fmfile − program to create fms sound files

fmfile [filename]

This manual page documents briefly the fmfile command, which is part of the F Modular Synthesizer (fms).

fmfile is a program that creates fms sound files in all fms-modes. This is the most low-level method to create sound files. You might consider using the fms autotools fmautofile (for file mode 2) and fmautofou (for file mode 4) and musplay (for midi mode).

filename

fms sound file for output; must be specified

Further options are read dialog-based.

Fms supports 4 modes for sound files. They are briefly described here and are documented in the FMS Developers’ Documentation.

choosing a mode

mode 1 writes simple wavetables with all values; mode 2 describes oscillograms with functions (linear, sine, parabola, gauss); mode 3 is midi-like and used to save pieces of music; mode 4 saves overtone amplitudes for fourier synthesis

In any mode you will have to specify a description for your sound file, ending with a period.

exacticity: In modes 1, 2 and 4 you will be asked to specify, how many bytes of memory per value should be used. Only 1 byte / value is supported at the moment.

mode 1

You will be asked for the size of the wavetable (the number of the discrete values saved). After that you can enter pairs of time index (offset within the wavetable) and value. These points will be connected by linear extrapolations. When you enter the last pair with time index equal to the size of the wavetable, the program exits and output will be written to the specified file.

mode 2

As in mode 1, you will have to enter pairs of time index and value, but this time you can also choose the type of extrapolation function in between. Type ’h’ to get information about these extrapolation types. Once you choose extrapolation type 0 (you have to confirm that choice), the program exits and the output will be written. The file mode does not require writing complete wavetables and therefore saves a lot of memory, making mode 0 obsolete.

mode 3

Fmfile prompts you for information about pitch and lenght of each tone. Pitches are computed half-tone wise, c’ equals 61, 121 equals a rest. Note lenghts can be 1/16, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, 1 or - using the option "special lenghts" - 1/12, 1/11, 1/10, 1/9, 1/7, 1/6, 1/5, 1/3. The dialog is self-explanatory. You can specify an attribute index between 1 and 32 for each tone, making it possible to chosse different "fms instruments" in fmplay at runtime when playing the file. After the second and all subsequent notes you will be asked wheather the the process should be finished and the file written.

mode 4

You will be asked for the number of overtones to be used and wheather phase shift of some overtoned is required. All of their amplitudes (between 0 and 1) and phases (in degrees) are then to be specified and will be written to the output file.

fmplay (1), fmdisplay (1), musplay (1), xfmdisplay (1), xfmspectrum (1), fmsbackend (1).

The program is documented by the fms documentation available from http://ccteam.de/projekte/fms_html.

Daniel Gruen (daniel_gruen@web.de).

Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU General Public License, Version 2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation.