How To Use Our Website

The TRAN TRACKS website has one main purpose: To enable you to find, sample and purchase professional Standard MIDI files. You order right online, pay by any major credit card (or other options) and have them emailed directly to you as a ZIP file attachement.

You can even get files emailed immediately (a few minutes) by choosing MIDI file type 1 or 0 and by entering your valid credit card number.

Now for the details...

FINDING OUT WHAT SONGS WE HAVE

When you first arrive at our website and pass the "Welcome Page" you will see a spider-looking thing that has red ellipses spaced around our name, TRAN TRACKS. One of these is "Catalog and Ordering". If you click on it you will be taken to a page that provides several ways to see what songs we have, as well as let you prepare and place an order.
 

There are several ways to see what songs we have. Appearing from left to right:

SEARCH ALL LIBRARIES

You can search all our libraries at once, that is, find a particular song from among all the libraries. If you click on "Search" you will be taken to a page where you can enter your search.
 

A space is provided in the upper left field to enter a song title. Type in a song title (or a few words of it) and then click on the big button in the middle that says "Click Here To Search". If we have that song the results will be displayed momentarily. If we do you can place an order or, if the song title is underlined, listen to a MIDI sample. (Click here to learn more about searching, here to learn how to order, or here to learn more about listening to samples.)

But there's a lot more to the Search All page! You may also enter an artist name (or a few words of it) in the upper right field to find all the songs we have by that artist. Make sure the title field doesn't have anything in it when making an artist search by back-spacing over any text. You may also search by style and/or decade by using the two pull-down menus in the lower left and lower right fields. For example, you can search for all the rock songs from the 80's by choosing "Rock" from the style menu and "80's" from the decade menu. Make sure the title and artist fields don't have anything in them when searching by style and/or decade by back-spacing over any text. These searches generally yield a lot of songs. In that case, use the vertical scroll-bar on the right to see up to 50 songs. If there are more than 50 click on "Next 50 Matches" at the bottom of the page.

IMPORTANT: It's important to point out that you don't have to enter the complete title of a song to find out if we have that song. In fact, it may be better not to enter the complete title. That's because everything you enter must be spelled correctly or be part of the title. For example, we don't have a song called "How Do I Live Without You", but we do have a song called "How Do I Live". If you just enter "How" you'll get everything with the word "How" including "How Do I Live".

SEARCH A PARTICULAR LIBRARY

You can choose a particular library to browse by clicking on "Select", where you will see logos for each of our libraries. We represent several different companies and each is unique. To get a short description of each company click on "About" underneath a company's logo and you will be taken to a page that displays a brief profile of that company. After reading it you may then resume your search. You can search alphabetically through each library. If you click on the logo of "TRAN TRACKS" for example, you will be taken to a page where you can enter your search.
 

You will be asked to choose a letter to see all the songs that begin with that letter. This is true for all the libraries. The letters are in a pull-down menu and the menu defaults to "A". Choose a letter and then click the "Click Here To Search" button. The results will appear momentarily. Use the scroll-bar on the right to see up to 50 selections. If there are more then 50 click on "Next 50 Matches" at the bottom of the page to see them. Once you've gotten a list of songs, you can place an order or, if the song title is underlined, listen to a MIDI sample. (Click here to learn more about searching, here to learn how to order, or here to learn more about listening to samples.)

VIEW ENTIRE CATALOG

You can view our entire catalog in one long alphabetical list by clicking on "View". This is an extremely long list, and you can't order directly from it, but it may be helpful if you don't know what you're looking for and just want to browse. This list is alphabetical by title but also includes the artist's name and our catalog numbers. It's getting kind of big (we have nearly 5000 songs now) so be patient while it loads. Remember, this is just a list. You can't order from this page.

DOWNLOAD CATALOG

As an added convenience you may download our entire catalog and display it offline on your computer monitor. If you click on "Download" you will be taken to a page that advises you that you will be downloading a zip file (compressed file) of our catalog called "catalog.zip". This is the same list as in "View Entire Catalog", but because it is so long, we don't recommend printing it out (100+ pages). If you want a hard copy ask us and we'll mail you an environmentally friendly (way less paper) version.

TRAN TRACKS' MultiMIDI COLLECTIONS

This page shows you our 10-song MIDI file collections. The MIDI files in these collections are exactly the same as our general catalog but because they are pre-configured into 10-song zip files we are able to offer them at a lower price, as low as $3 each per song. Click here for more info and pricing details. Just to the right of each collection title is a pull-down menu. If you click on it you will be shown all the songs in that collection. This is a great way to save money and get top quality MIDI files.

TRAN TRACKS' LATEST ADDITIONS

An excellent feature on this page is "Tran Tracks Latest Additions". If you click on it (appearing center near top of page) you will be taken to a page that lists the latest 50 songs we've added.
 

This page lists the latest 50 songs we've added. This is very convenient for regular visitors and lets you keep up with our evolving library at a glance. We've also included this feature (latest 20 additions only) for the ARRANGER'S SERIES, HEAVENLY MUSIC, BANDTRAX, RAY DOYLE and POWERTRAX libraries. Once you've gotten a list of songs, you can place an order or, if the song title is underlined, listen to a MIDI sample. (Click here to learn more about searching, here to learn how to order, or here to learn more about listening to samples.)

TRAN TRACKS' BEST SELLERS

Another terrific feature on this page is Tran Tracks' Best Sellers. If you click on it (appearing center near top of page) you will be taken to a page that shows the best-selling songs from all libraries combined in a "Billboard Magazine" style list.
 

This page shows the best-selling songs from all libraries combined in a "Billboard Magazine" style list. The number 1 song is at the top and descends from there. This is an easy way to see what other customers are buying and presumably playing . And personally, I find it fascinating to watch the rise (and demise) of particular songs in our world of MIDI files.
 

MORE ABOUT SEARCHING: THE BONUS SEARCH

There is one more thing to explain about searches. Any time you get search results the artist is listed to the right (in caps) and is underlined, which means you may click on it for a link to all songs by that artist. The point is that if you search for "TWIST AND SHOUT" you'll see that we have that song by "BEATLES" and you may decide at that moment to see what else we have by "BEATLES". All you have to do is click on the link to BEATLES. In other words, you don't have to go to the artist field and type in "BEATLES" and backspace over "TWIST AND SHOUT". I think you'll find this feature very useful.
 

OTHER ANNOYING MINUTIAE ABOUT SEARCHES

To speed up searches there are a few conventions. We do not use the word "THE" in artist names. It's ROLLING STONES, not "THE" ROLLING STONES. Also, you must spell things correctly. We really do have songs by Alanis Morissette but not by Alannis Morrisette. If you get the "No Matches Found" message after entering an artist name in the artist field try entering a song title (or a portion of it) in the song title field instead. If we have it, you'll see it, and the artist's name will appear to the right (as explained above) and you may click on it to see all the songs we have by that artist. Also, it's "10,000 MANIACS", not "TEN THOUSAND MANIACS" and "FOUR TOPS", not "4 TOPS". Lastly, songs may only be listed in one style. But since an artist might produce a song in more than one style always do an artist search to see everything by that artist. And remember to change the style to "ALL" for that search.

Oh yeah, one more thing. As you scroll down on long pages, some of the buttons in the red area to the left will disappear. You may have to scroll back up the page to see them and click on them. As a convenience, some of the buttons are duplicated at the bottom of the page.

Because we distribute songs by different companies, there are some songs that are duplicated in our catalog. In an effort to fairly represent all of our suppliers we include the duplicate songs. So which one should you select? The easy answer is any of them. All the companies we represent program professional MIDI files. A better answer is to say that the programmers at each company have a slightly different technique and will probably end up with a slightly different "take" on the song. The best thing to do is listen to samples of songs from each company (we have plenty) and decide which appeals to you most, especially regarding the style of music involved. More tangible differences are that some versions may include a melody line and some may be remakes or more contemporary arrangements.

You can identify a song from a particular company's library by the two-letter code in the catalog number. "TT" means TRAN TRACKS, "AS" means ARRANGER'S SERIES, "HM" means HEAVENLY MUSIC, "BT" means BANDTRAX, "RD" means RAY DOYLE, "PX" means POWERTRAX and "GI" means G7 International.

Many songs include a melody line as a separate part. This part is meant to be a guide for learning the vocal and is not meant to be a performance part. We presume you'll use it then mute or delete it from your edited version. All songs that include a melody line have an "M" next to the title (except in View Entire Catalog).

Also, many songs include the lyrics. The lyrics are sent as a separate text file (.TXT) and are ready to load into any word processing program to view or print. All songs that include the lyrics have a "L" next to the title (except in View Entire Catalog). Tip: Use Microsoft Word (or equivalent) to change the font to really big letters and print out lyric sheets that are easily read from across the stage. Try it!
 

PREPARING AN ORDER

When you first arrive at our website you automatically get a shopping cart. You don't see it. It just follows you around. As you scroll through any of the libraries or search results (except "View Entire Catalog") you will see a box to the left of each song title. This is the "Put In Cart" box and if you click in it, that song goes into your invisible shopping cart.

IMPORTANT: It's important to point out that using your browser's back button can interrupt the shopping cart mode. So it's a good idea not to use it. You an easily navigate our website without using your browser's back button. Try to resist the urge! For example, if you are finished scrolling the TRAN TRACKS library and want to scroll through the HEAVENLY MUSIC library clicking on "Choose Library" will get you the same thing as clicking your browser's back button and you won't "upset the cart". Actually, it's O.K. to use your browser's back button on a few pages, so all pages involved in the shopping cart mode have a request at the top to NOT use your browser's back button.
 

VIEWING YOUR CART

As you put more songs into your cart you may want to periodically see what you've selected so far. If so, click on the "View Cart" button (upper left on the page) and you will be taken to a page that shows you what's in your cart.
 

This page shows you what's in your cart and how much everything will cost (minus shipping). It figures volume discounts, and there is also a button to click on for additional pricing and shipping information. After viewing your cart you may resume shopping by clicking on "More Shopping" (upper left of page) and you will be returned to either "Search All" or an individual library (depending on where you were before).
 

REMOVING SONGS FROM YOUR CART

If you change your mind or make a mistake and want to remove a song from your cart, the "View Cart" page is where you do it. Click on "Remove Songs From Cart" (upper left of page) and you will be taken to a page that will let you remove songs.
 

This page will let you remove songs by clicking in a box to the left of each song. Confirm this by clicking on "Remove Songs" again. After removing songs you may resume shopping by clicking on "More Shopping" (upper left of page) and you will be returned to either "Search All" or an individual library (depending on where you were before).
 

CHECKOUT STAND

When you are finished making your selections click on "Checkout Stand" (upper left of page) and you will be taken to a new page...
 

This page will show you what you are about to order and ask that you fill in the order form. It's very important to fill in the order form correctly. We've tried to make it logical but there are some things that may seem confusing. Double-check your email address. If it's wrong we have no way of emailing you. Be sure you enter the right format and computer type.
 

SUBMITTING AN ORDER

When you're finished click on the "Submit" button at the bottom of the page. If something is incorrect in the order form you will be asked to correct that item. That item will be marked in red. When corrected click on the "Submit" button again. If all is correct you will be taken to a page that says, "Thank you for your order" and will go on to explain that a confirmation copy has been emailed to you. When you receive the confirmation copy use it as your receipt. If this is unacceptable call and ask us for a hard copy. If you do not receive a confirmation by email call us. It may mean your email address was input incorrectly and we would send your order to a wrong or non-existing email address.
 

RECEIVING AN ORDER BY EMAIL

Most of our email orders go out the same day. But we have no way of knowing when they are actually delivered. The uncertainties of the internet are still with us so please be patient. If you think an undue amount of time has gone by without receiving your order, please call us.
 

PLAY SAMPLES

But wait, there's more. If your browser supports the right plug-in you can listen to samples of many songs right through your computer's sound card. Any song title that is underlined contains a link to a MIDI file sample. If you click on it one of two things should happen:

1 - You will hear the MIDI file playing through your sound card. Since all sound cards are not of the same quality the results will vary. Consider this an audition mode only but certainly helpful in determining if a particular song is the one you wanted.

2 - You will not hear the MIDI file but instead get a dialog box that advises that you are about to download a file type of ".MID" and do you want to proceed. Some browsers also offer to open the file in the associated application (PC: Cakewalk, PowerTracks, Media Player; MacOS: Performer, Vision, Master Tracks). If that's your pleasure, take it.

DOWNLOAD SAMPLES

Another option available in Netscape and Internet Explorer is to right-click (MacOS users click and hold) on an underlined song. You will get a pop-up menu. Choose "Save link as..." in Netscape or "Save target as..." in Internet Explorer. You will get a save window. This is a convenient way to save samples directly to a floppy disk and load them into your keyboard workstation or other professional MIDI environment for a proper demonstration.

By the way, my favorite plug-in is Crescendo. You can get it free at http://www.liveupdate.com. It plays MIDI files in near real-time and does lots of other neat things.

CUSTOM SEQUENCING

We can't possibly have every song you're looking for. So if there is a song you really need we can custom sequence it for you. If you click on "Custom Sequencing" from any Catalog and Ordering page you will be taken to a page that explains everything you need to know about this special service.

MAILING LIST

Another thing to do at our website is to get on our electronic mailing list that we call the e-LINE. The e-LINE is an interactive update that tells you the latest songs, lets you hear samples, and even offers you a FREE SONG with a minimum purchase. Just click on the red "Mailing List" ellipse from our home page and follow the instructions. The e-LINE will show up in your email about every 2-3 weeks. If it starts to bug you, just click on the "Un-subscribe" button and your email address will be removed.

OTHER RED BUTTONS

The other red buttons are pretty easy. Click on "Email Us" to email us. Click on "Our Prices" to get all pricing information including quantity discounts and shipping. Click on "About Us" to read essays on the company, the MIDI file business in general, disclaimers, and anything that doesn't fit elsewhere. And finally, click on "Links" to see a list of other websites that are related to what we do and that may provide additional information.

Thank you for taking the time to read this document. If anything is still unclear please call me. I will be happy to walk you through any of these procedures. After all, we're in this business to help you make better music.

Tran Whitley
TRAN TRACKS INC.
908-362-8344