Snes9x MSU-1 Support

[qwertymodo]

Over the last week or so, I've been working on adding MSU-1 support to Snes9x.  At this point, it seems stable enough to release a test build.

https://youtu.be/RhdW-HxwyPg

If anybody would like to test it out:
Windows binaries
Linux source

Edit: 1.55 has officially released

http://www.s9x-w32.de/dl/
https://github.com/snes9xgit/snes9x/releases/tag/1.55

I could really use feedback on any desyncs or other issues.  BS-Zelda would be a good one to test for that.

Caveat emptor, I'm not 100% sure what compile-time features are/aren't enabled in the Windows builds, other than the fact that I know I built them *without* FMOD support.  Treat them as the test builds they are.  Don't bother reporting any non-MSU1 bugs against these binaries.

Files use the SD2SNES naming format, i.e.
gamename\
-gamename.sfc
-gamename.msu
-gamename-#.pcm

no manifest necessary.  Just copy the whole game folder into your ROMdir.

[John Enigma]

Wait. MSU-1 support for SNES9x is FINALLY possible now?!

HOLY CRAP! That's a breakthrough in the emulation scene!

You're doing God's work, @qwertymodo. Keep it up.



Here's hoping someone makes SNES CD-ROM (SNES Play Station) support for SNES9x, as well.

[zstandig]

I logged in just now specifically to say thanks.  MSU1 is too big of a feature to be exclusive to one (fussy) emulator.

[nintendo_nerd85]

Over the last week or so, I've been working on adding MSU-1 support to Snes9x.  At this point, it seems stable enough to release a test build.

https://youtu.be/RhdW-HxwyPg

If anybody would like to test it out:
Windows binaries
Linux source

I could really use feedback on any desyncs or other issues.  BS-Zelda would be a good one to test for that.


Caveat emptor, I'm not 100% sure what compile-time features are/aren't enabled in the Windows builds, other than the fact that I know I built them *without* FMOD support.  Treat them as the test builds they are.  Don't bother reporting any non-MSU1 bugs against these binaries.

Files use the SD2SNES naming format, i.e.
gamename\
-gamename.sfc
-gamename.msu
-gamename-#.pcm

no manifest necessary.  Just copy the whole game folder into your ROMdir.

Oh! I meant to get back on ya about my test results on GitHub, sorry about that

A Link to the Past - Works perfect
Secret of Mana - Works perfect
Mega Man X - Works, but the soundtrack has volume balance issues (PCM files themselves need amplification reduction)
Mega Man X2 - Works, but same issues as MMX, source http://www.zeldix.net/t944-mega-man-x2-msu-1
Mega Man X3 - Can't seem to get it to work, unsure why. possibly wrong ROM version.
Mega Man 7 - Works perfect

[qwertymodo]

Yeah the "PCM files are too loud" issue is an unfortunate holdover from the SD2SNES hardware having improperly driven outputs.  It's been fixed in firmware (v1.7b, I think), but the hack authors need to re-normalize their tracks and repackage them.

[Madsiur]

This is pretty cool! I was following your quest for MSU-1 on Github with the hope you quickly implements it. Good job!

[nintendo_nerd85]

Yeah the "PCM files are too loud" issue is an unfortunate holdover from the SD2SNES hardware having improperly driven outputs.  It's been fixed in firmware (v1.7b, I think), but the hack authors need to re-normalize their tracks and repackage them.

Any insight on Mega Man X3 not working no matter what ROM version I use though? Tried naming them to match the PCM files, tried using different IPS patches, no matter what I did the game would not change over.  I don't have hopes of them repacking to meet the new standards anytime soon.

[qwertymodo]

Black screen is a bad patch issue, be sure you're using the unheadered ROM with a CRC32 of 0xfa0fe671 (file CRC, not internal header CRC).

[nintendo_nerd85]

Black screen is a bad patch issue, be sure you're using the unheadered ROM with a CRC32 of 0xfa0fe671 (file CRC, not internal header CRC).

It's not a black screen, there's only normal music, the PCM files don't work >.> I've tried numerous dumps of MMX3, none of them work with the MSU-1 hacks out there; just the normal music and I don't know why.  How do I check the CRC32?

[qwertymodo]

Probably the easiest tool for Windows would be something like HashTab http://implbits.com/products/hashtab/

[nintendo_nerd85]

Probably the easiest tool for Windows would be something like HashTab http://implbits.com/products/hashtab/

But is there reason that keeps happening? Do all dumps of the ROM happen to be unfit for use with this ROM hack? I'll give that tool a whirl, thanks

Do the ROMs have to match the name of the PCM and IPS patch?


Edit: Got it work, thank you!

[qwertymodo]

Do the ROMs have to match the name of the PCM and IPS patch?

Yes they do.

[Sephirous]

Hey,

Got a noobie question here, What exactly is MSU-1 support? 

[nintendo_nerd85]

Hey,

Got a noobie question here, What exactly is MSU-1 support? 

MSU-1 is a "processor" or chip for the Snes that enabled CD quality music on the Snes. http://helmet.kafuka.org/msu1.htm

[Tsukiyomaru0]

Wait, you are making MSU-1 support for SNES9X?! You are my goddamn hero!

[nintendo_nerd85]

Wait, you are making MSU-1 support for SNES9X?! You are my goddamn hero!

It already works, just needs the finishing touches.

[sindrik]

Mega Man X3 - some sounds are missing like the capcom intro, no music at all
TMNT IV - some sounds are missing like the konami intro, native music seems also missing, the pcm soundtrack sounds okey but a bit loud and clipped
Mega Man X - works, the pcm soundtrack sounds okey but a bit loud and clipped
Sonic CD - works
Rock & Roll Racing - works

thanks for this msu1 mod, qwertymodo, this will allow us to enjoy it on consoles soon

[nintendo_nerd85]

Mega Man X3 - some sounds are missing like the capcom intro, no music at all
TMNT IV - some sounds are missing like the konami intro, native music seems also missing, the pcm soundtrack sounds okey but a bit loud and clipped
Mega Man X - works, the pcm soundtrack sounds okey but a bit loud and clipped
Sonic CD - works
Rock & Roll Racing - works

thanks for this msu1 mod, qwertymodo, this will allow us to enjoy it on consoles soon

He stated that the clipping has been fixed with the SD2Snes standard, but the ROM hacks haven't been updated. I doubt people will update them either >.>

[qwertymodo]

The clipping problem is with the audio files themselves. There are two options. 1) some of these patches came with 2 different ips files, one for emulators and one for the SD2SNES. If that's the case, be sure to use the emulator version. Or, 2) ask the hack developer to readjust the gain on their audio tracks. #2 is the better solution, since the whole separate patch thing isn't necessary any more. I'd really like to see those packs fixed, but it's not up to me.

[nintendo_nerd85]

The clipping problem is with the audio files themselves. There are two options. 1) some of these patches came with 2 different ips files, one for emulators and one for the SD2SNES. If that's the case, be sure to use the emulator version. Or, 2) ask the hack developer to readjust the gain on their audio tracks. #2 is the better solution, since the whole separate patch thing isn't necessary any more. I'd really like to see those packs fixed, but it's not up to me.

Right, but I noticed that Audacity can open the PCM files too, would it be possible to edit those and adjust the amplification manually? The problem though, is that I doubt the ones who made the hacks will even bother to fix it. I can try contacting them, but I don't have high hopes.