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'''The Mod Archive''' is a [[web site]] dedicated to the indexing and archival of playable music [[Module file|module files]]. It allows anyone to upload modules in the [[MOD (file format)|MOD]], [[IT (file format)|IT]], [[XM (file format)|XM]], [[AHX (file format)|AHX]], [[OctaMED|MED]], [[MultiTracker|MTM]], [[S3M]], [[MO3]], [[669 (file format)|669]], [[HVL]] and [[STM]] file formats, and provides charts, reviews and ratings of music files based on a community effort. |
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{{Wikify|date=January 2009}} |
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{{Unreferenced|date=January 2009}} |
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'''The Mod Archive''' is a music community around a [[genre]] of music usually called by the name of one of the early file extensions called a Mod. According to Everything2, it was started by Robert Watson in 1996, and has grown to include social web features including a forum. |
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== |
==History== |
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The Mod Archive was established in [[1996]] as a place for [[tracker]] artists to upload their work.<ref name="modarchive-about">{{cite web |
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|url=http://modarchive.org/index.php?common-about |
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|title=About |
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| ⚫ | |||
|date=2007 |
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|accessdate=2009-01-19}}</ref> Since then, the site has emerged into being a community for artists of module enthusiasts. |
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In an effort to make the web site more [[Dynamic web page|dynamic]], the community part of the site was added around [[2000]], in the form of [[message boards]] and an indexed [[search engine]]. Having lacked proper maintenance since around [[2004]], however, the site went through a complete reimplementation in [[2006]]. In [[2007]], the site moved onto dedicated hardware to cope with a sudden increase in popularity following these improvements.<ref name="modarchive-about" /> |
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Unlike the more well known music format called MP3, a Tracked tune consists of fragments organized into a computer readable list and assembled in realtime during playback following a stored pattern map included as part of the file. The inspiration for this started with the space limitations of earlier computers such as the [[Amiga]] from [[Commodore International]]. Instead of recording a drum sound across an entire song, a Tracked tune contains a sample of only a few measures ofthe beat which is then replayed as necessary over the course of the musical piece. |
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Since 2007, the site has also provided a method of doing bulk downloads of archive files via [[BitTorrent]]. |
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This structural format allowed significant advances in musical quality compared to earlier formats of the era. There are some difficulties incorporating long unbroken sounds, but these are usually bypassed at the musical creation level with series of smaller samples joined together. More information can be found in the related page for [[Module file]] |
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==Operations and quality control== |
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Notice that another usage of the term Mod is noted on the PlanetDiablo site as "A gameplay modification, or mod, is a set of changes to a software game that provides a different experience to players.". This is a different meaning entirely. (http://www.planetdiablo.com/modding/basics/) |
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Having moved from a sponsored, shared platform in 2007, the web site currently resides on a [[dedicated server]]. As a result of the increased costs related to running on dedicated hardware, the site seeks the help of the community in covering the running costs. |
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Since anyone can upload files to the web site, all uploaded files have to go through a manual screening process where they are checked for quality by site staff. |
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| ⚫ | |||
The Mod Archive is one of the longest running resources of Tracked music. IT has been referenced by older websites which themselves may no longer be as current as the Mod Archive itself. |
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==References== |
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Rich Labonte's mod links page remarks that the wealth of material sometimes has overshadowed ease of use, but the efforts of the site administration team has done quality work keeping the site current. (http://richlabonte.net/modspeak/links.html) |
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<references /> |
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==External links== |
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A brief entry at allegro.cc game network recognizes the efforts made towards searchability. (http://www.allegro.cc/resource/Media/Music/ModArchive) |
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* [http://modarchive.org/ The Mod Archive] |
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* [http://tracker.modarchive.org/ The Mod Archive BitTorrent tracker] |
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[[Category:Demoscene]] |
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This is the Linux-Sound entry. (http://linux-sound.org/mod.html) |
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Patrick Groove did an interview with Network 19 here. (http://linux-sound.org/mod.html) |
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This is LemonAmiga's entry. (http://www.lemonamiga.com/?mainurl=http%3A//www.lemonamiga.com/links/index.php%3Fgenre%3D9) |
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This blog post at Gism commends the upsure of activity after a quieter period. (http://blog.gism.net/?p=90). |
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Mention of U4ia's efforts over at zayda.net. (http://mod.zayda.net/). |
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Arabland's entry: (http://www.arabland.com/webdir/index.php/Arts/Music/Sound_Files/MOD/) |
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Allsites's entry borrowed the promotional text above. (http://www.allsites.com/Top.Arts.Music.Sound_Files.MOD.html) |
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This is Mod Archive user icerain's page mention on esnips. (http://www.esnips.com/web/MODmusicTrAx) |
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This entry in Linux Journal that mentions the Mod Archive further expands the strengths and weaknesses of the structural format of Tracked music. (http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/4349) |
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The Novus entry again notes the strong reviews feature. (http://www.novusmusic.org/links.html) |
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Prolet software's red-themed page shares his experiences with the Mod Archive. (http://proletsoft.freeservers.com/prolet/biography.html) |
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Simpy user Smilinggoat has a mention here. (http://www.simpy.com/user/smilinggoat/tag/%22archive%22) |
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Mod Archive user Snu's page with a link. (http://www.snuq.com/music/) |
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Modplug Central's entry. (http://www.modplug.com/directory/index.php/Arts/Music/Sound_Files/MOD/) |
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Tripod user SpringTree wrote an entry about a utility from the Mod Archive that apparently let users incorporate randomized songs on demand into their own pages. (http://members.tripod.com/~Springtree/mod.html) |
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Revision as of 13:55, 19 January 2009
The Mod Archive is a web site dedicated to the indexing and archival of playable music module files. It allows anyone to upload modules in the MOD, IT, XM, AHX, MED, MTM, S3M, MO3, 669, HVL and STM file formats, and provides charts, reviews and ratings of music files based on a community effort.
History
The Mod Archive was established in 1996 as a place for tracker artists to upload their work.[1] Since then, the site has emerged into being a community for artists of module enthusiasts.
In an effort to make the web site more dynamic, the community part of the site was added around 2000, in the form of message boards and an indexed search engine. Having lacked proper maintenance since around 2004, however, the site went through a complete reimplementation in 2006. In 2007, the site moved onto dedicated hardware to cope with a sudden increase in popularity following these improvements.[1]
Since 2007, the site has also provided a method of doing bulk downloads of archive files via BitTorrent.
Operations and quality control
Having moved from a sponsored, shared platform in 2007, the web site currently resides on a dedicated server. As a result of the increased costs related to running on dedicated hardware, the site seeks the help of the community in covering the running costs.
Since anyone can upload files to the web site, all uploaded files have to go through a manual screening process where they are checked for quality by site staff.