Tracker 4.44
4.5.2: Amiga
There is currently one Amiga version running under AmigaDos.
An adaptation of the Linux/FreeBSD version
to run under Amiga Linux or Amiga netbsd would probably be reasonably simple,
the most difficult part being to get a working audio device.
The status of the current version is experimental. I most often work on
a Sparc in my school, and can't check on my Amiga except during vacations.
Version 4.36 compiles cleanly with SAS/C and smake. It probably doesn't
compete with HippoPlayer or Delitracker. Its only advantages are in terms
of compatibility. I've taken steps to be dead sure that tracker uses the
system and only the system, isn't a CPU-hog and works with terminal
programs (and any weird hardware that hooks on the CIAs for that matter).
Also, tracker probably will still run with new Amigas with PA-Riscs or
something, since all the code is in C.
You will need to install KingCon on your machine. It is also a good idea
to replace the standard queue-handler with the one bundled with HWRCS
unless you don't intend to use compressed modules.
See the Amiga version as an unobtrusive module player without bells and
whistles, a quick way for me to check that everything sounds as it should.
There might still be memory bugs lurking, so if tracker crashes, get a more
reliable module player, or hack the source.
Some known problems
- The user interface doesn't seem responsive at the end of modules
-
Due to the asynchronous nature of tracker implementation.
Computations for the current song are actually finished. The interface is
locked waiting for the song to end in order to be able to release the
memory used for sound samples.
I will need to add much smarter code to handle that: the player sits at a
point where it has the last song loaded, is ready to unload it and load the
next one. Just loading the next one before unloading the current one is not
a good idea, since it consumes too much memory.
- The scroll window doesn't open when I ask for it
-
Performance reasons and implementation hack. Scrolling information is only
computed when you ask for the scroll window, and the scroll window opens
magically when some scrolling information is ready. Since the sound
is buffered, you first have to listen to all the buffered sound
before the scroll window appears.
- I have 1.3 and tracker doesn't run
-
Upgrade...
- I'm confused about the menu speed items
-
Their state doesn't accurately reflect what's going on, but
PAL and NTSC
work (once again, since the sound is buffered, there's some delay).
Custom is just a provision for the future.
- The sound filter is always off
-
Not implemented yet, even for the amiga!!!
- Tracker doesn't understand powerpacked modules
-
It doesn't need to. Install xpk and xfh and it'll work.
- Tracker is much bigger than some other players and takes up more memory.
-
But it should work on every amiga, is CPU-efficient, and supports
some unique features.
-
plays lha modules
-
transpose modules
-
scroll-window, somewhat more readable than just plain ciphers.
It is also portable.
- The Invert loop effect sounds weird
-
too difficult to implement properly (call back...) right now
- Tracker loses some memory sometimes
-
There seems to be a bug with the
CON:.../AUTO/WAIT
windows that stay around forever under the 3.1 beta I've got on my system.
I haven't been able to check whether the problem stays under other system
versions. As I said, the current release is experimental.