CPCWiki forum

General Category => Games => Topic started by: Beaps on 20:45, 06 June 14

Title: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: Beaps on 20:45, 06 June 14
Hi All,

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

Ta
B
Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: pinace on 21:21, 06 June 14
Hi!

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

Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: Beaps on 21:44, 06 June 14
I seen that one, no Head over Heels  :o
Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: Token on 22:57, 06 June 14
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 (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 (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.kica.tapdancer)
Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: Grimmsqueaker on 10:59, 07 June 14
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 - (http://cpcrulez.fr/emulateurs_UTIL-CDT-CDT2WAV.htm)

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 (http://www.wintzx.fr/webStart.html)

I have found that I get a higher failure rate outputting to tape using this program so mileage may vary.
Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: ralferoo on 20:21, 07 June 14
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.
Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: Beaps on 02:33, 08 June 14
I am using Win7 64Bit and CDT2WAV is not compatible  :'(
Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: Grimmsqueaker on 08:12, 08 June 14
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.
Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: Beaps on 10:42, 08 June 14
I am getting this error when I try 1.1

(http://s4.postimg.org/cxcthpe6x/Capture.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/cxcthpe6x/)

Can someone post me a working WAV *Cough* Batman/Head over Heels so I can test
Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: Devilmarkus on 10:59, 08 June 14
You should install 32bit Java instead of 64bit. ;)
Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: Devilmarkus on 11:10, 08 June 14
I compiled CDT2WAV for 64bit Java:
Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: Beaps on 11:13, 08 June 14
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?
Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: Grimmsqueaker on 11:14, 08 June 14
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
Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: Grimmsqueaker on 11:16, 08 June 14
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.
Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: Devilmarkus on 11:20, 08 June 14
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...
Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: Grimmsqueaker on 11:23, 08 June 14
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!!
Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: Beaps on 11:25, 08 June 14
Sorted now, pretty excited to test this out lol.

I will check it out and report back THANKS ALL.
Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: Beaps on 16:11, 08 June 14
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?
Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: Grimmsqueaker on 16:28, 08 June 14
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
Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: Beaps on 16:33, 08 June 14
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?
Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: Grimmsqueaker on 17:08, 08 June 14
Just a daft one, have you tried pressing play on the tape deck itself before starting to play the file on your phone?
Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: Beaps on 17:37, 08 June 14
Sorted, I had the wires on the mono plug the wrong way around  ;D

Looking forward to a nice HoH session tonight  :P

(http://s13.postimg.org/ichbcysvn/IMG_0816.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/ichbcysvn/)

Also by the way, it loads with the play button being pressed  :o
Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: Grimmsqueaker on 17:44, 08 June 14
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 :)
Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: Beaps on 18:06, 08 June 14
Would you know if this is the same principle for the Speccy +2?
Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: Grimmsqueaker on 18:45, 08 June 14
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.
Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: TCMSLP on 11:41, 09 June 14

Good to see you have this working now  :D

I've done similar, only I wrote a script on a Linux laptop to unzip the image, convert to wav (tape2wav), play (commandline 'play') then remove the contents when complete.    Like you, I connected external audio to the tape head;  despite concerns regarding volume, impedence etc - it all seems to 'just work'.
Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: dlfrsilver on 06:28, 17 June 14
Hi guys :)

I have noticed during my tests that sometimes the tools are not converting correctly the CDT files back to wav. Hence you get a corrupted wav.
With the right tool, any game like batman the nitwit and robocop are working well.

I also recommend something : Instead of using full length CDTs, prefer my splitted versions of the games.

This way you load a game starting by the boot, the code, level 1, level X+1, etc up to end game.

Why loading a level if it's not need ?
Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: remax on 14:26, 18 June 14
I bought a din to jack cable on amazon ( HERE (http://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0053O6CSW/ref=pe_386181_37038081_TE_3p_dp_1)  ) to be able to send tape files from either my PC or my phone : little problem, i don't hear anything on my CPC and it doesn't load anything (no error, just no evolution).

I tried from various source but nothing... That can be either something inside the tape circuit in the CPC or my cable is bad... Problem is that i don't have many things with a din connector to test the later (perhaps the RVB Out on the Amstrad tuner???).

Any idea? (Perhaps the cable is not correctly wired, i bought it as it was cheap)

EDIT : (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31zgtBXKjpL.jpg)vs http://old.pinouts.ru/Storage/AmstradCPC6128Tape_pinout.shtml (http://old.pinouts.ru/Storage/AmstradCPC6128Tape_pinout.shtml)

3 red, 5 white

Seems like DATA IN is not wired, am i right?... That's perhaps something i might be able to do myself....
Title: Re: Looking for Amstrad CPC MP3 files
Post by: gerald on 20:12, 18 June 14
Quote from: remax on 14:26, 18 June 14
Any idea? (Perhaps the cable is not correctly wired, i bought it as it was cheap)
Pinout is wrong  :D , at least for the amstrad tape port. Yours is a stereo jack to din cable.
Correct pinout is visible on the wiki : Connector:Cassette recorder - CPCWiki (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Connector:Cassette_recorder) or on this page Cassette port pinout (http://www.cs.unc.edu/~yakowenk/coco/text/cassette.html)

You can also check in the Amendment service manual (6128 cost down section) in : Service Manuals - CPCWiki (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Service_Manuals)
Powered by SMFPacks Menu Editor Mod