JMEDrumkit/release_notes.txt

Drumkit v1.2
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This Java ME application demonstrates the usage of multiple audio players on a
Series 40 device. It is a virtual drumkit that lets you play percussion sounds 
by tapping the screen. You can record your beats and play them back later. It is 
also possible to play on top of your latest recording. The updated version has 
a new acoustic kit and pad kit views and multitouch support for Series 40 full 
touch devices, optimised graphics drawing, and audio playback.

This example demonstrates:
- How to use the Mobile Media API
- Managing multiple simultanous audio players

The application is hosted in Nokia Developer Projects:
- http://projects.developer.nokia.com/JMEDrumkit

For more information on the implementation, visit the wiki page:
- http://projects.developer.nokia.com/JMEDrumkit/wiki

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PREREQUISITES

Java™ Platform, Micro Edition (Java™ ME) basics

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IMPORTANT FILES & CLASSES

SoundManager.java - The class that handles all audio playback and recording.
FullTouchDrumkit.java - GUI optimised for 400x240 resolution with multitouch.
TouchAndTypeDrumkit.java - GUI optimised for smaller resolutions.
DrumKit.java - Abstract base class for both GUI types.
WheelMenu.java - The drum selection menu used in TouchAndTypeDrumkit.

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DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Audio latency was the main concern when designing the application. Luckily, on 
Series 40 it is fairly easy to get low latency, at least on the majority of 
devices. The main concern was managing multiple concurrent audio players and 
dealing with memory limitations.

From UI point of view, the application has been optimised for 240x320 and 
240x400 screen resolutions using two sets of graphics.

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KNOWN ISSUES

- The application graphics have not been optimised for Symbian devices.

- There is notable audio latency on Symbian devices. Also, the MIDlet does not
  perform well on lower-end Nokia Asha devices, such as the Nokia Asha 305 and
  Nokia Asha 306.

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BUILD & INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

This example was created with NetBeans 6.9.1 and the Nokia SDK 2.0 for Java.
The project can be easily opened in NetBeans by selecting 'Open Project' from
the File menu and selecting the application. 

Before opening the project, make sure the Nokia SDK 2.0 for Java is installed
and added to NetBeans. Building is done by selecting 'Build main project'.

To install the application on a mobile device, transfer the JAR file via Nokia
Suite or Bluetooth.

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RUNNING THE EXAMPLE

On devices with 400x240 display resolution the application starts in landscape
mode. The GUI has two modes: acoustic drum kit and pad drum kit. On touch and
type devices the application starts in portrait mode, and only pad drum kit is
available.

You can record sequences of your drumming and then play the sequences
afterwards. It is also possible to play pads on top of your last recording. 
A long tap on a pad opens a wheel menu, which can be used to change samples on
the pads.

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COMPATIBILITY

Series 40 full touch and touch and type devices.

Tested on:
Nokia Asha 303 (Java Runtime 1.1.0 for Series 40)
Nokia Asha 305 (Java Runtime 2.0.0 for Series 40)
Nokia Asha 306 (Java Runtime 2.0.0 for Series 40)
Nokia Asha 309 (Java Runtime 2.0.0 for Series 40)
Nokia Asha 311 (Java Runtime 2.0.0 for Series 40)
Nokia X3-02 (Series 40 6th Edition FP1)
Nokia C2-03 (Java Runtime 1.0.0 for Series 40)

Developed with:
NetBeans 7.2
Nokia SDK 2.0 for Java

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CHANGE HISTORY

1.2.0 New UI for 400x240 resolution with multitouch support. Optimised graphics
      drawing and audio playback. Refactored source code.
1.1.0 Refactored UI framework and updated graphics and icons. Optimised to run 
      on Nokia Asha 311.
1.0.0 First release.