Jeeeeeeeeze that tune has haunted me for years, seriously I dont know how many times I have hummed that tune and wondered where the heck it came from. Now I know I must have heard it while my older brother played that game on his C64 mannnny years ago. OctaMed for the Amiga used to have a command used on a per note basis that all you did was play a base note and the effect played the next 2 keys like a monophonic keyboard in either major or minor dependant on the value for the effect to give you the illusion of a "SID" chord, it was tempo based but very effective with "chip" sounds rather than samples :)
Love this tune. I used to intentionally lose all my lives in Commando just to get to the name entry for the high score screen and leave it there to play over and over.
Amazing. Thk u. So many memories. I always felt the SID chip/C64 was so amazing. Very difficult to replicate the same exact sound. Commando was probably one of my favourite C64 Tunes but also Monty on the Run and a few more like Ocean Loaders :)
Daren Page Yes mate! I recently found all the Turrican music on Spotify. Still great. Shame there aren't any collections of Bitmap Brothers outside of RUclips.
Always loved this tune - might finish my mix someday! I like the way you format your videos - they are informative and very watchable. Used to have a C64 and I play keyboards so this video is just up my street. Thanks again.
Keep up the good work David. Found this channel through your other channel. Brings back memories from my C64, Atari and Nintendo times as a kidd. Cheers from The Netherlands.
Yay! I used to have a Yamaha PSR something. I cannot remember the number, think it was a 90's keyboard, very similar to this. Thanks for creating this channel as well :) It takes me back to a "better" time.
It's only barely related to the subject of the video, but yeah, I alway found the result of the PAL/NTSC timing thing fairly fascinating, mostly because I tended to find certain songs or soundtracks sometimes sounded better when played at a different tempo then intended. Splatterhouse 2 on the Mega Drive still, to this day, sounds much better on a PAL console to me, because I feel the compositions lend themselves better to a slower tempo then the hyped up, far faster speed they were likely composed in originally. S'Why it's a never ending source of torment to me that almost all rips of the music floating around are of the NTSC version. That aside, I'd like to say that Im really glad to have stumbled upon both this and your original account by a chance reccomendation from a friend; I've been a big VGM head for many years, and have in the last couple really got stuck into the tech side of how the chip based stuff works (both out of general interest and for one of my own projects), and your videos offer some great insight into that whole area. I highly reccomend checking out the PSS-680 sometime as well, as the synthesizer capabilities are actually fairly deep for what is still ulltimately a toy keyboard, and accidentally makes it a fairly reliable machine for producing chiptune music with.
This was SUPERB !!!!. Here we got BOTH computers, the PAL ones (PAL N) were locally assembled and the PAL N conversion was made here (it was a mod over the European model, not sure is PAL-M or B). But many got NTSC machines as well. TV sets were converted to NTSC since imported gear was NTSC, like VCRs. A very few TVs offered both systems. Funny thing is that Mains Freq is 50, so even the NTSC ones was forced to run on 50Hz. The mains Hz is used in several parts of the system (that way one of the voltages used is AC and not DC). I have used BOTH of them and YEP, the difference can ge HUGE. I like the PAL version more, probably because we played more time on the PAL ONE. also the 60 Vs 50Hz "sound" (Not sure is SID can use mains as reference for sound) is different. No just speed thing. In some games is not that notorious. Probably the ones with simple music like ... for example .... time tunnel. Mostly "beep" type sound.
So I really liked what you did with the original video where you replayed songs-as-is-identically with the same synth chip as used in the original song. I think this is much more fascinating to see how they constructed complex pieces rather than seeing how you might re-create the songs with some other instrument.
The sound at 1:48 actually contains arpeggio effects, which is almost 8-bit music exclusive, and it's mainly for creating chorus with a single sound channel. Too bad we can't get that kind of effect with most modern synth as it requires very fast (like, 50ms) note switching which is not quite a common function on modern synths.
+野龍（FlameRat） I don't know if I could call it an arpeggio or not being it was not a chord being produced. Rather it was the same note on a different octave being alternated.
8-Bit Keys At least on the NES soundtrack editor Famitracker, it's called arpeggio. And, sometimes it is used to create chords. Remember when you said you tried to play Chopstick on a monophonic keyboard? This uses almost the same mechanic but the note swapping is a lot faster.
This ones going to be complecated. It was a mastertry on the C64 how he did it on a 3 channel sound chip let alone doing it on a keyboard and sort of making it sound like it.
Great video David! How did you acquire the multitrack of the original C64 version? I have searched online but can't seem to find it anywhere. Keep up the good work!
I purchased a PSR-32 at a local Service Merchandise back in the 1980's. The store chain is long gone, but I still own & use the 32. I gravitate towards the "green" organ as it sounds pretty decent. The "strings" and "cello" are disappointments as they sound nothing like stringed instruments. The keyboard is what I use to practice on for when I am needed as a substitute organist at my church. Plug in my Sony headphones and we're good to go. 🙂
+CJWarlock Thanks.. thats at least partly what I'm trying to do when I perform old game songs like this is let people see how to play them themselves. It takes me quite a while to break down the songs into their individual parts and figure out how to play it all.
I think the snare sound uses 'release' setting , is there any software that can tweak the sid more like the synth chip that it is eg ADSR attacj decay sustain release of each voice can perhaps be adjusted like in other synths in the adsr envelope. also filters can further adjust the 'voice'
This is awesome, I love your detailed analysis and subsequent live play. Could you please provide us with a download link to your performance? Would love to have it as a ringtone as well as a cool track on my chill playlist :)
+Ivan Dončević - Yeah, I hadn't got the link in the description yet. But it's there now. I usually upload the song to soundcloud a few days before I'm done editing the video. So if you watch my channel there you'll know what I'm up to. :-)
Well, you could hook up an effects board or pedal. But since I don't know an effects board of that time that would be in the price range of these keyboards I think it is right not using effects and I don't know an effects board in that range nowadays. I wished they would have packed PSR-32 keys on the PSS-470 witch pitch-bend. I guess it would be possible with circuit bending now.
Emphasis on ALMOST. I mean that the codec instantly integrates to practically all media players, and basically even exists. Also Linux HAS native audio, it's ALSA since it's tightly tied to the kernel itself, like OpenGL Mesa is for video.
I see what you mean. The Linux kernel doesn't *need* ALSA to function. It doesn't need SysV init or systemd either, does it? It's all modular, so you can hardly tell if anything is native here. Basically, the kernel is the part that the CPU can run in 16-bit real mode, that is to boot the system.
Hi, Friends! Very nice instrument from 80-th. I have Yamaha PSR-31. It is analog of PSR-32, but without MIDI input/output connectors. Now my PSR-31 don't work, and i need Cirquit Diagramm for psr-31 or PSR-32. Did have anybody this cirquit? Where i can look it? Thanks!
love the recreation! in a future video, might you consider something from sonic 2? That game had some of my favourite music of any game, and good variety. the music that plays at the end of the game is especially great.
Great song, and this is a pretty awesome channel! :D I actually got this keyboard from a friend who never played about a week ago for my first keyboard, and it's pretty cool. It has a dead note right now but its still usable at playing songs. Just gonna say that the Percussion 2 instrument with no sustain also sounds like a good bass instrument. facts!
After watching Hubbard perform this song live on a couple of occasions (there are several vids of that around the web), it would seem like he anticipated the NTSC speed-up, because he performs it faster. Or maybe that's just a by-product of his main audience being in the US, and they're just used to that version, so he adapted?
Nice version! By the way, since it is a Capcom arcade game, the original composer is not Rob Hubbard but Tamayo Kawamoto ;-) Apart from this, this soundtrack remains one of my favourites EVER (although the CPC one ;) )
If I ever get to play the keyboard in a band again (it happened once, but now I'm much more often required to play guitar or bass), I'd definitely pick one of these things. They can sound really nice and are much easy to find cheap than one of these Roland, Alesis or Novation synths (no offense to those keyboards, they're still awesome). Unless I'm in one of these live dubstep bands, here it would be almost mandatory to pick one of these high-end modern machines.
I was looking for this comment, and I was surprised to see only yours and with no upvotes! O_O It was the exact timestamp you pointed out that immediately brought the "Turret Opera" to my mind.
I used to play this with my Yamaha Pss-100 using onboard sequencer and its internal sound with no processing, the result was so close to the original tune!
I just found a PSR32 in the trash. Had all the batteries inside leaking acid but the got a $10 PSU and the rca out works so score! I want to circuit bend it thou :V
That was expected as the intro would have been hard even if you use something like a BZR Player which gives you the actual musical notes to play for some of the formats Commando Intro would still be hard.
Jeeeeeeeeze that tune has haunted me for years, seriously I dont know how many times I have hummed that tune and wondered where the heck it came from. Now I know I must have heard it while my older brother played that game on his C64 mannnny years ago.
OctaMed for the Amiga used to have a command used on a per note basis that all you did was play a base note and the effect played the next 2 keys like a monophonic keyboard in either major or minor dependant on the value for the effect to give you the illusion of a "SID" chord, it was tempo based but very effective with "chip" sounds rather than samples :)
Love this tune. I used to intentionally lose all my lives in Commando just to get to the name entry for the high score screen and leave it there to play over and over.
My favorite SID song of all time....thanks!!!!
great rendition of a wonderfully haunting melody. would be so different at 60Hz
Wondeful! I love Ron Hubbard's songs. Brings me lots of memories... 😊
Este teclado Yamaha suena genial 👍🏻
Beautiful song, and an excellent performance!
goose bumps when I hear Rob's high score theme. Great version
what an awesome performance, brings back many good memories
Amazing. Thk u. So many memories. I always felt the SID chip/C64 was so amazing. Very difficult to replicate the same exact sound. Commando was probably one of my favourite C64 Tunes but also Monty on the Run and a few more like Ocean Loaders :)
This song makes me cry. I dunno y tho...(not kidding)
Some childhood trauma?
because it's beautiful
Yup too beautiful
lorecast162 Turrican 2 intro on the Amiga does it for me.
Daren Page Yes mate! I recently found all the Turrican music on Spotify. Still great. Shame there aren't any collections of Bitmap Brothers outside of RUclips.
Can You Make The Main Theme Of Commando, As Well? C64, I Mean!
man, you're kind of 8bit sound scientist, how impressive ! love that !
Always loved this tune - might finish my mix someday! I like the way you format your videos - they are informative and very watchable. Used to have a C64 and I play keyboards so this video is just up my street. Thanks again.
Bellissima musica.... Thank you, you are great!!
This came out great, I really like the sounds you came up with and they are totally 8 bit!
GEIL GEIL GEIL.........Ende von Commando High Score Liste.. Ich Liebe den Sound!!
I'm so glad I found your channels
This will get my 7yo son who adores Commando start leaning keyboard :) Thank you
watching this again, good cover.
You sir, are a true inspiration. You've inspired me to take up a new hobby. I tip my hat to you.
Amazing to think this was made on a machine from the early '80s. Wow!
Keep up the good work David. Found this channel through your other channel. Brings back memories from my C64, Atari and Nintendo times as a kidd. Cheers from The Netherlands.
I learned the piano as a kid on the PSR-31. A pretty good quality keyboard for what it was used for.
and the keyboard of choice today is the Yamaha PSR-32 *(insert loud scraping noise here)*
HA
Awesome video, thanks a lot!
Yay! I used to have a Yamaha PSR something. I cannot remember the number, think it was a 90's keyboard, very similar to this. Thanks for creating this channel as well :) It takes me back to a "better" time.
It's only barely related to the subject of the video, but yeah, I alway found the result of the PAL/NTSC timing thing fairly fascinating, mostly because I tended to find certain songs or soundtracks sometimes sounded better when played at a different tempo then intended. Splatterhouse 2 on the Mega Drive still, to this day, sounds much better on a PAL console to me, because I feel the compositions lend themselves better to a slower tempo then the hyped up, far faster speed they were likely composed in originally. S'Why it's a never ending source of torment to me that almost all rips of the music floating around are of the NTSC version.
That aside, I'd like to say that Im really glad to have stumbled upon both this and your original account by a chance reccomendation from a friend; I've been a big VGM head for many years, and have in the last couple really got stuck into the tech side of how the chip based stuff works (both out of general interest and for one of my own projects), and your videos offer some great insight into that whole area. I highly reccomend checking out the PSS-680 sometime as well, as the synthesizer capabilities are actually fairly deep for what is still ulltimately a toy keyboard, and accidentally makes it a fairly reliable machine for producing chiptune music with.
It sounds like what I would expect a Reprise version of some other song would be.
This was SUPERB !!!!. Here we got BOTH computers, the PAL ones (PAL N) were locally assembled and the PAL N conversion was made here (it was a mod over the European model, not sure is PAL-M or B). But many got NTSC machines as well. TV sets were converted to NTSC since imported gear was NTSC, like VCRs. A very few TVs offered both systems. Funny thing is that Mains Freq is 50, so even the NTSC ones was forced to run on 50Hz. The mains Hz is used in several parts of the system (that way one of the voltages used is AC and not DC). I have used BOTH of them and YEP, the difference can ge HUGE. I like the PAL version more, probably because we played more time on the PAL ONE. also the 60 Vs 50Hz "sound" (Not sure is SID can use mains as reference for sound) is different. No just speed thing. In some games is not that notorious. Probably the ones with simple music like ... for example .... time tunnel. Mostly "beep" type sound.
wow, your new channel is going great! can't wait for more great things like this!
That hit the spot!
You clearly did justice to the original.
I want this to be played on my funeral
Rad, nice work!
your simply the best! keep making vids!
So I really liked what you did with the original video where you replayed songs-as-is-identically with the same synth chip as used in the original song. I think this is much more fascinating to see how they constructed complex pieces rather than seeing how you might re-create the songs with some other instrument.
what a master piece :)
The sound at 1:48 actually contains arpeggio effects, which is almost 8-bit music exclusive, and it's mainly for creating chorus with a single sound channel.
Too bad we can't get that kind of effect with most modern synth as it requires very fast (like, 50ms) note switching which is not quite a common function on modern synths.
+野龍（FlameRat） I don't know if I could call it an arpeggio or not being it was not a chord being produced. Rather it was the same note on a different octave being alternated.
8-Bit Keys At least on the NES soundtrack editor Famitracker, it's called arpeggio. And, sometimes it is used to create chords.
Remember when you said you tried to play Chopstick on a monophonic keyboard? This uses almost the same mechanic but the note swapping is a lot faster.
... huh. Weird, never noticed you here before
Did anyone else spot that the backing track waveform looks like it's saying "HI" over and over? Knowing Hubbard, that may very well be intentional :)
yep!
This is my third time watching this video and I just noticed that
Me sad song of c minor 🤣
B D F# ...
Does anyone know where i cant get something in 1:11 with the 3 voices? I looked everywhere and could not find Anyehere
this song sounds better than the original song! I love it!
no.
incredible!
This ones going to be complecated. It was a mastertry on the C64 how he did it on a 3 channel sound chip let alone doing it on a keyboard and sort of making it sound like it.
Yay! Really sweet! :) Thanks!
Great video David! How did you acquire the multitrack of the original C64 version? I have searched online but can't seem to find it anywhere.
Keep up the good work!
I think you can rip individual channels using a Sid ripper/Sid player. I did it ages ago (10yrs+) which is why I can't remember exactly.
2:21 All live events - particularly those that are electronic in nature use loads of effects
I purchased a PSR-32 at a local Service Merchandise back in the 1980's. The store chain is long gone, but I still own & use the 32. I gravitate towards the "green" organ as it sounds pretty decent. The "strings" and "cello" are disappointments as they sound nothing like stringed instruments.
The keyboard is what I use to practice on for when I am needed as a substitute organist at my church. Plug in my Sony headphones and we're good to go. 🙂
oh my god. I.Love.U. (because of the music of course)
Propellerheads Reason VST software has a DEMO song called Commando, remade by rob hubbard.
Nice video!
Cool! Nicely done. And BTW.Thanx for showing how to play the notes of it. :)
+CJWarlock Thanks.. thats at least partly what I'm trying to do when I perform old game songs like this is let people see how to play them themselves. It takes me quite a while to break down the songs into their individual parts and figure out how to play it all.
+The 8-Bit Guy Wrong account, but I think almost all of us still understand it's you ;)
I think the snare sound uses 'release' setting , is there any software that can tweak the sid more like the synth chip that it is eg ADSR attacj decay sustain release of each voice can perhaps be adjusted like in other synths in the adsr envelope. also filters can further adjust the 'voice'
8 bit guy just knew this
Wow! it sounds like exactly what it sounds like on the ol' C64 but just has a little, tiny, modernized touch to it.
This is awesome, I love your detailed analysis and subsequent live play. Could you please provide us with a download link to your performance? Would love to have it as a ringtone as well as a cool track on my chill playlist :)
Nvm, I found it on your soundcloud, keep those "fresh" tunes coming! :D
+Ivan Dončević - Yeah, I hadn't got the link in the description yet. But it's there now. I usually upload the song to soundcloud a few days before I'm done editing the video. So if you watch my channel there you'll know what I'm up to. :-)
Do Castlevania vampire killer please D:
Well, you could hook up an effects board or pedal. But since I don't know an effects board of that time that would be in the price range of these keyboards I think it is right not using effects and I don't know an effects board in that range nowadays.
I wished they would have packed PSR-32 keys on the PSS-470 witch pitch-bend. I guess it would be possible with circuit bending now.
cool video! :D
did you know that on Linux you can play Commodore64 SID files (almost) natively?
Emphasis on ALMOST. I mean that the codec instantly integrates to practically all media players, and basically even exists. Also Linux HAS native audio, it's ALSA since it's tightly tied to the kernel itself, like OpenGL Mesa is for video.
I see what you mean. The Linux kernel doesn't *need* ALSA to function. It doesn't need SysV init or systemd either, does it? It's all modular, so you can hardly tell if anything is native here. Basically, the kernel is the part that the CPU can run in 16-bit real mode, that is to boot the system.
No the bootloader starts in real mode (assuming a traditional PC BIOS) but switches to protected mode before handing off to the kernel.
Good stuff, as usual, my friend. Toy-keyboards for life!!! :)
One of my favorite C=64 Tunes. But Ultima 3, 4 and 5 are some of my favorite SID Music
Hi, Friends! Very nice instrument from 80-th. I have Yamaha PSR-31. It is analog of PSR-32, but without MIDI input/output connectors. Now my PSR-31 don't work, and i need Cirquit Diagramm for psr-31 or PSR-32. Did have anybody this cirquit? Where i can look it? Thanks!
Nice!
love the recreation! in a future video, might you consider something from sonic 2? That game had some of my favourite music of any game, and good variety. the music that plays at the end of the game is especially great.
Yamaha made some nice keyboards, I always wanted a CS-80.
Please make a video of you performing Super Mario Bros. 2 Overworld theme on the PSR-32
Can I know how to transfer SID songs to Audacity? The only way I know is to record single channel.
looove it
nice!
Pure awesomeness starts at 3:23
good video:)
Great song, and this is a pretty awesome channel! :D I actually got this keyboard from a friend who never played about a week ago for my first keyboard, and it's pretty cool. It has a dead note right now but its still usable at playing songs. Just gonna say that the Percussion 2 instrument with no sustain also sounds like a good bass instrument. facts!
Can you make a film about connecting keyboard to the computer and what kind of the device you recommend for the first instrument?
It really reminds me of the high score music from Monty on the Run, made by the same composer.
Oh those memories. :-)
Very well played, but nothing goes over the original 6581 SID.
I find the 8580 very nice sounding as Well...
You should make two separate videos, one where you play, and one where you explain, because I want to hear it played for longer
You're awesome
After watching Hubbard perform this song live on a couple of occasions (there are several vids of that around the web), it would seem like he anticipated the NTSC speed-up, because he performs it faster.
Or maybe that's just a by-product of his main audience being in the US, and they're just used to that version, so he adapted?
Nice version!
By the way, since it is a Capcom arcade game, the original composer is not Rob Hubbard but Tamayo Kawamoto ;-)
Apart from this, this soundtrack remains one of my favourites EVER (although the CPC one ;) )
If I ever get to play the keyboard in a band again (it happened once, but now I'm much more often required to play guitar or bass), I'd definitely pick one of these things. They can sound really nice and are much easy to find cheap than one of these Roland, Alesis or Novation synths (no offense to those keyboards, they're still awesome). Unless I'm in one of these live dubstep bands, here it would be almost mandatory to pick one of these high-end modern machines.
3:48 sounds like the ending of Portal 2
I was looking for this comment, and I was surprised to see only yours and with no upvotes! O_O It was the exact timestamp you pointed out that immediately brought the "Turret Opera" to my mind.
Perform CANNON FODDER pls :)
What is your favorite keyboard you own for 8BK channel?
I recently got one of these and was wondering how to hook it up to my pc. Where can I find a converter like you have to plug it in my pc, Amazon?
I used to play this with my Yamaha Pss-100 using onboard sequencer and its internal sound with no processing, the result was so close to the original tune!
can you share the .aup file, please?
I just found a PSR32 in the trash. Had all the batteries inside leaking acid but the got a $10 PSU and the rca out works so score! I want to circuit bend it thou :V
Can i get the original tune pls
Since you live in Texas and I do too can we meet someday?
I guess so, if you live in the Dallas area.
+8-Bit Keys Yeah It's not a far drive so maybe I'll see
+8-Bit Keys Woah, you live in Texas too? Cool!
#Florida.
Cool!
That was expected as the intro would have been hard even if you use something like a BZR Player which gives you the actual musical notes to play for some of the formats Commando Intro would still be hard.
Make one song of afterburner II please?
Do you think you can do an mp3 version of that song please
I have a Baldwin EX-10 that is basically the same keyboard as the PSR-32. I assume my "Baldwin" keyboard was actually made by Yamaha.
The vibraphone sound is almost identical that the sound of the sound expander...
dang... i think i have to undust my old psr 6300
Eu conheço essa música do AtemiS-Tracker em Kongregate
I wanna see skrillex scary monsters and nice sprites, I know you don't do this on the channel but I'd love to hear it
Why the hi score sound not the first
Has this yamaha transpose!! I hope your answer
do the shovel night first level song
Loving these videos :) Please do a theme from Commander Keen!!! :D :D :D