Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files

[Beaps]

Hi All,

Is there a guide to convert .tap files to MP3 or a site I can get them from?

Ta
B

[pinace]

Hi!

Try this link
http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/article.php?sid=31

[Beaps]

I seen that one, no Head over Heels 

[Token]

You can drag'n'drop your CDT into Tapir dialog (Win32 freeware) on the left or right side, then you save it in WAV (play to WAV, 44100 Hz)


ftp://ftp.worldofspectrum.org/pub/sinclair/tools/pc/tapir1.0.zip


There's also this app for the phone
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.kica.tapdancer

[Grimmsqueaker]

If you don't mind larger files you can easily convert the cdt files to WAV using CDT2WAV

CPCRULEZ &#9733 EMULATION &#9733 UTILITAIRES &#9733 GESTION FICHIERS .CDT -

I have been using this to convert to WAV and then using Windows Media Player to transfer the sound files back onto tape, 99% working now, the only games causing me issues now have been the Ocean Multiload games (mainly late 80's stuff) like Robocop, Batman the Movie, Platoon and the likes. They work in Winape so now just need to work out ideal volume to record them and should be good to go.

You can also convert the cdt files to MP3 using WinTZX

Welcome at winTZX

I have found that I get a higher failure rate outputting to tape using this program so mileage may vary.

[ralferoo]

I wouldn't advise using MP3 if your player supports WAV. The compression may well cause the tape signal to be corrupted. Alternatively, if your player support FLAC compression (lossless), it's worth using that instead.

[Beaps]

I am using Win7 64Bit and CDT2WAV is not compatible 

[Grimmsqueaker]

I'm also running Win 7 64 bit and its working just fine for me. I am using Version 1.1 from the site I linked and it has converted everything straight away with no issues. It is actually Java so will work on any version of Windows, it is standalone but I would make sure you have the latest Java installed.

[Beaps]

I am getting this error when I try 1.1



Can someone post me a working WAV *Cough* Batman/Head over Heels so I can test

[Devilmarkus]

You should install 32bit Java instead of 64bit.

[Devilmarkus]

I compiled CDT2WAV for 64bit Java:

[Beaps]

I got the 32bit working now, thanks tho

Ok I find the cdt file I wnt to convert, how do I save it to WAV?

[Grimmsqueaker]

I have attached Head over Heels & Batman the Movie as rar files after converting it to WAV using CDT2WAV using highest frequency on the program and High, Low & No. To make it work from a proper tape I had to set the output volume on Windows to 10.

The Batman has a French name but its actually the English version, both games are working fine on tape and also in Winape

[Grimmsqueaker]

To save to WAV you literally just drag the file and drop it into the blank area on the right hand side and a few seconds later you will have your WAV file.

[Devilmarkus]

As Grimmsqueaker said: When you drag & drop a CDT file into CDT2WAV, it stores the WAV file in the same location, where your CDT file is stored.

Updated the 64bit download...

[Grimmsqueaker]

I have actually found that the WAV files work better on Winape instead of using the cdt files, quite bizarre but if it works all the better!!

[Beaps]

Sorted now, pretty excited to test this out lol.

I will check it out and report back THANKS ALL.

[Beaps]

Still no joy.

I can hear the wav file playing through the Amstrad if I turn everything full wack!

I get nothing till about 90% volume on my iPhone then I hear the loading tone but its very crackerly. I get it nailed (no crackerling) about 98% 100% volume but nothing loads.


I am beginning to wonder if the two points I have soldered the mono wires two are correct, maybe?

[Grimmsqueaker]

Have you disabled all enhancements and leveled out the graphic equaliser?

Also a lot of phones and handheld devices have a volume level type thing so it doesn't damage your ears when listening with headphones, this usually activates when you plug something into the headphone jack, you need to make sure that is disabled.

How are you doing the sound into your 464, with one of the in car tape adapters?

I would definitely give the heads on your machine a good clean as that can create distortion and it may not be able to read the signal properly

[Beaps]

No I am not using one of them cassette things. I have wired two wires to the R/P and the + to the cassette to a mono port. I then plug the iPhone into that


I take it R/p is ground & + is signal?

[Grimmsqueaker]

Just a daft one, have you tried pressing play on the tape deck itself before starting to play the file on your phone?

[Beaps]

Sorted, I had the wires on the mono plug the wrong way around 

Looking forward to a nice HoH session tonight 



Also by the way, it loads with the play button being pressed 

[Grimmsqueaker]

I had a feeling you had to have the play button pressed on the tape deck as that activates the circuit that the tape deck is connected to.

It has took me days to work out how to transfer the files back onto proper tapes, re recording and dialing in exactly where the volume needs to be for each specific loader etc. I have done so much with the C64 in the past and thought it about time to put some decent effort into my 464, love tinkering with the tapes now, just takes time and a bit of dedication. When something isn't working it gets frustrating making it even harder to get your head round it so fire up something and have a play around to get you back in the mood for tinkering again!

Once you get it though you are rolling

[Beaps]

Would you know if this is the same principle for the Speccy +2?

[Grimmsqueaker]

I honestly don't know.

I have found that my Spectrum +2A isn't as fussy with volume and alignment as the C64 for example, virtually anything you throw at it loads up. Most cases back in the day with the Spectrum you could run something off for a friend with a basic tape to tape stereo.

One thing you can do with the +2 machines is turn the 3.5mm audio out into a bi directional input / output. You have to be careful doing this though, the original 48k machines and the 128k toast rack (+3 had this failsafe also as it was disk based) they had a circuit or chip added so that if you have the volume to high on the input it wouldn't damage the machine, the +2 machines don't have this failsafe with having the set volume built in tape deck. If you mod the 3.5mm jack to be bi directional to accept outside input and you set the volume to high you can kill the machine.