Hello!
I have recently discovered this fab PSG tracker, and now I want to know more about the PSG file format and also about the usage of the tracker. The instructions are really short, just how to use the commands.
I would like to code my own replayer for PSG files. I assume that this PSG file format is not related with the PSG format produced by fMSX emulator, for example. I know that there are other replayers, but I need my own replayer because I am coding MSX ROM files (to produce MSX cartridge games if I am skilled enough with tin and solder).

Thank you!

Never used that PSG tracker but I sure would be interested in a good tool to produce/edit PSG music. It has been underused on the MSX due to the presence of MSX-Music/Audio.

I wonder what kind of tracker groups like Matra/Anma/Lieve Tuores used for creating PSG Music ?

Another thing that would be nice is a tool to convert ZX spectrum Pro-Tracker 2 music (it uses the same soundchip and s Z80 based as well). Many Russian Demos on the Spectrum use that Pro-Tracker and there are some realyl good music made with it. Anyone ever tried to convert these files for MSX ?

Anma used their own tracker which is capable to do MSX-MUSIC and/or PSG. It was released on the CD-ROM's that came with the last MCCM (the last Dutch MSX magazine) and I've heard it's difficult to use.

IIRC Lieves!Tuore and/or Bandwagon used (ripped??) speccy music. Not sure though.
Anyway, uhm.. Michiel 'Meridian' de Vries created PSG tracker... we should ask him

I fear Michiel won't be able to tell us a lot anymore about his PSG Tracker. He lost ALL sources, all schematics etc. Nothing is left.....

I do have the PSG Tracker manual though....I don't know if that would help you anyway.....Is it more extensive than the in-program manual?

Yieeep! I think that manual should be great! The included TXT file is really short (2 KB or so). Anyway, I think that I can understand right now most of it, and I have produced a new format, tune-compatible, that occupies about 25% of the original format size and supports the same effects: 8 octaves, detunning, pitch bend, noise, etc. I also want to include vibratos and tremolos, and of course write a new tracker aswel.

Any help will be welcome!

E.Robsy

P.S: By the way, have you got any idea about replaying samples using PSG? The MSX2 Hand Book includes an example, but it doesn't use the PSG, uses the "key click" feature controled by the PPI. I think that other people have done this using 4-bit samples... Bandwagon? Lots of early times dutch games included sampled voice! But the cleanes sampled voice I have heard using a standard MSX is in RuneMaster 2, while fighting enemies.

I should have this documented in an email message somewhere... let me look it up... Ah, here it is, it was written by Ricardo Bittencourt.

I have put it online at the MSX Assembly Page, at this location in the articles section.

~Grauw

Cool! Now I have got all the info: it's time to start coding things!
Thank you!

E.Robsy

Quote:

Anma used their own tracker which is capable to do MSX-MUSIC and/or PSG. It was released on the CD-ROM's that came with the last MCCM (the last Dutch MSX magazine) and I've heard it's difficult to use.

There was only one person who could use it: Martijn from Anma

As I´m not very familiar with Assembler, is there a way to play back PSG Tracker files with BASIC for use in my own little Programs ???

I think that the PSG Tracker distribution included a BASIC binary to replay the PSG files. You have to load the player (with BLOAD) and also the song (with BLOAD also), and then use a DEFUSR and USR indicating the address. But I am not sure of all this: better see the included BASIC file that does it. Good luck!

Quote:

IIRC Lieves!Tuore and/or Bandwagon used (ripped??) speccy music. Not sure though.

You are absolutely wrong!!! Lieves!Tuore did write a player, that played Atari musics, but neither of these groups were that lame, that they would have used ripped music on their demos!

Yzi made a own music replayer and musics for it on TASM. You can get the source from their page (follow "A collection of demo-related tools for MSX" link)
www.kameli.net/lt/

Netfreak wrote music player for Bandwagon on GEN80 and Gspot composed the first song for it to Rappio demo. From the README.TXT delivered with demo: "You can get the source code, if you really care. I have to see the trouble of commenting and clarifying it (why?), but I'm not going to bother if no-one wants it.."
jt5-211.tky.hut.fi/bandwagon/msx.php3

Bandwagon stopped as no one really did care, but I would really still like to give the respect to correct people.

~NYYRIKKI

Great to see that cleared up! Bandwagon is in my highly respected MSX groups list... That's for sure Thanks for the clarification....