.Markku Reunanen.

ZX Spectrum tape loading from a soundcard

December 14th, 2011

Again, there seem to be a lot of differing opinions and unclarity concerning a simple thing: how to load tap/tzx programs to your Spectrum using a computer or, say, some media player? This is how I got it to work:

• Get tape2wav (no link here, since it’s available on so many platforms)
• Convert your favourite game to a wav with it: tape2wav beli.tap beli.wav. The volume should be maximum by default.
• Load the sound file to your favorite music player
• Connect the EAR port to the PC sound output. I got the best results by using a stereo to mono converter cable (left and right connected to the tip). YMMV.
• Crank the volume up
• Type LOAD “” [enter] on the Spectrum
• Start playback on the music player. You should hear the loading noise and see flashing stripes in the border. Crank the volume up if not.

That should do it. Notice that on newer models, such as +2 this method won’t work. Use a tape adapter — or better, just get a divIDE.

Filed under: retro