MDFourier

What is MDFourier

MDFourier is an open source software solution created to compare audio signatures and generate a series of graphs that show how they differ. The software consists of two separate programs, one that produces the signal for recording from the console and the other that analyses and displays the audio comparisons.

The information gathered from the comparison results can be used in a variety of ways: to identify how audio signatures vary between systems, to detect if the audio signals are modified by audio equipment, to find if modifications resulted in audible changes, to help tune emulators, FPGA implementations or mods, etc.

MDF

How MDFourier works

MDF

MDFourier takes two signals, the first one is designated as the Reference file. The second one is the file under scrutiny, and is referred to as Comparison file.

The first step is loading the Tone Generator to the desired system that will be analyzed. The process for this varies with each platform: from placing the software in a flash cart, burning a CD-ROM or using a custom loader.

The next step is preparing an audio capture device and a computer, in order to record an audio file. Once the audio card is ready, and the cables are hooked up from the system to the audio inputs, the recording process is started from the computer and the Tone Generator should be activated from the system under analysis.

After a short lapse, usually around one minute, the Tone Generator will display a message indicating that the recording process can be stopped. When at least two files are available, one to be used as reference and one to be used as comparison file; a comparison can be made with the Analysis Software from the computer.

Sample Output

MDF

MDF

Current Platforms

Sega Mega Drive / Genesis

Released and has support for Mega/Sega CD

NEC PC Engine Turbografx-16

Released and has support for CD-ROM² and Super CD-ROM²

Unreleased Platforms

Nintendo NES / Famicom

Release pending for expansion audio support. You can contact us if you want to use the current fully working version.

Developed and designed by Pinobatch

Nintendo GameBoy

Release pending. You can contact us if you want to use the current fully working version.

Developed and designed by Pinobatch

Sega Master System

Release pending. You can contact us if you want to use the current fully working version.

Developed and designed by Pinobatch

Super Nintendo / Super Famicom

Release pending. You can contact us if you want to use the current version.

Developed and designed by

Downloads

MDF

Full documentation: [Plain HTML] [PDF] [HTML 5]
Binaries: (These include profiles and Analysis Software, you'll need some tone generators or audio files from below)
- Windows (64-bit version): MDFourier 1.13 (Apr/2024)
- Windows (32-bit version): MDFourier 1.13 (Apr/2024)
- macOS (compiled and GUI by donluca):
  - PowerPC: MDFourier 1.13 - Requires Mac OS X > 10.3
  - Intel: MDFourier 1.13 (offline version: MDFourier 1.10) - Requires macOS > 10.9
  - ARM: MDFourier 1.13 (offline version: MDFourier 1.13)
- Linux: Please build from source.
Tone Generators:
- Flac files for sound cards and audio equipment
- Tone Generators Download the 240p testSuite for your platform
Source code.
MDFourier Notes A series of small documents with interesting information we've found.
Audio Recordings (for use as Reference or Comparison):
- MegaDrive/Sega Genesis and Sega CD recordings 2020-06-14
- PC Engine/Turbografx 16 and CD-ROM2/Super-CDROM2 recordings 2020-06-14

Help MDFourier

First of all, developers for new platforms are needed. If you know how to develop for a platform and want to contribute, please contact me.

If you like what I do or want to help support the project financially you can do so at the links below.

This is not required, as all projects are always open source and free to use.

Chibi

Contact