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#1
General Discussion - Introductions / Re: Interview with Dave Rogers
Last post by Herman - Today at 07:44Thanks for the reference to this exciting interview with CPC game programmer and musician David "Cybernoid Nebulus" Rogers from April 1, 2024 !
I've to quote some highlights... :-)
Question: After some work for the ZX81 you upgraded to the ZX Spectrum, but you barely produced programs for that machine, jumping in 1985 to the Amstrad CPC. What are the reasons behind that? Why did you choose the Amstrad CPC instead of any of the other machines in the market?
Rogers: The C64 just looked dull, with washed-out graphics, and a horrible case.
The Spectrum didn't appeal to me because of its rubbery keyboard and "blocky" colour attribute system. But I did eventually grow to like it, and I still do.
The Amstrad had a beautiful colour palette, a nice keyboard, and the best version of Basic.
Question: How were your first experiences with the Amstrad CPC? What did you find attractive in the machine and what didn't you like at all?
Rogers: I liked everything about it, except for the small speaker. I could have connected bigger speakers, but I didn't, because I wanted to optimize the music for the built in speaker, which is what most people would hear it through. I tried to use frequencies and envelopes that would help overcome its limitations.
[...]
Question: You worked almost exclusively for the Amstrad CPC and the ZX Spectrum. What did you find so attractive in the AY Chip? Were you never tempted to try the C64´s SID?
Rogers: Yes, I was very much aware at the time that the C64 had more powerful sound. The SID chip wasn't just slightly more powerful than the AY, it was MUCH more powerful.
However, I was more interested in the structure of the music than the sound of the chip. So I was quite happy to carry on with the AY.
I have to say that the sound of the SID chip, to my ears, is sometimes irritating and fatiguing, with all those fizzy FM-like harmonics.
[...]
Rogers: How important were machines like the Amstrad CPC for your career? Does the CPC still have a place in your heart?
Rogers: Absolutely! I have very fond memories of those years. It was a very interesting era to be involved in. I wouldn't have missed it for anything.
Question: Are you aware of the actual retro revival? aren't you tempted to compose a melody for a new game for the Amstrad CPC?
Answer: Yes, it's wonderful to see so much interest in the old computers. I think those years will always be regarded as a unique period in the history of computers and games.
[...]
I've to quote some highlights... :-)
Question: After some work for the ZX81 you upgraded to the ZX Spectrum, but you barely produced programs for that machine, jumping in 1985 to the Amstrad CPC. What are the reasons behind that? Why did you choose the Amstrad CPC instead of any of the other machines in the market?
Rogers: The C64 just looked dull, with washed-out graphics, and a horrible case.
The Spectrum didn't appeal to me because of its rubbery keyboard and "blocky" colour attribute system. But I did eventually grow to like it, and I still do.
The Amstrad had a beautiful colour palette, a nice keyboard, and the best version of Basic.
Question: How were your first experiences with the Amstrad CPC? What did you find attractive in the machine and what didn't you like at all?
Rogers: I liked everything about it, except for the small speaker. I could have connected bigger speakers, but I didn't, because I wanted to optimize the music for the built in speaker, which is what most people would hear it through. I tried to use frequencies and envelopes that would help overcome its limitations.
[...]
Question: You worked almost exclusively for the Amstrad CPC and the ZX Spectrum. What did you find so attractive in the AY Chip? Were you never tempted to try the C64´s SID?
Rogers: Yes, I was very much aware at the time that the C64 had more powerful sound. The SID chip wasn't just slightly more powerful than the AY, it was MUCH more powerful.
However, I was more interested in the structure of the music than the sound of the chip. So I was quite happy to carry on with the AY.
I have to say that the sound of the SID chip, to my ears, is sometimes irritating and fatiguing, with all those fizzy FM-like harmonics.
[...]
Rogers: How important were machines like the Amstrad CPC for your career? Does the CPC still have a place in your heart?
Rogers: Absolutely! I have very fond memories of those years. It was a very interesting era to be involved in. I wouldn't have missed it for anything.
Question: Are you aware of the actual retro revival? aren't you tempted to compose a melody for a new game for the Amstrad CPC?
Answer: Yes, it's wonderful to see so much interest in the old computers. I think those years will always be regarded as a unique period in the history of computers and games.
[...]
#2
General Discussion - Introductions / Interview with Dave Rogers
Last post by XeNoMoRPH - Today at 06:20
QuoteHello, family. I have had the opportunity to speak with Dave Rogers, who has made it clear to me that his heart is 100% cepecero. I hope you like what good old Dave has seen fit to tell us.
[ Spanish & English ] -- Author: @Dubliner
https://www.retromaniacmagazine.com/2024/04/fue-una-epoca-muy-interesante-para.html
#3
Here is the translation of CHIPNSFX player for WinAPE assembler for those who need it.
#4
Thanks Anthony.
It sounds like it might be the most useful idea for me as well.
It sounds like it might be the most useful idea for me as well.
#5
Done it. 
Zilog Z84C0020PEG in CPC.
Basically it consumes no energy. It is cold.
According to the documentation, at 4MHz it consumes 20mA or 0.1W.
BASIC works.
keyboard works.
GOTEK works.
CPM works.
Bomb Jack works.
Sound works
some undocumented instructions Z80 works.
I checked LD A,LY
v%=0:CALL &BFF8,&C912,0,&7DDD,@v%:PRINT v%
246
(LD A,LY : NOP: NOP: LD (DE),A : RET)
Pinball Dream without synchronization and bad noise screen
AY3 only produces noise.
Batman Forever many scenes don't work.
AY3 only produces noise.
The relay to the tape recorder is ticking.
That's all for now.
Zilog Z84C0020PEG in CPC.Basically it consumes no energy. It is cold.
According to the documentation, at 4MHz it consumes 20mA or 0.1W.
BASIC works.
keyboard works.
GOTEK works.
CPM works.
Bomb Jack works.
Sound works
some undocumented instructions Z80 works.
I checked LD A,LY
v%=0:CALL &BFF8,&C912,0,&7DDD,@v%:PRINT v%
246
(LD A,LY : NOP: NOP: LD (DE),A : RET)
Pinball Dream without synchronization and bad noise screen
AY3 only produces noise.
Batman Forever many scenes don't work.
AY3 only produces noise.
The relay to the tape recorder is ticking.
That's all for now.
#6
I'm not aware of any CPC games that use triple buffering, are there?
I am doing the exact same thing as abalore; I have a front buffer, a back buffer and a clean buffer for restoring the background. I guess we both independently concluded this was fastest.
I am doing the exact same thing as abalore; I have a front buffer, a back buffer and a clean buffer for restoring the background. I guess we both independently concluded this was fastest.
#7
Quote from: andycadley on Yesterday at 21:11Ok, so it's the Rhino in Sabre Wulf, as well as issues with Ghost and Goblins and speed lock games, but the principle is the same: emulating this stuff actually makes a difference some times.Quote from: Prodatron on Yesterday at 21:06Is there any reason why you should know about these undocumented bits in the F-register beside to develop a 100% correct Z80 emulator?On the Spectrum, at least, the werewolf goes in the wrong direction if you don't emulate them correctly. Apparently a programmer accidentally took advantage of them.
I never understood why this was necessary to know. Does it have any advantages for making code better/faster/shorter? Does anyone have an example for this? Or is this just for fun (which includes detecting, if a Z80 emu is cool or not).
http://z80.info/z80info.htm
#8
Quote from: Prodatron on Yesterday at 21:06Is there any reason why you should know about these undocumented bits in the F-register beside to develop a 100% correct Z80 emulator?On the Spectrum, at least, the werewolf goes in the wrong direction if you don't emulate them correctly. Apparently a programmer accidentally took advantage of them.
I never understood why this was necessary to know. Does it have any advantages for making code better/faster/shorter? Does anyone have an example for this? Or is this just for fun (which includes detecting, if a Z80 emu is cool or not).
#9
Is there any reason why you should know about these undocumented bits in the F-register beside to develop a 100% correct Z80 emulator?
I never understood why this was necessary to know. Does it have any advantages for making code better/faster/shorter? Does anyone have an example for this? Or is this just for fun (which includes detecting, if a Z80 emu is cool or not).
I never understood why this was necessary to know. Does it have any advantages for making code better/faster/shorter? Does anyone have an example for this? Or is this just for fun (which includes detecting, if a Z80 emu is cool or not).
#10
Muchas gracias, César!