Famicompo Mini Vol. 9

First of all, thanks to no one for keeping me informed about the first 8 volumes! It wasn't until Dwedit mentioned the 9th one that I knew about this. So thanks to him! Or her.

Second, I have a flaming pile of NSFs to unload now. Apparently I can only submit two:

Which of these should I submit for my 'cover'?

http://2a03.free.fr/dl.php?file=3722
http://2a03.free.fr/dl.php?file=3724
http://2a03.free.fr/dl.php?file=3714

I'm leaning towards Dragon Roost because that was the first one I did, & I think many people will be familiar with it. On the other hand, Stinkoman has three tracks.

Edit: By the way, I only have one decent 'original' piece, so this is it: http://2a03.free.fr/dl.php?file=3716

Frankly it's pretty surprising that you haven't heard of FCM before. It's a pretty big deal in the NSF scene! This is the moment when NSF artists all around the world come together and contribute a little something to the NSF scene and listen to each other's stuff (usually during a live stream of some kind), all in the relaxed setting of a friendly competition.

Glad to see you'll join us this year; however, it's a non-written rule that you shouldn't release your work prior to the competition (and likewise, you shouldn't submit tunes you've already released to the public). You won't get disqualified, but it's frowned upon.

In case it wasn't clear enough, you can submit ONE file to covers and ONE to originals (and not 2 originals or 2 covers). I'm reiterating just to be sure. However, each NSF can contain up to 5 tracks. This contrasts with pre-2012 FCM events where you could submit 5 NSFs total in any category you wanted, but each NSF had to be a single track.

Anonymity is a written rule.

It's just a soft rule.

This is exactly why I'm PO'd. Had I known about this 5 years ago I would've submitted my tracks there instead of 2a03.org, where it seems they were all taken down.

I don't really like that, since some might be Famicom Disk System while others aren't it can make a problem, or if you are writing music using different programs (CombiNSF is not perfect so it won't always work). I would suggest: Allow up to five cover and five original, but you can combine them into one file or into separate files or a combination of the two as long as five in total per section (and you are not allowed to put cover and original together in one file). Another thing this means, is make less bias judging if using separate files. I don't know how to tell to them but at least I would suggest it.

Is it allow to have "hidden" tracks (such as the header says 5 tracks but if you set the accumulator to 42 you will get a secret music)? Is there file size limit? Is there music duration limit? Is it OK to write it to automatically compose the music by itself at runtime? Is there rule for NTSC/PAL? Is there rule for playback rate?

I have written some .NSF musics but since I already release them, I don't know if I should? However, they are all public domain, I am OK with it if you take them, modify them, call them as your own, or whatever you want.

What do you mean public domain? You released the .NES or .FTM?

Anyway, I don't have much time to afford making new music so for now everyone will have to put up with existing NSFs from me. (If you don't want to know what they'll be, don't click on them.)

Next time around I'll have something new.

Neither. I released the .NSF and .MML. But I also mean that I have assigned no copyright, so you are free to modify them and redistribute them too.

Okay, I lied. I think I'll have one new original piece.

Just to clear any doubts, I too am fiercely opposed to the new "two NSFs, 5 tracks each" rule, and for the same reasons as you zzo38. That being said, there's nothing to stop you submitting several NSFs under different monikers... But that's borderline cheating.

Also, one must not overlook the fact that getting people to stick to one expansion could very possibly be part of K->'s plan.

Yes it probably would be borderline cheating; I wonder who cares?

You can still use multiple expansions in a single .NSF file but enabling Famicom Disk System can interfere with the others.

To repeat, my reasons I prefer five NSFs per section with one track each, instead of one NSF per section with five tracks each, is:

• No interference with Famicom Disk System
• Can write music using different programs
• Less bias judging
• Different title for each one (only after titles are revealed, though)

Writing music with different programs can be done with bankswitching.

As for multiple expansions, isn't there still a 2A03-only division?

Yes, I know, and this is what CombiNSF does. However, it won't work so well if the input files also use bankswitching.

I think so. (I think there is also "classical" meaning 2A03 without DPCM.)

There's no formal divisions in the ranking, but every entry has its chipset listed. 2A03 without DPCM ("classical") is considered distinct from 2A03.

Wow - this was a downright failure for me.

My cover didn't even play right on the stream. Oh well, not my fault. It was kinda funny atleast.

But in all seriousness, thank you Zozz. I couldn't have entered this without you. And go fix that shiat! (if you haven't already done so)

Voting is closed by now, although results seems not available yet.

I noticed the Vol. 9 main page states 'Exhibition coming soon..."

What's the rundown of that? Do the same rules still apply?

Edit: By the way, zzo38, I read that you don't like multisong NSFs. In that case I'll be sure to make both my next submissions not only use as many tracks as possible, but include multiple songs within each track. Just for you. I'll make them long, too.

There are no rules or voting in the exhibition.

Is there a limit to the number of submissions?

You should take a look at last year's exhibition if you want to know more about what happens there.

Nevermind! It's posted. Haha!

http://midr2.under.jp/compo/vol9/ex9.html