FAC/FCS productions added to freeware downloads database

Today we have once again added several interesting products to our downloads database. In 1989 the FAC started a revolution for the dutch amateur MSX scene. They proved amateurs could make impressive products on MSX. Their Soundtrackers (released in the early 90s) gave beginners the possibility to create cool music with little efforts, using the MSX-MUSIC (Panasonic FM-PAC) or MSX-AUDIO (Philips Muziekmodule). With this, Soundtracker gave the amateur scene the push it needed. If you are interested in the history of dutch amateur MSX software these demo's are essential downloads.

Celesta
FAC demo 1
FAC demo 2
FAC demo 3
FAC demo 4
FAC demo 5 (disk image that actually works on both real MSX and emulators)

For a detailed description of these demo's you can also have a look at MSX Valley, who have recently put up a special FAC section on their website.

Furthermore we added two music disks created by FAC:

Relevant link: MSX Resource Center - Freeware downloads database

Comments (5)

By mars2000you

Prophet (2650)

25-10-2003, 00:06

Only 5 emulators can run the Fac demo 5 : NLMSX, openMSX, fMSX-SDL, RuMSX and partially, No$MSX.

For a long time, I thought that it was the problem of the copy protection (the real disk has a size of 729 Kb in place of 720 Kb) ... but it is only a part of the problem : the other part is the detection routine of Music Module and/or Midi extension, it doesn't work in most fMSX clones (with the exception of fMSX-SDL)

Midi ??? Yes, the FAC was so in advance at the time that MIDI music is integrated in this demo .... This part of the demo is not supported by any emulator (openMSX supports only the MSX-MIDI format of the Panasonic A1-GT Turbo-R)

Another curiosity of this demo : it was released by FAC (Federation Against Commodore), but it is the real work of FCS (First Class Software). John van Poelgeest was in both demo groups !

By Google

By snout

Ambassador (13693)

25-10-2003, 00:11

The copy protection is removed in this 720kB disk image.

By mars2000you

Prophet (2650)

25-10-2003, 00:22

I know that it is not the same disk image than the one on my site : Vincent van Dam had removed the check to the extra sector. It was a part of the copy protection.

So, I will finally see this demo on my real MSX (2 and TR) .... DiskManager will make a great work ! And thanks for the expert that has completely removed this very difficult copy protection !

By snout

Ambassador (13693)

25-10-2003, 00:26

If I say his name starts with an M and ends at artos... Do you know who I mean?