ProTracker Introduction
Chris Hülsbeck, Jesper Kyd, Tim Follin — they all composed their Amiga soundtracks in ProTracker. The MOD format remains THE Amiga music format to this day. Here is the introduction in 15 minutes.
What is a Tracker?
A tracker is a music editor that notates music in vertical pattern columns (instead of musical notation). Each column = one channel. The Paula chip in the Amiga has 4 channels, thus four columns. Per line, notes, samples and effects are set per channel — like a simple spreadsheet for music.
The result is a .mod file with all samples and patterns in one file.
50-200 KB typical. Runs on every Amiga, and on Windows/Linux/macOS via
OpenMPT.
Which ProTracker Variant?
ProTracker 2.3D (the Classic)
The standard version of the 90s. Runs on every Amiga from 512 KB upwards. Freeware today. Download: aminet.net/mus/edit/ProTracker23d.lha
ProTracker 2.3E / 2.3F (Community Fork)
Further development by olivier "8bitbubsy" Sørensen. Bug fixes, active updates to this day. 16-bits.org/pt.php
ProTracker 2 Clone (PC/Mac)
Olivier Sørensen's cycle-accurate PC port. Looks and feels exactly like the Amiga original. Perfect for modern cross-compose workflow. 16-bits.org/pt2-clone
OpenMPT (Windows)
Modernised tracker, reads/writes MOD (+ XM, IT, S3M). More effects, but if you want "real Amiga": better use PT2 Clone. openmpt.org
Your First Track in 10 Steps
- Start ProTracker. At the top you see 4 columns (the 4 Paula channels), at the bottom the function buttons.
- Load sample. "DISK OP" (Disk Operations) → load an IFF-8SVX sample file from the included samples. Or use the demo MOD archive from Aminet.
- Select sample. With the cursor keys or mouse in the sample list at the top right.
- Play a note. Keys like on a piano:
Z X C V B= C major,Q W E R T= C one octave higher. Try it — you hear the sample directly at that pitch. - Enter notes in the pattern. Press SPACE to activate editing mode (red LED). Now every keystroke writes the note into the current line and advances one line.
- Navigate. Arrow keys up/down = change line. Left/Right = change column (different channel).
- Make multiple patterns. F2, F3... switches between patterns. Each pattern = 64 lines.
- Assemble song. Under "SONG" set the sequence of patterns: e.g. Pattern 1, 1, 2, 1, 3...
- Set speed. Default value 6 means 6 ticks per line (slow). Change with
F0xcommand (F06= default,F03= fast). - Save. "DISK OP" → "SAVE MODULE" → filename
mysong.mod. Done.
The Most Important Effects
Every line can have an effect code. Format: Exx where E = effect number,
xx = parameter. The most commonly used:
| 0xy | Arpeggio — fast chord (e.g. 037 = minor) |
| 1xx | Portamento Up — pitch shifts up |
| 2xx | Portamento Down — pitch shifts down |
| 3xx | Tone Portamento — glide to a specific note |
| 4xy | Vibrato — classic wobble effect |
| Axx | Volume Slide — ramp volume down/up |
| Cxx | Set Volume — fixed volume (00-40) |
| Dxx | Pattern Break — jumps to next pattern |
| Fxx | Set Speed/Tempo — set speed |
Where to Get Samples?
- The Mod Archive — largest MOD archive, many tracks with sampleable samples
- Aminet /mus/smpl — Amiga sample collection
- Exotica — tracker music database with credits
- Audacity (modern) — Record your own samples, downsample to 8-bit mono 11025/22050 Hz, export as WAV, import into PT
Paula Limitations — What You Should Know
- Only 4 channels — complex drums + bass + 2 melodies is the limit.
- 8-bit samples, mono, max. 22 kHz — hence the typical "crispy" Amiga sound.
- Fixed stereo separation: channels 1+4 = left, 2+3 = right (at least via RCA).
- Max. sample size in PT: 64 KB per sample (31 samples per MOD).
For Inspiration — Tracker Legends
- Chris Hülsbeck — Turrican, Apidya, Giana Sisters. German legend.
- Jesper Kyd — Hardwired, Global Trash, later Assassin's Creed / Hitman.
- Tim Follin — Ghouls 'n' Ghosts, Solstice, LED Storm. British genius.
- Moby (not that one, the other one) — Sanity demos, Alcatraz soundtracks.
- 4-Mat — Anarchy demos, still active today. Iconic chip sounds.