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CPC Stereo

Started by ComSoft6128, 14:11, 02 February 19

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ComSoft6128

The 464//664/6128 audio output was limited, unless external speakers were used, to one small speaker. I assume that this wouldn't have encouraged maximum use of the sound chip. 
Did any games (or other software) make good use of the stereo output of the CPC?

Cheers,

Peter

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#1
Yes, at least for the tunes. I always had my CPC connected to an external sound system and I clearly remember the stereo very well in titles like Deflektor, that has a great intro music, and there are many more (Ghouls´n Ghosts is another great example  :) ).

TotO

#2
Some programs use the CPC speaker to do amazing sound with combined voices (Orion Prime). Only Mono is great for that.
Some programs use the CPC line out (R-Type 128K) to do in-game stereo sound and SFX. It is an other point of view.

By the way, both audio capabilities are interresting to use and not so limited as you think. ;)
"You make one mistake in your life and the internet will never let you live it down" (Keith Goodyer)

GUNHED

Lots of songs were made for stereo speakers (Thundercats f.e). What's about sound effects? Well, I think some did use stereo too. For Cyber Chicken the sound effects were coordinated: If your left cannon shoots then your left speaker makes the noise. Back the day a decent part of the users had their CPC connected to a stereo.  :)
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chinnyhill10

Quote from: GUNHED on 13:21, 03 February 19
Back the day a decent part of the users had their CPC connected to a stereo.  :)


I didn't have my CPC connected to a stereo,


I had my CPC connected to a GHETTO BLASTER!



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Bryce

My CPC had either my DK Speech Synth (with stereo speakers) connected, or connected to my HiFi, which was an Amstrad too :)

Bryce.

One of these:


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Jesus! That HiFi screams 80s!  :-\

Bryce

One of my very first Amstrad mods was to this stereo, not a CPC: The CD Player only showed 16 Titles when you inserted a CD, even if it had more than 16. It would play them all, but would display 16 for every title above that. Until I hacked it.

Bryce.

mr_lou

I had my CPC464 hooked up to my stereo set too. Being a musician I wouldn't have it any other way. Nice bass was a must.

I never took advantage of the stereo though. Sometimes I even found it annoying that channel 1 and 4 were in each speaker. Especially when listening with headphones. Recording to tape and playing with the walkman was out of the question.

It is only in recent times I've looked into actually using the stereo options when creating music, most noticeable in my track "Asian Agent".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOsI6XG4QaQ&t=13m20s

Try listening to that one with headphones.  8)

JayBlood

Good work, Mr_Lou.
I've downloaded it on Pouêt.net, for listening on my real Cpc. ;)
Jay

ComSoft6128

Thanks for the interesting replies.
I also from day one (maybe day two) of getting my hands on my first 6128 had connected it to an external amplifier but the only game I could remember from back then, that impressed me, was Elite.

Cheers,

Peter

JayBlood

First impressions after test Mr_Lou musicdisk on my old Cpc:
Overscan look awesome on my old Ctm 644, sound just like great. My two cents. Thank another time to make this, Mr_Lou. ;)
Love Cpc forever, like the comunity around this. :)

Jay

Axelay

I believe the game Dark Star used the stereo to track enemy laser fire left and right as it moved across the screen.

mr_lou

Quote from: Axelay on 03:44, 12 February 19I believe the game Dark Star used the stereo to track enemy laser fire left and right as it moved across the screen.

Ah, right. I did this too in "Space Rivals". Depending on which ship would fire, you'd hear it in the right or left speaker.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFKj7Zmobew

Gryzor

Quote from: Bryce on 08:41, 04 February 19
My CPC had either my DK Speech Synth (with stereo speakers) connected, or connected to my HiFi, which was an Amstrad too :)

Bryce.

One of these:




So it was fully compatible? :D

Colday

I also has the DK speech synth back in the day. It's on my list of peripherals to buy for my current machines.


Ahh, hearing it say 'Press play then any key' on my 464. I can still hear the actual ' pattern that it said it in.


Good times.


Loved the DK stereo though at that age (about 10) wasn't sure whether stereo was a thing.


Nowadays...

VincentGR

I always use my CPC with speakers but I also have a bit volume to the internal speaker for clarity  :P


BTW, do that with an lcd tv and you will hear echo, latency at it's full glory.

Bryce

Quote from: VincentGR on 22:03, 03 March 19
I always use my CPC with speakers but I also have a bit volume to the internal speaker for clarity  :P


BTW, do that with an lcd tv and you will hear echo, latency at it's full glory.

Depends on the LCD display and how the sound is handled. If it's just an amplifier with completely analogue pass-through there's no latency, only if it's being converted back and forth to digital do you get latency.

Bryce.

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