Native VGM player for the NGP(C)

[mic_]

Actually I should be able to fit both tables if I just stored the data a bit more efficiently. The period values are 10 bits each, so 2048 entries would fit in 2.5 kB, but then the table lookups would get really awkward. Using 24 bits for two entries (3 kB in total) should be ok though.

[Flavor]

Thanks for the updates, mic_. I'm definitely following along.

[mic_]

Here's a new version that should have correct pitch for all channels (the noise bass duty cycle will still be slightly off, but there's nothing to be done about that).

[Flavor]

I don't really know much about VGM, but the format seems to support more than just SMS/GG. I've been trying to build/test your player with other VGM files with limited success. How do I know what will work and what won't?

Here are some things I've tried that failed.
http://www.smspower.org/Music/Sonic2Crys...m-Homebrew
http://vgm.mdscene.net/forum/viewtopic.p...c206e6619e
http://vgm.mdscene.net/forum/viewtopic.p...c206e6619e

I did get this one to work.
http://www.smspower.org/Music/EnVardFyraJavel-Homebrew

[mic_]

Anything that uses something other than the SN76489/T6W28 will fail in my player.
That first one you linked to uses the YM2612 (the FM chip found in the Genesis). The following two should work, at least in the second version of the player I uploaded yesterday (pokevgm-4.zip). Keep in mind though that the VGMs need to be uncompressed. Some VGMs are named .vgm even though they're actually .vgz, so then you need to decompress them first, using e.g. vgmtool.

[Flavor]

Yep, after uncompressing them, they worked in the new (pokevgm-4) player. Thanks!

It'd be neat to have a little tool that would take a list of VGM/VGZ files and insert them into a player like this in a way that non-technical people could use their NGPC as a music player.

Keep up the great work!

[mic_]

It'd be neat to have a little tool that would take a list of VGM/VGZ files and insert them into a player like this in a way that non-technical people could use their NGPC as a music player.

That should be easy enough to do.

[mic_]

I've uploaded a new version that includes a ROM builder tool for Windows. Just start the program, drop some VGM/VGZ files on it, press Build, and that's it.

[Morden]

I have tested the latest build with music from Gunstar Heroes and I have to say, it sounds great. However, during the building process, I've noticed there's a rom size limit of 512 kilobytes, as well as a limit of ten songs. I was wondering if you're planning on further improving the player, allowing more songs to be stored. Also, what's the reason for the limit?

[mic_]

I've noticed there's a rom size limit of 512 kilobytes

Just an arbitrary size I chose, because the flash time for a 512kB ROM is about the limit for how long I've got the patience to wait when testing stuff during development

as well as a limit of ten songs

That's just because I haven't implemented any form of song list scrolling, and I figured around 10 would be the max that would fit on screen.