Virtual Tape Recorder changelog

This homebrew application from Art is steadily becoming one of the must upated and the most used applications on the scene. His Virtual Tape Recorder application for the PSP does exactly what is says on the tin, recording your voice input using a PSP compatible microphone such as the SOCOM headset or Art's Nokia Boom Headset modificiation and saves it as a Microsoft compliant wave file for playback in Windows Media Player. This version adds even more recording space with the virtual reel buffer beign extended to 22 Mb. Here's the changelog:

• Increased virtual reel buffer to 22 Mb which provides more recording time for every sample rate.
• Implemented MPH's free RAM display at startup to keep track of RAM consumption during development.
• Added a visible VOX sensitivity indicator, and the vox sensitivity is now adjustable.
• Fixed voice activation routine to scan the wave for peaks so the VOX indicator can work properly.
• Other small fixes, and code optimisations.
• Added demonstration eboot sound.

Remember, smaller memory stick's such as a 64Mb memory stick will save the audio to the reel at a slightly quicker rate than larger memory sticks (e.g. 2GB) so if the 22Mb reel takes forever to save, try using the 32Mb Memory Stick that came with your PSP. Possible future updates include the ability to play at normal speed in reverse and to write directly to the file, and playback directly from file so keep checking back for updates!

The dependable Art s has updated his Virtual Tape Recorder homebrew application today, bringing it up to version 5. As the name suggests, this homebrew application allows you to use your PSP just like you would a Tape recorder, except with this baby you can record up to 20 minutes of audio with no tape required! This application has come on in leaps and bounds since the last release we featured on QJ.net and really does prove that with a little work, any small, buggy application can be turned into a fault-free release used by thousands. Here's the changelog:

Virtual Tape Recorder v5:

• Fixed live monitor to work properly for all supported sample rates, and removed the option to turn
• the live monitor off.
• Added support for 5512 sample rate which allows over 30 minutes of recording time at low quality.

Virtual Tape Recorder v4d:

• Lowered the sensitivity of voice activation for outdoor or possible use in an industrial environment.
• Fixed VOX delay time for uniformity across the three supported sample rates.
• Added effect demo loop feature to the D pad menu so the hold switch on the remote can be
• used as normal.
• Fixed effect demo waveform screen so that screen text is not shown.
• Tested with genuine Socom headset.

Virtual Tape Recorder v4c:

• Expanded waveform again because it looks smoother.
• Fix to right hand side of waveform monitor screen.
• Added voice activation feature.

Just make sure you don't use the voice activation feature for eavesdropping too much!

Art s has updated his homebrew sound recording application for the PSP today to version 4b. Virtual Tape Recorder is a homebrew recording application that utilizes lteixeira's audio input library and a PSP compatible microphone such as the one included with SOCOM to record sound and save it to your memory stick. So, whats new? Here's the changelog:

New For Virtual Tape Recorder V4:

• Implemented live waveform monitor which provides visual indication that the program and microphone are operating correctly. (Thanks to Saotome for sample code that helped with this)
• Virtual tape reel index position is no longer reset when switching between record and playback modes.
• Recording is now stopped rather than looped if a recording reaches the end of the reel.

Done for Virtual Tape Recorder V4b:

• Fixed reset reel index bug. Display was showing 1024 instead of 0 after reset since V4.
• Inverted the waveform for graphic waveform monitor.
• Wave now starts from the bottom, of the screen and moves up.
• Compressed waveform on both axis to better fit the screen.
• Fixed waveform monitor for effect mode.
• Implemented a quick erase reel feature.

Art still has more planned for this homebrew application, most notably a function to quick erase reel , the ability to play at normal speed in reverse and a function that can write sound directly toa file, and playback directly from that file.

Surely with all the liscencing troubles, new homebrew applications for 2.7 and the homebrew rip-offs you could do with a piece of relaxing news for once. Now you can relax to the sound of your own voice at different bitrates with the latest version of Art's Virtual Tape Recording program which now stands at v3c. Since the last release which we reported on Art has added many more features, the most prominent being in v3b which fixes the screen bugs introduced in v3 which some users may be experiencing. Here's the changelog:

Virtual Tape Recorder V3b:

• Reincluded the high frequency 'chipmonk' effect as a seperate demo loop function.
• Added ASCII graphic play, record, and stop indicators.
• Fixed new screen bugs introduced in V3.

Virtual Tape Recorder V3c:

• Reel position is now saved to a file upon exit, and loaded at startup, so your index position is not lost on program exit.

If you like the sound of your own voice, fancy becoming a PSP-singer or just want to record important memos to playback to yourself then this is the application for you.

Art s has updated v2.0d to Virtual Tape Recorder v3.0. This program (based on Iteixeira's audio input library) lets you create an audio file with a PSP-compatible microphone (although you can't use the USB connection).

Here's what Art had to say about this new version:

• Fully supports three different bitrates (44100, 22050, and 11025), which allows for much greater possible recording/playback time.
• Displays the available recording time for each supported bitrate.
• Program checks for at least 21Mb free space on the Memory Stick before creating the 20Mb Reel.wav file.
• Microphone gain control is disabled. Although it is defined in the audio input library, I don't believe that adjusting it has any effect.
• Proof of playback at different bitrates.
• Mikmod sound library is only used for the indicator 'blip' sound.

As usual, Art has plans for the future:

• Play at normal speed in reverse.
• Write directly to file, and playback directly from file.

Art s has updated his Virtual Tape Recorder program for the PSP today to v2d. This program is based on uses Iteixeira's audio library to record input from a PSP-compatible microphone to create an audio file. To use this program you need a microphone for your PSP which doesn't use the USB connection to connect to the PSP or Art's Nokia headset boom modification as a DIY alternative. Here's the changelog for v2d:

• Fixed Rewind to work at correct speed during playback.
• Reel is now a Microsoft compliant wav file.

Art plans to further develop this program, adding a better looking GUI, the ability to play sound files at normal speed in reverse and to extend recording time. At the moment you can record up to four minutes which takes up a 20Mb file.

The hard-working Art s has silenced all those that were thinking that he was moving away from the homebrew scene with the final release of X-Flash v15f by once again updating one of his latest projects, Virtual Tape Recorder for the PSP. At's Virtual Tape Recorder uses Iteixeira's audio library to record input from a PSP-compatible microphone to create an audio file. Unlike Iteixeira's PSP Memo Recorder, this has the ability to create an audio file on your memory stick instead of being stored in RAM and therefore is permanent.

This version fixes a bug introduced with the last release to do with the way fast foward and rewind buttons work, so if you had problems with yesterdays release, make sure you update to this version. Along with this release Art would also like to add that his Nokia Boom headset modification works with this program, and that most PSP-compatible microphones should work with this, including the microphone that comes with talkman - give it a try! Here's what's on Art's to-do list:

• Add a nice GUI
• Ability to play at normal speed in reverse
• Extend recording time

2 days and 2 new releases from homebrew developer Art. Yesterday it was X-flash v15f and today we have a new application which utilises lteixeira's audio library to record input from a SOCOM microphone to create an audio file. Unlike Iteixeira's PSP Memo Recorder, this has the ability to create an audio file on your memory stick instead of being stored in RAM and therefore is permanent. Here is what Art sai about what you need to use this program:

You need a Socom headset and PSP headphone remote control dongle for this to recieve microphone input. There are numerous other mods to tap a microphone input out of yopur remote, or find a 4 conductor 3.5mm jack, and convert your own standard PC microphone headset, or, as I have done, convert a mobile phone headset for use with the PSP.

You need at least 20Mb free on your memory stick to use this program because although the program itself is very small, a 20Mb "Reel.dat" file is be created when the program is first launched. Just plug in your Headphone remote, and Socom compatible headset and your on your way as per the readme. Here's the version history (NB: All of these were released today in succession):

Virtual Tape Recorder V2a

• Screen errors fixed.
• Fast foward and rewind can be used during playback, and are disabled during recording.
• Microphone level is adjustable.

Virtual Tape Recorder V2

• Headphone remote buttons implemented.

Virtual Tape Recorder V1

• First release.

Art is continuing to work on this application and although Virtual Tape recorder has a rather crude GUI that it has at the moment expect a nice user-friendly interface to be included with future versions. Make sure you read the included 'readme.txt' and enjoy!