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MOD files usually aren't very big, but they're sometimes very complex, full of interesting instrumental sounds. The MOD I am listening to as I write this has 38 unique patterns and four separate channels, for example.
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Al Fasoldt's reviews and commentaries, continuously available online since 1983

MOD audio still thrives on the Internet


Aug. 16, 1998

By Al Fasoldt
Copyright © 1998, The Syracuse Newspapers

    Digital audio recordings are free for the asking on the Internet. You can download WAV, MIDI and MPEG files from thousands of sites.
   As impressive as MPEG audio is -- capable of CD quality sound at vastly reduced file sizes compared to normal digital audio -- the format that continues to amaze me is the veteran of Amiga and Atari lineage from the mid-1980s, the MOD file. The name stands for "module," a mixture of stereo or multichannel audio signals and instructions for the software program that plays the music.
   MOD files usually aren't very big, but they're sometimes very complex, full of interesting instrumental sounds. The MOD I am listening to as I write this has 38 unique patterns and four separate channels, for example.
   MODs are always homegrown -- as far as I know, there are no commercial performances available as MODs -- and that means many of them are unbearably amateurish. But diamonds shine among the pebbles in any good MOD collection, especially if you are patient while searching the Net for the gems.
   The best MOD player for the old version of Windows is Mod4Win, available from http://www.mod4win.com/. With thousands of fans worldwide, Mod4Win could also be the best MOD player for Windows 95 and Windows 98, but my vote goes to Music Maniac, from http://www.kos.org/. Music Maniac takes full advantage of the advanced features in Windows 95 and 98, whereas Mod4Win is an old-fashioned 16-bit program.
   Mac users can visit http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/ for a link to Mac players for MOD files. If you have an Atari (ST, TT or Falcon) or a computer running Linux, OS/2 or MS-DOS, the HitSquad site has players listed for those computers also. Amiga users probably already have their own MOD players, but you can find a good Amiga player at http://zaba.simplenet.com/mod/players/modplayamiga.shtml.
   The top Web site for downloading free MOD files is http://www.modarchive.com/. The site has nearly 2,500 MODs compressed into Zip files. You'll need a Zip archive manager if you don't have one already so you can extract the MODs. (Microsoft Plus! 98 has a good one, called "Compressed Folders" -- be sure to install it if you own Windows 98 and buy the Plus! add-on CD -- and Windows 95 users should consider Zip Magic from http://www.mijenix.com./ Mac, Linux, Amiga, Atari and DOS users also have their own Zip and Unzip utilities.)
   MOD files sometimes contain very strong bass notes. If you normally listen to computer audio over small speakers, you may want to try listening over headphones. Better yet, connect your computer's audio output signals to a stereo receiver or amplifier if you have one in the same room. You should be able to find an output jack at the back of your computer. Choose the "Line" output jack if you have a choice between "Line" and "Speakers." Use the "Aux" or "Tuner" input of the receiver or amplifier. You can buy hookup cable from Radio Shack.