OpenMPT released

Yep, OpenMPT 1.29 also didn't quite make it for Easter - some major features have been worked on in the previous months (improved MED and SFZ support among others), so we would like to give the release a bit more time and ensure it has the usual quality. However, some of the changes that have been done since Christmas have now been wrapped up in an OpenMPT 1.28 update:

  • When changing from modern tempo mode to classic or alternative tempo mode, the initial song tempo is now retained better.
  • Do not modify existing Parameter Control Events incorrectly when interpolating normal (volume) commands or notes.
  • Volume column tone portamento commands did not update portamento effect memory when seeking. XM volume column portamento quirks are now handled better when seeking.
  • When OPL instruments were set up as external samples, changing their parameters didn't mark them as modified.
  • IT: Vibrato was too fast in Old Effects mode since OpenMPT 1.27.
  • DMF: Some files had a wrong tempo since OpenMPT
  • Fixed potential crash when trying to save a file to a drive that no longer exists.


libopenmpt has also been updated.


Erik Kjellberg says:

Does anybody know if there are some skins or alternative gui that can make OpenMPT look more more like a regular daw in terms of "non-ugliness"? The software seems incredibly powerful but for new users in 2020 to wish to spend time enough to get to know the impressive power under the hood i imagine that they first must try it. Just looking at screenshots is not exactly making people go wild if they are using any other modern (or even oldschool) music production tool.

Kind regards,

Saga Musix says:

No, there is no easy way apart from Windows skinning tools that skin all your programs at the same time. OpenMPT's standard UI is one of its strongest points that allow it to be used by blind and otherwise disabled users, and being very lean on resources.

Bilbo says:

This was made as a modern 21st century all-in-one solution to emulate the old trackers built on the Amiga mods, which could only handle up to 4 channels at a time, and some only one voice active at a time (monophonic, not polyphonic).
It does exactly what it set out to do; exceedingly well. It's a fantastic port, and not really even an emulator. It has everything those tracker people would want, plus a ton of modern conveniences and advancements the old tracker programs could never dream of.
Maybe try Reaper (free), or spend some money and get ProTools, Logic, FL Studio, Ableton, etc.

Jordi de Jong says:

I actually love the interface. So nice to work with. However it would be nice to be able to colorcode tracks and patterns to be able to see what section is playing where. I know everything can be labeled, but coloring would be such a nice addition. I'll make a request on the forum.

Saga Musix says:

I have some unfinished code lying around for that (track colors at the top of the pattern editor, similar to Renoise), it's too late to get it into OpenMPT 1.29 but I think there is a possibility to make it work for OpenMPT 1.30.

Richard Craig says:

Nooooo never change it! I've been using OpenMPT since 1998, lol! Its consistency is why I've never moved to any other software in over 20 years!

Saga Musix says:

Don't worry. When / if OpenMPT gets a facelift (most likely happening when / if we switch to Qt for a cross-platform UI), it will be as gentle as possible for existing users, while hopefully also adding the possibility of custom skins for those who want it. But for the rest, OpenMPT will keep its native look.

Albet V says:

how possible is adding Brr samples directly to the sample section? i know i can always convert those, but the size from brr and wav is considerable! so any future update that might have BRR samples support?

Saga Musix says:

From my understanding, BRR files are just raw, header-less dumps of samples making use of SNES hardware compression, so directly importing them is difficult. You could always store the converted samples as FLAC, which is a lot smaller than WAV and most likely also smaller than the BRR equivalent.