AnyBit Fever Dreams explores new ground with a project focused on FoenixK2 SID music playback. The K2 from Foenix Retro Systems features two SID chips in its FPGA core, making it a natural candidate for handling classic Commodore 64 music. This video demonstrates how that potential becomes reality.
The SID, short for Sound Interface Device, first appeared in the Commodore 64 in 1982. Since then, thousands of tracks have been composed for it. Bringing this extensive library to the FoenixK2 is an exciting challenge. The project begins with the HVSC, the High Voltage SID Collection, which houses decades of SID music. However, HVSC files contain binary code specific to the C64, meaning they are not straightforward to port. Each track can behave differently, making conversion difficult.
To solve this, a clever method avoids direct code translation. Instead, the music is played through emulation that captures the state of the SID registers frame by frame. These snapshots are then saved into simple binary files that can be fed back into the FoenixK2. This approach bypasses the need for reverse engineering every individual song, greatly simplifying the process.
With a pipeline set up under Windows Subsystem for Linux, SID tracks from the collection can be converted automatically. The files are then stored on an SD card, where the FoenixK2 reads and plays them at the proper timing. The demonstration shows several pieces running smoothly on the FoenixK2, highlighting both the sound quality and ease of playback.
The video does not shy away from limits. Tunes that rely on the C64’s CIA chip for advanced timing are not yet supported. However, the groundwork is there, and further development could expand compatibility. The release, shared as paidplayer.pgz in the Foenix wiki, includes a ready-to-use package along with a set of converted files.
This experiment underscores how SID music can live on outside its original platform. Viewers interested in hearing C64 classics running on modern FPGA hardware will find the project both impressive and inspiring. The full process, complete with live demonstrations, is available to watch in the video.
