
             (Command & Conquer  Sound-Ripper)
                           ==
                       Version 1.2
                          ----
            (C) Copyright 1997 by Buffoni Mirko



 In this packet you must have :

   RIP.BAT      -  Batch file to run the executable
   RA_RIP.COM   -  Executable conversion utility
   RA_RIP.TXT   -  This documentation
   ALERT.DAT    -  Speech database file
   ALLIES.DAT   -  Allies database file
   SOVIET.DAT   -  Soviet database file

 This product is distributed as is.  Use it at your own
 risk.  The author is not responsable of any damage caused
 by using this program.  However RA_RIP is well tested,
 and should not have problems running on a standard IBM PC
 or 100% compatibles.  You cannot modify or sell this
 program without permission written by the author.


 0. Hacker's notes

    Hi. I am Nyerguds. I did some things to this program to make it
    more user friendly:
    -First of all, I hex edited RA_RIP.COM so that it uses .DAT
     files as data files instead of .MIX files.
     I found it really annoying that they were called .MIX, since
     they aren't C&C MIX-file at all.
    -Secondly, I added the batch file RIP.BAT. Because of the hex
     editing in RA_RIP.COM, it says
          Usage:  RA_RIP.COM  [Drive:][path]MAIN.dat
     Of course, this was originally "MAIN.MIX" instead of "MAIN.dat".
     However if ou run the batch file, you will not only get "MIX-file"
     instead of the "MAIN.dat" (it doesn't have to be MAIN.MIX), you
     will also get a help screen that shows the internal hotkeys of
     the program.
    So far for the extra stuff... now read the rest of the file :)
    If you have any questions, my e-mail is <nyerguds@tiscalinet.be>
    I don't think Buffoni's e-mail adress will still work...


 1. What's RA_RIP?

    RA_RIP is an utility to rip and uncompress sound files
    of Command & Conquer, Command & Conquer: Covert Operations
    and expecially Command & Conquer: Red Alert.

 2. Why ripping Red Alert sounds?

    Maybe the only reason is that I love C&C soundtrack, and
    C&C E.V.A. voice.  Unfortunately to hear all of those good
    sounds, I must launch C&C and load some saved game.
    I was really excited when I get C&CThemes last year, so
    I wanted to do my unofficial Red Alert themes (Be patient,
    they will be available soon!).  The best way was to rip
    the sounds directly.  The way they were compressed was not
    so easy to imagine:  it took me 2 days of work to get it
    working right.  This compression tecnique is the same of
    Command & Conquer, so program will work with each version
    of C&C.  But if you insert a RedAlert CD it will recognize
    it automatically.

 3. Is this software freeware?

    This program is freeware for non-commercial purposes.  If
    you think it's worth contributing a small amount towards,
    then please do so...  it would be GREATLY appreciated.  I
    will also accept manga (japanese comics), and NewAge CDs.
    I only had my 6th January 1997 day of freetime to do this
    program, so I didn't have the time to code a better user
    friendly interface.  Don't do anything that is beyond the
    logic.  Don't expect other releases of this program, at least
    until you don't find something that let me change idea :>

 4. Is this program full tested?

    This program was tested using Command & Conquer .MIX files.
    This version will not substitute MIXMAN, so you can only
    save sound files, but not INI, MAPs, PALETTEs, and so on...
    Currently are 2:31 a.m. so it's time to go to bed.
    I cannot guarantee that output decompressed files are
    equal to the original Westwood ones, but they sounds
    identical, though.  Hope you'll find this program useful.
    Send any comments to my email address.

 5. How to use it

    I didn't have the time to code also an on-line help, so
    here is how to use my program.  At command line type:

    RA_RIP.COM  [Drive:][Path]Main.Mix

    Where drive and path specifies where Red Alert CD Main.MIX
    is located.  Note that the program can handle old C&C .MIX
    files too.  The difference is that I do not have the time
    to include a Database for old C&C sounds too, so you won't
    have descriptions for each sample.

    Once inside, you can save a sound file simply pressing
    ENTER.  If there isn't a database, default DOSNAME will be
    SOUNDxxx.WAV, where xxx is Hex for .MIX minifile index
    number.  By default, target directory will be C:\, but
    you can change it pressing Alt+P.  You can change also
    the DOSNAME pressing Alt+D.  Pressing 'D' key you can
    edit description, but in this version you won't be able to
    save the database.  Any other cursor key will let you scroll
    through the list.  Note that if the selected item isn't a
    sound file, no operation will be done.

           D   :  Edit description
       Alt+D   :  Edit Dosname
       Alt+P   :  Edit destination path
       Enter   :  Save the sound file
         Esc   :  Guess!!! :>

    If you want to have some minutes of fun, extract the sound
    files from the ZOUNDS.MIX in Command & Conquer CD  ;)

  This version is now bugfixed.  Saving WAV file and replaying
  it using Media Player with some Creative Labs soundcards
  may produce the "Corrupted WAV file" error.  Now the problem
  should be solved 4ever! (Yup!)

 ===============================================================
 Command & Conquer, Covert Operations and Red Alert are programs
 by Westwood Studios, a division of Virgin Interactive Games.
 ===============================================================

  I want to thank Frank Klepacki:  your tunes are amazing!!  I
  would like to let you listen some of my tunes someday.  Don't
  forget to send me a postcard with your signature!  I would
  appreciate it very much!

  Also big thank to the Westwood Staff.  Command & Conquer saga
  were my best spent money (I don't play games, cause of no
  freetime, but C&C keeps you glued to the computer!!).  Hope
  your next titles will be at C&C level or even better :>.

  A kiss to Kia Huntzinger (My loved E.V.A. voice).

  And expecially thanks to TFx for helping me in optimizing of
  decompression routine, and for his superb TFEXE executable
  file compressor.

  =============================================================
  Some info about the author:  24 years old student of Computer
  Science at Statal University in Milan.  Actually specialyzing
  Computer Music.  Hobbies :  music (obvious!), playing piano,
  guitar, experimenting synth sounds, cryptography, accanite
  anime-manga fan.
  Best music artists in alphabetical order:  Enya, Dire-Straits,
  Jean-Michel Jarre, Kevin Moore, Mike Oldfield, Pink Floyd,
  Purple Motion, Sakamoto, Vangelis, Yanni.
  =============================================================
  Check out my personal web page at the following URL:

         http://lim.dsi.unimi.it/curr/mix

  You can reach me via e-mail by writing at :

         mix@lim.dsi.unimi.it

  You can send me a postcard or trade manga/comics/cd to my home
  address:

          Buffoni Mirko
          via XXIV Maggio, 5
          Ponte S. Pietro (BG)
          24036 - ITALY
