APlayer:

- Contact info
- Disclaimer
- Features
- How to use
- Module types
- Requirements
- Thanks
- Version history
 

Module types:

This is a list of the module types APlayer can play. The list contains all module types, not only the different players. This is the way I count the number of supported module types APlayer can play.

For each module type there is information about how module type is handled. If info tells: Played (Player name), it means that APlayer uses "Player name" player to handle it. On the other hand some modules have info like: Converted (Converter). This means that APlayer uses "Converter" to convert module to another format which APlayer can play. This way an add-on can convert several kinds of exotic modules into one common format, playable by APlayer. On the other hand, some of the players (e.g. ModTracker) can by itself play more than one module format, like pro/noise/star-tracker.


 
Icon
 Module Description

 

An early module format with few effects and only 8 channels. Only a few effects are supported. The modules come from the "Composer 669" and "Unis 669". The "669" and "Extended 669" format was one of the first on the PC. "Composer 669" was written by Tomasz Pytel. The "Unis 669 Composer" was written by Jason Nunn.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-669

File Extension(s):
  .669

Played (MikMod):

Converted (MikModConverter):
  669

 

This is a module format where the module uses C64 like synth sounds. It come from the Amiga, where it was known as the THX format, but the programmers changed the name to AHX. Reason for this change was legal problems with the THX name and George Lucas sound system. The editor was created by Pink and Dexter of Abyss. The player we use is created by Bartman of Abyss.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-ahx

File Extension(s):
  .ahx .thx

Played (AHX):
  AHX 1.x
  AHX 2.x

 

This is the primary sample file format used on the Macintosh. It's built on the Electronic Arts IFF file format standard. The samples can contain samples from 1 to 32 bits sample range and as many channels you want.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-aiff

File Extension(s):
  .aiff .aif

Played (Sample / AudioIFF):
  AudioIFF

 

The AMF stands for "Advanced Module Format" and is the internal module format of the "DOS Sound and Music Interface" (DSMI) library. This format has the same limitation as the S3M format. The DSMI library was written by Otto Chrons.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-amf

File Extension(s):
  .amf

Played (MikMod):

Converted (MikModConverter):
  DSMI

 

This is the SoundMonitor format. The BP letters stand for Brian Postma, who is the creator of this format. The module format have both synthesis and samples. Brian have later on created a player on both Windows and Linux.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-bp

File Extension(s):
  .bp

Played (SoundMonitor):
  SoundMonitor 1.1
  SoundMonitor 2.2
  SoundMonitor 2.2 (BPSM)

 

This is the internal format of the "Digital Sound Interface Kit" (DSIK) library, the ancester of the SEAL library. This format has the same limitation as the S3M format. The DSIK library was written by Carlos Hasan and released in 1994.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-dsm

File Extension(s):
  .dsm

Played (MikMod):

Converted (MikModConverter):
  DSIK

 

Also called "Farandole". It's an enhanced version of the 669 format with more effects and channels. The "Farandole" composer was written by Daniel Potter.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-far

File Extension(s):
  .far

Played (MikMod):

Converted (MikModConverter):
  Farandole

 

This is an old format from the Amiga, called "Future Composer". It was developed by Jochen Hippel and he used it to compose some of his game music, such as "Rings of Medusa" and "Shaolin". A lot of cracker intros used this format in the early days, so you can find a lot of modules in this format on the internet.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-fc

File Extension(s):
  .fc

Played (FutureComposer):
  Future Composer 1.4

Converted (ModuleConverter):
  Future Composer 1.3

 

Previously this music format has been known as "Fredmon" or "Fred Monitor" which is wrong. The right name is "Fred Editor". There are 2 types of modules, which are editor and final. APlayer can play both types. The editor files can be loaded into the Fred Editor program. The final modules have a 68000 assembler player in the beginning of the file and can't be loaded into the editor. There are some good C64 covers available made by Jogeir Liljedahl.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-fred

File Extension(s):
  .frd .fred

Played (Fred):
  Fred Editor
  Fred Editor (Final)

 

This is the "General DigiMusic" format. It's the internal format of the "Bells, Whistles and Sound Boards" library. The format has the same limitations as the S3M format. The BWSB library was written by Edward Schlunder.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-gdm

File Extension(s):
  .gdm

Played (MikMod):

Converted (MikModConverter):
  General DigiMusic

 

IFF Sound File and IFF 16-bit Sound File are formats from Amiga. IFF 16-bit Sound File can be encoded in either PCM or Fibonnaci.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-iff

File Extension(s):
  .iff

Played (Sample):

Converted:
  IFF-16SV
  IFF-8SVX

 

This is the "Imago Orpheus" format. This format is roughly equivalent to the XM format, but with two effects columns instead of a volume column and an effect column. The tracker was written by Lutz Roeder.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-imf

File Extension(s):
  .imf

Played (MikMod):

Converted (MikModConverter):
  Imago Orpheus

 

This is the most advanced module format I have ever seen. You can do anything you want. You can use up to 64 channels, tons of effects, surround sound etc. It have all what FastTracker II have and even more, e.g. the New Note Action system.
It's Jeffrey Lim who's responsible for the tracker, called "Impulse Tracker".

Mime Type:
  audio/x-it

File Extension(s):
  .it

Played (MikMod):

Converted (MikModConverter):
  Impulse Tracker

 

JamCracker - It came from the Amiga, but it's not the most used format. There are some nice tunes available made by Dr. Awesome alias Bjørn Lynne.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-jam

File Extension(s):
  .jam

Played (JamCracker):
  JamCracker

 

Octamed - It came from the Amiga. Player was developed by Teijo Kinnunen. Later on he created player for PC also. APlayer Octamed player is based on PC version.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-med

File Extension(s):
  .med

Played (Octamed):
  MED
  OctaMED
  OctaMED Professional 4.00
  OctaMED Professional 6.00
  OctaMED Sound Studio

 

This is the internal format used by MikMod and the APlayer MikMod player, called "UNIMOD". Use of this format is discouraged. This format is only supported for completeness.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-mikmod

File Extension(s):
  .mik

Played (MikMod):

Converted (MikModConverter):
  UniMod

 

Mod file format is the main file format used on the Amiga. A lot of demos, even games used this format and has been improved over the years with more effects and samples. A lot of demo groups have created they own format based on the mod format, which packed the file to a minimum. These file can be converted back to the original mod format and played by APlayer.

Mod file format supports a wide range of ProTracker like formats including: ProTracker, FastTracker, TakeTracker, SoundTracker15, SoundTracker31, NoiseTracker & StarTrekker with AM support.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-mod

File Extension(s):
  .mod

Played (ModTracker):
  FastTracker
  NoiseTracker
  ProTracker
  SoundTracker15
  SoundTracker31
  StarTrekker
  StarTrekker 8-Voices
  TakeTracker

Converted (ProWizard):
  AC1D Packer
  Channel Player v1
  Channel Player v2
  Channel Player v3
  Digital Illusions
  Eureka Packer
  FC-M Packer
  Fuchs Tracker
  Fuzzac Packer
  Game Music Creator
  Heatseeker mc1.0
  Hornet Packer
  IceTracker v1.0
  Kefrens Sound Machine
  KRIS Tracker
  Laxity Packer
  Module Protector
  Noise Packer v1
  Noise Packer v2
  Noise Packer v3
  NoiseRunner
  NoiseTracker Pak
  PhaPacker
  Power Music
  ProMizer v0.1
  ProMizer v1.0c
  ProMizer v1.8a
  ProMizer v2.0
  ProMizer v4.0
  ProPacker v1.0
  ProPacker v2.1
  ProPacker v3.0
  ProRunner v1
  ProRunner v2
  Pygmy Packer
  SKYT Packer
  SoundTracker v2.6
  STIM (SlamTilt)
  The Dark Demon
  The Player v4.0A
  The Player v4.0B
  The Player v4.1A
  The Player v5.0A
  The Player v6.0A
  The Player v6.1A
  Tracker Packer v1
  Tracker Packer v2
  Tracker Packer v3
  Unic Tracker
  Wanton Packer
  XANN Packer
  Zen Packer

 

This is one of the most known file formats ever. You can download a lot of files in this format on the internet, but most of them are pirated songs. APlayer can play layer 1, layer 2 and layer 3 files. The last one is also known as MP3 files.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-mpeg

File Extension(s):
  .mp1 .mp2 .mp3

Played (Mpg123):
  MPEG 1.0 Layer 1
  MPEG 1.0 Layer 2
  MPEG 1.0 Layer 3
  MPEG 2.0 Layer 1
  MPEG 2.0 Layer 2
  MPEG 2.0 Layer 3
  MPEG 2.5 Layer 1
  MPEG 2.5 Layer 2
  MPEG 2.5 Layer 3

 

A tracker format sporting 1 to 32 channels, called "Multi Tracker". The file format differs alot from ProTracker, but there are still alot of similarities, therefore it is placed in the same player.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-mtm

File Extension(s):
  .mtm

Played (ModTracker):
  Multi Tracker

 

This format is one of the first to support multiple channels, which means more than 4 channels, on the Amiga. It support upto 8 channels, but each channel doesn't have independent volume control. When you change the volume on a channel that is mixed together with another one, you change the volume on both channels.

APlayer has one of the most accurate players to play Oktalyzer modules. It play them just like the editor does. The standalone player and sources that follows the Oktalyzer editor, doesn't play the modules right.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-okt

File Extension(s):
  .okt

Played (Oktalyzer):
  Oktalyzer

 

This is also a well-known format, namely ScreamTracker 3.xx. It was created by Sami Tammilehto (PSI) of FutureCrew. You can get a lot of modules in this format and some great ones from Skaven and Purple Motion of FutureCrew. This format supports 32 channels, all the ProTracker effects and a handful of new features as well. You can also use Adlib sounds, but this is not supported in APlayer.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-s3m

File Extension(s):
  .s3m

Played (MikMod):

Converted (MikModConverter):
  ScreamTracker 3

 

The SoundFX file format is like SoundTracker. It only have a few effects and some special pattern commands, which SoundTracker doesn't have. The program was created by Linel Software.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-sfx

File Extension(s):
  .sfx

Played (SoundFX):
  SoundFX 2.0

Converted (ModuleConverter):
  SoundFX 1.3

 

SID modules contains tunes and sound effects from the good old Commodore 64. The player is based on the SidPlay program by Michael Schwendt. The behaviour of the SID player can be changed with the SID settings from the Window/Player-menu in the main APlayer window. If you want some more technical information about the format check it out here.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-psid

File Extension(s):
  .sid .dat .inf .c64 .prg .info .data .mus

Played (SidPlay):
  SID

 

The Sawteeth program was created for BeOS by Jonas and Arvid Norberg as a synthmodule creator. The add-on that made it possible for APlayer to play the modules was made by Arvid.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-st

File Extension(s):
  .st

Played (Sawteeth):
  Sawteeth

 

Stands for ScreamTracker 2.xx. It was the first tracker and module format developed for the IBM PC. It is based on the SoundTracker module specifications, and does not sport many of the features offered by ProTracker. It was created by Sami Tammilehto (PSI) of FutureCrew.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-stm

File Extension(s):
  .stm

Played (MikMod):

Converted (MikModConverter):
  ScreamTracker 2

 

This is "STMIK 0.2" modules. "STMIK" (the ScreamTracker Music Interface Kit) was a module playing library distributed by Future Crew to play Scream Tracker modules in games and demos. It uses an intermediate format between STM and S3M and comes with a tool converting STM modules to STX. "STMIK" was written by PSI of Future Crew a.k.a. Sami Tammilehto.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-stx

File Extension(s):
  .stx

Played (MikMod):

Converted (MikModConverter):
  STX

 

Do you remember the music from Turican II or Rock'n'Roll on the Amiga? Well, it was Chris Hülsbeck who composed these wonderful pieces of music and you can now play them with APlayer. You can download tons of music by Chris on the internet in this format. There is 3 formats this player can play, and that's the old 1.5 format, the Professional and the 7-Voices formats.

The player is based on Jonathan H. Pickard player routine on Linux. 7-voices player is created by both Chris and Jochen Hippel, because Jochen had written a great mixer routine on the Amiga. Later on, a tool was created on the Amiga to merge the two files TFMX have (the .mdat and .smpl files) together in one file. APlayer can also play these standalone files.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-tfmx

File Extension(s):
  .mdat .tfx

Played (TFMX):
  TFMX 1.5
  TFMX Professional
  TFMX 7-Voices

 

This tracker, also called "Ultra Tracker", was created by Marc Andre Schallehn (MAS) of Prophecy. It's a lot like ProTracker with one major difference: the ability to have two effects per channel at the same time.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-ult

File Extension(s):
  .ult

Played (MikMod):

Converted (MikModConverter):
  Ultra Tracker

 

These are modules that follow with the PC games Unreal and Unreal Tournament. APlayer can play these modules directly, so you can enjoy the atmosphere from the game.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-umx

File Extension(s):
  .umx

Played (MikMod):

Converted (ModuleConverter):
  Unreal
  Unreal Tournament

 

This format is called Ogg Vorbis. It is open project / open source project created by Xiphophorus. The format is in same family as MP3 and WMA files, which means it is a packed sample format.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-vorbis

File Extension(s):
  .ogg

Played (OggVorbis):
  Ogg Vorbis

 

This format is also known as Microsoft wav files (.wav). These files can be in different formats, indicated by an ID number in the .wav file, and only some of these are supported. See the player description for a list over the supported formats.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-wav

File Extension(s):
  .wav

Played (Sample / RIFF-WAVE):
  RIFF-WAVE

 

Also called "FastTracker II". It's the most popular tracker on the PC at the moment. It was created by Fredrik Huss and Magnus Högdahl of Triton. It supports up to 32 channels, volume envelopes and instruments.

Mime Type:
  audio/x-xm

File Extension(s):
  .xm

Played (MikMod):

Converted (MikModConverter):
  FastTracker II