Mode Switching

Block Editor

Go to block editor

Sound Editor

Go to sound editor

Block Order List

Go to block order list

Block Commands

Copy to Buffer

Copies the current block to copy buffer

Copy from Buffer

Replaces the current block with the contents of copy buffer

Copy Ch from Buffer

Replaces the current channel (or cmd-column) with the same channel in the copy buffer

Transpose Up

Transposes all notes one semitone up (Except C-0 which is reserved for "body" of drum sounds)

Transpose Down

Transposes all notes one semitone down (Except C-0)

Swap Ch1 and Ch2

Swaps channels 1 and 2 (Usable when working with FX Hammer)

Sound Commands

Copy to Buffer

Copies the current sound to copy buffer (In fact all 3 sounds sharing the same number are copied)

Copy from Buffer

Replaces the current sound with the same channel sound in the copy buffer

Card Options

Load from SRAM

Loads all music data from card SRAM (Shortcut: hold the control pad left or right during POWER ON)

Store in SRAM

Stores all music data in card SRAM (All SRAM data is overwritten)

Up/Down

Move cursor

Left/Right

Jump to next or previous menu

Start

Execute command under cursor

Select

Go back to last edit screen

Up/Down/Left/Right

Scroll block / Move cursor

A + Left/Right

Edit note in semitone steps / Select command

A + Up/Down

Edit note in octave leaps / Edit command parameter

A + Start (or B + Start)

Enter sample or percussion note

A + Select (or B + Select)

Tie note / Change sound number of an existing note

A + B

Delete

B + Left/Right

Go to next/previous sound

B + Up/Down

Go to next/previous block

Start

Play block / Stop playing

Down + Start

Play and scroll the block while playing

Up + Start

Stop scrolling (without stopping the music)

Left/Right + Start

Play the current step only

Left + Select

Jump to start of block

Right + Select

Jump to middle of block

Select

Go to Options Screen

Up/Down/Left/Right

Move cursor

A + Up/Down

Edit sound parameter

A + Select

Enter loop command

A + Left/Right

Set loop position

B + Up/Down

Go to next/previous sound

B + Left/Right

Change pan position (L/M/R)

A + B

Delete

Start

Trig sound

Up/Down + Start

Trig octave higher/lower

Select

Go to Options screen

Up/Down

Scroll order list

Up/Down + Start

Scroll fast

A + Left/Right

Edit step

A + Up/Down

Edit step in leaps of $10 blocks

A + B

Delete

A or B + Select

Insert

Start

Play song / Stop playing

Right + Start

Play song starting at current cursor position

Select

Go to Options screen

MOx
Modulate Channel (Vibrato)

MO1 = Modulate channel 1
MO2 = Modulate channel 2
MO4 = Modulate channel 3
MO5 = Modulate (1+4) channels 1 and 3
MO6 = Modulate (2+4) channels 2 and 3 (etc.)

Always set VRx (rate) and VWx (width) before using this command. Modulating multiple channels at the same time is possible but not recommended.

SLx
Slide Channel

Channel parameter like in MOx.

Always initialize the slide (using UPx or DNx) before using this command.

VWx
Set Vibrato Width

VW0 = Smallest vibrato
VW5 = Widest vibrato

The actual vibrato width is different on each octave. Use your ears.

VRx
Set Vibrato Rate

VR1 = Slowest
VRB = Fastest

UPx
Init Slide Up

UP1 = Slowest
UPF = Fastest

The actual slide amount is different on each octave. Experiment.

DNx
Init Slide Down

DN1 = Slowest
DNF = Fastest

Be careful with the lowest notes (C-0 to F-0), the frequency register values may wrap!

TMx
Set Tempo

TMF = Slowest: 7,5 frames / step (switches between 7 and 8)

TMC = 6 frames / step
TM8 = 4 frames / step
TM7 = 3,5 frames / step (switches between 3 and 4)
TM6 = 3 frames / step

TM2 = Fastest: 1 frame / step

BRx
Pattern Break

Parameter has no effect.

RLNOTE
Relative Note

This parameter is used for arpeggios, special effects and drum sounds. C-3 refers to the actual note in block data and any other notes are considered relative to this.

The example sound plays C-4 (an octave above the actual note) during the first step to create a "snappy" effect.

A bass drum sound is created by writing a fast arpeggio from maybe G-4 down to C-3, then playing that at C-0 in the block data (have a look at the included demo songs).

LEV0-F
Volume Level

Carillon Player doesn't use the built-in envelope function in CGB. Instead, there is a fully programmable envelope which allows an individual volume setting for each step in the sound.

The example sound has a simple, fading envelope curve of a "picked-instrument" ($f, $e, $c, $a, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 1).

The envelopes can fade in and out or wabble around a certain value for tremolo effects.

PWD0-3
Pulse Width

Also called "wave duty" in some documents. Only four settings are possible:

0 - Pulse width 12.5% (sharp tone)
1 - Pulse width 25% (less sharp)
2 - Pulse width 50% (hollow tone)
3 - Pulse width 75% (same as 1 inverted, sounds the same)

You can see the steps are big leaps really and smooth modulation like on C64 is not really possible.

The example sound uses pulse width modulation (2, 1, 0, 1, 2, 1, 0, 1, 2, 1, ...)

TME1-F
Step Time

The number of frames (approx. 1/60 of a second) to wait before proceeding with the next step in the sound.

1 - Used for drum sounds (sliding frequency) and fast arpeggios
2 - Good for 3 note arpeggios
3 to 6 - For pulse width modulation
6 to F - For sustaining sounds and tails of fading sounds

The example sound plays the first step (00) for one frame only (initial "click" of the sound). Then we slow down for the next few steps (01-07) to suit the pulse width modulation and the volume level fading out: During this the step time is around 3. For the last few steps the step times are slowed down to 6 for a smoother volume level fade.

RLNOTE
Relative Note

This parameter is the same as for CH1-2.

The example sound is a minor chord arpeggio (C-3, G-3, D#3, C-3, G-3, D#3, ...)

WAV0-F
Waveform

The preset waveforms are:

0 - 3: Pulse waveform* (similar to CH1-2)
4 - 9: Filtered Sawtooth
A - F: Filtered Sawtooth w/Resonance

You can replace these with your own waveforms by using the Carillon Editor Utility.

Note that the Game Boy hardware requires a sound retrig every time a waveform is changed. This causes awful clicks in the sound. There are a variety of ways to make this problem less obvious. Use arpeggios, carefully consider the step times, maybe synchronize waveform steps with the song tempo... Bottom line, use your ears.

The example sound has a "filter sweep" from waveforms F to A. The arpeggio hides waveform reload clicks.

LEV0-3
Volume Level

Channel 3 has only 4 possible volume settings:

0 - No sound at all
1 - Full volume (original waveform)
2 - Half volume (waveform shifted right by one bit)
3 - 25% volume (waveform shifted right by two bits)

The bits are actually "shifted out" so that the waveform resolution is smaller at lower volumes.

The example sound uses maximum volume first, then fades down to 25% volume for the looping region.

TME1-F
Step Time

Same as CH1-2. The number of frames (approx. 1/60 of a second) to wait before proceeding with the next step in the sound.

1 - For fast arpeggios and special effects
2 - Good for 3 note arpeggios
3 to 6 - Suitable for "filter sweeps"
6 to F - For sustaining sounds and tails of fading sounds

The example sound has a constant step time throughout the sound to keep the arpeggio sound similar all the time.

FRQ0-D
Noise Frequency

This parameter together with DIV0-F sets the noise frequency. The following values work when DIV0-F is set to zero.

0 - Very soft noise (almost inaudible on the real Game Boy hardware)
1 to 3 - Suitable for tails of drum sounds
3 to 4 - Good for hihats
5 - Maybe for a cymbal sound or a shaker "body"
6 to 7 - Initial "hit" of a snare or bass drum sound
8 to 9 - Drum sound "body", maybe for explosions
A to D - Just some low garbling

Note that emulators are not very exact with the noise channel: For example, noise frequencies 0 to 2 are played much louder than they sound on the actual hardware.

The example snare sound has an initial "hit" at frequency 7. The following steps 1-3 produce a "flam", with step 2 giving some body. Steps 3-6 are the fading tail.

DIV0-F
Noise Freq
Divider

0 to 7 - Noise
8 to F - Buzz

Basically you can use 0 or 8 most of the time and set the desired noise frequency using the FRQ0-D parameter above. Like with the example sound.

LEV0-F
Volume Level

Similar to the volume level parameter on channels 1-2 (CH1-2).

TME1-F
Step Time

The number of frames (approx. 1/60 of a second) to wait before proceeding with the next step in the sound.

1 - For initial "hit" of a drum or percussion sound
1 to 3 - For the fading out right after the initial "hit"
4 to F - For sustaining sounds and tails of fading sounds

The example sound "slows down" towards the end for a smoother fade out.