Konami VRC7 Mapper Support Package

[Great Hierophant]

Necronomfive has updated his VRC7 mapper to add sound support, get it from here : http://forums.nesdev.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=16101

Did it work for you? the game keeps crashing on me a minute after booting.

I'm using an AVS + EDN8 fami version. I tried all of the firmwares available for the AVS. I also tried v14 and v15 EDN8 OS versions, and I also followed the instructions to the letter, including formatting the SD card and defragmenting it.

I would think so : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3tUocZ0AqE&t=130s

I am using OS v15.  I would suggest trying the Japanese ROM with a PRG-ROM CRC of 743387FF if the English Translation is giving you trouble.  My translated ROM has a PRG-ROM CRC of 00F49381. 

One change from the official VRC7 mapper 85 instructions I would suggest is to use the MAPROUT.BIN from the official OS v15 and modify byte $55 to $55 in a hex editor.  This ensures that the more recent mapper support found in OS v15 is maintained while ensuring that mapper 85 is designated for those games that need it.

[Necronomfive]

Finally, I can log in again!

Could anyone having the freeze problem please specify:
 
1. Is the bug deterministic (freeze at the same spot), or random? Does it freeze during the intro, or is it enough to just keep the title screen or sound test running for a certain time?
2. Does my old VRC7 mapper have the same problem on your hardware?

This is actually strange, because, apart from adding my FM core, the mapper and IRQ counter logic is identical to the previous no-sound version.

And the game itself doesn't care whether the FM core is present or not. In fact, there is no way for it to detect the presence of a working FM core at all.

This mapper is, btw, developed on a real AV Famicom. I have no idea how it will react to clone consoles.

[leonquest]

Finally, I can log in again!

Could anyone having the freeze problem please specify:
 
1. Is the bug deterministic (freeze at the same spot), or random? Does it freeze during the intro, or is it enough to just keep the title screen or sound test running for a certain time?
2. Does my old VRC7 mapper have the same problem on your hardware?

This is actually strange, because, apart from adding my FM core, the mapper and IRQ counter logic is identical to the previous no-sound version.

And the game itself doesn't care whether the FM core is present or not. In fact, there is no way for it to detect the presence of a working FM core at all.

This mapper is, btw, developed on a real AV Famicom. I have no idea how it will react to clone consoles.

Hi necronomfive.

I suspect this is on the AVS, not on your mapper.

On some firmware versions, the game would crash on the name selection screen, and the graphics would change to a garbled mess. After thorough testing, it went as far as starting the prologue and playing the FM sound.

The old VRC7 mapper worked fine on my AVS, its the new that does not work. OSv14 somehow did not work at all for this game on the AVS while using the new mapper. Whats really sad is I used to have an AV Famicom and I sold it once I got the AVS, because I thought I would never need it.

[BarbieOnWeed]

Finally, I can log in again!

Could anyone having the freeze problem please specify:
 
1. Is the bug deterministic (freeze at the same spot), or random? Does it freeze during the intro, or is it enough to just keep the title screen or sound test running for a certain time?
2. Does my old VRC7 mapper have the same problem on your hardware?

This is actually strange, because, apart from adding my FM core, the mapper and IRQ counter logic is identical to the previous no-sound version.

And the game itself doesn't care whether the FM core is present or not. In fact, there is no way for it to detect the presence of a working FM core at all.

This mapper is, btw, developed on a real AV Famicom. I have no idea how it will react to clone consoles.

1. The game freeze then start to move the player.
2. No. It works.

I Have tried 2 cards. One it freeze then the OS loads up.
On the second one, the game freezes.

Im using a New Famicom, the HVC-101 model.

[leonquest]

 I would suggest is to use the MAPROUT.BIN from the official OS v15 and modify byte $55 to $55 in a hex editor. 

modify the byte $55 to $55? Isn't that the same value on both?

[Great Hierophant]

No, on the official OS v.15, the MAPROUT.BIN byte at $55 is $16.  In other words, $16 tells the EverDrive to use 022.RBF.  $55 tells the EverDrive to use the 085.RBF that Necronomfive added with his VRC7 mapper.

[Enmet]

I didn't get it to work at first, but after some hesitation, I decided to defrag the drive as recommended in the readme. And sure enough, it worked!

As for the volume, would it be possible to just turn down the volume on all the other channels instead of increasing it on the VRC7 side? Alternatively, as someone in the nesdev thread mentioned, would an amp mod be possible?

Thank you so much for doing this, I love the music in Lagrange Point!

[Sarge]

In the event nothing could be done on the EDN8 side of things, would it be possible to hack the ROM to reduce the volume levels of the other channels?  I'm not sure how much modification that would take, though.

EDIT:  Hmm, forgot that the triangle has no volume control.

[Necronomfive]

Hi,

I have uploaded a new test version:

http://s000.tinyupload.com/?file_id=00000536350558035973

Changes so far:

- Increased Volume
- Added a missing FM feature which nobody seems to have missed so far... ;-)

@BarbieOnWeed

Could you test whether this version solves your crashing problem?

[sammy555]

Hi,

I have uploaded a new test version:

http://s000.tinyupload.com/?file_id=00000536350558035973

Changes so far:

- Increased Volume
- Added a missing FM feature which nobody seems to have missed so far... ;-)

Amazing work! So many great tunes in this game I don't mind being lost.

edit-
my setup:
av famicom
n8 fami OS 15
rom from smokemonster pack

[BarbieOnWeed]

Hi,

I have uploaded a new test version:

http://s000.tinyupload.com/?file_id=00000536350558035973

Changes so far:

- Increased Volume
- Added a missing FM feature which nobody seems to have missed so far... ;-)

@BarbieOnWeed

Could you test whether this version solves your crashing problem?

Well, now all the sudden, it works!
All i did was copying the files to the card again.

edit: both versions work.

[Necronomfive]

Alright then! 

[Necronomfive]

New release.

- EG note-on trigger improved
- Reduced core size by 13%

http://s000.tinyupload.com/?file_id=57390592449091648119

[polyh3dron]

WHAAAAT

Trying this on my AV Fami right away.

UPDATE: the FM Synth channels sound quite accurate, except for their volume level in relation to the built-in Famicom sound channels. The FM Synth channels sound way too quiet. Other than that though, it's well on its way to being an amazing addition to the Everdrive N8. Awesome work!

[leonquest]

New release.

- EG note-on trigger improved
- Reduced core size by 13%

http://s000.tinyupload.com/?file_id=57390592449091648119

Allow me to thank you once again. Words cannot express my gratitude to you.

It's been so long that I honestly thought something had happened to you, but I'm glad to hear that you're ok, and that you're still interested on this project.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving us full VRC7 support.