FAQ

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General Questions

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I need to speak with the developers!

The best way is using IRC - You need to install an IRC client. HydraIRC is a good choice (and there are many others out there as well!). Then you can connect to any server of the EFnet network and join the #psycle channel. An alternative way to connect is through your browser, either here or here (it even works behind a firewall).

Is it possible to import/load S3M?/XM/IT files into Psycle?

Latest 1.7.x alphas and all 1.8 versions include "Sampulse" and its importing routines. Those should allow to import them with ease.

Note that the code of Sampulse loading and saving is *unfinished*, so you should not save songs with Sampulse.

What is this 'dummy' machine?

Dummy internal machine? It is mainly used to replace missing plugin machines when loading a .psy file. It can also be used to group machines, connecting them to it.

Samples And The Sampler Machine

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I've loaded a sample but it doesn't make any sound.

To play a sample (.wav or .iff) you need to add a sampler machine and connect it to the master or to an effect that goes to the master. Be sure your audio settings are 0K, too.

Can Psycle use OGG?/MP3? files as samples?

Unfortunately not. This is a common question, because it would be good. Support for lossy compression (MP3?, etc) and lossless compression? (FLAC, etc) formats is on the TODO list.

When I load a sample and enter a note, it's really fast and high-pitched...

...when it plays. I've tried everything from halving the bit rate of the sample to re-installing Psycle. What should I do about this?

The way trackers change pitch of a sample is by speeding up or slowing down the rate at which the individual sample points are played back. The result is similar to playing a 33 1/3 RPM record at 45, or vice versa. The pitch changes to the desired tone, but eventually your sample will either end up sounding like either the Chipmunks, or Barry White on valium. That's what multisampled instruments solve, but unfortunately Psycle doesn't support multisampled instruments as yet. You can use another sampler VSTi that supports multisample formats like SF2 (RGCAudio sfz, Fontaminator, Kontakt, VSampler, ...)

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Psycle Usage

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When Psycle loses focus, the music stops. Why?

The "Exclusive" mode is selected in the Directsound Configuration. Go to the Configuration Menu -> Settings and select the Input/output tab, and press the configure button. There you will see the Exclusive option. Uncheck it.

I've put my xxx VST plugin in the "plugins" dir and Psycle doesn't show it!

Psycle uses a different paths for Native plugins and VST plugins. By default, Native Plugins go under "Plugins\" and VST's go under "Vst\". If you want to change it, go to Configure-Settings, select the "Directories" tab, and select your VST plugins' dir.

Why doesn't/Can't/won't Psycle support buzz machines?

Oskari Tammelin, the author of Buzz, declined us the right to develop a Buzz Plugins' Host for Psycle. It's up to someone to develop a plugin that can load buzz plugins. (It won't be allowed by Oskari either, but many users would like it.)

I Have Pro52 VSTi and it is shown as an Effect Machine. How come?

There are two Pro5 dll's, one called pro-52.dll and the other called pro-52fx.dll. The first one is recognized by Psycle as a generator while the other is recognized as an effect and it allows you to use the Pro52 Effect engine separately from the synth (The same happens with other synths).

I can't enter notes into the Pattern Editor. Why not?

This occurs when Edit Mode is Deactivated. The default key to switch Edit Mode on/off is the "Space" key. You can see if you are in Edit mode on the status bar, to the right.

What is the Red Circle Button in the toolbar for?

It allows you to enter Record Notes in realtime mode. To enter this mode Follow Song and Edit mode have to be activated so when you enable Record Notes in realtime, Follow Song and Edit mode are activated automatically if they were disabled.

I have only 16 tracks in my psycle song, how do i get 64?

Below the save icon (the diskette), there is a track number selector. Unfold the list of tracks number and select 64.

What exactly does the Autostop All Machines button do?

When enabled, if Psycle detects an effect that receives no sound input, it stops it, freeing CPU usage. This is beneficial in most cases, but plugins like delays, or those that have LFO's, or any other parameter that needs to run constantly, will behave unexpectedly.

How do I change the pattern length?

Right Click in the Pattern Window and then select "Pattern Properties".

Is it possible to have different patterns with a different length?

Yes it is. Just change the pattern properties for each pattern individually. See above: FAQ#How do I change the pattern length?

How does the tweak_smooth command work?

In the docs-Directory you find a .txt-file with in-depth info about tweaking.

Is it possible to let a tws command affect several rows (not only one)?

Smooth tweaks between two tweak values can be achieved by entering the start and the end value, selecting via mouse the region and then select "Interpolate" from the context-menu.

how do I stop a synth playing in a track/ how do i create a NoteOff?

put the cursor in a channel's first column, the row you want it to stop and press [ctrl]-1. This will put an "off", silencing the machine at that point.