<<Doc file for D50 File Converter>>

5/5/90


It now converts GenPatch D50 files to GenEdit format or a raw data file!

The "standard" D50 file for GenPatch includes address bytes, $F7's and
checksums in the data segment.  GenEdit is not set up to handle this;
precisely, the reason for this little program.  Basically, what it does is
reads in a D50 file saved in GenPatch format, strips off the header,
config and the memo page, eliminates the offending 'data' bytes and saves
it as either a GenEdit D50 file (without a config) or a raw data file.

If the new file is saved as a GenEdit file, and you wish to append a
config to any of the files, you may do so with a program called
CNXCHNG.PRG that can also be found on the Hybrid R&D BBS.  I do not
recommend including a config with every file as it consumes way too much
disk space.  A much better method is to write one config-only (non-data)
data file (with GENEDIT.PRG) for each instrument and call it something
like CNX.D50 or CONFIG.D50.  If a GenEdit file does not contain a config,
the SYSXPRSS accessory will use the last config for any additional patch
transmissions.  All you have to do is load the matching CNX-only data file
once prior to sending non-CNX data files (each time you open the
accessory).

If the prg is run as an acc, and is opened over SmpteTrack or GenEdit, it
tries to borrow memory from the main application before trying to grab
memory from the system.  This method is considerably more reliable and
free of the usual memory allocation problems you can run into.  Wildcard
filename input (for converting entire folders/groups of files) is not
suppported yet, but will be as soon as I can get around to it.  Also, the
program is not HybriSwitch compatible.  If you think it should be for some
reason, please let me know your ideas on this.  The way I use it with
HSwitch now is leave a blank partition of 60K open.  That way I can switch
to HSwitch and run it at any time.  When you're done, it automatically
returns the memory to HSwitch.  Since this conversion is kind of a one
shot thing, I don't see any real need to leave it resident in memory at
all times.

This may not be the optimum solution, but for those of use who have
collected thousands of D50 patches saved in GenPatch format, it offers a
much quicker means of converting files than by doing it via the
instrument.

This is not an official Hybrid Art's program and is obviously free, but I
would still like it to work properly.  If you should find any bugs or
problems with it, please call me at 714/875-0954 or leave a message for me
on the Hybrid R&D BBS.  Any suggestions are also welcome!

By the way, to run the prg as an acc, just rename it with the .ACC
extender and put it on the root directory of your boot disk.  The Hybrid
memory loaning method will not work if the accessory is installed within a
multi-accessory utility.

GREG WHELCHEL
