FREEGEM MIDI PLAYER README

I have download the VESA Audio Interface (VBE/AI) SDK from an MS-DOS FTP site (I can't remember the URL and my browser History has mysteriously been deleted...) and converted the MIDI sample program to run under GEM, with GEM messages and so on. Most of the code is the same, but I have removed some blocks and added others.

The MIDI player will run on GEM/1 or higher. You will be able to move the mouse when a MIDI file is playing only on FreeGEM I believe (GEM/3 may work). You cannot switch to other programs. This is the same with XM/GEM.

You need a MIDI-compatible sound card. There are two drivers supplied, an external MPU-401 driver (MPU.COM) and an FM driver (OPL2.COM). Run one of these before starting GEM. If in doubt which to run, run OPL2.

A sample MIDI file, SAMPLE.MID has been provided. Associate .MID files with MIDI.APP to use the player.

The MIDI player can only handle MIDI files below 64kb. While music is playing, you can press [ESCAPE] to cancel, or [SPACE] to pause.

The program was compiled with Borland C++ 4.51. A Borland C++ project file has been included.

Here is a list of files included in the archive:

GEMS.LIB	Small memory GEM library
MAKEFILE	Makefile for the program. Edit the paths inside it and run MAKE.
MIDI.APP	Compiled MIDI player
MPU.COM		MPU-401 driver
OPL2.COM	FM driver
PDATA.C		Static data file for PMIDI.C
PLAYMIDI.DSW	Borland C++ Desktop file
PLAYMIDI.IDE	Borland C++ Project file
PMIDI.C		MIDI player main source file
README.TXT	Readme
SAMPLE.MID	Sample MIDI file
TW.C		Heinz Rath's Text window routine
TW.H		Header for text window
VBEAI.H		VBE/AI header
VESA.C		High-level support routines
VESA.H		Header file for VESA.C

Enjoy!

Owen Rudge
orudge@freeuk.com
http://www.owenrudge.co.uk/GEM/

18th August 2000

FREEGEM MIDI PLAYER UPDATE README

This small update allows the mouse to move in GEM/2 (GEM/1 is no longer supported). You can also switch to other tasks in XM/GEM, although performance isn't always superb. It only works for GEM applications, so the music doesn't play in DOS apps.

Owen Rudge, 20th August 2000