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vividtracker_reference_manual [2023/09/30 10:09] – [Bluetooth Keyboard Support] larsvividtracker_reference_manual [2025/06/03 09:25] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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 Just like in Protracker, you have buttons like PLAY, STOP, PATTERN (PATT in VividTracker), etc. There are some differences in their functionality. PLAY works exactly like in Protracker, i.e. it starts from row 0 in the current pattern. PATT is a little bit different. It starts from the row where you are in VividTracker (in Protracker it starts from row 0). The reason is that VividTracker does not have room for a CONTINUE button. If you want to play a pattern from row 0, you can do this by first pressing PLAY and then PATT. VividTracker lacks a RECORD button, but you can use PLAY+EDIT to get the same functionality. Just like in Protracker, you have buttons like PLAY, STOP, PATTERN (PATT in VividTracker), etc. There are some differences in their functionality. PLAY works exactly like in Protracker, i.e. it starts from row 0 in the current pattern. PATT is a little bit different. It starts from the row where you are in VividTracker (in Protracker it starts from row 0). The reason is that VividTracker does not have room for a CONTINUE button. If you want to play a pattern from row 0, you can do this by first pressing PLAY and then PATT. VividTracker lacks a RECORD button, but you can use PLAY+EDIT to get the same functionality.
  
-In Protracker, you can step through the pattern one row at a time by pressing the ENTER button and get audio feedback. You can do the same in VividTracker, by pressing the STEP button. It actually works a little bit better than Protracker, because it adheres to effects like the arp command. One button that is totally different in VividTracker is the CLEAR button. This button simply clears a whole row in the track where you are standing, given that you are in EDIT mode. Protracker also has a CLEAR button, but that button is used to remove either sample data or pattern data from the module. The buttons POS, PAT, LEN, I, D, work exactly in the same way as in Protracker.+POS, PAT, LEN, I, D, work in the same way as in Protracker. A song is a sequence of patterns. LEN will tell you how many patterns that will be played in a sequence. POS will tell the current position in the song (starting from 0 and up). For instance, if your length of the song is 21, the positions will go from 0 to 20. PAT will tell which pattern that is played at the current position. You can extend the song by pressing the + button next to LEN, or decrease it with -. If you want to insert a new pattern in the middle of the song, you can do so by pressing I. The song will then be extended with one pattern. If you want to delete a pattern, you can press D instead. 
 + 
 +{{ :VividTrackerpositionscreen.png?600 |}} 
 + 
 +POS also works as a button. If you press it, you will get into a song view mode, where you can see the structure of the whole song. The POS column in the tracker view is now showing the position in the song and each row is showing what pattern that is played at that position. For each track, you will see a grey or a blue box, telling if the track in the given pattern is empty or not. Tracks 5-8 will be in dark red if you are currently in 4-tracks mode. You can move up and down either by sliding horisontally on the screen with your finger or mouse, or use the +/- buttons next to POS. Use the I, D, or +/- buttons next to POS, PAT, LEN to change the structure of the song as described above. 
 + 
 +In Protracker, you can step through the pattern one row at a time by pressing the ENTER button and get audio feedback. You can do the same in VividTracker, by pressing the STEP button. It actually works a little bit better than Protracker, because it adheres to effects like the arp command. One button that is totally different in VividTracker is the CLEAR button. This button simply clears a whole row in the track where you are standing, given that you are in EDIT mode. Protracker also has a CLEAR button, but that button is used to remove either sample data or pattern data from the module.
  
 The T+ and T- buttons are unique in VividTracker. They let you transpose the notes in the bottom keyboard up and down. If you want to step more than one note at a time, you can do that by holding the transpose button down. The T+ and T- buttons are unique in VividTracker. They let you transpose the notes in the bottom keyboard up and down. If you want to step more than one note at a time, you can do that by holding the transpose button down.
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 This screen replaces the STEPS function from SCREEN 1A with a BOOST function. BOOST allows you to boost the volume. This is great for modules with low amplitude, but modules with already high amplitude will get through the roof and you get distortion. BOOST=1 equals no boost. On this screen, you can also set if the tracker should be in 4-tracks or 8-tracks mode by pressing the "4" button. The button will change to "8" in order to indicate that you are now in 8-tracks mode. By pressing the "5-8" button, you can change the tracker view to display tracks 5 to 8. Press "1-4" to get back to tracks 1-4. This screen replaces the STEPS function from SCREEN 1A with a BOOST function. BOOST allows you to boost the volume. This is great for modules with low amplitude, but modules with already high amplitude will get through the roof and you get distortion. BOOST=1 equals no boost. On this screen, you can also set if the tracker should be in 4-tracks or 8-tracks mode by pressing the "4" button. The button will change to "8" in order to indicate that you are now in 8-tracks mode. By pressing the "5-8" button, you can change the tracker view to display tracks 5 to 8. Press "1-4" to get back to tracks 1-4.
  
-A new button called DUP allows you to easy duplicate a pattern. Select a pattern that you want to duplicate at specific position in your song, e.g. pattern 3 at position 7. You want to create slightly different version of pattern 3 at position 7When you press DUPVividTracker will search for an empty pattern (e.g. pattern 1) and copy pattern 3 to that pattern. VividTracker will then set the new pattern number (e.g. pattern 1)to the current position in your song (e.g. position 7).+A new button called DUPI allows you to easy duplicate and insert new pattern. Go to a position in your song. Press DUPI and it will insert a new position, move to the new position, and make copy of the pattern in the previous position. For instance, say that you stand in song position 3, pattern 4Press DUPI and it will move to position 4 where it will insert a new pattern which will be a copy of pattern 4.
  
 VividTracker allows you to load two modules at the same time, as "Mod A" and "Mod B". This is a great feature where you can easily swap between two modules. Say for instance that you are making a new song but you want to take inspiration from another module. You can then load the other module as module B. The button "MOD A" tells you that you are currently working on module A. Press it to swap to module B. The button will now read "MOD B". The module will be empty if you have not yet loaded anything to module B. Press the button again to swap back to module A. The same button is also present in Screen 2A & 2B, and Screen 4A. VividTracker allows you to load two modules at the same time, as "Mod A" and "Mod B". This is a great feature where you can easily swap between two modules. Say for instance that you are making a new song but you want to take inspiration from another module. You can then load the other module as module B. The button "MOD A" tells you that you are currently working on module A. Press it to swap to module B. The button will now read "MOD B". The module will be empty if you have not yet loaded anything to module B. Press the button again to swap back to module A. The same button is also present in Screen 2A & 2B, and Screen 4A.
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 {{ :2a.png?600 |}} {{ :2a.png?600 |}}
  
-This is the file browser screen. You will see two lists in the middle of the screen: Modules and Samples. There are four folders that you can go into"Local" is your local files on your iPad, not stored on the cloud. "iCloud" is your iCloud folder (only visible if you have iCloud turned on). "Factory" is a folder with three demo songs and two sample libraries. "ScottLee" is a folder with six songs from Scott Lee, who wrote these in the end of the 1980s. Select any of these folders and you get to the module list of that folder. If you select a module in the Modules list, you will immediately see the samples in that module. The module you selected (either MOD or VTM) can then be loaded by hitting the LOAD MOD button. Once you have loaded the module, you will see the module name listed in the "Mod name:" button. You can change the name of the module by pressing on the actual name (the whole name field works as a button). To step back from the folder, select the ".." item.+This is the file browser screen. You will see two lists in the middle of the screen: Modules and Samples. There are four folders that you can go into
 + 
 +  * "Local" is your local files on your iPad, not stored on the cloud. 
 +  * "iCloud" is your iCloud folder (only visible if you have iCloud turned on). 
 +  * "Factory" is a folder with three demo songs and two sample libraries. 
 +  * "ST-01" is a folder with all the old classic ST-01 Amiga samples. Load these by selecting a sample, then press "LOAD SMPL"
 +  * "ScottLee" is a folder with six songs from Scott Lee, who wrote these in the end of the 1980s. 
 + 
 +Select any of these folders and you get to the file list of that folder. If you select a module in the Modules list, you will immediately see the samples in that module. The module you selected (either MOD or VTM) can then be loaded by hitting the LOAD MOD button. Once you have loaded the module, you will see the module name listed in the "Mod name:" button. You can change the name of the module by pressing on the actual name (the whole name field works as a button). To step back from the folder, select the ".." item
 + 
 +Samples can both be loaded as old Amiga-sample files (like the files in the ST-01 folder) or as wav-files. Select the file and then press "LOAD SMPL". The wav-file will be converted to 8-bit format. The sample rate will depend on what note you have selected on SCREEN 4A. If it says C-3 (default value), then the sample rate will be 16574 samples/sec. 
 + 
 +Wav-files can also be opened from other apps. In e.g. AUM, you can select your audio file and ask it to open the file in VividTracker.
  
-VividTracker can load wav-files as samples. Any wav-file you see in the File browser can be loaded by selected the file and then select "LOAD SMPL"Another way of loading samples is directly from another module. When you have selected a module and you see the samples in the Samples list, you can select any of the samples and then press the LOAD SAMPLE button to load it into memory. It will then replace the current sample you have selected (SAMPL on screen 1, 4 or 5). The module you want to take a sample from does not need to be loaded, and this is therefore a nice way of loading samples from other modules.+Another way of loading samples is directly from another module. When you have selected a module and you see the samples in the Samples list, you can select any of the samples and then press the LOAD SAMPLE button to load it into memory. It will then replace the current sample you have selected (SAMPL on screen 1, 4 or 5). The module you want to take a sample from does not need to be loaded, and this is therefore a nice way of loading samples from other modules.
  
 SAVE MOD allows you to save your current module as a Protracker module. This will give you a module that can be played in Protracker on the Amiga. VividTracker will convert any Auto Chord commands (effect 8) to real note data. This means, even if you have used Auto Chord, you can always save your module as a Protracker module and be able to play it back on the Amiga. SAVE MOD allows you to save your current module as a Protracker module. This will give you a module that can be played in Protracker on the Amiga. VividTracker will convert any Auto Chord commands (effect 8) to real note data. This means, even if you have used Auto Chord, you can always save your module as a Protracker module and be able to play it back on the Amiga.
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 NEW MOD is erasing your current module from memory and gives you a new module. NEW MOD is erasing your current module from memory and gives you a new module.
  
-DEL will delete either a file or a directory. First, press the DEL button. You will then see that the button is pressed down and the browser will be set to delete mode. You can then select which file or directory you want to delete. If you press a directory, it will ask you if you really want to delete it. Files will be deleted without asking. If you accidentally press DEL, you can press it again to release it.+DEL will delete either a file or a directory. It can be used in two ways: 
 +    a) Select the file you want to deletethen press DEL button 
 +    b) First press DEL button (which will remain pressed), then select the 
 +       file or directory you want to delete 
 +Deleting directories can only be done with the b) option. If you regret pressing the DEL button, you can release it by pressing on it again.
  
-RENAME works in the same way as DEL. You start with pressing the button so that it is pressed down. Then you select the file or directory that you want to rename. If you press RENAME by accident, you can press it again to release it.+RENAME works in the same way as DEL, but will rename the file rather than delete it.
  
 MKDIR will create a new directory in the current folder in your left file browser. MKDIR will create a new directory in the current folder in your left file browser.
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 {{ :4b.png?600 |}} {{ :4b.png?600 |}}
 This screen is almost the same as 4A. This screen is almost the same as 4A.
 +
 +PATT2SMP will play the current pattern and make it into a sample to the current sample position (make sure you select an empty sample).
 +
 +AUDIOCPY will play the current pattern and copy it to the AUDIOCOPY app.
  
 The FTUNE is replaced by XFADE, which is a powerful feature to interpolate loop points in a sample to reduce clicking sounds at the end points. The issue with loops in Protracker is to find the perfect spot for the loop to start and end. If the start and end of the loop has very different values in the sample (e.g. 20 at the start, 50 at the end), you will hear a clicking sound. If you have a loop and press the XFADE + button a couple of times, you will see a green area before both loop points. When you press down the XFADE button, the sample data from the first green area (before the first loop point) will be interpolated over to the second green area (before the second loop point), effectively making sure that the sample values at the loop points are the same. You can select how large the green area should be with the +/- buttons. An example of this is shown in the image above. The FTUNE is replaced by XFADE, which is a powerful feature to interpolate loop points in a sample to reduce clicking sounds at the end points. The issue with loops in Protracker is to find the perfect spot for the loop to start and end. If the start and end of the loop has very different values in the sample (e.g. 20 at the start, 50 at the end), you will hear a clicking sound. If you have a loop and press the XFADE + button a couple of times, you will see a green area before both loop points. When you press down the XFADE button, the sample data from the first green area (before the first loop point) will be interpolated over to the second green area (before the second loop point), effectively making sure that the sample values at the loop points are the same. You can select how large the green area should be with the +/- buttons. An example of this is shown in the image above.
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 DEL deletes the current row in the current track DEL deletes the current row in the current track
  
-AUTOKEY turns on AutoChord Keys. This will make the keyboard adapt to the current AutoChord and only show the pentatonic scale for that chordThe last key will always show which chord it is. Only the first two tracks control the AutoChord Keys.+SCALE let you select a scale for the notes in the keyboard. Normal mode shows all the notes (chromatic scale), but with SCALE you can select from 30 different scales, including exotic scales like Yo or Iwato for Japanese scales, and more western type of scales like the Harmonic or Pentatonic scales. 
 + 
 +Once you have selected a scale, the last button will turn blue and show which key the scale is set toThe default is C, but if you want to change it to e.g. A, you can press the blue button. The blue button will remain pressed and the keyboard will in this mode display all the notes from C to B. By pressing one of the keys, you will select a new key for the scale. If you regret and don't want to select a new key, you can just press the blue note button again to release it. If you use a qwerty-keyboard for entering notes, the keys will behave differently as well when you have selected another scale than chromatic. Read more about that in the section about bluetooth keyboard support.
  
 PLAYED let's you see the underlying notes that are played when you are using the Auto Chord feature. We will now go through the Auto Chord in detail. PLAYED let's you see the underlying notes that are played when you are using the Auto Chord feature. We will now go through the Auto Chord in detail.
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                  z x c v b n m , . /                  z x c v b n m , . /
 </code> </code>
 +
 +If you have selected a scale other than chromatic, the keyboard will behave a little bit differently:
 +
 +<code>
 +Octave 3: q w e r t y u i
 +Octave 2: a s d f g h j k
 +Octave 1: z x c v b n m ,
 +</code>
 +
 +The note being played will depend on which scale and key you have selected. Say you have selected E-Minor Pentatonic as scale and key. Then, the first key on ea ch octave will correspond to the lowest note that can be played on that octave f or that key and scale, which in this example will be z=D-1, a=D-2, q=D-3. Each row will correspond to a given octave, but may continue into the next octave.
  
 Note that only lowercase keys will work. Don't use uppercase, e.g. QWERTY. Also, only American or English keyboards will work properly so you have to change the keyboard language to any of them. Since iOS supports multiple keyboards, you can easily swap keyboard before you start VividTracker. This is easily done by holding down the command and space buttons on your keyboard. You will then get up a menu where you can shift between the two languages. To swap, you have to keep holding the command button while you release and press the space button again. Note that it has to be done somewhere where you can type, e.g. the Notes app. You can actually do it within the VividTracker app too, by bringing up the textfield to change the mod name. Note that only lowercase keys will work. Don't use uppercase, e.g. QWERTY. Also, only American or English keyboards will work properly so you have to change the keyboard language to any of them. Since iOS supports multiple keyboards, you can easily swap keyboard before you start VividTracker. This is easily done by holding down the command and space buttons on your keyboard. You will then get up a menu where you can shift between the two languages. To swap, you have to keep holding the command button while you release and press the space button again. Note that it has to be done somewhere where you can type, e.g. the Notes app. You can actually do it within the VividTracker app too, by bringing up the textfield to change the mod name.
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