[MSX2] Snatcher English HDD-install has broken audio.

[vanfanel]

Hi

The HDD install of this game has broken SCC+ audio when run from an VHD: a high-pitch sound can be heard when the game starts, then it has missing channels.

Game can be installed to HDD from the english set of disks available here:

https://download.file-hunter.com/Games/Translated%20(English)/

[tdlabac]

What type of extension is chosen ? SCC++ or MegaFlashRom SCC+ SD ?

[vanfanel]

What type of extension is chosen ? SCC++ or MegaFlashRom SCC+ SD ?

MegaFlashRom SCC+ SD on SLOT A.
Thats the only way to load an VHD, right?

[tdlabac]

Please tell me how to proceed to run the game with the above problem. I don't know the procedures on how to use MegaFlashRom. The more details the better. I often spend multiples more time tracking down information on how to achieve the reported error than I spend fixing it afterwards. This is true for all reported bugs. This kernel is becoming more and more variable, and more combinations are being created with each release. I didn't get very far.

Thanks

[vanfanel]

@tdlabac Yes, with great pleasure.

-Download the attached ZIP, decompress it, and copy the VHD it contains to your /media/fat/games/MSX1 directory
msx2_hdd.zip

-Set your awesome MSX core like this:
---LOAD ROM PACK: Sony_HB-F1XDmk2
---LOAD FW PACK: CART_FW_EN (you can use CART_FW_JP too).
---SLOT A: MegaFlashROM SCC+ SD
---SLOT B: Empty

-Using Load SD Cart *.VHD, load the VHD I uploaded.
-Reboot the MSX core. After reboot, you should be in MultiMente (MM).
-When you are in MultiMente (MM), press letter L on the keyboard, and then press B.
Then you will be seeing the VHD contents. Enter the HDINST\SNATCHER directory, and then run SNATCHER.COM

Please ask any question you may have. I will try to answer and help the best I can.

[tdlabac]

I struggled with the installation for a while. This was also new to me. However, the finding is that the SCC sound runs, but what is heard extra at the beginning is the cassette player running and listening to it. I need to find out where the fault lies. By default, it shouldn't run without the virtual cassette setup. OpenMSX behaves the same way when I select the CAS file.

[tdlabac]

Repaired

[vanfanel]

@tdlabac With the latest build, high-pitch audio is no more.

But Snatcher is still missing most of the sound channels.
This is how the intro is supposed to sound:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNdTjeG0Hcw

In fact, that's how it sounds when the game is run from floppies.

[tdlabac]

If I compare the behavior on MiSTer and OpenMSX the sound is the same. Same extension and same computer model. Whereas your comparison is against a different combination of HW. Is the problem in the emulation or in the game ? I don't know.

[vanfanel]

If I compare the behavior on MiSTer and OpenMSX the sound is the same. Same extension and same computer model. Whereas your comparison is against a different combination of HW. Is the problem in the emulation or in the game ? I don't know.

You are totally right, sir.
I don't know where the problem may be. What a mistery...

[vanfanel]

Ah! Think I found it!

https://www.msx.org/wiki/MegaFlashROM_SCC%2B_SD_compatibility_settings

It seems that "S" has to be pressed on boot to activate the special SCC-I version that Snatcher expects to find. Will try as soon as I get home!

[GuerreroNinja]

I suppose the Megaflashrom implementation does not include a SCC+, so you have to add it into the Slot B and select the matching slot on the Snatcher loader. To get the SCC+ sound working:

1. Open OSD and select the MSX2 machine (I have used a Sony HB-F1XDmk2)
2. In Slot A add the Megaflashrom cartridge
3. In Slot B, add a SCC+ cartridge
4. Run the core, no need to press S
5. Launch snatcher.com using MM explorer
6. In Snatcher menu, select SCC slot 2
7. Enjoy!

[tdlabac]

For clarification. The Megaflashrom implementation includes SCC+ and can internally switch to SCC mode.

[GuerreroNinja]

I see... then I don't know why the game does not detect the Megaflashrom SCC+ in the Slot 1-1. I tried the rest with no luck, but no problem as I can add the SCC+ cartridge in Slot B (Slot 2 in the loader) and that is.