A new version of the firmware for the Mega Blaster 2 by Aidan Lawrence is released.
The Mega Blaster 2 by Aidan Lawrence is a hardware Sega Genesis/Mega Drive video game music (VGM) player that utilizes the real sound chips.
Changelog from version v0.1 to 1.28:
- 1.28: This firmware update fixes two things:
- The PSG frequency register now updates when only the low-byte is written to. This is uncommon on VGM files for “real” genesis games, but occasionally occurs on some homebrew tracks, causing the PSG to sound out-of-tune or flat out incorrect. Thank you to @natarii for solving that issue and graciously sharing your solution.
- FM channel muting has been fixed. Previous versions were targeting incorrect key-on registers.
- 1.27: Added a new sync-tone feature.
- For users looking to sync-up individual channel audio streams in their external recording software, this update adds a “Sync-tone” feature that may give you a helping hand.
- When the sync-tone feature is enabled, every unmuted FM and PSG channel will emit three tones on and off, 250ms between each key on/off. Then, 250ms later, the track will start. The YM2612/3438 use FM Channel 6 for PCM samples sent to the DAC, therefore, you can sync the PCM track using Channel 6.
- This update is handy for syncing up oscilloscope videos. You can mute all but one sound chip channel at a time, record your ‘scope video, then do the same for each channel. The sync-tone will help you find the starting point of each stream, even if a particular channel is muted at the start of a soundtrack.
- Pro tip: The PSG’s 3rd square-wave channel and noise channel will interact with one another if they are both un-muted at the same time. If both channels are active when the sync-tone is played, the PSG may sound detuned or inconsistent. It’s recommended to only have either the 3rd square wave channel OR the noise channel un-muted at a time.
- 1.26: Fixed DAC stream playback.
- 1.25: Fixes shuffle RNG.
- Music player used to select the same sequence of songs every time. This patch correctly calls the built-in true random number generator (TRNG) on the microcontroller to generate new random sequences of songs on every boot.
- 1.24: New Feature: Individual channel muting for both FM and PSG courtesy of @renedare
- You can toggle each FM and PSG channel individually by going to the new “Channel Control” menu by scrolling down the Main Menu.
- There, you can toggle each individual channel “ON” and “OFF.”
- If you’ve ever wanted to deconstruct a Genesis soundtrack into it’s constitute instruments, this update is for you!
- This feature is experimental, but works quite well already.
- DAC streams and PCM samples are played out of FM Channel 6.
- 1.23: OPTIONAL
- This firmware allows for SI5351(A) variant clock generators to be used. This new firmware will detect if your unit is using a SI5351 or SI5351A clock generator and will configure it automatically. These devices are functionally identical but have different I2C addresses. There’s no difference in performance between these two parts.
- This change was made to allow for component choice flexibility given the current electronics component shortage occurring as of mid-2021.
- 1.22: Fixed the following bugs:
- Folders with a large number of files incorrectly reported their index, causing strange out-of-order issues while in the “IN_ORDER” playback mode.
- “SHUFFLE_ALL” and “SHUFFLE_DIR” playback modes had a couple of issues regarding file indexing as well, causing the player to overflow it’s random file history list and subsequently pick invalid file indexes when traversing through the random track history.
- Random track history has been extended to 20 tracks; up from 5.
- 1.21: Prevent writing to the OPN2 test registers (0×21 and 0x2C)
- Some broken VGM files will write to these registers and cause huge distortion issues. This is technically an illegal operation and by blocking these writes, a few common broken VGM packs now function correctly, such as:
- Rocket Knight Adventures
- Comix Zone (also has some minor messed up PCM stuff, but that’s in the domain of the VGM author, not my player)
- 1.2:This new patch fixes a bug that prevented sequential folders beginning with the same substring from being opened correctly. Thanks to Bill over at the SdFat project for the help!
- 1.1: The manifest system has been removed in favor of a dynamic system at the expense of a bit more compute time and RAM usage.
- The manifest system was fairly slow and unreliable, especially when the SD card was filled with lots of files.
- You will no longer have to wait at startup for the manifest to build or verify itself.
- I’ve also put in a check for useless meta folders like System Volume Information and .DS_Store
- If these are found on the root directory, the are removed on boot. If these meta files are found after entering a directory, they will be removed after selecting a track. These may still show up in your file menu temporarily, but should go away after a refresh and never appear again unless the SD card is re-written to.
- 1.0: Double-tap the RESET button and drag the firmware.uf2 file onto the “drive” that pops up on your computer to flash!
- 0.1: The very first firmware release! Here’s to the future!
Download: Mega Blaster 2 v1.28 (496)
source: github.com/AidanHockey5/MegaBlaster2 aidanlawrence.com
The return of the Hybrid Sid Player by xAD/Nightfall & Gianluca Renzi (RetroBit Lab)
Based on the Project and Hardware Schematic by Markus Gritsch released in the years 2011-2015 on the forum dangerousprototypes. Thanks Markus.
Changelog:
v1.18 – 28/1/2022
Fixed:
- When you are in Manual mode of playing SID the timeout timer wrongly are also increased into a variable but this timer works only for the modes: auto/random/intro.
- Wrong STATIC variable for the debug via serial. the serial debug don’t works correctly in some part of the code. %-)
- Wrong variable for the Timeout check if the time is longer then 99 seconds. %-)
Updated:
- Freed and remapped to another destination the MCU pins of PAUSE and FFWD buttons to use them with the CS for the SID #2 and R/W because we needed 2 MCU pins 5v tolerant and there aren’t many left :/
- Described some parts of the source code.
- Added new parameters to the configuration file (config.ini).
- Playback timeout in seconds of the .SID files for AUTO/RANDOM and INTRO modes.
- Configure the best baudrate for the debug via Serial.
- Disable or Enable the visualization of the VU-METER for the 3 sid voices.
Below is an excerpt from the “config.ini” file.
# Serial Debug Baudrate – default: 115200
SERIAL_BAUDRATE=115200
# Set the Timeout in Seconds for the AUTO/RANDOM playing mode – default: 2 minutes
AUTORND_TIMEOUT=120
# Set the Timeout in Seconds for the INTRO playing mode – default: 15 seconds
INTRO_TIMEOUT=15
# Write 0 if you want to disable the visualization of the vu-meter for the 3 x sid voices.
# Default: 1
SID_VUMETER=1
A new version of the firmware for the Kung Fu Flash Cartridge by Kim Jørgensen is released.
Changelog from version v1.21 to 1.34:
- Fix broken mount D64 file option (since v1.33)
- Improve disk drive emulation to support Sidplay64. Thanks Actarus, Fabuseta, mwedmark, and Seni1ix
- Support basic SD2IEC commands.
- Optimized code to make it all fit in flash.
- In this version the following cartridge types will not require the firmware file on the SD card:
- Normal cartridge (8k, 16k, Ultimax)
- Fun Play, Power Play
- Super Games
- Ocean type 1
- Epyx Fastload
- C64 Game System, System 3
- Dinamic
- Zaxxon, Super Zaxxon
- Magic Desk, Domark, HES Australia
- EasyFlash
- Prophet64
- RGCD, Hucky
- Drean
- C128 Normal Cartridge (external function ROM)
- Combined PAL and NTSC firmware.
- T64 support (normal tape files only). Thanks Matthias.
- The firmware has been extended to support both PAL and NTSC and this requires the KungFuFlash_v1.30.upd file to be kept in the root directory of the SD card.
- Older firmware will not support this extended format so KungFuFlash_v1.30_upgrade.upd must be used first. This file is not needed after the upgrade process has been completed.
- Fix broken EasyFlash VIC-II/C128 mode. Thanks mrr19121970.
- Improve detection of C64 clock signal.
- Add simple diagnostic tool.
- The diagnostic tool is started by pressing the menu button for 2 seconds (until the LED turns off) and is intended to help debug stability problems on some C64 models.
- The tool can also be started in a USB only mode if Kung Fu Flash refuses to start at all. In this mode debug data is send via USB only and the C64 should start normally (boot to Basic). This mode is started by pressing both the special and menu button for 2 seconds, then releasing the menu button followed by the special button.
- For reference the phi2 clock frequency should be around 985248 Hz for PAL and around 1022727 Hz for NTSC.
- Add support for Drean cartridges. Thanks beatmaster13.
- Add support for C128 normal cartridge. Thanks phako.
- Fix unstable EF3 USB. Thanks dikdom.
- Add support for Super Games cartridge.
- Add support for Prophet64 cartridge.
- Fix broken Fun Play/Power Play cartridge support (since v1.16)
- Add support for RGCD and Hucky cartridges. Thanks Konstantin19.
- Load extensionless files as PRG.
- Add support for WarpSpeed by SvOlli. Thank you.
- Add support for Freeze Frame/Freeze Machine. Thanks gold11-carca.
- Fix bug reading UPD file using FAT16. Thanks cosmo6128.
Download:
source: github.com/KimJorgensen/KungFuFlash
A new version of the firmware for the AVGCART (SD multicart for 8bit Atari) by tmp is released
Changelog (v0024):
- PDS/COV/COS files run PDSPLAY/COVPLAY/COSPLAY
- added ability to select (TAB) CAR files
- selected files (ATR, CAS, CAR) don’t have to be in the same directory anymore, selection is cleared only after returning to the selector
- ENTER on ATR/CAS/CAR file will replace the selection so SPACE was added to run with selected files, ignoring current file under cursor
- search now allows navigation during searching and editing search string
- CTRL-L disables item shortcuts and allows starting search by typing instead of ‘/’
- ESC stops search, exiting search requires 2x ESC (to prevent accidental exit when search stops at the same time user tries to stop it)
- disable cart was changed to SHIFT-ESC
- short filenames should finally (hopefully) have proper case
- filenames longer than screen width should be (finally) properly sorted
- type 57 (2kB) fixed
- right cart button will disable cart for carts <= 16kB (to make some CS turbo carts work)
New keys:
- SPACE – run selected files (ignores item under cursor)
- CTRL-L – toggle key shortcuts
Changed keys:
- ESC -> SHIFT-ESC (disable cart and reboot)
Changelog (v0023):
- [ECI] Auto-enable cart menu after reset (CTRL-SHIFT-E to enable, CTRL-E to disable)
- [ECI] Patched OS for ATR emulation is forced as ROM, not just loaded into RAM under ROM, increases compatibility
- [ECI+SIO] When emulating ATR, HSIO patched OS with inverted OPTION (BASIC off) is forced
Changelog (v0022):
- [ECI] EXTMEM support up to 512kB (CTRL-SHIFT-M to enable, CTRL-M to disable)
Download:
source: atariage.com
Firmware upgrades for THEC64 Mini/Max & TheVIC20 provide new features and/or correct any technical issues.
We always recommend that you use the latest version of the firmware.
Version 1.6.1 – Changes and additions:
- [All models] Adds Commodore 1351 mouse support to the C64
- [All models] Adds support for up to four joysticks
- [All models] Adds support for THEMOUSE
- [All models] Adds support for THEGAMEPAD
- [All models] Adds a new game Space Lords, a multi-player game that utilises the new mouse and multi-joystick support
Changes from previous versions:
- v1.5.2 – [THEC64 European] Fixes inconsistently displayed Blue Star carousel cover image
- v1.5.2 – [All models] Allows the primary C64 joystick port to be switched in-game
- v1.5.2 – [THEC64 Mini] Adds C64 only Classic mode
- v1.5.2 – [THEC64 Mini] Adds disk swapping for multiple disk games
- v1.5.2 – [THEC64 Mini] Adds soft and hard reset hot-keys to Classic mode
- v1.5.2 – [THEC64 Mini] Adds freeze button support to Classic mode
- v1.5.2 – [All models] Adds Commodore REU support with 512K, 2MB or 16MB as filename flags or CJM parameters
- v1.5.2 – [THEC64 Mini] Hessian (C64) and PET Snake (C64)
- v1.5.2 – [THEC64] Hessian (C64), PET Snake (C64), City Crusher (VIC20) and Mine Sweep (VIC20)
- v1.5.2 – [THEVIC20] Hessian (C64), PET Snake (C64), City Crusher (VIC20) and Mine Sweep (VIC20)
Download:
source: retrogames.biz
The return of the Hybrid Sid Player by xAD/Nightfall & Gianluca Renzi (RetroBit Lab)
Based on the Project and Hardware Schematic by Markus Gritsch released in the years 2011-2015 on the forum dangerousprototypes. Thanks Markus.
Changelog:
v1.17 – 31/12/2021
Added:
- Change visualization status of the LED for Socket #1 and Socket #2 available on the Olimex Development Board and the SID Player PCB.
- A configuration file (config.ini) for some important settings of the SID Player. The file will be loaded during the boot and must be present in the ROOT of the filesystem of the USB key.If the file is not found, the player will configure itself with the default values. Thanks to Gianluca Renzi (RetroBit Lab) for his lite INI file parser.
Below is an excerpt from the “config.ini” file.
# Select the Sid model for the Tune played by the SID Player on the Socket #1 or Socket #2.
# Specify the socket which you want to play the sid tunes (example for SID_8580_SOCKET write
# the number 2 if you want it to be played with the SID 8580 installed on socket #2)
# This configuration makes the use very dynamic for everyone. – default: socket #1,#1,#2,#2
TUNE_UNKNOWN_SOCKET=1
TUNE_6581_SOCKET=1
TUNE_8580_SOCKET=2
TUNE_BOTH_SOCKET=2
# Use Armsid with Auto Switching (0:Disabled – 1:Socket #1 – 2:Socket #2) – default: 0
# Note: When you use the auto detection and switching of the SID model with the ARMSID this can be
# used only in one of the two sockets, the other socket is completely ignored and can remain empty.
ARMSID_SOCKET=0
# Brightness of the OLED. (0 … 255) – default: 127
OLED_BRIGHTNESS=127
# Brightness of the OLED in IDLE mode. (0 … 255) – default: 10
OLED_BRIGHTNESS_IDLE=10
# Enable the serial DEBUG. (1 Enable | 0 Disabled) – default: 0
SERIAL_DEBUG=0
The High Voltage SID Collection (HVSC) is a freeware hobby project which organises Commodore 64 music (also known as SID music) into an archive for both musicians and fans alike.
The work on the collection is done completely in the Team and contributors’ spare time and is proudly one of the largest and most accurate computer music collections known.
This update features (all approximates):
- 681 new SIDs
- 26 fixed/better rips
- 1 repeats/bad rips eliminated
- 279 SID credit fixes
- 100 SID model/clock infos
- 12 tunes from /DEMOS/UNKNOWN/ identified
- 0 tunes from /GAMES/ identified
- 20 tunes moved out of /DEMOS/ to their composers’ directories
- 12 tunes moved out of /GAMES/ to their composers’ directories
After this update, the collection should contain 55,067 SID files!
Download:
source: www.hvsc.c64.org
Another cool production by Mr.SID, Sonic the Hedgehog for Commodore 64. This game requires memory expansion (REU).
Credits:
- Code: Mr. SID of HVSC Crew, Megadesigns Incorporated
- Music: Encore of Kollektivet, Undone
- Graphics: Veto of Oxyron, PriorArt, Tristar & Red Sector Inc.
- Loader: Krill of Plush
- Help: JackAsser of Booze Design
- Test:
- Encore of Kollektivet, Undone
- JackAsser of Booze Design
- Retroluzzer of Excess
- Veto of Oxyron, PriorArt, Tristar & Red Sector Inc.
Download:
source: csdb.dk
A new firmware update for the ARMSiD has been released by Nobomi.
News features and fixes in FW 2.13:
- Further optimization of code speed and size. Also bus operations are faster, finally “paddles” are successfully read on NTSC machines even with the oldest HW versions of ARMSID (with components on top) !
- ARMSID start is also faster. Instead of hundreds of milliseconds, ARMSID is fully functional in less than 15 milliseconds after power-up !
- Added the possibility to “fix” the so-called ADSR bug, i.e. a bug in the envelope generator, which is inherent to the original chips and is reproduced in ARMSID too. This is not needed in the C64 for compatibility reasons, but if you use ARMSID in synthesizers, you might be interested in this feature.
- Slightly modified quality (Q) of filter circuits for even more faithful reproduction of MOS8580.
Download: ARMSiD v2.13 (449)
source: nobomi.cz
This is the official demo party results from Transmission64 2021 Fall Edition. See also the CSDB section for more informations and download.
C64 Demo:
- 1 – Submerged by Hoaxers, Wrath Designs
- 2 – SUPER 16 by Triad
- 3 – RAGTAG by Onslaught
- 4 – Sidmachine 3003 by Pretzel Logic
- 5 – Howdy Hackers!
- 6 – Synthmeld by The Solution
- 7 – Merry Christmas 2021 by Lepsi De
- 8 – Autumn Harvest by Atlantis
- 9 – The Geese are Gone by Vintage Computing Carinthia
- 10 – Last Minute All Inclusive +3G (Boosted) by Mayday!
- 11 – Budbrain Megademo Loader Tribute by Hokuto Force
C64 4K Intro:
- 4 – Constant Repetition by Hexhog
C64 Music:
- 1 – Destination: Funktown by Vincenzo
- 2 – Jammar akhbar by Shogoon
- 3 – Lydia on Speed Dial by Mibri
- 4 – Simon & Motherfunkel by Linus
- 5 – Tooting My Own Horn by Mutetus
- 6 – Constellations by Jammer
- 7 – Pirate’s Blade II by Xiny6581
- 8 – Augmented Arguments by Steel
- 9 – Weird Biscuit by Chris Wemyss
- 10 – Chase On by Proton
- 11 – Epic Fail by celticdesign
- 12 – Pointless Patterns by Spider Jerusalem
- 13 – Polonaise of Destruction by Hate Bush
- 14 – Signality by Røly
- 15 – Megaman-X – Storm Eagle by Nordischsound
- 17 – Igelhaarfrisur by Stabile Altbauten
C64 Graphics:
- 1 – Time Out by The Sarge
- 2 – The Passengers by Mikael
- 3 – 338:th day by Joe
- 5 – King of the Forest by Duce
- 6 – Do U Know Where You Are Coming From by Facet
- 7 – Twister by Electric
- 8 – COP26 by Honcho
- 9 – Mask 2 by Katon
- 10 – Conscience by Almighty God
- 11 – Mycoschedel Caves by christwoballs
- 12 – Storm Eagle by Slaxx
- 13 – Voodoo Club by Lobo
- 14 – CatWish by Leon
- 15 – Inferno by Fabs
- 16 – In the City by Soya
- 17 – Racing Skeleton by Lenyn
- 19 – Winter Impression by Pararaum
- ?? – 1st pic by Sarge jr
Mixed Graphics:
- 1 – Ohiru by Atlantis
- 2 – Babes by Extend
- 3 – Atlantis by Atlantis
- 4 – Porco Rosso by Hokuto Force
- 5 – Bollocks by Pretzel Logic
- 6 – Slimers by Logiker
- 7 – Viking Ship by Hokuto Force
- 9 – Winter Abstraction by The 7th Division
Mixed Demo:
- 1 – Fader Mastermind by Artline Designs
- 2 – BASIC Geese Fader by Vintage Computing Carinthia
Productions released outside compos:
- Bad Girl by Genesis Project (Graphics)
Download: Transmission64 2021 Fall Edition Full Party Stuff (674)
source: csdb.dk
Against all trends, a simple photo without unboxing.
The return of the Hybrid Sid Player by xAD/Nightfall & Gianluca Renzi (RetroBit Lab)
Based on the Project and Hardware Schematic by Markus Gritsch released in the years 2011-2015 on the forum dangerousprototypes. Thanks Markus.
Changelog:
v1.16 – 29/11/2021
Updated:
- Illegal/undocumented opcodes to the CPU Emulator:
- LAE (LAS/LAR) Combinations of STA/TXS and LDA/TSX.
- ANE (XAA) Combination of an immediate and an implied command.
- All 6502/6510 instructions have been implemented.
- Increased the maximum number of files per directory from 512 max to 800 max.
- Improved delay routine for read/write eeprom via I2c bitbang, it should now be compatible with all levels of the XC32 compiler code optimization.
- Replaced and splitted the Splash Screen Logo during the boot. Thanks to Federico di dato for the Retrobit LAB logo.
Fixed:
- The BRK opcode, opcode that will probably will never used in our case.
- Missing +2 Machine Cycle Times for the opcodes: BPL,BMI,BVC,BVS,BCC,BCS,BNE,BEQ due to some previous performance improvment of the 6502/6510 emulator code, i was probably drunk, indeed, i’m sure. %-)
- The clock “|CIA|” was displayed mistakenly when you choose to play a file in DMP format but this is wrong because the DMP file format doesn’t support the information of clock used (VBI/CIA) in the file header.
- The previous and next button did not work if there are only two files (SID or DMP) available to play in the folder.
- Incorrect Machine Cycle Times for the NOP opcode, four times instead of two. %-)
- Sometimes the version number displayed during boot would pop outside from the right side of the oled screen.
- Wrong Machine Cycle Times for the SLO, SRE(LSE), DCP, RLA, ISC(ISB) Illegal/undocumented opcodes with Indexed-indirect addressing of X,Y-Registers.
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