VocalEasel/mma/text/CHANGES-beta

Change log for beta version 0.1 to current beta.  This entire file
will be deleted when we achieve a 1.0 milestone?????

Feburary 16/2003

Released version 0.1 to the world.

=================================

May 4/2003

Added new error message to USE. It now checks for a matching filename
is a different case. Should help for this common error. I've not done
the same for INCLUDE, and it's probably not necessary????

----------

Added a few more chords. I'm not going to document these here, they
are updated in the docs.

-----------

Fixed up the read() code so that it returns lists. The BEGIN/END logic
has been moved to read() as well, which fixes the earlier problem with
repeats not working properly. NOTE for docs: BEGIN/END are local to a
file, and an error occurs if you try USE or INCLUDE while a BEGIN is
active.

------------

Continuation lines! Multiple lines in a file can be concatenated by
ending successive lines with a single '\'. For example:

    Chord Define G1 1 4 90 0 90 0 ; \ 2.5 8 90 0 90 0; \ 3 4 90 0 90  0; \ 4 4 90 0 90 0

Get translated to the single line:

	Chord Define G1 1 4 90 0 90 0 ; 2.5 8 90 0 90 0; 3 4 90 0 90 0; 4 4 90 0 90 0

Comments are stripped AFTER lines are appended. So:

    Chord Define G1 1 4 90 0 90 0 ; // This is a comment \ 2.5 8 90 0  90 0

Becomes:

    Chord Define G1 1 4 90 0 90 0 ;

NOTE: The 2nd line as well as the comment have been deleted!

We could change this, but the whole ugliness of continuation lines
probably suggests that the way we have it is the right way. Comments?


Note that you can use continuation lines at any point in your input.

INPUT FILE FORMAT CHANGE!!!!!!!!!!! With this the trailing '@' to
indicate the end of a DEFINE has been eliminated. In fact, having a
trailing '@' will generate an error. They have been deleted from all
my files....

---------------------

The docs have been split into two different files. The reference to
the standard library has been taken out of the reference manual and is
now a separate file (lib.ps). As well, a tutorial has been started.

---------------------

Test for proper python version added.

---------------------------

BEGIN/END Blocks can now be nested. This means that you can do
something like:

	Begin Chord
	      Begin Define
		    C1234 4
	      End
	      Octave 4
	      Voice Piano1
	End

This is most useful for Doc blocks.

----------------------------

Documentation blocks. Please see the ref-man for detail, but a new set
of commands for embedding documentation in library files has been
added. Also, added a -x option to print out (eXtract) the doc strings.

The syntax for DefGroove has been expanded to permit a trailing
comment.

	DefGroove Waltz This is a waltz groove

Defines the groove, but it also does a:

	Doc Defines This is a waltz groove

This should help in maintaining library docs!


-----------------------------------------

Added new comand:

	Chord | BASS | etc. LIMIT <value>

This limits the number of notes of a chord used. Mostly, this will
kill off the odd sounding (to some people) of the higher notes in
chord, esp.  when the chord is an 11th, 13th, etc.


---------------------

Added new command:

	EOF

This stops the processing of a file. Useful if you just want to test
the first part. Note that the rest of the file is NOT PARSED.


May 15, 2003 - released 0.2

==========================================

New command: Duplicate. This duplicates each note for Scale, Chord,
Apreggio, and Bass by the specified ocatve.

---------------------------

July 19, 2003

Fixed up error reporting to include filename being processed.

Added several lib files.

August 2, 2003 - released 0.3

===============================================

Aug 28, 2003

Added CUT command.


Septebmer 18, 2003

Variable support, conditionals, label and goto have been added.  This
is a big addition (and probably has bugs!).  Read the new chapter in
the manual "Varaibles..." for all the details.


Changed the input reading routine again. Continuation lines and
comments have been changed once again. Comments are now stripped after
line joining.


October 19, 2003 - released 0.4


Modified InvertChord function. Chords are no longer rotated; just the
notes are changed.

December 4, 2003

Added new command:

	Debug [mode=on/off] Modes debug, patterns, sequence, runtime, warnings, expand.

This is the same as the commandline options -dpsrwe


Changed command line options a bit. All document extractions are now
part of -D.

Added commands to extract midi inst. and chord info (see -D)

Reworked chords into a class.

December 5, 2003

The file extenstion .mma has been created. For song files using an
extension is optional, but for lib files using automatic groove
detection it is mandatory. Simply, when mma opens a file it first
checks to see if the filename as given exists. If it does not exist
AND the filename does not end with ".mma", the extension is added. The
deliberate exception is that when libraries are searched/processed
with the -g option only files with a .mma extension are processed.

A lot of testing is done to make sure that files can be specified with
or without the .mma extension. And tests are done to strip the
extension when creating the midi file. If you find a bug here, please
shout at me!

December 11, 2003

Added LYRIC command. See the docs for details, but the short version
is:

	lyric My lyrics are not so good.

This adds the text in the current bar, so it should appear before the
chord data. Lyrics are added a MIDI Meta-event data ($FF $05) in the
Meta track.


December 17, 2003

The LIMIT command has been changed. No longer can you specify
different values for each bar in the sequence. Just didn't make
musical sense. Shout at me if you think you need it.

December 19, 2003

Changed the defaults for searching for the library. We now set up the
path depending on what library can be found.

December 22, 2003

Added DIRECTION UP/DOWN code to walking bass.

Added -o option to display complete filenames as they are
opened. Handy to figure what lib files are really being used.

Chord voicing: This has been a lot of work (THANKS ALAIN!). I think it
is working well enough to set it free in the real world. Please read
the new chapter in the reference manual dealing with voicing! This is
a big change and makes tracks much more musical.


December 26, 2003

Okay--this is a big release! And there are a lot of changes NOT listed
above (sorry). I'll try to be more prompt in future releases.  And,
yes, I think we are approaching 1.0!

Released 0.5.

-------------------------------------

MAJOR CHANGE: MMA is now modular Python!

Install note: the python modules for mma MUST be in one of the
following locations:

	/usr/local/share/mma/modules -- the preferred location

	/usr/share/mma/modules -- alternate

	./modules -- permits running from working dir


The library location has been changed. The standard lib is now in on
of:

	/usr/local/share/mma/lib/stdlib

	/usr/share/mma/lib/stdlib

	./lib/stdlib

The idea is that other template libs should be put into the lib
directory.

This does create a problem for people with USE directives calling
standard files. You really should get rid of the USE and rely on 'mma
-g' and the database it creates, or change the paths in USE to include
the subdir. IE, change "use rhumba" to "use stdlib/rhumba".

To complete this, we've modifed the -g code (and made it much
simpler). It now runs MUCH faster. It also scans subdirectories. And,
if there is a special file "MMAIGNORE" in a directory, that dir will
be ignored (including subdirs).

The SetLibPath command has been modified. It now looks for a '+' as a
leading char in any of the args, or by itself. If found, ALL the paths
in the command are APPENDED to the current path; otherwise the libpath
is set to path(s).

Rewritten part of the tutorial. Originally we used "Happy Birthday" as
an example song, but that song is under copyright (really!) and we
can't legally include the score for it. So, we're using "Fella Bird"
instead.

Added MIDI command to send arbitrary MIDI data to any track. See docs!

Added the IncPath directive. This sets the search path for MMAstart,
MMAend and Include paths.

MMAstart and MMAend can now have multiple values.

February 7, 2004

Again, way too long in releasing this. But, the modularization changes
keep biting back. I think it's stable now. Feedback appreciated!

Fixed bug in random chord movement which caused chords to float off
the keyboard.

February 9, 2004

Released 0.6

-----------------------------------

February 10, 2004

The chord table has been changed. Duplicates are now listed in a
synonym table. Added code to properly handle this in the doc generator
as well.


Minor change to FERMATA. If the offset is negative (FERMATA -1 1 150)
then all note-on events in the specified beat are cancelled. See docs
for detailed explanation.


Added RIFF. A riff is a one bar override to an existing pattern.  See
the new chapter on RIFFs in the docs.

Better error detection in main module when loading modules.

In specifying note durations the dotted and double dotted notation has
be added. So, "2." = "2+4" = "4+4+4"; "2.." == "2+4+8".

The notation in patterns '3' was generating a 1/4 note triplet, not a
1/8 as advertised. Fixed (you may have pattern/lib issues).

MIDI tracks are now automatically allocated. The -c command now parses
the entire file and then reports MIDI channel usage (no file is
produced).

The MIDI commands for Portamento, Pan, TrackName and ChannelVolume are
now stacked in the track buffers. They are sent into the MIDI stream
when musical data is created for the track. This saves on creating
MIDI tracks with only directives, but no data. Also makes it easier to
assign these events to the track, not the channel.

Add the MELODY and SOLO tracks. This lets you add any kind of music to
your tracks. Added the commands KEYSIG, AUTOSOLOTRACKS and HARMONY.
See the new chapter in the docs.

I've spent a few days on the docs and have successfully implementing
latex2html for all the files. This means that there is now an HTML
version of the docs in addition to the ps standard.


Added COPY command. This takes a useful subset of parms from one track
and copies it to another. Useful in libs when you want a set of tracks
with the same articulation, voicing, etc.

April 19, 2004 Released 0.7

---------------------------

MAJOR CHANGE IN TRACK ALLOCATION AND NAMES!

1. Valid track names are BASS, CHORD, etc (just the base) and
the base plus a '-' and a string. This means that all
of the following are valid track names:

	BASS BASS-1 BASS-Sustaining-String

However, the old notation of BASS1, DRUM5, etc. are NO
LONGER VALID.

2. Tracks are now allocated dynamically and there is no limit
on the number of sub-tracks. To see what's happening
run mma with the -c option of a few existing songs to
see the track allocation.

Sorry if this breaks your existing libs, but I think we need
some stable track nameing rules. This new naming scheme should
also permit more descriptive names in lib file for the
different tracks.

The -c command line option has been modified to show the names of the
allocated tracks as well as the midi channel info.


Rewrote the harmony function. Valid harmony types are 2, 3, OPEN,
2ABOVE, 3ABOVE or OpenAbove. To disable harmony use a '-' or 0.
Harmony enabled for scale, arpeggio, walk, bass, solo and melody. Also
fixed bug in harmony when used with transpose (you really do need to
tranpose both the main and the harmony at the same time!)


Fixed some MS-DOS/WINDOWS problems. Added a 'b' to the open/file
statement when creating a midi file to force binary. Plus, the midi
file is now created in-memory with the possibly problematic
tell()/seek() being deleted.

Large rewrite of the pattern define code. You can now do things like:

	Drum Define D1234 1 0 90 * 4

	or even

	Drum Define D1234' 1 0 90 * 4 Shift .5

See the updated docs!

When setting a sequence you can use a dynamically allocated pattern.
For example:

	Drum-Ugly Sequence { 1 0 99 * 4 }

	or

	Drum-Foo Sequence { D1234; 1.5 0 99 } { D1234 }


I've added this option since I find that an awful lot of defines are
just used once, and they _really_ should be with the sequence, not in
a separate block.

Fixed sequence sizing error when restoring volume grooves.

Added the ACCENT command.

The entire chunk of code dealing with patterns and definitions has
been reworked and simplified:

	- Definitions are now stored in one big dict, they are not

	- saved or restored in grooves, they must exist when used in a

	- SEQUENCE, changing the def of a pattern after it is used in

	- a SEQUENCE has no effect on the seq.


Deleted optional notation for specifing a repeated bar. Used to be
that

	1 Em / / / *2 // NOW ILLEGAL

and

	2 Em / / / * 2

were the same. (1) is no longer permitted.

LibPath and IncPath are NO longer lists. Only one path can be
specified for either. The file search stuff has been rewritten as
well... searches now follow a simple line for opening all files.  See
the docs in the paths chapter for details.

The auto-groove stuff has been rewritten. The database is now stored
in MMADIR as a picked dataset.

Added PrintActive command. Use when developing groove files to see
what is active at certain points. Debugging tool only!

Fixed problem with overlapping ON/OFF events. This eliminates all
kinds of RSKIP/ARTICULATE problems.

Walking bass routine reworked. Resulting patterns are harmonious (but
uninspired).

Added DELETE command. This lets you delete an existing track, freeing
its midi channel for future use.

Changed the TEMPO command ... if you use a '*', '+' or '-' modifier
this must be a separate token. Earlier we demanded "*.9", now we want
"* .9". Sorry, if this breaks anything, but it makes things more
consistent.

The DOC suite of commands has been changed/simplified. The old syntax
of "DOC AUTHOR" or "Doc Note ..." is no longer recognized. Instead, we
have three doc methods or commands:

	1. Anything after a DEFGROOVE is passed to docs to be saved as
	   as description.  2. AUTHOR - this saves the "author name",
	   but is not currently used.  3. DOC ... - this saves the
	   data for use in a lib file header.

See the docs or just look at some of the included lib files.


The '/' is NOT permitted in a groove name. This is now reserved for a
future use idea.

June 25, 2004

Released 0.8

---------------------------


Running status has been implemented for the generated MIDI files. This
is actually pretty simple to do and generates MIDI files which are
about 25% smaller. Don't know if there are any other savings, but it
seems to be the "right thing" to do. If you DON'T WANT running status
generation use the "MidiFile Running=0" directive.

You can now generate type 0 MIDI files. Some players only play these,
so you have the option. The command "MidiFile SMF=<type>" sets this to
1 (default) or 0. I suggest adding this to your mmarc file. There is a
cmdline option for this as well '-M x' where x is 0 or 1. This will
override the setting in the RC file, but not in your song/init/groove
files.

Added RANGE command. This applies to the number of octaves a scale or
arpeggio uses. Note: scale used to use COMPRESS for this...COMPRESS
does nothing for scale.

DUPLICATE was transposing already transposed notes for very
interesting effects.

I have done a lot of increased modularization. I had a bit of fear
that this would slow processing, but I see no such effect. And smaller
modules should make code writing easier!

When creating a track MMA no longer sets the default channel volume to
100. It is left as is. Either set the volume in an include file (see
includes/init.mma for an example), or do a explicit TRACK
CHANNELVOLUME command in your groove or song file (or even a mmastart
file). This is done the way it now is to avoid having MMA do things
behind your back...

Opps, I wasn't opening the database file in binary mode...so sorry if
you are using an OS from Redmond which requires this.

July 5, 2004

Released 0.9

------------------------------


Fixed up the -g option so that only new/modfied/deleted library files
are processed. Greatly speeds up this operation!


MAJOR change to the way bass patterns are defined. The note offset
MUST be a '1', '3' or '5', referring to the root, third and fifth of
the scale.


Python version change: Minimum version for Python has been upped to
2.3. Since this version was release in Aug/03 I don't think we're
pushed too many envelopes on this.

Added internal macros $_Volume and $_LastVolume.

I will drop DEFVOLUME/SETVOLUME from the next release unless people
really want it left in! I find that the code is ugly and quite
useless...it really doesn't do what people expect. Easier, if you need
to save a set of volumes for differnt inst. settings, just to do a
DefGroove to a private name.

In the library docs the grooves are listed in the order in which they
are defined. There is probably a reason for having defines in the
groove files in a certain order and the reporting should abide by
that.


The channel assigment code has been tweaked a bit. CHSHARE no long
complains about duplicate assignments. Added ChannelPref command (see
docs).


2 new variables: $_DEBUG and $_LASTDEBUG reflect the current state of
the debug flags and the state before the last "debug xxx=yy"
command. This value can be used to reset the debug state after a temp
change.

Added a MALLET command to reiterate notes in solo/melody tracks. Makes
things like marimbas should quite cool. See docs in the SOLO
section. See the sample song "Yellow Bird" for an example usage.


Added -G command line opt. Same as -g, but forces creation of
completely new database.


The VoicingMode and friends syntax has been changed :) The command
VoicingMode, VoicingCenter and VoicingRange have been deleted. New
command is VOICING with the option pairs MODE=XX, RANGE=xx, CENTER=xx,
RMOVE=xx, DIR=xx. See docs.

Minor changes to install script.

July 25, 2004 Released 0.10

--------------------------

The DefVolume/SetVolume code has been deleted from the code and the
docs. A "good idea" gone forever :)

Added the VoiceTR command. This lets you set up a voice name
translation table. Handy if you have a non-GM MIDI synth or want to
use difference voicings with library files.

The LYRIC command set has been changed, mostly just to get all the
lyric stuff into one container. Gone is LYRICVERSE. And the command
LYRIC now is used for all LYRIC options. Details in docs. As well, you
can specify the beat for a lyric syllable--just enclose it in <>s The
set [<3>Pick Up] will start the lyrics on beat 3. Useful in a pickup
bar situation.

Added the UNIFY command. If you set UNIFY for a track overlapping note
ON/OFF events will be combined into one long note. So, if you're doing
a sustained background note use:

	Begin Chord-Sus Sequence {1 1 90 * 4 } Voice Strings
	  Articulate 100 Unify 1 End

This should generate more pleasing results than using a half or whole
note sequence and will obey chord changes on each note. See docs. All
supplied grooves have been fixed to use this.

To aid creation of BASS patterns ... you can specify an octave offset
in the offset. So, in addition to an offset of '1' you can have '1+'
or '1++' or '1-', etc.

MIDISeq - New command permits MIDI controller data to be sent at every
beat (or partial) in a bar for each track.

MIDIVoice - New command permits MIDI controller data to be sent with a
VOICE setting for each track/bar.

MIDIClear - Recommended command to undo the effects of MIDIVoice/Seq
at groove changes and file end.

MIDIDEF - definition class for MIDISeq/Voice/Clear.

Added docs for midi controller names. Added -Dcm and -Dca opts for doc
printing.


IMPORTANT NOTATION CHANGE in the MIDI command: Previously the args
were to be in hex; this has been changed. You can enter the value
'0x7f' as '0x7f' or '127' or even (if you like octal) '0177'. In
previous versions of mma we insisted on '7f' ... this will no longer
work.

Sept 21, 2004 Released 0.11

--------------------------


Timesig is properly set, only when needed. It's also saved as part of
the GROOVE.


Major change to BASS patterns. First off I've put tables into
MMAchords.py which represent scales associated with different
chords. I think they are all correct, but proof reading is
welcome. These scales are used to select bass notes, instead of taking
the notes out of a chord. The result is that you can now specify any
of 1 to 7 as the noteoffset to select in a bass pattern. This makes
bass much more versatile.

BASS pattern note offsets can also have a "+ - # b or &" added to
represent an alternate note. The "+ -" are for octaves, and can be
concatenated. For example, a note offset "5++" would be the fifth of
the scale (a "g" in a C chord) 2 octaves above the normal note. The
note offset "6#" would be the 6th raised a semitone (we use this in
the boggiewoggie style).

To keep chord names and note names similar, you can not use '&' as
well as 'b' to designate a flat. The chords 'E&' and 'Eb' are the
same.

The SCALE track has be revamped to use the new scale tables. The
SCALETYPE options are now limited to CHROMATIC and AUTO. I've also
attempted to keep the scale running to the next note even when chords
change. Also, changing SCALETYPE or DIRECTION will now reset the scale
to restart at point 0.

The WALK track now uses the scale tables. This should be transparent
from older versions, but faster.

Fixed minor problem with drum tracks not getting a default
voice. Added code to signal current voice set in shared tracks.

Added harmony types: 8 or 8BELOW - single note one octave below 8ABOVE
	- single note one octave up 8BOTH - two notes, one octave
	below and one above 16BOTH - two notes, 2 octaves below/above

AUTOSOLOTRACKS: This list now has a dual purpose. First, it assigns
solos to tracks in chord lines (as before). Second, it is parsed
before each chord line and any assigned tracks set as HarmonyOnly are
filled with Note data from the first line. See docs for details.

MIDIVOICE: I've added/duplicated the loops so that data can be sent
BEFORE or AFTER the controller voice data. Seems that some controllers
are reset by a voice, others not. My experiments show that BANK should
be sent before, most others AFTER. So, we use the beat offset: 0 ->
before; 1 (or anything not 0) after. Egs:

	Voice Piano1 MidiVoice {0 Bank 5}

	results in:

		0 Param Ch=xx Con=00 val=05 0 ProgCh Ch=xx Prog=00

	Voice Piano1 MidiVoice {1 ReleaseTime 100}

	results in:

		0 ProgCh Ch=xx Prog=00 0 Param Ch=xx Con=72 val=80


Just the order is changed, but a sequencer should send items in the
right order.


RIFFS: A new command, RIFFS (not RIFF) lets you set multiple riff
lines (for solos or sequences) in a stack. See the docs or the sample
file egs/riffs.mma.

LYRICS: Yes, a new command option "Lyric Set stuff" lets you define
lyrics in a command line. See the file egs/lyrics.mma for
example. Neat thing is that it works much like RIFFS so you can stack
all your lyrics in one place. Your mma files should look neater with
this :)

REPEATEND: Added optional counter. Now, "REPEAT..REPEATEND 2" will
cause a a total of 3 copies to be made. "REPEATEND 1" is the same as
the default.  A bit of odd behaviour with REPEATENDINGS, but this
seems to be a logical way to handle things.

Added ~ notation to solo lines. A ~ as last note-event means to not
warn about too-long lines. In addition, the extra time is saved for
the next line.  If a line starts with a ~ and the previous line ends
with ~ as well the extra time is squeezed into the new bar. This makes
it easy to handle notes which are tied across bar lines. Also, you can
have empty events by using just a <>. This is covered in the docs
better, but consider this:

	z {4a;b;c;1+1+4d~;} z {~<>~;} z {~4a;}


Added the ability to include arbitary MIDI files into a MMA generated
file. See the docs and/or the files in eg/frankie.


Fixed bug in the voicing RMOVE code. I think the limits now work
properly and we no long have chords walking into the bass domain.

Dec 3, 2004 Released 0.12

--------------------------

Added note '6' for 1/16 triplet and '5' for 1/8 note quintuplet.


Slash chord (ie. F/C) are now supported. There are 3 possible slash
combinations:

	- C/E - simple inversion D/C - addition of maj7 as bass note
	- ("in the scale") D/G# - addition of a aug4 as bass note
	- ("out of scale")

The first 2 forms are supported, the final causes an error.

Added a longish note on libraries in the paths section of the
documenation.


Added DEFCHORD. This permits you to define a new chord type in a mma
file. Syntax is detailed in the manual, but:

	DefChord NAME Notes Scale

		name is case INsensitive Notes are chord
		offsets. Enclosed in () and comma separated.
		(eg. Major Chord is ( 0, 3, 5) Scale are scale
		offsets. Have to be 7. Enclosed in () and comma
		separated. (eg. Major Chord has (0,2,3,5,7,9,10)

Added PrintChord. Prints the notes/scale associated with an existing
chord. Useful to cut/paste to create new chords with DEFCHORD.

	PrintChord maj7 m7 dim

will print the existing defs for a "maj7", "m7" and "dim" chord.

Added ChShare* command. Exactly the same as ChShare, but no warning
printed. This is probably a shortlived addition, so you might NOT want
to use it :)

Chord patterns can have 'direction both' which causes strumming to
alternate directions.

The system macros have been completely reworked. They are now all
dynamic, so they don's show up in a ShowVars command. In addition, a
number have been added, in particular look at the $_TrackName_xx
macros ... these are useful in situations like when you do a
ChShare. See docs ... quite a bit on this.

Added warning if you select a track-groove with no sequence.


March 21, 2005 - released 0.13

--------------------------

CHSHARE* is gone.

CHSHARE has been changed a bit so that the current voice and octave
from the old track are now copied to the new track. In most cases,
this is what you will want. I really don't think that doing chshare is
a great idea unless it's really needed due to running out of MIDI
tracks. Makes for subtle problems and more difficult debugging.

VOICE - if you change voice in a track which has been CHSHAREd, a
warning will be printed.

OUTPATH: This setting can be done in the song file now, not only in a
MMAStart.

System macros $_AutoLibPath, $_LibPath, $_IncPath and $_Outpath
added. Well, a lot more than that ... best to check the docs for the
current list of system variables.

A major change to the auto groove loading database. Please read the
manual in the PATHS/FILES section. Autolib variable and setting
added. If you have a MMADIR file in your mma/lib directory please
delete it. The database(s) are now stored in files named '.mmaDB' in
each subdirectory in mma/lib.

Variable can be concatenated in SET. For example,

	Set a foo bar Print $a > foo bar Set a foo + bar Print $a >
	foobar

A chordname can start with a single "+" or "-". This will move the
chord and scale up/down one complete octave. Useful for chromatic
chord runs when the octave shifts the wrong way. Also, a secondary
octave adjustment has been removed (hopefully this will avoid some
awkward shifts).

Added new command ALLTRACKS. This loops though all currently defined
tracks and applies the given command. Eg: "Alltracks Articulate 90".

With ALLTRACKS working the global versions of CHANNELVOLUME, RSKIP,
RTIME and RVOLUME have been deleted. Use the track specific versions
or use ALLTRACKS. I think that this is more explicit and easier to
follow.

Increased permittable ARTICULATE values to 200 (which means that notes
will sound 2x as long as requested). Values greater than 120 will
generate warning (the 200 limit is just something self-imposed). You
might find values in the range 100 to 120 handy to force long and tied
notes.

Fixed DOWN DIRECTION in Scale tracks (it now works).

Fixed annoying bug which sometimes put VOICE changes after the first
note in a track (RSKIP could put first note before bar start).

May 14, 2005 - released 0.14

----------------------------------

Fixed Voicing so that "Rmove=0" is legal. Validation didn't accept
"0" and this created a system macro problem.

Fixed MidiClear to take at the start of a groove switch, not the
end. If done at the end the data was gone.

The (de)cresc code has been modified to take an intial "start
volume". So, instead of doing something like:

	 volume pp
	 Cresc mf 8

you can now combine this to:

    Cresc pp mf 8



The ACCENT code has been tweaked and you can now have a different set
of accents for each bar in the seq. To use this you have to set
different bars in {}s. The old method still works. Egs:

		  // accent drum on beats 1 and 3

		  Drum Accent 1 20 3 20

		  // same as above for bars  1/2/3, on 4 do beat 1 only.

		  Drum Accent {1 20 3 20} / / {1 50}


A new command, DrumTR, as been added. This is similar to the existing
VoiceTR command, but translated drum tone selections.

Added VoiceVolTr and DrumVolTR. Same purpose as DrumTr and VoiceTr
... in both cases the volumes assigned to certain tones are
adjusted. Read the docs.

The RC FILE logic has been changed a bit. First, the order for
checking for RC files now FOLLOWS the order in the docs. Second, the
reading of RC files ends when the first one has been found. If you
want multiple RC files read, include the others in the top level.

Don't know what I was thinking at the time, but most of the minor
scales were wrong (the chords were okay).

Fixed bug in tilde continuation in solo notation.

Added ChordAdjust command. This moves selected chords (by pitch)
up/down one octave. See docs.

Fixed Solo tracks so that tracks without data are properly converted
when HarmonyOnly is set. Whatever code was in previous versions was
dumb and wrong.

July 22, 2005 - release 0.15

-------------------------------

Added NOTESPAN directive (mostly to duplicate accordion bass). Added Macro
$_TRACK_NOTESPAN.

When calculating a note length you can subtract as well as add. So, to
get a note just a bit shorter than a full bar, you can do something
like "1-0" which generates a note 1 midi tick shorter than "1".

The code which set the keysig in the MIDI track was broken. Fixed.

You can now use names like "F" or "G#" when setting the key signature
(as well as 1b, 2#, etc). See docs.

ALLTRACKS has been fixed, and now has an optional track type
parameter. See docs.

For all volume commands you can now specify the volume as a dynamic
string (ff, mp, etc) a value (10,30, 100, etc) or an percentage
adjustment (-10, +30, etc.)

The various volume macros now print numeric values instead of guessing
at the closest musical string.

Subdirectories in the lib directory were not properly initializing the
.mmaDB database file.

When defining patterns you can specify a beat from 0 to 4.9 (assuming
4/4) rather than 1 to 4.99. Any chords player in the 0 to .999 range
will be played in the previous bar, but with the current bar's
chord. Nice for push chords in jazz. A warning will be printed for all
patterns with 0 to .99 offsets.

Added 81 and 82 notes. 81 is the first of a swingskew 8th, 82 the 2nd.

Added SWINGMODE command: args ON/OFF en/disable swingmode. Skew=xx
sets the rate for paired 8ths. You need to use the special 81 and 82
notation for this. See docs ... it's way too complicated for this file.

Added STACKVALUE command. This puts its args on a stack. You can
retrive with $_STACKVALUE. Handy to save/restore settings in a section
without needing a 'real' variable.

Oct, 2005 - release 0.16

-------------------------------

The SEQNORND command has been removed (use SeqRnd OFF).

SeqRnd has been enhanced. You now need to specify ON or OFF, plus in
global mode you can specify the tracks to apply rnd to. See docs.

Added macros $_SeqRnd and $_TRACK_SeqRnd.

Fixed bug in INVERT - thanks to Matti Jokinen.

The notes C# and Cb were left as natural in Solo/Melody (a result of
the swingmode hacking). Also, the note C below the staff was not
generating a harmony note. Sorry ... important enough to force an
interm release.

Oct 8, 2005 - release 0.17

-------------------------------

AutoSoloTracks: If there was a trailing space in the first solo an
error would occur with the auto track. Lines like {1c ; } didn't parse
properly for the 2nd track.

When a variable set with MSET is epxanded the current state of BEGIN
will be honored. Have a look at the song "All of Me" to see how this
feature is used to create a solo riff in 2 tracks.

The Begin/End code has been rewritten. I think it belongs in the parse
code, not the file.

Mset macros with only one line now work.

TEMPO: Changed again. Sorry. But, to make this consistent I've decided
to change the syntax once again. Now, you MUST NOT have a space
between the "+-*" and the value. So, to double the tempo use "Tempo
*2".

Warning messages now display filename as well as line number.

The RIFFS command has been deleted. The singular RIFF now handles
single and multiple settings.

Added the note lengths '23' and '43' for a half note and quarter note
triplet.

SEQCLEAR no longer deletes/clears info for SOLO tracks in global
context. Note, that "Solo Seqclear" still works as before. This change
is in keeping with the "gooves etc don't effect solo tracks" concept.

DUPLICATE. Gone! This was a command inserted in early development,
before we had unlimited tracks, etc. And it never really worked ... if
you want to duplicate a voice into a different octave, etc. just
create a new track.

From the command line it is possible to define a macro: -S foo=bar
will set the macro $foo to the value 'bar'.

Added CHORDS option to LYRICS. This copies the chord line as a lyric
event. So, your karaoke player can display the chords as they go
though the song. And while screwing with Lyric I've added a lyric
macro ... not that useful, but can be used in debugging.

A further enhancement to set volumes: you can set a volume with a
string and inc/dec that by a percentage. Example: ff+10 will give the
'ff' setting plus 10%; mf-10 will give the 'mf' setting minus 10%.

Adjustvolume: 2 changes ... set the changes as "mf=xx" pairs; the 'xx'
can be an existing volume, ie "mf=f+200" sets the volume "mf" to the
"f" volume plus 200%.

Nov 3, 2005 - release 0.18

---------------------------------

The lyrics->chord option wasn't discarding leading "-+".


GOTO has been improved. Now all lines with a leading linenumber are
considered to be labeled lines. So, it is now easy to jump to a
section without having to set a label. Handy if you want to just test
the last few bars of a song. Still doesn't work in repeats :)

A new "pattern" has been added to the "Sequence" command. You can now
use a single "*" to indicate "use existing pattern". This is useful if
you want to create a modification of an exisiting sequence. Example:

    Drum Sequence D1234 D1
    Drum Sequence * D24

The 2nd sequence will really be "D1234 D24"


Added default Tone to Solo tracks if they are DRUMTYPE. This is set
with a "Trackname Tone xx". It just means that you don't have to set
the initial tone in a solo string. Also, you can use the special name
"*" in a solo drum line to force the use of the default.

The MALLET option has been enhanced so that it now works will all
tracks, not just SOLO/MELODY as before.

Lyrics now support transposed chord names with the Chords=On
option. It DOESN'T look at the global transpose setting, so you can
have transposed chord names (perhaps for cappo?) other than the chord
names in the mma file. See docs.

For some unknown (to me) reason volumes were being applied
stupidly. In previous versions the base velocity was muliplied by the
track and master percentage ... now, the base is mulitplied by the
combinations of the track and master. This gives more consistant and
broader volumes.

Added volume "m" and use that as default. This is set to 100%.

The ratio of the master vrs. track volume can be adjusted with the
VolumeRatio command. Default applies 60% of the track volume and 40%
of the master.

Solo/Melody tracks had a funny initial velocity. They now default all
notes to a velocity of 90 ... this is adjusted by the track and master
volumes. You can't change the 90.

A bit of fiddling with REPEATs now permit using 0 and 1 as the
count. See the docs and the example file 'repeats'. This lets
you skip entire repeat sections. Handy for debugging and setting up codas.

VEXPAND -- somewhere along the way this was broken. Fixed.

LYRICS BARSPLIT -- was broken, fixed.

Added macros $_VExpand, $_BarNum and $_LineNum. SHOWVARS can now take
args (which vars to print).

Tweak to (De)Cresc. Previously the first bar after the Cresc was
played at an increased volume (or decreased for Decresc). Now the
first bar is played at the current volume. This makes sense in the
case of commands like "Cresc PP F 4" ... the first bar will now be at
PP, the 4th at F and the other 2 something inbetween.

Added -Dk command line option. This will print out a summary of the
various keywords MMA uses. This is meant to help folks writing editor
extentsions for MMA.

Dec 24, 2005 - release 0.19

---------------------------------

Bug in Sequence "*" when existing pattern was NULL fixed.

Solo tracks were not doing ARTICULATE.

In just about all cases where an integer value is expected you can use
hex or octal notation. Shout if I missed something. Mainly done to
support inc/dec for hex macro values.

Some additional harmony modes added.

Minor bug fixes.

March 8, 2006 - release 0.20

-----------------------------------

Fixed warning report when unknown track is used with "Track Groove".

MAJOR change to the modules stuff. I've done a bit better at using
Python standard packaging methods. As a plus, the code seems to run a
bit faster. From a user perspective, the only real change is that the
modules directory has been renamed MMA.

Fixed a few mistakes in midiInc ... misspelling of char() instead of
chars().

Lyric and Text events can now be copied via a MidiInc command. See
docs.

April 6, 2006 - release 0.21

-----------------------------------


Added GROOVE list. You can now have a list of grooves (instead of just
one) on a GROOVE command directive. This is for alternating time sigs,
or if you want a quick & dirty change between alternate bars. ALTERNATELY,
you can start a list of grooves with a <value>, and the specified groove will
be used. Handy for changing gooves in repeated sections. Minor change: you can't
have an integer as the name of a groove.

Fixed -c option, now shows channel assignments.

Added HarmonyVolume ... default harmony notes are 80% of main note.

Changed the harmony settings: the number of modes has been reduced,
but you can concatenate them like OPEN+8BELOW, etc. See docs.

Harmony now gets its own manual section.

Added optional 'cut' and 'common' settings to TIMESIG.

Added -i option to specify the RCfile to use.

Modified -Dk to be a bit more machine friendly ... no extra formatting.

Fixed parse bug. Lines with only a line number were causing an eof.

The routines extracting lib info reported tracks which had no sequence set.

Added ForceOut command. This forces the output of MIDI Voicing commands to
"empty" tracks. Neat to set the keyboard channel with a song. See manual.

June 26, 2006 - release 0.22

-----------------------------------------

I just discovered that python 2.4 has sorted() as a builtin :) So, I've gone
though the MMA code and changed a bunch of sort() to sorted().

Added RNDSEED command.

September 1, 2006 - release 0.23

-----------------------------------------

MidiInc: Added a bunch of warnings, added Start and End options - this permits
the inclusion of selected part of a midi file. The filename is now expanded for tildes.

Added MIDISPLIT so that each note in a track can be output to a different midi track.

Split out the midi.py file into midiC.py, midiM.py and midi.py.

Added SeqRndWeight for global and tracks. This is potentially very useful. Read the manual!

Added $_TRACK_Channel macro. Returns currently assigned MIDI channel number.

Added TRACK MIDITNAME command. This sets the track name (in the midi file) to something other
  than the MMA track name.

Added an inversion option to chord notation. You can specify an inversion
 with CHORDNAME>N where N is -5 to 5. This indicates the number of
 rotations to do. Handy if you want to avoid slash chords, but want a special sound.
 This documented in appendix A.1 of the reference manual.

The tutorial now has a "library creation" section. Thanks to Rony Steelandt.

Added RndSet. Sets a variable randomly from a list:
      RndSet A 1 2 3 4 5
Sets $A to one of the values.

Added MIDIMARK. Inserts a midi marker at the specified offset.

Command name changes:
      PAN -> MIDIPAN,
      PORTAMENTO -> MIDIGLIS and
      CHANNELVOLUME -> MIDIVOLUME.
  These changes make all the MIDI commands somewhat more consistant.

September 25, 2006 - Released 1.0-RC1