The ModPlugin was originally developed in the mid-90s by Olivier Lapicque as a plugin for Internet browsers to listen to tracking files (such as .mod and .it files). From this plugin, he developed the ModPlug Player and the ModPlug Tracker. ModPlug Player can play a very wide variety of tracking files, and uses many different audio effects, such as graphic equalization, reverb, and Surround Sound. Although it is still available, the Player is not open-source nor is it being developed.

ModPlug Tracker became completely open-source in 2004, allowing the actual application to be developed and the code altered for the correction of long-standing bugs and the implementation of new features, such as the advanced use of VST plugins and alternate tunings. (source: '[l[https://wiki.openmpt.org/Manual:_About_OpenMPT[OpenMPT wiki])

'[#[Capabilities]
MODPlug/OpenMPT (Open ModdPlug Tracker) is a windows module tracker, supporting several modules:
'[ul['[li[.it]'[li[.mod]'[li[.s3m]'[li[.xm]'[li[.mptm]'[li[.mid]]

To open and play there are even more. OpenMPT has its own native module type, '[[mptm (format)[the OpenMPT format (.mptm)], can save midi files, export audio as .wav, and has other interesting features such as VST support.

'[l[https://openmpt.org/features[Current listing of features]
'[l[https://wiki.openmpt.org/Manual:_Module_formats[list of supported module formats]

'[#[Competition]
OpenMPT is accepted for the following formats:
- '[[amigamod (format)[amigamod]
- '[[midi (format)[midi]
- all mod*k formats
- '[[wildchip (format)[wildchip]
- '[[mptm (format)[mptm]
- '[[s3xmodit (format)[s3xmodit]
- '[[allgear (format)[allgear]

'[#[Quick set up]
Download here: '[l[https://openmpt.org/download[OpenMPT donload]
As it is a Windows software package, it is 100% n00b friendly on installing. 

'[t[b3]Composing'[/t]
OpenMPT provides plenty of proper '[l[https://wiki.openmpt.org/Main_Page[documentation], including '[l[https://wiki.openmpt.org/Tutorial:_Getting_Started[a quickstart guide] so it would be a waste of time re-inventing the wheel. 

A quick reference of '[[FastTrackerII Effects Commands[available commands]

'[#[IT compatibility notes]
Always always use "compatibility export" and don't use VSTs in your module. Listen to your track in xmplay before submitting and you will probably be OK.

'[#[Links for further development]
OpenMPT is developed outside BotB by an active '[l[https://openmpt.org/community[community].
Bug reporters and feature requesters are welcome to do their duties '[l[https://bugs.openmpt.org[OpenMPT bug tracker]

'[#[See also]
- '[[amigamod (format)]
- '[[s3xmodit (format)]
- '[[mptm (format)]
- '[[Tracker]