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Getting Started 1: BBC Model B and Master 128
Once b-em has been installed and loaded, it isn't obvious how to use it, particularly for those new to the BBC micro, or who have forgotten the commands required to make it work. Even for those who remember how to use it b-em emulates quite a lot of rare hardware, which requires a little effort to set up and get working. This guide is intended to walk the user through some of the features of the program using some demonstration media included with the program.
The BBC Micro computer originally came in two versions, Model B and a cut down version which is the Model A. It is significantly easier to use a Model B with a disc drive. Acorn provided a disc controller based on the 8271 controller, and so this has become the standard method of loading programs in emulators. It is the default configuration in b-em and the majority of disc and tape images will work in this configuration. From the Model menu, ensure that the BBC B w8271 FDC is selected.
The computer came with a disc containing programs which demonstrated the capabilities of the machine. This is included in the archive. To open it, use Disc->Load Disc :0/2... from the menu. Navigate to the path containing the b-em program. Change to the discs directory and select Welcome.ssd. This in effect inserts the disc into the drive. Its directory can be viewed using the command
*.
Note, b-em is configured so that the keys are in the same location as on the BBC micro - press @ to get a * on a UK keyboard, or " on a US keyboard.
However, to run the programs, all you need to do is press SHIFT-Break. Break is the F12 key on the PC keyboard. This will run the configured programs which guide the user through the demonstration programs.
Most users started without a disc drive, so had to use a cassette tape to store programs. This was typically a cassette player used for recording or playing music. This has been emulated in b-em. To load a tape, use the Tape->Load tape... from the menu. As above, navigate to the b-em directory and go to the tapes subdirectory. Select Welcome_B.uef to load the tape version of the welcome disc. The computer needs to be put into tape mode, before loading the programs using:
*TAPE
CH.""
CH. is short for CHAIN, which loads the program into memory and runs it. The empty filename given tells the computer to load the first file on the cassette, which in this case is INTRO. The tape loads slowly, just as fast as it would on the original computer. It can be sped up by selecting fast from the Tape->Tape Speed menu. There is no need to stop the tape when the program asks - the emulator does this automatically.
The BBC Master 128 was a major upgrade to the BBC Micro. It is largely compatible with the model B, but hardware changes mean some programs written for the Model B won't work on this version. Any programs written to take advantage of the new hardware won't work on the Model B, but there are surprisingly few of these.
It also came with a welcome disc which can be loaded as above. Load MasterWelcome.adl. This is an ADFS disc. Select the ADFS file system and then load the disc by typing:
*FADFS
CH."Welcome80"
This loads some programs which educate the user about the features of the computer in a similar manner to the BBC B welcome disc. There are also some utilities on the disc, the menu can be accessed using SHIFT-Break (i.e. SHIFT-F12).
Cassette tape images of the Welcome programs are also supplied.
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Welcome-BBCMaster-Side1_BM.uefcontains the demonstration programs. -
Welcome-BBCMaster-Side1_BM.uefcontains the utilities.
When asked if you have motor control, reply Y. The programs still work if you type N, but they will ask you to stop and start the tape recorder, which is done automatically by the emulator.
The Music 500 and later the Music 5000 are electronic synthesizers which can be controlled by the BBC computer by plugging it into the 1MHz bus and connecting up an amplifier. These systems only differ in the software, the 5000 being an updated version. To enable it in the emulator, make sure Music 5000 is enabled in the Sound... menu under Settings. Load the disc image Music500.ssd and boot it with SHIFT-Break. Ample is started. To get started, type:
"INDEX" LOADRUN
This will load and run the index which gives instructions on the demos that are included with the disc.
The Music 3000 is an add on for the Music 5000 which gives extra voices, and is included with the Music 5000 option in b-em. To demonstrate this working, switch to model BBC Master 128 and load Music5plus3000.ssd. Boot it using SHIFT-Break. This will load some ROM images into sideways RAM. Boot the disc again using SHIFT-Break, and the Studio 5000 menu will appear. Press TAB to get to the command line, then type:
"jukebox"LOADRUN
This will load the menu. Many discs for the Music 5000 use the jukebox file as a menu. The music files are at the bottom of the menu under selections from AMPLE Albums.
- from COSMIX - In Concert - Pilgrim Beart
- from AMPLE Bytes back - Pavane - Gabriel Faure
- from Notes - A Pilgrim - Pachabel
- from Music City - This file seems to be missing.
Studio 5000 is a very complex and capable program which can be used to compose and mix music. B-em has capability to connect it with a modern MIDI keyboard. This is all beyond the scope of this guide.