I'd also like to just add some rationale behind the B-as-navigation-key approach.

The fundamental issue is that a NES controller is 3cm wider than a Gameboy and it's also ergonomically different because of the shape. One key point is that on the Gameboy, with the unit in a 'normal' position in your hand, it's pretty easy for most people to reach over with their right thumb to hold down SELECT. If you try to do that on a NES controller, it becomes awkward and most people I tested it with (granted, not people that use LSDJ), they tended to have to shift the controller in their hand to make a navigation move using SELECT.

With B, the key is right there under your thumb and anyone can comfortably perform the move. My approach, therefore, was to make all the most commonly used functions as comfortable as possible (OK, it doesn't always work) using just your two thumbs, without having to move your hands from the 'standard' position or end up having to grip the control in one hand and use your fingers on the buttons.

Sorry all, I somehow missed the little flurry of activity on this thread

Beta testing has been awfully quiet. Perhaps people are busy with their own projects/work. I'm not sure. I got some good feedback from XC3N and it's made me rethink a few things. Especially my stance on navigation. If you remember: a while back I was discussing making B the modifier key to navigate between pages as opposed to SELECT. I think it's a million times better this way but comments would suggest that it might be too much of a fundamental change from LSDJ's navigation.

I'm going to have another look at the possibility of (worst case) creating two different ROMs. I know I said I'd do this back when we were having the discussion but I quickly changed my mind having looked at how horribly woven into the code the button scheme was. A promise is a promise though.

Anyone want to suggest how I might change the scheme? As you can see, SELECT gets used a lot, sometimes in combination with B so it's going to be tricky;

http://blog.ntrq.net/wp-content/uploads … rview.html

(Oh, apologies in order: I haven't been receiving email notification from the bug database server so there's a few in there that need looking at.)

amusingly enough, the first result is the article already posted.

Nick - code is done - commenting it out so it's easily modified. My job has a shutdown period at the end of the year so I essentially have a week off coming up.  I'll package it up real nice and release it then. If you have an Arduino (IIRC you have a powerpak already) I'll gladly send the ROM / source over - just PM me - offer open to anyone with the same stuff - I'd love some feedback.

Until then put this thread back on track - go Neil go!

did you try google? cause i just copied and pasted "what is the deal with that midi arduino thing for the NES?" and stuff came up

what is the deal with that midi arduino thing for the NES?

Did I really... how embarrassing! haha

haha i like how you linked to your own comment

http://createdigitalmusic.com/2010/12/n … nt-1211501

Hooray!

Neil,
Any mas updates? I'm just waiting for release to go crazy.

Pulsar is in the 'beta testing phase'. I've also got Keff having a look to see if he can polish up the pixels a bit. Updates probably coming soon.

Moar pulsar plz

Working video now.

I've had that the last three/four times I've uploaded to YouTube - apparently the video is "not yet processed".

Try later

Video is unavailable :S