Xibank v1.0B -xi to fff-converter      				  13.11.2000

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Note! This program is freeware. You can copy it and do whatever you want
with it, but ON YOUR OWN RISK. The author is not responsible for any damages 
that this program may cause. 
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Xibank converts xi-instruments, used by Fast Tracker II, to InterWave fff-bank 
(for Gravis Ultrasound PnP). 

1.1 Usage
----------------

xibank <infile> <outfile>

<infile>:   filename of configuration file
<outfile>:  filename of the bank to be created


To convert xi-files, that you have defined in ini-file (see 1.2) own.ini to 
bank named own.fff type the following...

xibank own.ini own.fff

That's all!


1.2 Creating the ini-file
-------------------------
To convert your xi-instruments to fff-bank, you must first create an ini-file, 
which contains information about xi-files and the bank. This archive contains
file named own.ini, which is an example of an proper ini-file. All ini-files must 
strictly follow that syntax. I recommend you to use that file and mofify it according to
your needs.
  
Own.ini looks like this:

[bank name]=Whatever you want...  <- you can give a name (up to 256 char) to the 
                                     converted fff-bank. It will be written to the 
                                     fff- and dat-file. You don't have to give 
                                     any name if you don't want to, name have no 
  				     effect on any converting functions.  

[path]=c:\xi_instruments\	  <- you must type a full path for xi-files. All 
				     xi-files must be in that directory.

[midi bank]=1			  <- this is a midi bank number for fff-bank
				     it must be in a range of 1-128. All xi-instru-
				     ments will be in this bank.

1 instrument1.xi		  <- here you define the xi-files you want to convert.
2 instrument2.xi		     First number indicates a midi program change
				     number and it must be in a range of 1-128. 
 				     These numbers should be in ascending order, 
				     although you can leave some numbers off, 
                                     eg. 1,2,3,6,9,10...   	
				     Please note, that the instrument filename must be 
                                     separated from the progchange number with one 
                                     space bar.
				   - if there are errors in this file (eg. extra 
                                     characters) converter may not convert all 
				     xi-files correct.
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2.1 Conversion in progress
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While conversion is in progress, you can see, which xi-file is now being converted. 
If there are errors, xibank will tell you what's wrong and will skip that xi-file.
If dat-file gets over 20 MB, xibank will automatically create a new dat-file. The name
will be same as the fff-file, except last character will be replaced with number 1-9.
So, you can have up to 9 dat-files for every fff-file... 

2.2 Some notes
--------------
Xibank won't convert the following features:
-vibrato or any lfo-settings (not enough info available)
-panning envelopes (not possible)
-xi-instrument names (no need to...)

Volume envelopes are treated as linear, althoug they are not linear in InterWave chip.
This is not a problem, if envelopes are not too long. 

KNOWN BUG: don't use the same region twice or you'll get strange results= same numbers
must be next to each other on the keyboard of FT2 intrument window.

3.1 Contact me
---------------
I would be really happy, if you could send me via email your opinions about this program (it's 
my very first, you can consider it as my version of "Hello world"). I'm interested to know,
if there still are some people using Gus PnP. It would be nice to hear, what kind of music you
compose and what do you think about Gus PnP. 

I can say (as SB Live Platinum owner) that fff-format has outstanding Midi capabilities 
compared to eg. Soundfonts. Patch cache, bidirection and reverse loops, pitch envelopes, 
unlimited size of banks, sample switching according to key velocity... These features are
hard to find from any other soundcards of this price, althoug we former Gravis users may take
them as granted.

Have fun with your Gravis and hope you have use for this little program...

Ahti Syreeni
ahti.syreeni@helsinki.fi
 
   
ps. thanks for everyone who have helped me with this program.