STe bad DMA - Atariscne.Org testing a software fix
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- evldhs
Back in the late 80's and early 90's the first versions of the Atari STe machines carried the same DMA-chip as the previous ST...
The overly talented AY-musician Pator traditionally active on the ZX spectrum scene published an alpha version of a new AY/YM tracker working in the webrowser. Bitphase has a slick interface and comes with full pattern and instrument editor. This looks like a modern and flexible solution for creating AY/YM tracks.
The slick Bitphase frontend
You will find a few demo tracks in the tracker, e.g. Pator's great Kizuna track he did for the related smfx/Joker demo.
Also, there are good news in Atari matters. Timer effect support is on the plan, and of course those timer based sounds are going to be made exportable as well. While the track so far had .psg export, just today spkr/smfx put a cherry on the cake and implemented .sndh support. So by this day we have a new Atari tracker I would say!
SNDH-export - the most important feature, obviously!
All this raised our interest, so with the help of spkr/smfx we were able to conduct a quick interview with the creator himself!
Hello Pator! You are a well known musician in the AY-chip scene, and this tracker coded by you came quite as a surprise. What's your motivation behind it? Are you unhappy with existing tools and what do you think makes this tracker special?
I'm unhappy with vortex tracker not having good code for further expansions. So i had some ideas like virtual channels and in future sid sound but this delphi code isn't too easy to add improvements. I had to ask wbcbz for some additions, but then figured out its easier if I had my own tool that I could expand.
On top of that, its windows only exe, so on my macbook i have to use wine which makes ayumi (ay engine used in vortex tracker, also in bitphase) very slow. When compiled under WASM and running on the web, its always running good no matter the OS.
Another motivation is that whenever we made a tune for chip compos in Otomata Labs group, like TSFM (2xAY + 2xFM) tune or 2xAY 200hz tune, we had to use furnace (some people in our group are more familiar with it) - and modify its sources every time. now we can have an AY pocket knife that will support whatever we want.
And also as a bonus - i was bored and want to code something cool;)
Well, thats an adequate reason and I guess you managed that! Very nice looking tool and attitude! :) Can you elaborate a bit more on any special features? Anything more that you wanted to improve on trackers from a musicians perspective?
When composing tracks, i often had an idea for some command, some workflow improvement, i wanted to add everything i found while doing tracks but never could (example - env arp command while doing Kizuna track, or dynamic table generation needed for Sinclair QL)
And Virtual channels? What's this?
About virtual channels - the most basic example:
You have virtual channel A, virtual channel B.
virtual channel B plays some bass
virtual channel A plays a kick and snare
Whenever kick or snare plays, bass is interrupted with a kick or snare, if kick/snare ends it brings up bass back. This is tick-precise so you don't need to mix everything manually at single channel like in VT2, you dont need to create instruments that mix both kick and bass at the same time ... etc
Sounds interesting and reminds me a bit to full side chaining and yes, on the tick level this is a really innovative idea and from what I heard in an example track seems to work amazingly well! I can imagine many scenarios where this comes very handy or saves quite some manual work.
Any further commands and functions you longed for and implemented?
About special features: the most important thing I wanted to have is an ability to run every command in tracker not only on tones, but also on envelopes. think of vibrato, portamento, anything. thats how I did envelope arpeggios in Kizuna. So I included a special envelope column with envelope effects that work directly on envelope values in the register, instead of on the tone. in Vortex Tracker 2, I had to do some work around and calculate envelope register values myself, instead of using some dedicated feature.
For future, I would love to bring other chips into the mix. especially ones that often appear in nature alongside AY. TSFM is a perfect example - its a ZX expansion board board that contains 2xYM2203C chips, and their PSGs contain both internal implementation of our beloved YM chip and also OPN FM. There is currently no tracker that supports this. When doing a tune for it single time in my life with Otomata Labs group, we had to hack furnace a lot to make it happen. That leads to "fork hell" where you cant just share your module to your friends without explaining to them how to install a specific version of the tracker 😃
Well, seems this misery led to something good! Atari browser tracking here we come! Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions and all the best for the project! Oh, and keep up making that great music, too!
PS: Thanks to spkr/smfx for the hint, help (and the sndh export)!
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- Written by: 505
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Excuses for lazy Atari pixel artists get more and more troublesome to make up, as "Agent_M" recently published a new PI1-oriented pixel painting tool for Windows.
NeoDegas may come handy for some quick pixels
Features as listed by the author:
- Full PI1 format support (load/save .PI1 files)
- 6 drawing tools: Point, Line, Rectangle, Circle, Fill, Selection
- 16-color palette with live editing (RGB sliders)
- Color swap function to reorganize your palette
- Copy/paste selections
- Undo system (10 levels)
- Magnifier window (16×16, 32×32, or 64×64)
- Status bar with coordinates and tool info
- Clean, efficient interface
🔗 NeoDegas website and download
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- Written by: 505
The fourth issue of this nice paper based magazine has been published in January 2026.
It also features coverage by Krusty/Benediction and spkr/SMFX on the subject of "plasma" effects, discussing the range of effects summarized under this effect label on various platforms and at different angles.
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- Written by: 505
TheNameOfTheGame, a long time user at the Atari-Forum recently released his take on Phase scrolling on the Atari STe.
The examples cover both infinite horizontal and vertical scrolling using a tile map. The assembler source is is available and the examples can be built with VASM, but likely easy to get going with Devpac as well.
Horizontal scroller demo in action
🔗 Github page with the sources and example binaries
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- Written by: evldhs
Whilst we’re waiting for further updates on the Thrust-resembling ‘Cavey Taxi’, Chicane has taken it on himself, to apply some of the techniques and knowledge gained in making the 50 FPS racing game ‘FaSTer’ on the STE, to update the ST version of Lotus 2.
The updates are STE-specific, so you can expect usage of the STE hardware to enhance the original’s gameplay. The STFM version being somewhat stripped down in comparison with the Amiga version according to Chicane. The aim being, as with Lotus 1, to bring this as close to the Amiga as possible.
There is a work in progress on Youtube, it is unclear when this is going to be released, or even if the whole game is going to be updated. A likely outcome could be a single level ‘proof of concept’ release. Chicane thinks that the third part may be a bit too much even for the STE to run decently.
YouTube link below. Yes it is a bit glitchy at this early stage.
CiH for Atariscne.org - Feb 2026
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- Written by: CiH
Vulture/Odyssey of Synergy Megademo fame (you remember their awesome guest screen "Symbiosis", do you?) published a very interesting article on his and the general Dutch demoscene roots, including some remarkable photo material and current project information.
Odyssey's guest screen stood out of the usual ST demoscreen mass as it featured some beautiful pixel art, advanced design and also some entertaining storytelling elements
Side-note for the more obsessed ones: the blog post also includes an optional "spot the havoc" riddle!
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- Written by: 505
Joska from Norway who brought us "L'Abbaye Des Morts" for the Falcon
some years ago released a new funny and addictive game called:
"DINO RUN"
There are several incarnations of this type of game, which is some
sort of "Flappy-Bird-On-The-Ground" and now we have a Falcon version.
Watch out for the Pterodactyl!
🔗 https://atari.joska.no/dinorun/
🔗 https://demozoo.org/productions/387581/
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- Written by: Lotek Style
In the second part of this interview we will focus on TAEDIUM VITAE, the latest Dune demo on Falcon that was released at the winter edition of SillyVenture 2025. This time I have also invited Jade (gfx) and Virgill (music) to join Thadoss (code) as they were essential parts in the making of that great demo.
I have to add that Virgill thought that his fellows had done a great job answering this interview and that he did not see what could be added. Too bad but his decision is respected.
STS: First of all, why “Taedium Vitae”? There seems to be different meanings to these ominous words and latin has never been my thing so that some explanations are more than welcome.
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Manu writes:
Registrations for Gemtos 2026 are open. You just need to download the registration form from the official site or request it from me via
🔗 Gemtos 2026 website with registration from
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- Written by: Manu
This year we are turning it up a notch with three categories to choose from.
All challenges are non competitive and purely for the fun of it, so do not be shy. All contributions are welcome at Buxton Bytes.
The gathering itself takes place from 8 - 11 May 2026. We will watch all entries together at the event, and everything will then be released afterwards via the usual channels.
Can we beat last year’s haul? Let’s find out.
CHALLENGE 1 - SAMPLE DISK
You know the score. Make us a sample disk.
The only rule is that all data must fit on a single disk. Please prove this by submitting your entry as a .MSA or .ST file.
ST, STe, Falcon, TT and others are all welcome.
Use 68k, STOS, GFA, Omicron or whatever you like. We really do not mind.
CHALLENGE 2 - INTRO WITH RIPPED ASSETS
Submit an intro that uses ripped material.
Ripped code, graphics and or music are all encouraged. You can also include original code and assets if you want, or not at all. Reuse is art.
As above, use any language or DCK. It is all good.
CHALLENGE 3 - “INTERESTING SCROLLTEXT”
Interpret this however you like.
No rules. All entries welcome.
BUT WAIT, THERE IS MORE...
For the first time ever, or maybe not, entries can be submitted to multiple challenges.
So why not make a sample disk with ripped assets and an interesting scrolltext, and take part in all three in one go??
QUESTIONS
Find us on Discord: https://discord.gg/3mmdyAqRnq
Email us at
Please send entries to
The deadline for all submissions is 5pm on Saturday 9 May 2026.
CREDITS FOR THE INVITROS
Text: Tronic / Effect
Code: Tommy Tommy Tomtoms
Gfx: Some teenagers from the 80s
Ziks: Mad Max (probably)
Thanks: Tat / Avena for Minymiser
All invites are STe only. Sorry everyone else.
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- Written by: Tronic
Some decades ago I decided to follow the white rabbit... down the rabbit hole. Once you start collecting you stumble over more and more "easter eggs". Hidden secrets that the majority of sceners are not aware of.
Follow me down into the deeper dungeons of scene collectables that you might have never heard of before.
Note: This is not about reviewing releases and it's not about imposing my opinion on you. I simply want to show you some gems that are out there.
Let's begin with the obvious...
Jochen Hippel Give It A Try [Thalion THCD 1]
https://www.discogs.com/de/release/1808727-Jochen-Hippel-Give-It-A-Try
Thalion as a record label? Yes indeed... even if there was only one release. I guess you already know Jochen Hippel's 'Give It A Try' album from 1990. This is a hard-to-get-item. Sold on Discogs for 10 to 25 Euros... but you have to find somebody who is selling this.
I managed to buy a copy back then through ASM's (Aktueller Software Markt) mail order catalogue, which was my favourite German game magazine back in the day. All MP3s are freely available on Demozoo but it will be much harder to obtain an original release of the CD in physical form. Self-made copies are floating around in the scene.
They came up as prizes in a competition years ago... Jochen even signed them. One of these copies is in my collection as well.
Let's take a closer look into the tracks:
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- Written by: Lotek Style
Ilmenit, known for his impressive size coding intros and the game "Adam is me" just released a first version of his cross-platform music tracker for composing sample-based music targeting Atari XL/XE 8-bit computers.
Features as stated on Github:
- 3-channel polyphonic playback using VQ-compressed samples
- 3 octaves (C-1 to B-3) with pitch control via 8.8 fixed-point multipliers
- Pattern-based sequencing with variable-length event encoding
- Real-time audio preview that closely matches Atari hardware output
- Export to Atari executable (.XEX) via MADS assembler
- Self-contained project format (.pvq) with embedded samples
- Multi-format audio import — WAV, MP3, OGG, FLAC, M4A, and more
- Timing analysis to verify IRQ cycle budget before export
- Optional per-note volume control (at lower sample rates)
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- Written by: 505
Thorn writes:
We played some great rounds in the ST Offline Tournament (STOT) on atari-forum.com in 2025, and we all had lots of fun! 
As well as playing and scoring, the STOT aims to support new releases and provide feedback on them.
That year, we played five rounds of new or updated versions.
- S07R01: Faster
- S07R02: Chroma Grid
- S07R05: Randominer STOT version
- S07R07: Yoomp!
- S07R09: Defender
- S07R09: Invasion of the Emerald Sourcers
The STOT version of Randominer was also a premiere, being the first game to feature the STOT logo. I hope there will be more to follow.
Players had enough time to get to know these games well.
For the first time, STOT held a poll to vote for:
'Players' favourite new STOT game of the 2025 season'.
STOT has some great judges, so we hope this award will provide valuable feedback.
The voting period was 14 days. 
The winners are:
1. Faster and Yoomp.
3. Chroma Grid and Defender.
5. Randominer (STOT version)
6. Invasion of the Emerald Sourcers
Thanks to everyone who releases ST games. Please continue. We will prioritise any STOT-compatible release for playing ASAP (possibly as early as next month).
Winners will receive a medal to use on social media.
þorN^pionierwerk
🔗 ST Offline Tournament on Atari-forum.com
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- Written by: Thorn
To conclude a remarkably busy January, here’s yet another game that has surfaced for the Atari ST.
This one is a rediscovered unreleased 1991 game from Level 9, the classic adventure game software house. Details of this one came from ‘Games that Weren’t’ a link is at the end of this article.
‘Grange Murders’ is a complex detective adventure, utilising a Sierra Online style game engine developed by Level 9. They linked up with Cinemaware to publish the game, but unfortunately, financial issues hit both companies and the game was lost.
Until now!
The game assets have been rediscovered and made into a playable version.
Find out more about this lost and re-found treasure at:
Games That Weren't - Grange Murders
CiH - Atariscne.org - Jan 2026.
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At some point in the 1980s 'sampledemos' where a big thing. People started to sample complete songs and put them on one floppydisk. If you are searching the tag 'sampledemo' on Demozoo you will find a lot. Well usually you did not had CD quality but what did we know back then?
Being not satisfied with his 1987 release, T'Pau decided to do a proper update for 2026 and uploaded it to youtube.
2026 edition of 'Male Stripper' by T'Pau
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- Written by: Lotek Style
Dune's Atari Jaguar game Xenowings is now available for free as a rom download.
The game will run on the real deal but also emulated by using Bigpemu 1.21 DEV version.
Xenowings gameplay video
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- Written by: Mic
Over the past weekend, the GERP 2026 party took place.
While GERP is traditionally an Amiga party, the "other platform" category is growing strong.
This year we saw Five Finger Punch doing their first bit of work for the Atari 800. A tiny intro entierly made during the party if we're correctly informed.
Then Django the Bastard, known for his truecolour rotozoom demo from last summer, strikes back with a challenge; The Knobhead Cup 2026. It's about rotozooming and it's showing off a new technique with a huge rotozoom using a 64 colours texture.
The Knobhead Cup 2026 by Django the Bastard on Atari STe
Finally SMFX and DHS brought an invitation intro for Sommarhack 2026 that presents this years special compo; 33 second demo. And as it so happened, the intro won the GERP 2026 other platform demo.
Short STe intro - Blink And You Miss It by SMFX & DHS
🔗 Imodium by Five Finger Punch (Demozoo)
🔗 The Knobhead Cup 2026 by Django the Bastard (Demozoo / Pouet)
🔗 Blink And You Miss it by SMFX & DHS (Demozoo / Pouet)
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The French GemTos ATARI based convention has now become something of a regular meeting after what, maybe 3 or even 4 succesful editions? Anyway here come some info about the 2026 edition to be held somewhere in May (no date announced yet). However it gives you some time to prepare a contribution for another friendly ATARI convention.
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- Written by: sts
In previous years, some of the Polish Last Party compo releases turned out to reveal as hidden gems. As I remembered some great Atari XL/XE pictures from last year (have a look - they are awesome!), I was already curious how the compo would turn out this time. And in this year's edition we also got a number of creative and quite nostalgic artwork again, many of them including references to the world of Atari 8-Bit.
Let's have a look:
"Cicho, bo się nie wgramy" by Piesiu (1st place)
Ninja - check, Boulder dash - check, Bruce Lee - check, Frogger - check, little clown on the left - no idea! ;-)
I took the effort and tried to get a translation for this: "Be calm, or we won't get in". Any interpretation of the motive aside, this is obviously another masterpiece by Piesiu presenting a combination of motive, graphical skill and color richness way above the level of graphics that were common during the classic Atari XL/XE era. I would have been blown away back then by the "photo realism".
After having read parts of mOdmate's Graph2Font guide, I suppose the color change of the area around Bruce Lee's chin downwards may be for technical reasons allowing to use the more violet and later green palette from there? Wild guessing, but anyway, amazing!
"Last Museum" by Rocky (2nd place)
A trip to this museum, puts us Atarisceners into perspective. What a hilarious and - somewhat - realistic idea and what masterful execution. Much work went into this picture obviously, with those detailed characters using so few pixels, the lightning and many little details to spot. The image has a great graphic adventure vibe, too (but more like a 256 color VGA one!).
So, dear reader, who do you prefer to be? I think being an industrial human just sucks! ;-)
Anyway, as long as creative pictures like those are delivered in Atari compos, the scene's heartbeat feels just right to me!
Spy vs. Spy by Rocky (3rd place)
What an extremely colorful picture reminding us to this odd couple of agents. Honestly, I always loved the original Spy vs. Spy game due to it's great comic like graphics and adventure like feeling but just as honestly, never understood what I was doing gameplay wise! ;)
Anyway, about the many colors, I can only guess: On first view, this looks like straight from an Atari Falcon demo (Absence's Joint Venture comes to mind)! But right, we are about 24 bit away from this platform. I suppose that "interlaced" mode helps to manage to put all the colors on screen? Or maybe it's just an artistic tool, who knows.
New Year Disc by Kaz (4th place)
Very nice picture, supposedly done for PPS's new years disk. Can you spot the NYD letters? Original idea and the dithering of the parts looks really nice. Kaz has also published working steps from paper sketching to the full picture on youtube.
Frozen Creatures Surprised by the Arrival of Hot FLOP #69 Discmag by Kaz (5th place)
The title says it all. Now there is no excuse to not release issue #69 of the Czech Atari XL/XE FLOP diskmag. And with some smart mirroring, the picture can then be re-used to motivate the FLOP team for issue #96, too!
Imaginacja by marduk-pl (6th place)
Rightfully stated, "Last party, not least". Watching this, a lot of memories are crawling back from my foggy long-term memory: Bruce Lee, Alley Cat, Zorro, Pacman, HERO, possibly Pirates of the Barbary Coast and who knows, there are surely more things to discover? A nice homage to the golden past!
Well, the hidden-gem-theory worked out again. And as usual, Last Party brought some releases in other categories as well, such as small size intros, games, musics and more. Feel free to investigate further via Demozoo.
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For those who are lucky to own the rare STBook, there’s exciting news: AndresPlaza developed a WiFi module for it. The board fits into the space that was originally intented to host a modem but it was never used for anything until now!
The hardware design and the software drivers are open source with more information available on GitHub.
Photo by Andres Plaza
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- Written by: Charon
