Content Naming Convention

The content naming convention used by Mixtikl is of particular relevance to Paks that contain a lot of content as it helps to group similar content in list displays (e.g. content list).

For real examples, see the files in the GenMix1 Pak (genmix1_dmaj_im_tp.zip), GenMix5 Pak (genmix5_dmaj_im_tp.zip) and LoopBeats2 (loopbeats2_tp_im.zip) that are pre-installed with Mixtikl.

TIP: If you have a loop, e.g. a drum loop, that you want never to be pitch shifted (even if it can be tempo-stretched), the use the "d_" prefix below.

Naming Convention: track_bars-contentName-aksmo.type

e.g. d_2-kick2_140d-o.ogg

track_

Choose one of 5 single character values followed by an "underscore" (the user never sees these letters):

• d_ (drums)
• b_ (basses)
• c_ (chords/structure)
• l_ (leads/arps)
• u_ (fx/vox/custom/stings)

bars-

The number of bars followed by a "dash" (e.g. "4-")

• OPTIONAL - we generally do not use this identifier, but it is available for you if it helps you, i.e. you can see in a content cell how long the loop will play for, and you can also visually track its progress with the moving content cell "mote".
• 0 is a special case that indicates content that will play for a very long time, which as far as the application is concerned, effectively means forever. This kind of content is generative in nature, and the generative material is authored with Noatikl. Noatikl content can be set up to play for a maximum of 9 hours, for example!
• If the content is only 1 bar long, then you can ignore this, i.e. track_ContentName-aksmo.type.

contentName

The name shown in a content cell. Using this convention means content is shown in the easiest, briefest and most easily understandable way in both the content cells and the content list. The contentName can include the underscore character.

Recommended syntax is : "sampleTypesampleNumber_TempoRoot_OtherInfo" (e.g. kick1_140d_OtherInfo for Kick Drum 1).

• sampleType of 3-4 characters
  • "snar" for Snare Drum
  • "syn" for Synth
  • "prc" for percussion
  • "kick" for bass drum
  • "hhat" for hi hat
  • "cym" for cymbal
  • "vox" for voice
  • "chrd" for chords
  • "bass" for bass etc
• sampleNumber
  • the variant, e.g. 1, 2, 3 etc.
• _TempoRoot
  • The tempo and root note e.g. _140d
• _OtherInfo
  • Such as the details of the original sample name if the sample is renamed (e.g. 7WDZGSpice), the Pak name (e.g. loopbeats1) and the pak maker (e.g. _IM)

-aksmo

Preceded by a "dash", this is an advanced set of identifiers used by content authors to identify specific content types. If you are using audio or MIDI content only, then you can ignore these identifiers (i.e. track_bars-ContentName.type).

• a - the identifier for "advanced content", which is content constructed in such a way that it requires more than normal usage of computer processing to play. An example of this being content that uses modular synthesis to generate the sounds, or has heavy use of multi-layered audio samples. This content will display as red in the content list.
• k - used for content that uses the Noatikl Music Engine. This content is typically generative, in that music is continuously created on-the-fly.
• s - the identifier for content that uses sounds created through modular synthesis. 's' labelled content is normally labelled "advanced" as well.
• m - MIDI based content.
• o - Content that uses compressed audio samples, such as sample in Ogg Vorbis format.

type

This is the file extension, such as .partikl, .noatikl, .mid, .ogg or .wav etc. The file extension determines what color the content will show up in the Mixtikl content list.

• Audio content displays as blue (Ogg, WAV);
• MIDI content displays as black (MIDI, MIDI partikl)
  • in the content cell it is also indicated with a small black and white piano keyboard;
• Advanced content (as noted above) displays in dark red (.partikl, .noatikl)