MilkyTracker Documentation v0.90.60

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.

Disclaimer:

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…

Table of Contents

  1. Supported platforms
  2. Overview
  3. Features
  4. Imported and exported file formats
    1. Modules
    2. Samples
    3. Instruments
    4. Patterns and Tracks
  5. Keyboard shortcuts
    1. MilkyTracker edit mode
    2. Fasttracker II edit mode
  6. MIDI support
  7. Known issues and bug reports
  8. Contact
  9. Donating
  10. Thanks

1. Supported platforms

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.

2. Overview

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.

3. Features

4. Imported and exported file formats

I. Modules

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.

Import:

.669669 Composer/Unis669 (PC)
.AMFAsylum Music Format ("Crusader"ingame music) (PC)
Digital Sound and Music Interface (DSMI) library (PC)
.AMSExtreme Tracker (PC)
Velvet Studio (PC)
.CBAChuck Biscuits+Black Artist module format (PC)
.DBMDigiBooster Pro (Amiga)
.DIGIDigibooster 1.0-1.7 (Amiga)
.DSMDigisound Interface Kit (DSIK) library (PC)
Dynamic Studio (PC)
.DTMDigital Tracker (Atari)
DigiTrekker 3.0 (PC)
.FARFarandole Composer (PC)
.GDMGeneral Digimusic (PC)
.GMCGame Music Creator (Amiga)
.IMFImago Orpheus (PC)
.ITImpulse Tracker (PC)
.MDLDigiTrakker 1.0-3.0 (PC)
.MODSound-/ProTracker and variants (Amiga & PC)
.MTMMultiTracker (PC)
.MXMCubic Tiny XM (PC)
.OKTOktalyzer (Amiga)
.PLMDisorderTracker II (PC)
.PSMEpic MegaGames MASI (PC)
.PTMPolyTracker (PC)
.S3MScream Tracker 3.0 (PC)
.SFXSoundFX (Amiga)
.STMScream Tracker 2.0 (PC)
.ULTUltraTracker (PC)
.UNIMikMod (PC)
.XMFasttracker 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.

Export:

.MODProTracker boundaries, although can save 2–32 channels
.WAVMicrosoft/IBM PCM Waveform audio rendering
.XMFasttracker II compatible, not as common as one might think

II. Samples

Milky can load practically anything as RAW PCM audio samples, one of Ft2's famous features.

Import:

.8SVX / .IFFCompressed/uncompressed Interchange File Format
.AIF / .AIFFApple Audio Interchange File Format
.WAVMicrosoft/IBM uncompressed PCM Wavefrom audio
.*RAW PCM audio

Export:

.IFFUncompressed Interchange File Format
.WAVMicrosoft/IBM uncompressed PCM Wavefrom audio

III. Instruments

MilkyTracker can load and save Ft2's eXtended Instument (.XI) format and additionally import Gravis Ultrasound GF1 Patch (.PAT) files.

IV. Patterns and Tracks

MilkyTracker fully operates with Ft2's eXtended Pattern (.XP) and eXtended Track (.XT) files.

5. Keyboard shortcuts

Due to request MilkyTracker features two edit modes. You can switch between these in the Config screen (Misc. tab).

I. MilkyTracker edit mode

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.

Global:

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…
SpaceToggle pattern editor focus (edit mode on/off)
EnterPlay song from current order
Ctrl+EnterPlay current pattern from beginning
Shift+EnterPlay current pattern from cursor position
Shift+F9Play current pattern from beginning (same as Ctrl+Enter)
Shift+F10Play current pattern from position after the first quarter of the pattern length
Shift+F11Play current pattern from position after the second quarter of the pattern length
Shift+F12Play current pattern from position after the third quarter of the pattern length
Alt+SpacePlay song from current row (stop and return when keys are released)
Shift+SpacePlay row by row
EscStop
Ctrl+OLoad song
Ctrl+SSave song
Ctrl+Shift+SSave song as…

Pattern Editor:

Cursor keysMove around
TabJump to next channel
PageUpJump 16 rows up
PageDownJump 16 rows down
HomeJump to first row
EndJump to last row
F1…F8Choose octave
F9Jump to beginning of the pattern
F10Jump to position ¼ through the pattern
F11Jump to position halfway through the pattern
F12Jump to position ¾ through the pattern
Ctrl+ZUndo
Ctrl+YRedo
Shift+Cursor keysSelect block
Shift+Alt+Cursor keysExtend block
Ctrl+ASelect entire pattern
Ctrl+XCut
Ctrl+CCopy
Ctrl+VPaste
Shift+MMute current selected channel
Ctrl+Shift+MInvert current muting
Ctrl+IInterpolate values
DeleteDelete note/instrument/volume/effect/operand
Shift+DelDelete note, volume and effect at cursor
Ctrl+DelDelete volume and effect at cursor
Alt+DeleteDelete effect at cursor
InsertInsert space on current track at cursor position
Shift+InsertInsert row at cursor position
BackspaceDelete previous note
Shift+BackspaceDelete previous row
The key below ESCEnter Keyoff-"note" (only works under Windows)
The key right of LShiftEnter Keyoff-"note" (only works under Windows)

Transpose:

Alt+F7Transpose current instrument in block down
Alt+F8Transpose current instrument in block up
Shift+F7Transpose current instrument in track down
Shift+F8Transpose current instrument in track up
Ctrl+F7Transpose current instrument in pattern down
Ctrl+F8Transpose current instrument in pattern up
Alt+F1Transpose all instruments in block down
Alt+F2Transpose all instruments in block up
Shift+F1Transpose all instruments in track down
Shift+F2Transpose all instruments in track up
Ctrl+F1Transpose all instruments in pattern down
Ctrl+F2Transpose all instruments in pattern up

Sample Editor:

Shift & dragQuick draw
Ctrl & dragResize selection
Alt & dragMove selection or loop range

Try to play around with pressing other keys to find out what notes they're mapped to =)

II. Fasttracker II edit mode

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.

Window switching:

Ctrl+
AAdvanced edit
CConfiguration
DDisk operations
IInstrument editor
RDisk recorder
SSample editor
TTranspose
XMain screen (almost alt+X)
ZShow/Hide scopes

Global:

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…F8Select octave
Right CtrlPlay song from current order (only works under Windows)
EnterPlay song from current order
Right AltPlay current pattern from beginning (only works under Windows)
Ctrl+EnterPlay current pattern from beginning
Shift+EnterPlay current pattern from current row
Shift+F9Play current pattern from beginning (same as Ctrl+Enter/Right Alt)
Shift+F10Play current pattern from position after the first quarter of the pattern length
Shift+F11Play current pattern from position after the second quarter of the pattern length
Shift+F12Play current pattern from position after the third quarter of the pattern length
Alt+SpacePlay song from current row (stop and return when keys are released)
Shift+SpacePlay row by row
SpaceStop / Edit
Shift+LeftIncrease song position
Shift+RightDecrease song position
Ctrl+LeftIncrease current pattern number
Ctrl+RightDecrease current pattern number
Ctrl+FToggle song following
Ctrl+PToggle prospective pattern view
Ctrl+WToggle pattern wrapping
ESCExit program

Pattern editor:

Cursor keysMove around
PageUpJump 16 rows up
PageDownJump 16 rows down
HomeJump to first row
EndJump to last row
TabJump to next track
Shift+TabJump to previous track
Alt+Q…IJump to track (0…7) MOD N-Channels
Alt+A…KJump to track (8…15) MOD N-Channels
F9Jump to beginning of the pattern
F10Jump to position ¼ through the pattern
F11Jump to position halfway through the pattern
F12Jump to position ¾ through the pattern
Caps-LockEnter Keyoff-"note" (only works under Windows)
The key right of LShiftEnter Keyoff-"note" (only works under Windows)
DelDelete note or volume column at cursor
Shift+DelDelete note, volume and effect at cursor
Ctrl+DelDelete volume and effect at cursor
Alt+DeleteDelete effect at cursor
InsInsert space on current track at cursor position
Shift+InsInsert row at cursor position
BackspaceDelete previous note
Shift+BackspaceDelete previous row

Clipboard operations:

Alt+Cursor keysSelect block
Shift+Alt+Cursor keysExtend block
Alt+F3Cut block
Alt+F4Copy block (yes, even under Windows =)
Alt+F5Paste block
Shift+F3Cut track
Shift+F4Copy track
Shift+F5Paste track
Ctrl+F3Cut pattern
Ctrl+F4Copy pattern
Ctrl+F5Paste pattern

Additional shortcuts (not found in Ft2):

Ctrl+Alt+ZUndo
Ctrl+Alt+YRedo
Ctrl+Alt+ASelect entire pattern
Shift+MMute current selected channel
Ctrl+Shift+MInvert current muting
Shift+IInterpolate values

Volume scaling:

Alt+VVolume scale block
Shift+VVolume scale track
Ctrl+VVolume scale pattern

Command/Volume macro:

Shift+Alt+1…0Read command/volume at cursor
Alt+1…0Write command/volume at cursor

Transpose:

Alt+F7Transpose current instrument in block down
Alt+F8Transpose current instrument in block up
Shift+F7Transpose current instrument in track down
Shift+F8Transpose current instrument in track up
Ctrl+F7Transpose current instrument in pattern down
Ctrl+F8Transpose current instrument in pattern up
Alt+F1Transpose all instruments in block down
Alt+F2Transpose all instruments in block up
Shift+F1Transpose all instruments in track down
Shift+F2Transpose all instruments in track up
Ctrl+F1Transpose all instruments in pattern down
Ctrl+F2Transpose all instruments in pattern up

Instrument selection:

Shift+UpSelect previous instrument
Shift+DownSelect next instrument
Shift+Alt+UpSelect previous sample
Shift+Alt+DownSelect 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 9Digit 0…9
PCMac
Num /Num =Digit A
Num *Num /Digit B
Num -Num *Digit C
Num +Num -Digit D
Num EnterNum +Digit E
Num ,Num EnterDigit F

Sample editor:

Shift & dragQuick draw
Ctrl & dragResize selection
Alt & dragMove selection or loop range

Please note that under Mac OS X the Command key is used instead of the Ctrl key.

6. MIDI support

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.

7. Known issues and bug reports

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.

8. Contact

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.

9. Donating

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.

10. Thanks

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! :)