3 ms·

This, but (or "and") use the 4-row layout that dozens of tracker programs used[0], to fit over 2 octaves on the computer keyboard. On a US keyboard: QWERTYUIO

This, but (or "and") use the 4-row layout that dozens of tracker programs used[0], to fit over 2 octaves on the computer keyboard. On a US keyboard: QWERTYUIOP[] is the white keys starting at middle C. (The row above is the black keys; the 2 key plays C#.) ZXCVBNM,./ is the white keys starting an octave lower. (S plays a low C#.) The two ranges overlap; e.g. Q and , both play C in the same octave. Grew up composing music on a computer this way when my (musical) keyboard didn't have MIDI and I couldn't afford a better one :) [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_tracker https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_tracker

wizzwizz4 9mo ago
Can you name a piece of software that uses this scheme? Or, better still, the OG software that used it. If I steal this, I'd like to have something to call it. (I've seen this scheme before: I think it might be used by the keyboard built into the Squeak image that comes with Scratch 1.4.)
- nick__m 9mo ago
  renoise use that convention https://files.renoise.com/manual/Renoise%20User%20Manual.pdf https://files.renoise.com/manual/Renoise%20User%20Manual.pdf (page 38). I used psycle modular music in 1999 and I know that it was not the first tracker-like software to use that convention but it's as far as my memory goes.
- mb7733 9mo ago
  FL Studio (fka Fruity Loops) uses this layout, or something very close to it.
- moosedev 9mo ago
  The earliest I've used was Protracker, which was the most popular tracker in the early heyday of the format (late 80s - early 90s), but the earlier Soundtracker was the OG "tracker", and probably used the same layout, but I'm not sure. https://www.exotica.org.uk/wiki/Soundtracker_History https://www.exotica.org.uk/wiki/Soundtracker_History But if FL Studio (formerly FruityLoops) and Renoise use the same layout, as others have said, then those are probably going to resonate with a wider modern audience :D Or maybe just call it "FL Studio / Renoise / tracker layout"? I don't do computer keyboard note entry any more, but I still have the muscle memory for that 4-row layout from hours spent with it in the late 90s :D And I'd totally use it in your game. (My MIDI keyboards are kinda too far away from the mouse and monitor.)

wizzwizz4 9mo ago

Can you name a piece of software that uses this scheme? Or, better still, the OG software that used it. If I steal this, I'd like to have something to call it. (I've seen this scheme before: I think it might be used by the keyboard built into the Squeak image that comes with Scratch 1.4.)

nick__m 9mo ago
renoise use that convention https://files.renoise.com/manual/Renoise%20User%20Manual.pdf https://files.renoise.com/manual/Renoise%20User%20Manual.pdf (page 38). I used psycle modular music in 1999 and I know that it was not the first tracker-like software to use that convention but it's as far as my memory goes.
mb7733 9mo ago
FL Studio (fka Fruity Loops) uses this layout, or something very close to it.
moosedev 9mo ago
The earliest I've used was Protracker, which was the most popular tracker in the early heyday of the format (late 80s - early 90s), but the earlier Soundtracker was the OG "tracker", and probably used the same layout, but I'm not sure. https://www.exotica.org.uk/wiki/Soundtracker_History https://www.exotica.org.uk/wiki/Soundtracker_History But if FL Studio (formerly FruityLoops) and Renoise use the same layout, as others have said, then those are probably going to resonate with a wider modern audience :D Or maybe just call it "FL Studio / Renoise / tracker layout"? I don't do computer keyboard note entry any more, but I still have the muscle memory for that 4-row layout from hours spent with it in the late 90s :D And I'd totally use it in your game. (My MIDI keyboards are kinda too far away from the mouse and monitor.)