Commodore 64 Music

Commodore SID Symphony II 6581 Cartridge

2012-01-23T19:17:00.000-08:00

Commodore SID Symphony II 6581 Cartridge designed by Digital Audio Concepts

Commodore 64 Users who want to expand the sound capabilities have a new option. Adding a second SID to your 64 & 128 is as simple as it can be, insert your Commodore 6581 SID (not included) into the empty socket and plug into your Commodore 64. The interface works with any software which access between the $DE00 to $DFE0 address range (the address can be changed by moving a few simple DIP switches). Sized to fit standard Commodore 64/128 case shells (such as those sold by Protovision or Vesalia Online). Commodore 6581 SID is not included.

"The designer of the SID Symphony II, Vanessa Ezekowitz, was kind enough to furnish me with circuit diagrams of her SID expansions. There are internal and external expansions available, from her website Digital Audio Concepts:

http://digitalaudioconcepts.com/

Clones:

There are reports of a SID Symphony II cartridge, being sold by an ebay and are not to be confused fir the real Sid II.

Commodore 8 Bit Search

2012-01-07T11:15:00.000-08:00

Commodore competing with Google? You betcha! Enter Commodore 8 Bit Search engine, currently searching through 1557354 files (1166 GB) spread on 22 servers. You can find Commodore files for the 64, C16, VIC-20, Plus/4, C128 and the list goes on and on. Started by Shane Wood, the project has taken countless hours of coding and is a true testament to the viability of the Commodore in the 21st century.

Take it for a spin and tell your 8 bit friends:

http://search.cbm8bit.com/

Introducing Commodore OS Vision

2011-11-12T11:04:00.000-08:00

Computer history in the making.

11.11.11 was the historic day when Commodore USA rose like a phoenix, ushering forth a new OS that die hard C64 and Amiga fans have been waiting for. The screenshots of Commodore OS Vision show the beauty of the OS, modern in design, internet friendly, with the ability to program your own Commodore games, play classic games like Tron, Space Invaders, design graphics, edit movies, create music or program in BASIC, Amiga, Java, C/C++, PHP, Perl, VB.NET, C#, Python, Linux, HTML and much much more.

Windows 8 step aside. Android move over. iOS take notice. The Legend is back, and with over 17 million units sold in the 1980s, Commodore is the best-selling personal computer of all time.

According to Commodore USA:

"Commodore OS Vision is a 64-bit Linux distribution, based on Linux Mint, created for Commodore enthusiasts purchasing Commodore USA hardware, such as Commodore 64, VIC series and the upcoming high-performance line of Amiga computers. These are essentially restore disks for pre-installed Commodore systems. Commodore OS Vision uses the classic GNOME 2 interface and features extensive Compiz/Emerald desktop effects. It includes dozens of games of all genres (FPS, Racing, Retro etc), the Firefox and Chromium web browsers, LibreOffice, Scribus, GIMP, Blender, OpenShot and Cinellera, advanced software development tools and languages, sound editing through Ardour and Audacity, and music composition programs such as the Linux MultiMedia Studio. It has a classic Commodore slant with a selection of applications reminiscent of their classic Amiga counterparts."

Commodore OS Vision Disc 2

2011-11-12T05:54:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we reported that Commodore USA released their new Commodore OS Vision. See our 11.11 11 post. Both discs are over 3.3 Gb.

Commodore OS Vision Disc 2 now available for download:

http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_OS_Vision_Download.aspx

You can read more about the OS on:

http://www.commodore-amiga.org/en/forum/8-commodore-os-howto-and-help/9542-commodore-os-vision-disc-2-now-available-for-download

11.11.11 Commodore OS Vision Released!

2011-11-11T17:50:00.000-08:00

This is a truly historic and momentous day! The first OS by Commodore has been posted online as a free download. The release of Commodore OS Vision is a game changer, which will definitely be in the running with Android, iOS, and Windows 8.

A beta of OS Vision is ready for download. Here is the web page that has the Torrent Link:

http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_OS_Vision_Download.aspx

While anyone can download/use, it has only been tested for the Commodore VIC and C64x product line(s).

The software included with OS Vision is E-mail and Chat, photos, office applications, internet, music and video, graphics, movie editing, games, programming (allowing you to program in BASIC, Java, C/C++, PHP, Perl, VB.NET, C#, Python and HTML) and much more.

Commodore USA states that:

Commodore OS Vision is a community driven Linux distribution for Commodore enthusiasts that is designed to unleash your creative potential and help you enjoy your computing experience to the fullest. Commodore computers were well known for their unique operating environments, so we seek to do the same, by providing a distinctive, attractive, advanced and fun operating system experience. Its look is inspired by the Commodore 64 and original Commodore Amiga Workbench user environments but with a modern spin, which includes many slick graphical effects which showcase the capabilities of our new Commodore machines.

The Commodore OS Vision project was created as an operating system option for Commodore enthusiasts purchasing Commodore USA computers. It is but the first step on the path to creating the ultimate Commodore experience for our customers. This retro-futuristic OS experience takes design cues in its appearance from classic Commodore and Amiga operating systems and evolves them further to create a distinctive and modern 21st century look which adds personality to our new Commodore machines. The selection of software included also has a retro slant which would be familiar to many Commodore fans, making them feel at home. It features the latest iteration of the classic Gnome 2.x user interface, which many prefer for its simplicity, stability and straight forward access to applications.

Commodore OS Vision stands on the shoulders of giants, with a lineage that traces back to fantastic linux operating system distributions such as Debian, Ubuntu and Mint, which you might also be interested in installing on our machines. Commodore OS Vision auto-installs a graphical operating system boot menu facilitating this further, making your new Commodore machine a technology tinkerers delight.

Watch the video teaser:

C64 Forever 2012.1.1.0 released

2011-11-08T07:52:00.000-08:00

Cloanto, developers of Commodore/Amiga software since the 1980s, has introduced C64 Forever, a revolutionary C64 emulator, preservation and support package. C64 Forever embodies an intuitive player interface, backed by a built-in database containing more than 5,000 C64 game entries, and advanced support for the new RP9 format, dubbed the "MP3 of retrogaming".

Features of C64 Forever include:

Emulation of C64 hardware (allows you to run C64 software on your PC)
Additional emulation of related systems: PET 2001, CBM 3032, CBM 4032, CBM 8032, VIC 20, CBM 610, C16, Plus/4 and C128
More than 200 preinstalled games and demoscene productions
One-click play support for thousands of downloadable C64 and other 8-bit games, demos and applications
RP9 Editor allows you to create and edit content for playback on the local system or elsewhere
RP9 Manager to convert between RP9 and other popular formats (D64, T64, etc.) and to export to devices (hardware-based emulators)
RetroPlatform Library includes title and configuration data for more than 5,000 C64 games, with online updates
Preconfigured and enhanced VICE emulation engine with auto-updates
Special features and gallery of items of historical interest
Much, much more...

http://t.co/NWxoYWZm

USB 5.25" floppy controller

2011-11-06T18:12:00.000-08:00

Device Side Data's FC5025 USB 5.25" floppy controller plugs into any computer's USB port and enables you to attach a 5.25" floppy drive. Even if your computer has no built-in floppy controller, the FC5025 lets you read those old disks. And it's not just for IBM PC disks – it also understands formats used by Apple, Atari, Commodore and TI, among others.

As of April 2011, the included software supports the following types of disk:

Apple DOS 3.2 (13-sector)
Apple DOS 3.3 (16-sector)
Apple ProDOS
Atari 810
Calcomp Vistagraphics 4500
Commodore 1541
Kaypro 2 CP/M 2.2
Kaypro 4 CP/M 2.2
MS-DOS
North Star MDS-A-D
TI-99/4A

C64 music software

2011-11-05T22:54:00.001-07:00

C64 music with a guitar

2011-11-05T22:48:00.000-07:00

Shredz64 is a modern day game for the Commodore 64 that makes use of the Playstation guitar controller hooked through the PSX64 interface. Its design is modeled against the popular “Guitar Hero” series, geared toward the ability to play along to your favorite C64 music on the guitar. Correctly played notes increase your score and applause meter, while incorrectly played notes decrease your applause meter. If the crowd stops applauding, you’re out! Additionally, Shredz64 features the “shredocity” meter that allows for extra points when you’re doing an awesome job shredding to your favorite chiptune. Watch Shredz64 in action or Download Now!

Turn your C64x into a Hackintosh

2011-11-05T11:59:00.000-07:00

C64x can run practically any OS, bravo to Commodore USA engineering, so go turn ur c64x into a hackintosh

http://sites.google.com/site/nozyczek/home/hackintosh/how-to-install-lion-10-7-0-on-jetway-nc98-525e-lf

Download Hackintosh:

http://cl.ly/94k6

More resources:

http://geeknizer.com/install-mac-os-lion-10-7-on-pc-hackintosh/

AmigaE

2011-11-05T04:18:00.001-07:00

In 1991 Wouter van Oortmerssen started working on the friendly but powerful AmigaE language, he released the first version in 1993, and continued to improve it up till 1997, by which time it had become a very popular programming language for the Amiga. But during 1998 development stalled, and it was finally officially abandoned in 1999, partly due to the Amiga platform's own lack of development since Commodore went under.

http://cshandley.co.uk/portable/PortablE.html#4_0

Meeting: Friday November 4, 2011 – 6:00 pm

2011-11-04T13:47:00.000-07:00

“@c64club: #c64 #commodore computer club meeting tonight Friday November 4, 2011 – 6:00 pm http://t.co/9taTNgFn”

The following hardware and software will be at the November 4, 2011 Portland metropolitan area Commodore Users Group and Computer Club meeting:

MSD SD-2 Super Disk Drive (22 second verified backups)
Commodore 64 computer and 1541 disk drive (both with JiffyDOS)
50+ C64 retro gaming arcade and utility cartridges
Big box full of C64 floppy disks (games, programs, and utilities)
Amiga 500 computer with tons of software
VIC-20 computer with Mega-Cart: The ultimate cartridge for your VIC 20
Multiple EasyFlash Cartridges for the Commodore 64
If you have any Commodore hardware, software, or other classic computing goodness kindly bring it along because we’ve got plenty of room, tables and electrical outlets.

Along with the above items mentioned, you can also expect to enjoy the following:

Good friends, conversations and a lot social geekery

Atari ST Games

2011-11-03T14:11:00.001-07:00

I found Atari ST games today, which brought back a 1980s nostalgia for me:

Psygnosis (1988)
Vegas Gambler (1987)
Goldrunner II (1988)
Goldrunner II Scemergy Disk (1988)

So what does this have to do with Commodore? Psyclapse was the the name of a Commodore 64 game that was never released. The games was released on Atari ST, the goal being to escape from the castle where an evil villain had time warped warriors from the past.

MSSIAH: MIDI cartridge for the Commodore 64

2011-09-27T11:05:00.000-07:00

The MSSIAH is a MIDI cartridge for the Commodore 64.
It contains a suite of music applications that starts instantly as you insert the cartridge and start up the computer.
With these applications you can play the C64's audio circuit (SID) via MIDI or stand-alone with the internal sequencers.

MSSIAH is short for MIDI SID Software Integrated Applications and Hardware and means that the cartridge contains both software and hardware to midify the C64. Since they are integrated you won't need hard-to-get MIDI peripherals to hook it up to your synthesizer or sequencer.

Just plug in a MIDI cable and off you go!

"128K IS THE 1985 fashion"

2010-04-16T19:41:00.000-07:00

In the Computer magazine, June 1985 issue, the Commodore 128 is given its rightful place in computer history:

128K IS THE 1985 fashion adopted by manufacturers eager to stimulate a depressed home computer market.... combines the 6510, the 8502 and Z80A microprocessors, available on the 128, Commodore 64K mode, Commodore 128K mode and CP/M mode and optional 80 column screen modes available in 128 and CP/M mode only.

The Commodore 64 is back

2010-04-15T19:37:00.000-07:00

The Commodore 64 is back with the Phoenix and Amiga models, and runs Comodo, Windows 7, Linux, MAC OS X operating systems, perfect for video and music sequencing.

# Silver Chassis, Keyboard & Power Supply
# Motherboard
# DVD/ CD Optical Drive
# Intel® Core™ 2 Quad Processor Q8200 (2.33GHz, 4MB, 1333MHz FSB)
# 4GB DDR2 Non-ECC SDRAM, 800MHz
# 500GB SATA, 7200 RPM Hard Drive

The Commodore Amigo The CPU, Memory, Graphics & Audio.....all on a single micro PCB, and it's only 2" x 2.5" !

Nico on WNUR 89.3FM Chicago

2010-04-03T11:10:00.000-07:00

Nico returns to WNUR with his signature house sound on WNUR 89.3FM Chicago! DR Kno is the host of Streebeat's show on 4.5.2010.

In Chicago, you can listen at 89.3 FM.

You can listen live on the internet:

high bitrate mp3 stream (http://live.wnur.org:8092/listen.pls)
low bitrate mp3 stream (http://129.105.128.107:8094/listen.pls)
aac+ stream (http://129.105.128.107:4500/listen.pls)

Nico's sound programming 909, 303, VIC-I, SID 6580 and 8580, CSIRAC and Ferranti Mark 1, P824X, UVI, SN76489AN (SN76496 SN94624N), POKEY, AY-3-8910 (8912/8913/8914/2149F chips), TIA, Commodore 64, Konami SCC, the Yamaha YM2413 (MSX-MUSIC) and Yamaha Y8950 (MSX-AUDIO, predecessor of the OPL3) and the OPL4-based Moonsound, AY-3-8910 or 8912 on Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, MSX and Sinclair ZX Spectrum 128.

Since the inception in the late 80s,WNUR's foremost goal has been to play the most forward-thinking, cutting-edge, underground dance music the world has to offer. Their programming on the station six nights a week covering material from industrial to progressive, hip-hop to tech house.

From the beginnings of house music in Chicago, WNUR has brought to the airwaves a side of dance music that doesn't get exposure elsewhere on the dial, in the clubs, or even in the party scene. While WBMX's Hotmix 5 were playing the latest local cuts during house music's big explosion, WNUR's role was playing the imports. Such legendary DJs as Derrick Carter and Mark Farina held shows on WNUR in the late 80s/early 90s. In the mid 90s, DJ Snuggles' Strictly Jungle show gained national recognition for being the first weekly drum 'n bass show in the country. Other artists on 89.3 include: Aux 88, Shaka 23, Josh Werner, TRS-80, DJ T-1000, Frankie Vega, Derek Fisher, Mike Wade and more. Their present mission is to provide Chicago and the world with a source of consistently good underground electronic/dance music in all its variety, both new and old, whether local or imported.

Jan Harries New Album

2008-07-18T07:47:00.000-07:00

Since 1985, Jan Harries has been producing innovative music on the Commodore 64 and Amiga 500 computers. Having worked with Karsten Obarski's Soundtracker, many of his works live on in the High Voltage SID Collection. 2005 saw the birth of Jan's first musicdisk on Commodore 64, the SID Expander.

Jan's album is sure to be a success so check it out at Sound Monitor

Kraftwerk, Jarre, Italo Disco: The Commodore 64 Orchestra Interview

2008-07-08T10:47:00.000-07:00

Lotek64, a German Magazine dedicated to all things Commodore 64 has interviewed Commodore 64 Orchestra. This is a great chance to sharpen up those German reading skills of yours. The interview is on page 31. The print edition is out.

Visit Lotek64 for the print edition of the interview

Here is the archive link to the article as well:

Il creatore - Ti illudi di guidare

2008-06-11T10:55:00.000-07:00

Italy loves the Commodore 64!

Italian Commodore programmer and video artists Il creatore used a C=64 & Sidstation & Vocoders for his music. An amazing creation of video and music using our lovely Commodore 64, pixels galore!

Chip Wave Genre

2008-03-23T15:30:00.000-07:00

From the exciting Kraftwerk remixes (yes the German band has embraced 8 bit sound) to the Commodore 64 Orchestra phenomenon to Fischerspooner, Chip Wave is creating a splash on the electronic scene. Well this just might be the next new wave of the new wave genre, no pun intended. The Chip Wave genre creates an exciting blend of music with the sounds of 80s New Wave, electro wave, Italo Hi-nrg, post-no wave punk, Chicago acid house (Phuture/Adonis), Italo Disco (Giorgio Moroder), techno (Detroit, Dresden and Berlin), Die Musik der Futurismus, Die russische Avantgarde, Post Avante Garde-ism, Die Avantgarde der ElectroRock-Musik) and electronica. Chicago musician Nico Demonte who has introduced the genre by using the Commodore 64, Atari, Amiga 500, TRS-80, emulation, magnetic tapes, vintage computers, drum machines like the Simmons and 808/909, and synthesizers (Moog, Korg). You can hear the Chip Wave on heavy rotation on 93.1, 88.7, 89.3, Death Disco Radio and other stations.

Chip Wave playlist

FISCHERSPOONER - THE OTHER SIDE OF NEW YORK

DJ: UNKNOWN - DO THE ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH

PETER LIEPA- BOULDER DASH (R) II- ROCKFORD'S REVENGE

JEROEN TEL- ALLOY RUN MAIN THEME (1988)

COMMODORE 64 ORCHESTRA - COMMODORE 64 (1982)

EURO LIPSTICK - FLESH DISCO

KRAFTWERK - LA FORME

ROB HUBBARD- ONE MAN AND HIS DROID TITLE THEME (1985)

PETER CLARKE- THEME FROM BUBBLE BOBBLE (1987)

MARTIN GALWAY- THEME FROM ARKANOID (1987)

JEROEN TEL- THEME FROM KINETIX (1988)

PETER LIEPA- BOULDER DASH (R) (1984)

BEN DAGLISH- THE LAST NINJA WILDERNESS IN-GAME (1986)

MARTIN GALWAY- MAGNETIC FIELDS IV (AS USED IN YIE AR KUNG-FU) (1985)

OUTRO- CONTAINS ELEMENTS FROM JEROEN TEL- MUSIC FROM TURBO OUTRUN (2000)

JEROEN TEL- MUSIC FROM TURBO OUTRUN (1989)

NICO DEMONTE - MAX HEADROOM (1988)

ROB HUBBARD- CRAZY COMETS MAIN THEME (1985)

CHRIS HUELSBECK- FINAL THEME FROM THE BABY OF CAN GURU (1987)

The Power of Machine Language

2006-10-31T19:46:00.000-08:00

(Image: screenshot of simple 6510 sprite.s example using win2c64)

In the ever continuing discussion of what is better - machine language or basic, Aart J.C. Bik programs his code in machine language. Whether your creating music or graphics, Aart continues to show that machine code is far superior. In his words, "Basic is just too slow." For Aart, The sheer speed of 6510 over Basic caused demo writers of music and graphics to write in machine code. Aart continues to state that "Moreover, certain very important features (like raster interrupts, required for more than 8 sprites or e.g. sprites in the border) can only be programmed in machine code."

For people working on PCs or on the C64, check out Aart's win2c64 cross-assembler at:
Aart's Commodore 64 Page

Compute! Magazine Now Online

2006-10-06T13:10:00.000-07:00

Published from 1979 through 1994, Compute! covered the Commodore 64, IBM PC, Atari ST series, Commodore Amiga, Commodore PET, Commodore Vic-20, the Atari 8-bit series, the Apple II plus, 6502-based computers, TI-99/4A, and home computer kits. Part of the fun of getting Compute! back in the day were the BASIC programs that I typed in to create music, video and computer games. Eventually, Compute! spun off to COMPUTE!'s Gazette that was geared to Commodore computers. Compute!'s archive can be found at:

Blips and Bleeps: A Brief History of Commodore Music

2006-10-05T11:12:00.000-07:00

Karen Collins has written a clever piece titled "Loops and bloops" Music of the Commodore 64 games. Whether your a retro gamer, music historian, ethnomusicologist, or 8 bit music composer, everyone will find something to enjoy in this article. From Igor Stravinsky to Rock and Roll, this history gives chip musicians a glimpse into the nostalgic era.

Figure 1: Ghosts 'n Goblins (Elite Systems, 1985) Commodore 64

Music Programming For the Commodore Computer

2006-10-05T10:57:00.000-07:00

The list of programming languages for the Commodore can be quite intimidating, but thanks to Dan Fandrich, you can find the language that suit your needs. Check out the list of Basic editors, assemblers, etc at:

http://www.npsnet.com/danf/cbm/languages.html

For the 8 bit music geek take a look at $ Nick's BASIC [C64,C64 cart] (1984, Southern Oregon Video Enterprises, Inc.), $ Video BASIC-64 [C64] (1985, Abacus Software), and $ GameMaker [C64] (Gary Kitchen).

C64 Direct-to-TV Uber Geek Joystick

2006-10-05T09:15:00.000-07:00

Imagine beaming yourself back to the 80s. Now imagine if you could squeeze the Commodore 64 computer into a joystick. Talk about retro. The C64 Direct-to-TV joystick has 30 built-in games and gives you the impression that your actually playing the original Commodore 64 computer. The C64DTV was designed by Jeri Ellsworth (a home grown programmer) and had an initial production run of 250,000 units.

Hint: C64DTV allows you to boot in the Commodore Basic editor by wiggling the joystic back and forth.

Magical 8bit Plug

2006-09-20T07:18:00.000-07:00

The japanese 8 bit band YMCK recently released their Magical 8bit Plug that creates some serious 8 but sounds. I am totally impressed, and am currently running my own copy on Digital Performer. The group states that the: "Magical 8bit Plug is a plug-in style software-synthesizer for producing primitive electronic sounds like the old 8bit game consoles. In Macintosh environment, it runs with AU (Audio Units)-supporting applications: ex. Logic, Digital Performer, Garageband. In Windows environment it runs with VSTi supporting applications: ex. Cubase. Most of the software/hardware synthesizers include the most primitive waveform: square wave and pulse wave. But almost none of them include the pseudo-triangle or the low-resolution noise that will most characterize the 8bit sound's unique taste. Magical 8bit Plug will help you producing the old 8bit sounds by providing those unique waveforms."

You can download the Windows and Mac OS X versions at the YMCK site: http://www.ymck.net/english/download/index.html

Kraftwerk VS. Commodore 64 Orchestra

2006-09-20T06:55:00.000-07:00

Chicago's electro heavy weights Commodore 64 Orchestra (www.commodore64orchestra.com)is scheduled to release their much anticipated Kraftwerk album on Mp3 Death (mp3death.us). There are reportedly some other 8 bit releases on the album but the label is being hush hush about it. More to come. on this story.