Difference between revisions of "SID - Recording Guide"
From Video Game Music Preservation Foundation Wiki
(phew! Moved parts around and to 6581. Hopefully easier to read. Will finish XMPlay next (probably easiest to use) and try other players later. Probably not Sidplay2 and foobar2000, they seem even more tedious than VSID.) |
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| − | Normally, on most platforms, you can just load a game or rip on any computer, emulator or player and start recording. Unfortunately, due to a production shortcoming at [[Commodore]], every [[Commodore 64]] computer and [[6581|SID]] sound chip has differences which | + | Normally, on most platforms, you can just load a game or rip on any computer, emulator or player and start recording. Unfortunately, due to a production shortcoming at [[Commodore]], every [[Commodore 64]] computer and [[6581|SID]] sound chip has differences which bother composers and gamers to this day. |
| − | The guide will | + | The guide will show you how to convert Commodore 64 music into the VGMPF standard format [[OGG]] so you can upload it. The process should be easy to understand, but it will require patience and a bit of making up mind. |
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| − | ==PAL or NTSC== | + | ==Finding best settings== |
| − | + | ===PAL or NTSC=== | |
| + | :''Main article: [[NTSC/PAL - Recording Guide]]'' | ||
| − | + | If the game was made for the European or Australian market, select PAL in your favorite emulator or SID player. If it was made for America, select NTSC. If it was made for both, record the soundtrack twice: in PAL and in NTSC. | |
| − | == | + | ===Song length=== |
| − | + | Fortunately, the [https://hvsc.de High Voltage SID Collection] estimate all song lengths themselves and release an updated list every end of June and December. To easily get the lengths of a SID file, select it in [[DeepSID]] and click the small '''^''' and '''v'''. Remember, when recording a PAL song in NTSC or vice versa, you need to give or take several seconds or a very few minutes. | |
| − | + | ===6581 or 8580=== | |
| + | The SID sound chip came in two [[6581#Versions|models]] with major differences, named 6581 and 8580. Fortunately, several SID files already contain this information and many players use it automatically. | ||
| − | + | For files that don't, it's best to ask the arranger whether they had a C64 (6581) or a C64C (8580). Several have already answered in interviews or to sites, especially the [https://hvsc.de High Voltage SID Collection]. | |
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| − | + | If the arranger can't answer, HVSC guesses. To learn how, read and listen [[6581#Examples|here]]. | |
| − | === | + | ===6581 filter=== |
| − | + | If you already know the SID file was made for 8580, skip this section. | |
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| − | + | Otherwise, filters are the biggest problem. To this day, emulation is not completed and SID files don't contain any filter information. This section explains how to find the information. If you don't know the problem yet, read and listen [[6581#6581 filter|here]]. | |
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| − | + | At the moment, it's best to first open every song to be recorded on [[DeepSID]]. | |
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| − | At the moment, | ||
* Go to [http://deepsid.com deepsid.com]. | * Go to [http://deepsid.com deepsid.com]. | ||
* On the top left between ''WebSid emulator'' and ''User'' is a round button which toggles between light and dark. See what you prefer. | * On the top left between ''WebSid emulator'' and ''User'' is a round button which toggles between light and dark. See what you prefer. | ||
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* Click '''GRAPH'''. | * Click '''GRAPH'''. | ||
* To the right of ''Buffer size'', change from ''16384'' to '''1024'''. | * To the right of ''Buffer size'', change from ''16384'' to '''1024'''. | ||
| − | * Turn ''Modulations'' '''OFF''' | + | * Turn ''Modulations'' '''OFF''' and ''Pulse coat'' '''ON''', it's less distracting. |
* Click '''High Voltage SID Collection'''. | * Click '''High Voltage SID Collection'''. | ||
* Select the SID file you want to record. In case of [[Insects In Space]]: | * Select the SID file you want to record. In case of [[Insects In Space]]: | ||
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* Click the small '''^''' button in the middle left. If you can't, you are done with this SID file. | * Click the small '''^''' button in the middle left. If you can't, you are done with this SID file. | ||
| − | + | Once you got all times down, open the SID file in an emulator and SID player which supports adjusting the filter; see below for a list to choose from, along with specific instructions. In general, try different filter settings until all tracks sound best. | |
| − | Once you got all times down, open the SID file in an emulator and SID player which supports adjusting the filter; see below for a list to choose from, along with specific instructions. In general, try different filter settings until all tracks sound best | ||
| − | == | + | ==What not to use for recording== |
| − | + | While the following emulators have qualities in visuals, comfort, performance or debugging, they play some songs plain wrong or not at all. For example, the beginning of [[Title Music - Spiky Harold (C64)]] sounds too much more metallic and distorted than [http://www.6581-8580.com/socse/dl.php?d=soasc/hvsc/067/MP3/MUSICIANS/B/BOGG/Spiky_Harold_T001.sid_MOS6581R2.mp3 on a real C64]. | |
| + | * CCS64 (emulator) | ||
| + | * [[DeliPlayer]] | ||
| + | * FastSID (option in VICE and VSID) | ||
| + | * [[:Category: Web Browser Players|Web Browser Players]] | ||
| − | + | ==Using XMPlay== | |
| − | + | {{In Progress}} | |
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==Using VSID== | ==Using VSID== | ||
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* Follow [[Determine Song Length#Step 6: Second Loop and Fade Out|steps 6 and 7 of Determine Song Length]]. | * Follow [[Determine Song Length#Step 6: Second Loop and Fade Out|steps 6 and 7 of Determine Song Length]]. | ||
| − | + | <!-- | |
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==Using SIDPLAY2== | ==Using SIDPLAY2== | ||
{{In Progress}} | {{In Progress}} | ||
| − | + | ==Using foobar2000 and SID Encoder== | |
| − | =Using foobar2000 and SID Encoder== | ||
{{In Progress}} | {{In Progress}} | ||
--> | --> | ||
Revision as of 18:43, 9 July 2020
Normally, on most platforms, you can just load a game or rip on any computer, emulator or player and start recording. Unfortunately, due to a production shortcoming at Commodore, every Commodore 64 computer and SID sound chip has differences which bother composers and gamers to this day.
The guide will show you how to convert Commodore 64 music into the VGMPF standard format OGG so you can upload it. The process should be easy to understand, but it will require patience and a bit of making up mind.
Contents
Finding best settings
PAL or NTSC
- Main article: NTSC/PAL - Recording Guide
If the game was made for the European or Australian market, select PAL in your favorite emulator or SID player. If it was made for America, select NTSC. If it was made for both, record the soundtrack twice: in PAL and in NTSC.
Song length
Fortunately, the High Voltage SID Collection estimate all song lengths themselves and release an updated list every end of June and December. To easily get the lengths of a SID file, select it in DeepSID and click the small ^ and v. Remember, when recording a PAL song in NTSC or vice versa, you need to give or take several seconds or a very few minutes.
6581 or 8580
The SID sound chip came in two models with major differences, named 6581 and 8580. Fortunately, several SID files already contain this information and many players use it automatically.
For files that don't, it's best to ask the arranger whether they had a C64 (6581) or a C64C (8580). Several have already answered in interviews or to sites, especially the High Voltage SID Collection.
If the arranger can't answer, HVSC guesses. To learn how, read and listen here.
6581 filter
If you already know the SID file was made for 8580, skip this section.
Otherwise, filters are the biggest problem. To this day, emulation is not completed and SID files don't contain any filter information. This section explains how to find the information. If you don't know the problem yet, read and listen here.
At the moment, it's best to first open every song to be recorded on DeepSID.
- Go to deepsid.com.
- On the top left between WebSid emulator and User is a round button which toggles between light and dark. See what you prefer.
- Click the Visuals tab on the top right.
- Click GRAPH.
- To the right of Buffer size, change from 16384 to 1024.
- Turn Modulations OFF and Pulse coat ON, it's less distracting.
- Click High Voltage SID Collection.
- Select the SID file you want to record. In case of Insects In Space:
- Click MUSICIANS.
- Click G.
- Click Galway_Martin.
- Scroll down and click Insects_in_Space.sid.
- Listen to the song and watch the 3 columns. Whenever one changes its background from white to bright yellow (or from black to dark brown) or vice versa, it means the filter has been toggled. Note down the times when it does.
- In case of Insects In Space, they should be 1:06 (or 1:07) and 1:51 (or 1:52).
- If the background is never yellow (or brown), the song doesn't use the filter and you won't have to set it up for that song.
- Click the small ^ button in the middle left. If you can't, you are done with this SID file.
Once you got all times down, open the SID file in an emulator and SID player which supports adjusting the filter; see below for a list to choose from, along with specific instructions. In general, try different filter settings until all tracks sound best.
What not to use for recording
While the following emulators have qualities in visuals, comfort, performance or debugging, they play some songs plain wrong or not at all. For example, the beginning of Title Music - Spiky Harold (C64) sounds too much more metallic and distorted than on a real C64.
- CCS64 (emulator)
- DeliPlayer
- FastSID (option in VICE and VSID)
- Web Browser Players
Using XMPlay
This page is still being worked on by its creator. Please do not modify it until this notice has been removed.
Using VSID
As of this writing, VICE and VSID 3.4 are more accurate than any other emulator and SID player, if not to a huge degree and rather tedious.
Downloading
- Go to vice-emu.sourceforge.io/index.html#download and click Download VICE under Windows or macOS.
- Unzip where you want.
- Open vsid.exe.
- Drag and drop the SID file you want into VICE (VSID) (anywhere but the playlist, you don't need one).
- Click the two skip buttons to select a track within the SID file.
Adjusting filter
- Alter Bias.
- Alternatively, press ALT+O, click SID and alter 6581 filter bias.
- To skip to a position within the song, you must fast forward, perhaps first rewind by pressing ALT+F9. Clicking the bar has unfortunately no effect.
- To fast forward, click the fast forward icon button once. To play normal, click again.
- Alternatively, press ALT+O, click Speed, and Unlimited. To play normal, click 100%.
Recording
- On each musical track:
- Press SHIFT+ALT+R. The record icon does not seem to work.
- Click FLAC.
- Click Save.
- Enter a filename you understand. On the right is an icon to create a directory.
- Click Save.
- Skip to the track. If you already have, press ALT+F9.
- Either exit VSID or press SHIFT+ALT+S to stop the recording.
- Follow steps 6 and 7 of Determine Song Length.
