SIDpulse Tracker v0.2.35
SIDpulse Tracker v0.2.35
The earlier volume-digi player is restored as DIGI method #1, selected by
default when exporting PCM instruments. It plays packed four-bit samples through
$D418 while leaving the C64 display and sprite enables alone. It uses the
current note-trigger preparation, CH3 remapping and lossless music packers.
The bias voice is shut off when a sample finishes or is cut before restoring
master volume. Volume modulation of the other SID parts, clicks and VIC timing
jitter remain possible; this restores the earlier playback choice, not perfect
sample reproduction.
DIGI method #2 retains the v0.2.34 waveform-DAC player. It blanks the display
and sprites to stabilize DAC capture. The four tested PAL/NTSC, 6581/8580 PRG
binaries are byte-for-byte identical to v0.2.34 when this method is selected.
Method #1 stores two four-bit frames per byte; method #2 uses a frequency byte
per frame plus its tail. No audio method is silently substituted by squeezing.
The export menu has a method selector operated by mouse or keyboard. Its choice
is saved in machine preferences; missing or invalid old preferences select #1.
The CLI uses --digi-method 1 or --digi-method 2 with SID/PRG exports.
Changing the method discards previous analysis so the displayed size/cycle
report and exported bytes always correspond to the selected player.
The confirmation describes the selected method. It retains Continue as DIGI /
Synthesize all samples / Cancel, with synthesis selected first. Only method #2
warns about display blanking. Sample-to-SID wavetable synthesis remains the
preferred C64 workflow, with audition before conversion and one-step undo.
Native playback, editing, W controls, sync/ring effects and source samples retain
their existing behavior.
Guides, the changelog and development notes live under docs/. The main README
links to detailed historical notes. Incremental upgrades from v0.2.34 run
python scripts/finish_update.py to remove the relocated root changelog.
See installation, PCM behavior,
validation and performance.
Keeping the display enabled is distinct from integrating this standalone player
into another program: it still owns CIA timers, IRQ/NMI vectors, memory and its
foreground loop. The method #1 music budget covers a standard screen without
sprite DMA; custom graphics need a coordinated timing budget. Physical C64
listening remains untested in this environment.