        AWEPLAY Midi File / Sound Font Player v1.2.1
       ==============================================

Introduction
------------

If you want a program that will allow you to double click
a Midi file within the Explorer and have it download a
Sound Font and play the midi file, THIS IS IT. No more going
into the AWE 32 Control Panel selecting the Sound Font and
then playing the Midi file using the Media Player. You are
just two clicks away with AWEPLAY !!!

The AWEPLAY program was written for the AWE 32 / AWE 64 /
SoundBlaster 32 sound cards running under Windows 95 and
Windows NT v4 with the latest Creative Labs AWE 32 /
AWE 64 / SB 32 drivers.

It has the following features :

 * The ability to play Midi files directly from the Explorer
   by double clicking them.
 * Be able to select between General Midi and Roland GS
   synthesizers while playing general Midi files.
 * Download the correct Sound Font file into user bank 1 on
   the AWE32 / AWE 64 / SB32 card before playing the Midi file.
 * Provide progress information while playing the file.
 * Minimises into the System Tray. Does not clutter the Taskbar.
 * Allows the midi file to be repeated.
 * Allows all the Midi files in the same directory as the
   initially selcted Midi file to be played. These can be played
   in either in file order or random order.
 * Able to skip tacks.

Creative Labs Drivers / Control Panel
-------------------------------------

If you have not already got these drivers you will need to get
them.  They are available from the Creative Labs website.

	http://www.ctlsg.creaf.com/

The versions of software that I have tested AWEPLAY under are :

Win95 - SB 16/32/AWE Drivers - Rev 7-9
WinNT - SB 16/32/AWE Drivers - Rev 1

AWE32 Control Panel  - v2.05.0


To install the program
----------------------

 * Make a new folder and copy into it the AWEPLAY.EXE program.
 * Run the program and an about box should appear. Check the
   checkbox under "Settings" to associate the program with
   Midi file playing and click on OK.
 * Thats it ! The program should now be ready to use. To test
   double click on any ".MID" Midi file within the Windows 95
   Explorer and it should play. If it has an associated Sound
   Font file this will be loaded before playing. (See below for
   details of Sound Font file playing.)

To uninstall the program
------------------------

 * Run the program and click on the top left icon and then
   select "About AWEPLAY" from the menu. An about box should
   appear. Uncheck the check box to unassociate AWEPLAY with
   midi file playing.
 * Delete the AWEPLAY.EXE program and its related folder.


Requirements to play Midi files with Sound Fonts
------------------------------------------------

To allow the program to find the Sound Font file for each midi
file they must have the same filename as the midi file but with
an .SBK or .SF2 extension. The Midi files and Sound Font files
must be in the same directory.

For reference SBK files are Sound Font v1.0 files whereas SF2
files are the newer v2.0.

For Example :

	SWEETDREAMS.MID must have a SWEETDREAMS.SBK
                                 or SWEETDREAMS.SF2 file.

Operation Instructions
----------------------

When the program maximised you can do the following operations:

Single Play Mode
----------------
 * Set the program into repeat play.
 * Restart music play using the "Replay Track" button.
 * Pause music play using the "Pause" button.
 * Stop playing and exit the program using the "Exit" button.

Muli Play Mode
--------------
 * To set the program into Multi Play mode check the "Play All"
   checkbox. In this mode the program will play all the Midi
   files in the same directory as the initial Midi file you
   selected.
 * You can select either sequential or random play by setting
   the "Random" checkbox.

When the program is minimise into the System Tray you can do
the following :

 * If you place your cursor over the AWEPLAY icon it will
   display the Midi file name and its current play position
   as a percentage. 
 * If you right click on the icon it will toggle between pause
   and play.
 * If you double left click on the icon this will restore the
   program. You can then pause, continue, stop, select
   between sythesizers and set repeat play.

Program Registration
--------------------

AWEPLAY is shareware and has a cost of only $10 / 6. If you
register the program you will be sent registration information
via email which will enable you to disable the About Box
appearing on shutdown and the Nag boxes that appear when in 
"Play All" mode.

To register please send $10 or 6 together with your Name and
Email address to :

	Carl Botterill,
	18, Twyford Close,
	Little Billing,
	Northampton,
	NN3 9HR,
	United Kingdom.

All cheques should be made payable to Carl Botterill.

Please give AWEPLAY a try. I think you will find it useful and will
save you time going into and out of the AWE 32 Control panel.

Thank you for your interest,

Carl.

============================================
  email: carl@one-eyed.demon.co.uk
website: http://www.one-eyed.demon.co.uk/
============================================

