for the DB50XG).
* Support for up to four independent MIDI interfaces.
* Supports MIDI-THRU between interfaces.
* MIDI recording, mixing and playback.
* MIDI real-time events (START/CONTINUE/STOP) and external timing-clock.
* 40 tracks with independent settings.
* Functions for manipulating tracks, blocks and selected MIDI events.
* Powerful calculation functions for editing notes and events.
* Track looping, muting and multi-soloing.
* Note quantization and humanization.
* Sequence tempo range from 10bpm to 500bpm!
* Playlist files for grouping and playing sequence compilations.
* Support for text events (cue-point, marker, lyric, general).
* Easy creation of customized sysex events using a simple text file format.
* MIDI synthesizer emulation using a Sound Blaster compatible card.
* MIDI keyboard emulation using the computer's own keyboard.


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4. MACHINE REQUIREMENTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BeatMaster has been designed to be small, fast and efficient, allowing it to
be used with even the most basic hardware setup.


  Minimum Requirements           Recommended Enhancements
  ----------------------------   -----------------------------------------
  * 100% IBM PC compatible 286   * 100% IBM PC compatible 486
  * VGA display adapter          * 384K of extended (XMS) memory
  * PC sound card                * Sound Blaster or MPU-401 MIDI interface
                                 * MIDI keyboard and synthesizer
                                 * A mouse


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5. BEATMASTER FILES
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following files are included in the BeatMaster V2 shareware package.


  FILENAME EXT       SIZE          DESCRIPTION
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Main Files

  BEATMAST EXE       243,744       The sequencer program itself
  TITLE    ???       146,092       BeatMaster title-screens display
  HELPTEXT COM        11,596       Help-text conversion utility
  HELPLINK DAT         1,192       Context-sensitive help data file
  ???????? HLP       243,958       On-line hypertext Help files
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Configuration Files

  DEFAULT  IBK         3,204       Default FM instrument bank file (GM)
  DEFAULT  KEY           803       General MIDI percussion map
  DEFAULT  PRG         1,796       General MIDI program names
  DEFAULT  CTL         2,651       Standard MIDI controller names
  DEFAULT  SXE         3,850       Yamaha DB50XG system-exclusive events
  DB50XG   KEY         1,093       Yamaha DB50XG default percussion map
  DB50XG   CTL           432       Yamaha DB50XG controller names
  ???????? PAL         1,022       Colour palette configuration files
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Demonstration Sequences

  JAZZ     MID        27,366       Standard MIDI demonstration sequence
  JAZZ     BMS        27,847       The above file in BeatMaster format
  SMOKI    BMS        13,454       Yamaha DB50XG demonstration sequence
  DEMO     PLY            63       Demonstration playlist file
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Information Files

  README   TXT         8,759       This text file
  UPDATES  TXT         5,672       Changes made to the BeatMaster package
  LICENCE  TXT         2,198       Distribution licence
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------
   45 files          746,792 bytes


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6. LEGALITIES
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BeatMaster is copyright (C) 1996-1998 by Eamonn F. Martin.

This documentation is copyright (C) 1996-1998 by Eamonn F. Martin.

No parts of BeatMaster or its documentation may be copied in whole or in part,
except as provided in the Licence below.


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7. LICENCE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This demonstration version of BeatMaster may be freely copied and distributed
subject to the following restrictions:

       * BeatMaster must be distributed in absolutely unmodified form,
         including ALL program, documentation, and other files.

       * BeatMaster may not be included with any other product for any
         reason whatsoever without a licence from the author.

       * No charge or payment may be levied for BeatMaster.

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