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::|CONTENTS

1. Overview
2. Elements of a Tracker
3. See Also

A tracker is the generic term for a class of music sequencer software. It allows the user to arrange the notes stepwise on a timeline across several monophonic channels. A tracker's interface is primarily numeric; notes are entered via the alphanumeric keys of the computer keyboard, while parameters, effects and so forth are entered in hexadecimal.

Overview

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The name tracker comes from the tracker software Ultimate Soundtracker on the Commodore Amiga. A tracker is general term for a type of software used for music sequencing. Tracker’s use sound samples to be placed on a timeline, across multiple monophonic channels. The tracker interface is primarily numeric, notes are entered with the alphanumeric keys of the computer keyboard and parameters and effects entered in hexadecimal. A complete song is several multi-channel patterns chained together by a master list. Tracks (or channels), patterns, orders, samples, notes, effects are several elements common to any tracker program.
Tracker music is typically stored in so-called module files where the song data and samples are encapsulated in a single file.
There are also some tracker-like programs that utilize tracker-style sequencing schemes, while using real-time sound synthesis instead of samples. Many of these programs are designed for creating music for a particular synthesizer chip such as the OPL chips of the Adlib and SoundBlaster sound cards, or the sound chips of classic home computers.

Elements of a Tracker

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A sample is a small digital sound file of an instrument, voice, or other sound effect. Most trackers allow a part of the sample to be looped, simulating a sustain of a note.

A note designates the frequency at which the sample is played back. By increasing or decreasing the playback speed of a digital sample, the pitch is raised or lowered, simulating instrumental notes (e.g. C, C#, D, etc.).

An effect is a special function applied to a particular note. These effects are then applied during playback through either hardware or software. Common tracker effects include volume, portamento, vibrato, retrigger, and arpeggio.

A track (or channel) is a space where one sample is played back at a time. Tracks have a fixed number of "rows" on which notes and effects can be placed (most trackers lay out tracks in a vertical fashion). Tracks typically contain 64 rows and 16 beats, although the beats and tempo can be increased or decreased to the composer's taste.

A pattern is a group of simultaneously played tracks that represents a full section of the song. A pattern is intended to represent an even number of measures of music composition.

An order is part of a sequence of patterns which defines the layout of a song. Patterns can be repeated across multiple orders to save tracking time and file space.

See Also

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List of Trackers
Chip Music

referencing to:
- 2a03 (soundchip)