Hello and welcome to MilkyTracker, a platform independent Fasttracker II compatible tracker. This document is only meant to explain some MilkyTracker specific things and it's not a tracking manual. If you want to learn more about tracking and how it's done, the Internet is your friend. We host some resources on MilkyTracker.net as well.
MilkyTracker is under development so use it at your own risk. I'm not responsible for any loss of data and/or hardware damage caused by MilkyTracker.
Now, with the formalities taken care of, let's have a look at the…
MilkyTracker currently runs on the following platforms:
It has been known to run also on:
If you have questions about these ports or wish to run Milky on something else, contact us through our various channels.
MilkyTracker is a multiplatform music application, more specifically part of the tracker family. It attempts to recreate the module replay and user experience of the popular DOS tracker Fasttracker II, with special playback modes available for improved Amiga ProTracker 2.x/3.x compatibility. MilkyTracker is not "another Windows tracker" which should already be obvious by the plethora of supported desktop and portable platforms. In fact it started as a project to bring tracking to the Pocket PC. When this milestone was reached, the next one was creating a truly FT2 compatible tracker for portable as well as modern desktop platforms.
MilkyTracker can import a wide range of tracker module formats but since Milky is a Ft2 clone, modules are replayed in Ft2 environment which means not all features of different formats are supported.
.669 | 669 Composer/Unis669 (PC) |
.AMF | Asylum Music Format ("Crusader"ingame music) (PC) |
Digital Sound and Music Interface (DSMI) library (PC) | |
.AMS | Extreme Tracker (PC) |
Velvet Studio (PC) | |
.CBA | Chuck Biscuits+Black Artist module format (PC) |
.DBM | DigiBooster Pro (Amiga) |
.DIGI | Digibooster 1.0-1.7 (Amiga) |
.DSM | Digisound Interface Kit (DSIK) library (PC) |
Dynamic Studio (PC) | |
.DTM | Digital Tracker (Atari) |
DigiTrekker 3.0 (PC) | |
.FAR | Farandole Composer (PC) |
.GDM | General Digimusic (PC) |
.GMC | Game Music Creator (Amiga) |
.IMF | Imago Orpheus (PC) |
.IT | Impulse Tracker (PC) |
.MDL | DigiTrakker 1.0-3.0 (PC) |
.MOD | Sound-/ProTracker and variants (Amiga & PC) |
.MTM | MultiTracker (PC) |
.MXM | Cubic Tiny XM (PC) |
.OKT | Oktalyzer (Amiga) |
.PLM | DisorderTracker II (PC) |
.PSM | Epic MegaGames MASI (PC) |
.PTM | PolyTracker (PC) |
.S3M | Scream Tracker 3.0 (PC) |
.SFX | SoundFX (Amiga) |
.STM | Scream Tracker 2.0 (PC) |
.ULT | UltraTracker (PC) |
.UNI | MikMod (PC) |
.XM | Fasttracker II (PC) |
MilkyTracker's song export options are the same as Fasttracker II's but it is notable that unlike Ft2, Milky saves Amiga compatible 4-channel .MODs. MilkyTracker also features ProTracker 2.x and 3.x playback modes for .MODs.
.MOD | ProTracker boundaries, although can save 2–32 channels |
.WAV | Microsoft/IBM PCM Waveform audio rendering |
.XM | Fasttracker II compatible, not as common as one might think |
Milky can load practically anything as RAW PCM audio samples, one of Ft2's famous features.
.8SVX / .IFF | Compressed/uncompressed Interchange File Format |
.AIF / .AIFF | Apple Audio Interchange File Format |
.WAV | Microsoft/IBM uncompressed PCM Wavefrom audio |
.* | RAW PCM audio |
.IFF | Uncompressed Interchange File Format |
.WAV | Microsoft/IBM uncompressed PCM Wavefrom audio |
MilkyTracker can load and save Ft2's eXtended Instument (.XI) format and additionally import Gravis Ultrasound GF1 Patch (.PAT) files.
MilkyTracker fully operates with Ft2's eXtended Pattern (.XP) and eXtended Track (.XT) files.
Due to request MilkyTracker features two edit modes. You can switch between these in the Config screen (Misc. tab).
The MilkyTracker mode basically a bit more "modern" because you can focus on different parts (e.g. Pattern Editor, Instrument Listbox, Sample Listbox etc.) and when you're pressing keys they're routed to the focused control. Also keyboard shortcuts are more standard, you can select by pressing the SHIFT key and navigating with the cursor keys, cut, copy & paste with using CTRL+X/C/V etc. I think users who are new to tracking will find this a bit more intuitive.
2, 3, 5, 6… | Play / Insert notes (depending on whether edit mode is on) |
Q, W, E, R… | |
S, D, F, G… | |
Z, X, C, V… | |
Space | Toggle pattern editor focus (edit mode on/off) |
Enter | Play song from current order |
Ctrl+Enter | Play current pattern from beginning |
Shift+Enter | Play current pattern from cursor position |
Shift+F9 | Play current pattern from beginning (same as Ctrl+Enter) |
Shift+F10 | Play current pattern from position after the first quarter of the pattern length |
Shift+F11 | Play current pattern from position after the second quarter of the pattern length |
Shift+F12 | Play current pattern from position after the third quarter of the pattern length |
Alt+Space | Play song from current row (stop and return when keys are released) |
Shift+Space | Play row by row |
Esc | Stop |
Ctrl+O | Load song |
Ctrl+S | Save song |
Ctrl+Shift+S | Save song as… |
Cursor keys | Move around |
Tab | Jump to next channel |
PageUp | Jump 16 rows up |
PageDown | Jump 16 rows down |
Home | Jump to first row |
End | Jump to last row |
F1…F8 | Choose octave |
F9 | Jump to beginning of the pattern |
F10 | Jump to position ¼ through the pattern |
F11 | Jump to position halfway through the pattern |
F12 | Jump to position ¾ through the pattern |
Ctrl+Z | Undo |
Ctrl+Y | Redo |
Shift+Cursor keys | Select block |
Shift+Alt+Cursor keys | Extend block |
Ctrl+A | Select entire pattern |
Ctrl+X | Cut |
Ctrl+C | Copy |
Ctrl+V | Paste |
Shift+M | Mute current selected channel |
Ctrl+Shift+M | Invert current muting |
Ctrl+I | Interpolate values |
Delete | Delete note/instrument/volume/effect/operand |
Shift+Del | Delete note, volume and effect at cursor |
Ctrl+Del | Delete volume and effect at cursor |
Alt+Delete | Delete effect at cursor |
Insert | Insert space on current track at cursor position |
Shift+Insert | Insert row at cursor position |
Backspace | Delete previous note |
Shift+Backspace | Delete previous row |
The key below ESC | Enter Keyoff-"note" (only works under Windows) |
The key right of LShift | Enter Keyoff-"note" (only works under Windows) |
Alt+F7 | Transpose current instrument in block down |
Alt+F8 | Transpose current instrument in block up |
Shift+F7 | Transpose current instrument in track down |
Shift+F8 | Transpose current instrument in track up |
Ctrl+F7 | Transpose current instrument in pattern down |
Ctrl+F8 | Transpose current instrument in pattern up |
Alt+F1 | Transpose all instruments in block down |
Alt+F2 | Transpose all instruments in block up |
Shift+F1 | Transpose all instruments in track down |
Shift+F2 | Transpose all instruments in track up |
Ctrl+F1 | Transpose all instruments in pattern down |
Ctrl+F2 | Transpose all instruments in pattern up |
Shift & drag | Quick draw |
Ctrl & drag | Resize selection |
Alt & drag | Move selection or loop range |
Try to play around with pressing other keys to find out what notes they're mapped to =)
The Ft2 edit mode is for the die-hard Ft2 user and is propably not so intuitive to use, but I think Ft2 users don't care about that. Please note that not all Ft2 shortcuts are implemented yet and some may differ because of various reasons. Also note that this edit mode is not working very well on a PocketPC because of limited input devices.
Ctrl+ | |
A | Advanced edit |
C | Configuration |
D | Disk operations |
I | Instrument editor |
R | Disk recorder |
S | Sample editor |
T | Transpose |
X | Main screen (almost alt+X) |
Z | Show/Hide scopes |
2, 3, 5, 6… | Play / Insert notes (depending on whether edit mode is on) |
Q, W, E, R… | |
S, D, F, G… | |
Z, X, C, V… | |
F1…F8 | Select octave |
Right Ctrl | Play song from current order (only works under Windows) |
Enter | Play song from current order |
Right Alt | Play current pattern from beginning (only works under Windows) |
Ctrl+Enter | Play current pattern from beginning |
Shift+Enter | Play current pattern from current row |
Shift+F9 | Play current pattern from beginning (same as Ctrl+Enter/Right Alt) |
Shift+F10 | Play current pattern from position after the first quarter of the pattern length |
Shift+F11 | Play current pattern from position after the second quarter of the pattern length |
Shift+F12 | Play current pattern from position after the third quarter of the pattern length |
Alt+Space | Play song from current row (stop and return when keys are released) |
Shift+Space | Play row by row |
Space | Stop / Edit |
Shift+Left | Increase song position |
Shift+Right | Decrease song position |
Ctrl+Left | Increase current pattern number |
Ctrl+Right | Decrease current pattern number |
Ctrl+F | Toggle song following |
Ctrl+P | Toggle prospective pattern view |
Ctrl+W | Toggle pattern wrapping |
ESC | Exit program |
Cursor keys | Move around |
PageUp | Jump 16 rows up |
PageDown | Jump 16 rows down |
Home | Jump to first row |
End | Jump to last row |
Tab | Jump to next track |
Shift+Tab | Jump to previous track |
Alt+Q…I | Jump to track (0…7) MOD N-Channels |
Alt+A…K | Jump to track (8…15) MOD N-Channels |
F9 | Jump to beginning of the pattern |
F10 | Jump to position ¼ through the pattern |
F11 | Jump to position halfway through the pattern |
F12 | Jump to position ¾ through the pattern |
Caps-Lock | Enter Keyoff-"note" (only works under Windows) |
The key right of LShift | Enter Keyoff-"note" (only works under Windows) |
Del | Delete note or volume column at cursor |
Shift+Del | Delete note, volume and effect at cursor |
Ctrl+Del | Delete volume and effect at cursor |
Alt+Delete | Delete effect at cursor |
Ins | Insert space on current track at cursor position |
Shift+Ins | Insert row at cursor position |
Backspace | Delete previous note |
Shift+Backspace | Delete previous row |
Alt+Cursor keys | Select block |
Shift+Alt+Cursor keys | Extend block |
Alt+F3 | Cut block |
Alt+F4 | Copy block (yes, even under Windows =) |
Alt+F5 | Paste block |
Shift+F3 | Cut track |
Shift+F4 | Copy track |
Shift+F5 | Paste track |
Ctrl+F3 | Cut pattern |
Ctrl+F4 | Copy pattern |
Ctrl+F5 | Paste pattern |
Ctrl+Alt+Z | Undo |
Ctrl+Alt+Y | Redo |
Ctrl+Alt+A | Select entire pattern |
Shift+M | Mute current selected channel |
Ctrl+Shift+M | Invert current muting |
Shift+I | Interpolate values |
Alt+V | Volume scale block |
Shift+V | Volume scale track |
Ctrl+V | Volume scale pattern |
Shift+Alt+1…0 | Read command/volume at cursor |
Alt+1…0 | Write command/volume at cursor |
Alt+F7 | Transpose current instrument in block down |
Alt+F8 | Transpose current instrument in block up |
Shift+F7 | Transpose current instrument in track down |
Shift+F8 | Transpose current instrument in track up |
Ctrl+F7 | Transpose current instrument in pattern down |
Ctrl+F8 | Transpose current instrument in pattern up |
Alt+F1 | Transpose all instruments in block down |
Alt+F2 | Transpose all instruments in block up |
Shift+F1 | Transpose all instruments in track down |
Shift+F2 | Transpose all instruments in track up |
Ctrl+F1 | Transpose all instruments in pattern down |
Ctrl+F2 | Transpose all instruments in pattern up |
Shift+Up | Select previous instrument |
Shift+Down | Select next instrument |
Shift+Alt+Up | Select previous sample |
Shift+Alt+Down | Select next sample |
You can also quick-type the hex-number of the instrument you want to select on the numeric keypad, the layout is like this:
Num 0…Num 9 | Digit 0…9 | |
PC | Mac | |
Num / | Num = | Digit A |
Num * | Num / | Digit B |
Num - | Num * | Digit C |
Num + | Num - | Digit D |
Num Enter | Num + | Digit E |
Num , | Num Enter | Digit F |
Shift & drag | Quick draw |
Ctrl & drag | Resize selection |
Alt & drag | Move selection or loop range |
Please note that under Mac OS X the Command key is used instead of the Ctrl key.
MilkyTracker supports basic MIDI input which means you can use your MIDI device to feed notes into MilkyTracker. Since the MIDI support varies from platform to platform, here's a short list on how to enable MIDI input:
Windows: | Select Preferences from the system menu (top left corner of the window) |
OSX: | Select Preferences from the MilkyTracker menu or press Command+, |
Linux: | Enabled by default if available on the system. See the Linux readme for details. |
Some things work different in MilkyTracker and some dialogs may look different. ;) The GUI of MilkyTracker has been adjusted to fit low resolution displays with 320x240 pixels. Thus the screen can be more easily divided into separate pages.
MilkyTracker aims for full Fasttracker II compatibility in its replay but this goal is easier set than achieved. Some of the original effect implementations defy all documentation and logic. Here's a list of current replay differences between Ft2 and Milky:
If you find more incompatibilities or if MilkyTracker crashes or does something really stupid we'd really like to hear from you and it would be even cooler if you can reproduce the problem as closely as possible. There's a section dedicated to bug reports on our web forum.
You can contact by email (support@milkytracker.net) or through the relatively active forum at http://www.MilkyTracker.net/milkyboards/. If you want to chat with the community live, you should connect to #MilkyTracker on EsperNet with your IRC client or via the Chat page on our website.
If you like MilkyTracker and you're looking for a way to support me developing it, why don't you donate something using PayPal? My PayPal account is donate@milkytracker.net. Any donation will be appreciated and it keeps me going. Also, when donating, your feature requests will always be on top of my list, isn't that a neat offer?
Don't worry, MilkyTracker will always be free because I really enjoy working on it but you should remember that Ft2 wasn't real freeware either.
Thanks to anyone who has contributed: Kenet for the amazing logos, Kmuland for always supporting me, raina for the nice icons, Svenzzon for his nice example tune, Deltafire for the Linux SDL port and various fixes, Strobe for his amazing video tutorials and Milkytracker dedication, Flasch, Setrodox, Syphus for constructive criticism, Varthall and SpotUP for the Amiga port, Idc and Rez for the new fonts, Alien^PDX for the website GFX and the entire Titan crew for supporting my work and everybody else who dropped me a letter…
Special greetings to everyone at #MilkyTracker for making it a daily active channel.
Have fun…
- pailes & raina with help from everybuddies! :)