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- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- The High Voltage SID Collection (HVSC)
- -> Frequently Asked Questions <-
- Last Updated: Mar 02, 2002
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Very Common Questions
-
- [1] What is the High Voltage SID Collection (HVSC)?
- [2] What software and hardware do I need to play the tunes in HVSC?
- [3] So then, do I need to hook up a SID chip to my PC? Or what?
- [4] Isn't Commodore C64 music just silly beep-blop music?
- [5] Why should I get HVSC when I already have NemeSIDs?
- [6] Which tunes are added to HVSC, and why?
- [7] Why aren't there any Compute Gazette SIDPlayer tunes in HVSC?
- [8] What is the SID Tune Information List (STIL)?
- [9] Why doesn't HVSC support MSDOS's 8.3 filename convention?
-
- Updates
-
- [10] When will the next update be released?
- [11] Do I have to download all of HVSC after each update?
- [12] Why isn't the update tool available for my system?
- [13] Why do the updates sometimes add SIDs that HVSC already has?
- [14] After I ran the Update, I can no longer find some SIDs.
- Where did they go?
-
- General Questions
-
- [15] How can I tell what version of HVSC I have?
- [16] Why should I get HVSC when I can just load up the game/demo and hear
- the music on a real C64?
- [17] Why do some tunes sound different compared to how I remember them on
- the C64?
- [18] How do I rip SID tunes from games/demos?
- [19] Why isn't tune X in HVSC?
- [20] I can't find tune Y in HVSC which was used in an old intro/demo.
- Can you tell me where it is?
- [21] Why do some of the tunes in HVSC not play?
- [22] Why are there some incorrect or ugly-looking credits in HVSC?
- [23] Why does HVSC take up so much space on my hard drive?
- [24] Can I just download the individual tunes I want?
- [25] How is it determined which composers go under the /VARIOUS dir?
- [26] Do you offer HVSC on CD?
- [27] Is the High Voltage SID Collection related to the High Voltage CDs?
- [28] Did you know that my virus checker reports some SIDs as having viruses?
- [29] When will HVSC be completed?
- [30] I find myself listening to SID music all the time. Am I normal?
- [31] So how do I make my own SID tunes?
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- [1] What is the High Voltage SID Collection (HVSC)?
- ---------------------------------------------------
-
- HVSC is the ultimate SID tune collection featuring over 18,000 popular
- and requested SIDs from the Commodore 64. The collection includes SIDs
- (aka C64 music) from games, demos, intros, etc. HVSC has been in the
- making for six years and is the result of many contributors.
-
- [2] What software and hardware do I need to play the tunes in HVSC?
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Lucky for you, there are many devoted SID fans throughout the world. Many
- people have created or ported SID emulators to various OSes. To name a
- few: Win95, Win3.1, Linux, MSDOS, MacOS, AmigaOS, Atari Falcon, BeOS,
- OS/2, etc. For a complete list of which OSs are supported, see the HVSC web
- page. You can also listen to the SIDs in HVSC on a real C64 with Real SID
- Play. More information is available on the HVSC web page.
-
- As for additional hardware, you only need a sound card.
-
- In addition to using your home computer, there are hardware devices out
- there that utilize the SID chip itself in conjunction with your sound
- card. See http://www.hardsid.com and http://www.sidstation.com
- for more information.
-
- [3] So then, do I need to hook up a SID chip to my PC? Or what?
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
-
- No, absolutely not. See question [2].
-
- [4] Isn't Commodore C64 music just silly beep-blop music?
- ---------------------------------------------------------
-
- Absolutely not! Although the C64 went into production in 1983, do not
- underestimate the C64's technology. In fact, Byte Magazine named the C64's
- Sound Interface Device (SID) as one of the 20 most important chips in
- computer history along side the PowerPC, Intel 8086, and Pentium. After all,
- there has to be a reason why there are so many SID fans. You should note that
- there were two distinctive regions for SID music, America and Europe.
- American SID music is on average lower in quality compared to European SID
- music. This is not to say that American SID music is crap, but if you are
- judging SID music based on the American SID music you have heard, I can
- understand partially why you might think SID music is silly. Why is American
- SID music lacking compared to European SID music? Mainly this has to do with
- much information sharing related to the SID composing tools in Europe (not to
- mention some theft as well). The best way for you to determine if SID music
- is or isn't for you is to listen to some of the best. Take a listen to some
- Hubbard, Galway, Daglish, Gray (Fred and Matt) and Tel. If you do not like
- any of those artists, then there is a strong chance you will not like any
- SID music.
-
- You should also note that C64 music has been played not just on specialist
- radio shows like the KDVS 6581 SID show (now sadly no longer with us) but
- also on Swedish national television. So much for silly beep-blop then :)
-
- [5] Why should I get HVSC when I already have NemeSIDs?
- -------------------------------------------------------
-
- NemeSIDs was the only other legitimate, large-scale SID collection available
- on the Internet. Primarily created for PLAYSID (Amiga) users, NemeSIDs was
- a great collection in its time. HVSC, on the other hand, was built off
- of all the collections available on the Internet, plus we've added thousands
- of SIDs from various people. This means that HVSC has all of the tunes found
- in NemeSIDs, except for NemeSIDs 18-19 (Compute Gazette SIDPlayer SIDs).
- Further, we have spent many months adding 100% rips, fixing SID credits,
- and deleting repeated SIDs. NemeSIDs, formerly maintained by Nemesis1, has
- not received an update since June 1996. In addition, NemeSIDs required the
- user to manually update the collection. With HVSC, updates are automated.
- If you doubt what we say, then please, by all means, go download HVSC and
- compare it to NemeSIDs yourself. We are confident that if you do such, you
- will end up keeping HVSC.
-
- [6] Which tunes are added to HVSC, and why?
- -------------------------------------------
-
- HVSC adds music from games, and C64 scene programs (whether they be
- from demos, stand alone music packs, or disk magazines) which have
- been released into the public domain. However, we do not normally add
- any Compute! Gazette tunes (see [7]). Thus, if a tune has been released
- publically including C64 FTP or WWW sites, this means it also allows
- for any other public collection such as HVSC to place it in their
- collections as well using the same unrestricted and free ethics that
- public domain software allows. We do this so that HVSC serves
- as an archive, not just for the SID fans, but for the composers as well
- if they ever need to refer to their work. There are also some
- previously unreleased tunes by composers which HVSC also has
- (such as /Gray_Fred/Sled.sid), where the HVSC Crew strictly asks
- for _composer permission_ before releasing such.
-
- [7] Why aren't there any Compute Gazette SIDPlayer tunes in HVSC?
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Mainly, because on average they do not sound as good as non-SIDPlayer tunes.
- SIDPlayer was a public domain SID composer and player available in the early
- '80s on the C64. The tool was predominately used by Americans and has a
- strong following among the public domain audience. SIDPlayer tunes are
- usually follow by a ".mus" and can be found on some C64 ftp sites.
-
- The best Compute! Gazette SID tune collection HVSC knows of is maintained by
- Peter Weighill and the latest version can be found here:
-
- http://www.c64music.co.uk/
-
- (please note the old link does not work anymore)
-
- (note: do not confuse SIDPlayer with SIDPlay. SIDPlay is a SID emulator
- where as SIDPlayer is a SID player for the C64. Confusion is easy when there
- is SIDPlay, PLAYSID (Amiga), SIDPlayer (C64), Real SIDPlay (C64), etc.)
-
- [8] What is the SID Tune Information List (STIL)?
- -------------------------------------------------
-
- The STIL is basically a text file which contains general information about
- the SIDs in HVSC. Such information includes the original composer's name,
- defects in certain tunes, interesting trivia, etc. Consult the STIL FAQ
- for more information. Hopefully your SID emulator has the option to
- display the STIL information for the current playing SID tune.
-
- [9] Why doesn't HVSC support MSDOS's 8.3 filename convention?
- -------------------------------------------------------------
-
- We have racked our brains trying to figure out an easy solution to support
- short filename OSes. Every solution we came up with required much work
- from our end. Since the maintainers of HVSC organise the collection as
- a hobby, we cannot spend a great amount of time catering to such a small
- audience. We have concluded that support for short filename based OSes
- will have to come from a devoted user of such an OSes. Keep in mind that
- the long filenames do not prevent 8.3 OSes from playing the music files.
- Only the Update tool won't work and the filenames will likely be cluttered
- with those nasty tildes (~).
-
- [10] When will the next update be released?
- ------------------------------------------
-
- There is no fixed time schedule as to when each update is released. Each
- update is dependent on two factors: available time and available SIDs. Once
- enough SIDs have been sent in to equal around 1.44 MBs (compressed) and the
- HVSC crew has time enough to properly sort the SIDs, the next update will
- be released. At present, it takes on average three months to put together a
- new update. However, you should note that with the amount of SIDs already
- present in HVSC, it does become harder to compile updates full of new SIDs and
- three months should be seen as an absolute minimum.
-
- Also, if you wish to be added to the HVSC Update Announcement list, which
- means you get an email the moment the HVSC website is updated announcing the
- new HVSC Update release, then please email HVSC Update Subscribe
- <hvscupdate-subscribe@scenelists.com>. Note too that you will be able to
- download the update from two sites on the main HVSC page which should ease
- Net traffic on the day of the update release.
-
- [11] Do I have to download all of HVSC after each update?
- ---------------------------------------------------------
-
- No. The update comes with a tool that automatically updates HVSC to the
- next version. Instructions are provided in each update and within the
- tool. In particular, do NOT run the update tool more than once.
-
- [12] Why isn't the update tool available for my system?
- -------------------------------------------------------
-
- The update tool was made in mind to be portable, and at the moment
- is available for Win95/98/NT, AmigaOS, OS/2, MacOS, BeOS, Linux, FreeBSD,
- SolarisOS 2.6 on SPARC processor systems and Atari ST with external OS
- that handles long file names.
-
- If you would like to port the Update tool to your OS, the source code to the
- tool and information about the format of the HVS data file can be obtained by
- emailing Warren Pilkington <hvscadmin@wazzaw.freeuk.com>.
-
- [13] Why do the updates sometimes add SIDs that HVSC already had?
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
-
- We often replace SIDs in HVSC with better versions. Reason for replacing
- SIDs could be (1) more sub-tunes (2) 100% rip (3) significantly smaller
- (4) merger of several SIDs. A "100% rip" would include fixed tunes,
- Real SID Play compatible tunes, Full Bank Switching tunes, etc. Thus,
- there is a chance that a new version of a tune could sound identical to
- the current version in HVSC. The new rip, however, has some internal
- changes that does in fact make it superior. Note that occasionally we do
- mistakenly add repeated tunes (and please tell us if you spot them.)
-
- [14] After I ran the Update, I can no longer find some SIDs.
- Where did they go?
- ------------------------------------------------------------
-
- To find out more details as to where SIDs were moved, why they were
- deleted, why they were replaced, etc., view the /DOCUMENTS/UpdateXX.hvs
- file for the current update. The "XX" in the path mentioned in the
- previous sentence represents the current update number. So if after
- running Update #7 you can no longer find a favorite SID, check
- /DOCUMENTS/Update07.hvs and search the file for the location where that
- SID was manipulated. The UpdateXX.hvs file serves as a data file for the
- UPDATE tool but is also readable by humanoids and does contain some
- comments. The best way to find the section of the file that contains the
- information you seek is to do a string search on the old SID or the path
- where the SID resided.
-
- [15] How can I tell what version of HVSC I have?
- ------------------------------------------------
-
- Look at /DOCUMENTS/hv_sids.txt. The first few lines will tell you what
- version you have.
-
- [16] Why should I get HVSC when I can just load up the game/demo and hear
- the music on a real C64?
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- You likely fall in the category "I don't need no stinkin' emulator!"
- First off, remember that HVSC isn't just for emulator users. In fact,
- the tunes in HVSC are still in raw C64 code only prepended by some header
- information. To handle this, a tool on the C64 called "Real SID Play"
- (RSP) is available to play HVSC tunes on the C64. It plays approximately
- 80% of the tunes in HVSC. Of the tunes that do not play in RSP, they
- could be bad rips, tunes that have overlapping memory with RSP, or tunes
- that have samples. Tunes with samples require some non-C64-compatible
- modifications in order to be playable in some SID emulators. Another
- reason C64 users may enjoy HVSC is that it is the largest SID collection
- on Earth. It is unlikely that you have all of the programs from where the
- SIDs in HVSC originated. Plus, with HVSC, you can select any level tune at
- any time. As a final note, it is true that the SID emulators do not sound
- as splendid as a real SID. To quote Zardax, "With SID emulators, the soul
- of the SID is lost." Of course Zardax has only heard PlaySID which does
- not emulate SID filters. Nevertheless, his statement is partially true.
- SID emulators, however, are getting better all the time. And for people
- who no longer own a C64, SID emulators are a _dream_. Imagine how many C64
- disks you would need to store the whole HVSC on.
-
- [17] Why do some tunes sound different compared to how I remember them on
- the C64?
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- SID emulators are very good, but not perfect. Although SID emulation is
- not perfect, the actual rip of the SID tune may be corrupt. In addition to
- rippers corrupting tunes, crackers would often make mistakes and muck up
- the tunes' speed (most infamously, Skate or Die and Driller.)
-
- Another common problem is that some people may not be aware of is that
- the North America (NTSC) and Europe (PAL) had differences in their TVs
- that influence the speed of SID tunes that used raster timing. Thus, when
- playing NTSC music on a PAL system (and vice versa), the music may
- sound slower (or faster) than how the composer intended it. Check your SID
- emulator to see if it has the option to 'force' a tune to play at PAL or NTSC
- speed (thus giving you the speed you remember, albeit may be not the
- 'correct' speed). More information about this subject can also be found at
- the SIDPlay homepage:
-
- http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Lakes/5147/
-
- We've also seen several cases where people assumed that the tune was
- playing incorrectly based on their memories alone. Since it may have been
- 5-15 years since you last touched a C64, it is only natural that your memory
- may be a bit sketchy. On the other hand, some memories can also be very
- accurate despite the time that has passed.
-
- If you believe you have found a corrupt tune, it would be best if you load up
- the old tune on a C64/128 and compare it to the HVSC version. If you then
- notice a problem with the HVSC version, by all means, let us know. We
- strongly recommend that you do not compare the HVSC tune to a tune
- played in a C64 emulator. Most C64 emulators which emulate the SID are
- nowhere as good as the pure SID emulators. You might also want to check
- out the STIL which documents any known problems with the SIDs found in
- HVSC if the game or demo also played the SID tune the same way.
-
- [18] How do I rip SID tunes from games/demos?
- ---------------------------------------------
-
- http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Lakes/5147/sidplay/docs.html#ripping
-
- Also, SIDPlay comes with technical information about converting SIDs to
- PSID format. The conversion process is surprisingly easy.
-
- One other important thing to bear in mind - if at all possible, rip from
- the _original_ release of the game. The initial wave of game cracks back
- in the late 1980s often missed out tunes, mucked up tunes etc and are never
- treated as a 100% reliable source for the correct game tunes, just to be
- on the safe side. Also, you will find that the release date given in
- a crack can be inaccurate, along with the credits, as the cracker would often
- overwrite the correct credits with who cracked the game etc.
-
- [19] Why isn't tune X in HVSC?
- ------------------------------
-
- Of course, not every SID ever made on the C64 is in HVSC. We feel that
- the majority of the most requested tunes are in HVSC. This does not mean
- we feel that almost _all_ C64 tunes are in HVSC. The HVSC crew is always
- busy ripping new SIDs and always receiving more SIDs. The best thing you
- can do if you would like to hear a certain tune in HVSC is to check out
- the SID Hunt web page which can be reached from the main HVSC web site.
-
- Also, the HVSC Ripped Tunes page (http://www.hvsc.c64.org/News/rippedtunes.html)
- is a good source to check if a tune has been ripped and due for a HVSC Update.
-
- You may also want to consider Vincent Voois' "Sidbace 32" available at
- http://members.tripod.com/sidbace32/ which helps you locate information
- in both HVSC and STIL that you require.
-
- [20] I can't find tune Y in HVSC which was used in an old intro/demo.
- Can you tell me where it is?
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Unfortunately, many intro coders and programmers failed to properly
- give credit to the music they used in their work. HVSC, thankfully, is very
- accurate in the credits it gives. We have worked for years contacting the
- original composers of tunes to help verify SID credits in HVSC. I don't
- think you are going to like what I am leading up to. C64 musicians have
- long been ignored on the C64. Many people will say, "Do you have the music
- to Commando?" not knowing who made the music. The time has come that you
- too should learn these composers' names. Basically, what I am telling you
- is that there is a chance that you will have to roll up your sleeves and dig
- through HVSC searching for your old favorite tunes. Before you do this,
- though, you should check out the HVSC search engine at the HVSC web site.
- With just a fragment of information, you can perhaps find the tune. Also,
- note that the professional composers (i.e., ones who received money for their
- work) are at the root of HVSC. Some of the lesser known composers and
- composers from post-1992 are in the "VARIOUS" directory. Knowing this
- information should help reduce your search time.
-
- [21] Why do some of the tunes in HVSC not play?
- -----------------------------------------------
-
- More than likely, a silent tune is a PSID-only tune or the tune doesn't
- bank-switch properly. Assuming you are using SIDPlay, you can change the
- settings and play the tune in PSID environment as well as Transparent ROM
- mode. Our goal is to replace all these tunes with versions that will work
- in Full Bank-Switching mode. Further, some tunes use ADSR values which
- the original Sidplay's libsidplay library does not like. You may find that
- if your SID emulator can use reSID emulation, then give the SID a try with
- that as well. If you look in Update #18 onward, comments are made when SIDs
- are added that _only_ work fully with reSID emulation.
-
- Also, as from Update #19, we have created the file PSIDIL.txt (PlaySID
- Incompatibility List) which resides in the /DOCUMENTS dir of HVSC. This is
- a pretty definitive guide to all HVSC files which will give PlaySID (Amiga)
- problems. Some of those are sadly down to the emulator itself.
-
- [22] Why are there some incorrect or ugly-looking credits in HVSC?
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Slowly but surely we are taking care of this. With each update, we make
- at least 200 credit fixes. So please be patient and if you notice any
- incorrect credits, email us and we'll try to fix them for the next update.
- Note also that any documented proof you have of the credit fix will help.
-
- [23] Why does HVSC take up so much space on my hard drive?
- ----------------------------------------------------------
-
- This is the infamous cluster problem predominately found on Microsoft OSs.
- Basically, due to a lack of foresight on Microsoft's end, the cluster size
- for hard drives grows larger as the hard drives grow larger.
- Common cluster sizes are 16 & 32 KBs (usually used in FAT16). Perhaps
- now you see the problem? Many SIDs are around 4 KBs which is 4-8 times
- less than the most common cluster sizes. This problem affects many people
- besides HVSC users. The good news is that Microsoft is using FAT32, their
- file system for Windows 98/Me, which does fix this. It also has a conversion
- tool if your drive has the old FAT16 file system to convert easily to FAT32.
- Further, Win95 OSR2 also includes Microsoft's FAT32 file system if it
- has been installed by your system vendor, and if not, there is also a
- FAT32 drive converter program (not that they tell you about it) which
- you may be able to find on the Internet. (note: at your own choice/risk).
-
- If the size of HVSC is a problem for you, there are some space-saving
- ways to store HVSC. One method is to keep the collection zipped. If your
- uncompressing tool has the capability, you can double click the SID of your
- choice while in the uncompressing tool and the SID will play. This assumes
- that you have associated ".sid" files with a SID emulator. If you decide
- to keep HVSC zipped, you may want to create one large zip file instead of
- having many.
-
- Another popular technique is to use DriveSpace, which is an included tool
- with Win95. DriveSpace allows you to compress partial or entire hard
- drives, but treats the compressed drive like a normal drive. Using
- DriveSpace should reduce the amount of space consumed by HVSC by at least
- half. Further, we have noticed no slow down when playing SIDs that reside
- on a compressed drive. Consult the on-line DriveSpace help for more
- information.
-
- MacOS users who use the old HFS filing system (similar to FAT16) are
- encouraged either to upgrade to HFS+ (similar to FAT32) or to create an
- image file with the whole HVSC on it to save drive space.
-
- [24] Can I just download the individual tunes I want?
- -----------------------------------------------------
-
- Yes. HVSC is available unzipped at a few web and ftp sites. A listing of
- these sites can be found at the HVSC web page.
-
- [25] How is it determined which composers go under the /VARIOUS dir?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- The current rule is:
-
- (1) If the artist has no tunes made in 1992 or earlier, go to step #4
- (2) If the artist has game tunes (3 must be made in 1992 or earlier),
- above Various... else go to step #3
- (3) If the artist was a famous demo composer in 1992 or earlier, above
- Various...else go to step #4
- (4) Below Various
-
- Note: Rule (2) above has slightly changed. This is in order that an
- artist who may have produced only one game tune for a magazine covermount
- prior to 1992 does not make it above VARIOUS.
-
- Also, as of HVSC 3.1, the /VARIOUS directory changed structure. In order
- to make it manageable chunks, /VARIOUS now has four subdirs, A-F, G-L, M-R and
- S-Z, so you can look in those to find the composers you seek.
-
- [26] Do you offer HVSC on CD?
- -----------------------------
-
- Yes we do :)
-
- Please contact the below for further HVSC on CD information:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
- Jason MacKenzie
- Binary Zone PD
- 34 Portland Road
- Droitwich
- Worcestershire
- WR9 7QW
- ENGLAND
-
- Website: http://www.bzpd.freeserve.co.uk/
- Email: kenz@bzpd.freeserve.co.uk
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
- Imre Olajos Jr.
- 1651 W Byron Avenue
- Addison
- IL 60101
- USA
-
- Website: http://lala.c64.org
- Email: LaLa@c64.org
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
- Bionic Grasshopper
- Email: bg_mfc@usa.net
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
- Stefan Scheffels
- Zum Werferstein 44
- 51570 Windeck
- GERMANY
-
- Email: sokratekk@rocketmail.com
- Website: http://de.geocities.com/sokratekk.rm
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- In addition, the HVSC Crew have ensured that any programs distributed on a
- HVSC CD have had written permission from the programmers concerned to include
- their work, such as Sidplay, PlaySID, APlayer etc.
-
- If you are a public domain library and wish to include HVSC
- on a CD-ROM then please email Warren Pilkington <hvscadmin@wazzaw.freeuk.com>
- for permission - that's all we ask. As long as you are making no profit
- on the CD, we will be more than willing to support you.
-
- One final thing. You may also see C64 compilation CDs (such as the C64
- Classix CD) which contain to have "over 10,000 SID tunes". They have
- copied HVSC onto those CDs without permission and are making profit from
- it, which is not only against the HVSC ethic, but also means that
- the composers' works are being abused.
-
- [27] Is the High Voltage SID Collection related to the High Voltage CDs?
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- No. They are two separate collections. HVSC specializes in SID music where
- as HV CDs specialize in C64 games, demos, and music all in emulator format.
- Due to an early agreement between HVSC and HV CDs, HVSC uses the same name
- as HV CDs. HV CD #1 contains a partial NemeSIDs collection where HV CD #2
- contains HVSC 1.1. HVSC has changed much since the HV CDs were put together.
- Therefore, we strongly recommend that you get the newest version HVSC from
- our web site or from an authorised CD vendor (see above).
-
- [28] Did you know that my virus checker reports some SIDs as having viruses?
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Let me guess. You are using Norton Anti-Virus (NAV)? Apparently Norton
- Anti-Virus's method for searching for viruses seems to be somewhat abnormal
- or inefficient compared to other virus checkers. However, Norton supposedly
- fixed this from a Spring 1998 update, so if you haven't already, _update your
- copy_. Infected data files, however, can be an indication that your system
- does have a virus lurking somewhere. HVSC uses anti-virus scanners on each
- update and the collection before release.
-
- [29] When will HVSC be completed?
- ---------------------------------
-
- In all likelihood, never. Far too many tunes were made on the C64 to
- reasonably expect that every SID will be collected. In addition, people
- are still composing music on the C64 to this day (some of the HVSC
- team themselves are among them). Consider HVSC a living collection.
-
- [30] I find myself listening to SID music all the time. Am I normal?
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- No, you are a SID-aholic. But we consider this a good thing. ;)
-
- [31] So how do I make my own SID tunes?
- ---------------------------------------
-
- In most cases, you will need access to either a real C64 or a
- C64 emulator such as CCS64 or VICE. Ideally it is preferred that you
- actually compose on the real thing, as you know the emulation is going
- to be 100% :-). You will also need a music editor program, which will
- enable you to easily alter the sequences with the notes in, the voices
- that the C64 will use, and also which will let you compile your tunes
- to disk so that they can be loaded and run by other users.
-
- ftp://ftp.funet.fi/pub/cbm/c64/audio/editors/ is a good place to start to
- download a Commodore 64 music editor. I would advise you to try out a
- few and see which one you prefer. Over the years many people have
- recommended JCH's Editor, Music Assembler, DMC Editor, Future Composer,
- Voicetracker, Siduzzit, Soundmonitor and many others, but do take the
- time to read all the documentation with them. They will help you a lot
- in creating the right sound for your tune.
-
- Those of you who are used to tracker programs like Fast Tracker on the PC
- might like to check out CyberTracker - see http://noname.c64.org/tracker/
- - it's a FT-like environment for making C64 tunes.
-
- And now there's a native PC application which will do the job very
- nicely for you. Lasse ╓÷rni's GoatTracker uses the well known reSID
- emulation engine in conjunction with a friendly and simple to use
- interface so that within minutes you can be mastering the SID chip
- and producing your tunes. And for HardSID card owners, you can also
- use the real C64 SID chip on your HardSID to ensure your sound is as
- close to the real thing as possible. The beauty also is that you can
- save your tunes (when finished) to C64 .prg format, or SID format too.
- For more information, please consult the following webpage:
- http://www.student.oulu.fi/~loorni/
-
- And of course, once you have a saved compiled tune, it should be pretty
- easy to convert to a SID file to send off to the HVSC Crew (hint).
-
- [32] What if I want to release a cover of a SID tune commercially?
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- You should importantly please bear in mind that often the C64 composer
- will own authorship rights to their SID tunes, and not the software company.
- This is particularly the case as often known game composers worked freelance
- and so kept the ownership to their pieces. You should endeavour to contact
- the original C64 composer to ensure not just permission but also that
- the composer gets due authorship credit (and payment of course) on the
- record. Feel free also to contact Warren Pilkington <hvscadmin@wazzaw.freeuk.com>
- with regard to this if you are unsure how to proceed.
-
- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
-
- Do you have more questions? Have you also checked:
-
- (1) The documentation for the SID emulator/player you are using
- (2) /DOCUMENTS/hv_sids.txt (describes HVSC in more detail)
- (3) /DOCUMENTS/STIL.txt & /DOCUMENTS/STIL.faq (discusses some tunes in HVSC)
- (4) readme.1st (information about updating; comes with each update)
- (5) BUGlist.txt and PSIDIL.txt (information about bugs in SIDs or with PlaySID,
- comes with every update from Update #19 onward)
-
- If you have checked those documents and have not found the answers you seek,
- by all means, please email Warren Pilkington <hvscadmin@wazzaw.freeuk.com> at any
- time. Note that if you think your problem is related to the emulator/player
- you are using, we suggest you email the party responsible.
-