Cybertracker question.

[Doddsy]

I have come across Cybertracker and it seems like a worthwhile program to use. Problem is its only in .D64 format. If it was in .tap format I could convert it to a wav file and load it into my real C64. Are there any .tap files available of this tracker or is there a way to convert a .D64 file to a .tap file?

Many thanks for any help!

[Doddsy]

Update just found out that if it was possible to get it as a tap image you couldn't save your work anyway.

[Vosla]

So you don't have a 1541?
It would be easier to get a X1541-cable, connect your PC to a 1541 and write the D64 on a real disk.

[NecroPolo]

Yeppah, getting a floppy drive is inevitable if you wish to have a headache-free authentic C64 SID workstation

I use my old C64IIC "The Beast" for testing purposes only (with my old OC drive and X1541M cable - the normal X1541 cable doesn't work with newer PCs), for SID composing now'days I tend to use VICE 2.1 or 2.2 (sometimes 2.2 sound freezes but it's no biggie) with SID settings 8580R5 1489 re-sidFP . Considering sound, I really can't tell the difference between this and my original machine.

http://noname.c64.org/csdb/release/?id=79676


I'm not going to talk you out of Cybertracker but if you wish to create SIDs, there are loads of much better music editors you can work with. Despite its good looks, cybertracker is pretty limited, you can get more out of the SID chip even with Future Composer (1988). Some other editors/trackers that are worth checking, just naming few:

Goattracker (GT)

http://cadaver.homeftp.net/tools.htm

It's a cross-platform editor. Fine stuff. It's compatible with the C64 native NinjaTracker (can be found also on Cadaver's site): zounds of options, you can configure GT any way you want.


Sid Duzz-IT (SDI)

http://noname.c64.org/csdb/release/?id=84874

Glenn Rune Galefoss and Geir Tjelta continuously develop this native C64 tracker. Perhaps it offers the widest sonic possibilities. Soon (I guess this year), a new version will be available with some groundbreaking options/FX.


Demo Music Creator (DMC)

This is a '90s stuff coded by Brian. Older editor but it's still very flexible. There are many version, I'd recommend checking the 4.0 and 5.1 (they are totally different, with major changes)

http://noname.c64.org/csdb/release/?id=2596

http://noname.c64.org/csdb/release/?id=2600

There is also a quite good tutorials for them, written by Richard Bayliss:

http://tnd64.unikat.sk/



These are just 3 out of the bunch. There are dosens of fine native trackers/editors that beat cybertracker.

Personally I like NinjaTrtacker 2.03 for its artistically programmed music driver code and GMC 1.6 (predecessor of DMC from 1990) because it's dirty like hell, with that you can throw the SID chip into some sonic mayhem easily

http://noname.c64.org/csdb/release/?id=83864

(Aw. There is no 1.6 on CSDb as far as I can see. I may upload a .d64 file with some worktunes of mine some time...)

Again: I don't want to talk you out of Cybertracker, you bake sonics with whatever you wish - there are just incomparably better tools around

Regards,

NP

[HughSiegal]

I have a C64 packed away somewhere. I was thinking of taking it out.

Now, I'm gonna !

[NecroPolo]

Nice to hear that

Also, it is worth checking Music Studio versions @ Martin Piper's CSDb page:

http://noname.c64.org/csdb/scener/?id=19341

1.1 and 1.2 plus are native c64 editors. From 2.0 onwards, it runs on Windows platform using reSID FP emulaton, no C64 is needed. The latest release even includes tracker-like input feed mode or duration-based input mode like old SID editors, whichever you prefer:

http://noname.c64.org/csdb/release/?id=93693

I've made some SIDs with that and I totally love the old-school rawness of its sound driver