XMMS-SID - Frequently Asked (and other) Questions
=================================================

- So what IS the "SID"?
- What are "SID-tunes"?
- Where to get SID-tunes?
- Why isn't the sub-song control window skinned?
- When using XMMS-SID with the OpenGL Spectrum Analyzer,
  the sound becomes distorted!
- Can I make my own SID-tunes??? How??
- XMMS-SID plays some tunes too fast / there are severe playback bugs!

>---

Q: So what IS the "SID"?

A: "SID" is abbreviation for the sound chip that was used in many
   of the old 8-bit home computers manufactured by Commodore Business
   Machines Inc. in 1980's. Best known of those was the Commodore
   64 home computer (aka C64 or CBM64, also known as VIC-64 in
   some countries).

   The Sound Interface Device (SID) was designed by Bob Yannes and
   is considered one of the most advanced sound chips at the time.
   It's capabilities surpassed all of the other chips on the 8-bit
   home computer market and even most of the ones used in arcade
   game systems. Thousands of games were produced for C=64 in
   1980's and beginning of 1990's, many of them having excellent
   musical score.

   Best of those tunes are still regarded as legendary - such as songs
   by Martin Galway (for games Arkanoid, Green Beret, Yie Ar Kung Fu 1
   and 2, Parallax...), Rob Hubbard (Commando, Auf Wiedersehen Monty,
   Monty on the Run, Warhawk, Sanxion, Delta...), Ben Daglish (Jack
   the Nipper 1&2, Way of the Tiger, Cobra, Avenger) and numerous
   other famous composers. Some of them quit their composing quickly
   after the 8-bit period, but some are still working in the computer
   music business. (Including Maniacs of Noise, Chris Huelsbeck,
   Richard Joseph and Charles Deenen who worked with Fallout 1 & 2's
   musical score)

   Today, years after the decline of 8-bit computers, many composers
   mainly from C64 demoscene, continue to compose tunes for SID and
   get most amazing things out of it -- things that the designers of
   the SID didn't even imagine.


   The SID-chip is based on waveform modulation and synthesis and has
   only three separate sound channels, but there are tunes that use
   special techniques to "multiplex" them to sound like four or even
   six channels. Even with limited number of channels and barely four
   different basic waveforms (saw, triangle, pulse and noise), SID is
   able to create most wonderful sounds. Modulation of channels via
   another, special analog filter (low-, high- and band-pass) add
   to the capabilities of SID.

   What is even more amazing, using a certain 'bug' in SID chip's volume
   control, composers were able to push the limits farther ...
   Martin Galway's very famous piece on Arkanoid game was one of the
   first to feature DIGITIZED SAMPLES like real instruments and speech.

>---

Q: What are "SID-tunes"?

A: The "SID-tunes" are files that contain C64 machine code and data
   that plays the music. SID-tune players are programs that emulate
   the SID chip capabilities and other parts of C64 hardware to
   produce almost authentic re-creation of the original music.
   SID-tunes can be created by ripping the music routines and data
   from some game or just composing the music with some editor.

   XMMS-SID is interface, a piece of "software glue", that puts together
   several emulator libraries and XMMS allowing play of SID-tunes via
   XMMS's interface.

>---

Q: Where to get SID-tunes?

A: There are many collections of SID-tunes on the Internet, but
   probably the best one and best known one is the High Voltage
   SID Collection aka HVSC.

   It is available at: http://hvsc.c64.org/

   HVSC contains the tunes ripped from all legendary C64 games,
   loaders, etc. And more. There are over 20,660 tunes in the
   HVSC version 5.3 and more are coming. HVSC also contains the
   STIL database (SID Tune Information List) that contains lots
   of information about many of the tunes included in HVSC.
   XMMS-SID supports the STIL database and info about the selected
   tune can be viewed with the "XMMS fileinfo" window (CTRL+3).
   STIL information can contain comments from composers, notice
   if the tune is a cover and historically interesting facts
   about games, etc...

>---

Q: Why isn't the sub-song control window skinned?

A: Because the XMMS's code for skins is not exported to
   plugins. And besides, you would need new skin(s) anyway.

>---

Q: When using XMMS-SID with the OpenGL Spectrum Analyzer,

A: This is a known problem and occurs usually with NVidia
   cards and drivers. It is not directly related to XMMS-SID.

   With certain combinations of hardware, this problem presents
   itself with all input-plugins (mp3, mod, ogg..) of XMMS.

   Workaround: Upgrade or downgrade your NVidia drivers.
   Try lowering your systemload. Close some unnecessary
   CPU-consuming applications. Buy faster hardware.

>---

Q: Can I make my own SID-tunes??? How??

A: Yes you can. You need a real C64 or emulator like VICE and
   a composing program. There are many available, I know only
   few of them:

   - JCH's editor (search with google)
   - Cybertracker (http://noname.c64.org/)
   - GoatTracker (http://covertbitops.c64.org/)

   Some of the mentioned tools can be found from Lemon's
   collection  which is an excellent place to look for info
   on games and other Commodore-related software.
   The URL is: http://www.lemon64.com/

   You should also check http://www.c64.com/

   Besides the above, you'll need some skill in using the
   programs and hardware, understanding of music in some
   level and good ideas for tunes. :)

   Rest of that is out of the scope of this document,
   please don't ask me about this.

>---

Q: XMMS-SID plays some tunes too fast / there are severe playback bugs!

A1: If you are using libSIDPlay2 emulator engine, SID-tunes in old format
    are not compatible with it anymore and may play too fast or with some
    other audible glitches. Get new rips of those tunes in PSIDv2NG or
    RSID format (for example from recent version of HVSC).

A2: Please read file "README.bugreport". In general this might be a bug
    in emulation-library or some other component. Or it might be in
    XMMS-SID. Report and I'll see what can be done.

>---