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Gameboy Advance Release Guide

Converting MIDI files into a playable music Gameboy Advance (GBA) cartridge involves several steps, including preparing your MIDI files, converting them into a format compatible with the GBA’s sound hardware, assembling a GBA ROM, and finally flashing the ROM onto a physical cartridge. Below is a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you through the process.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

A MIDI file that you wish to convert.
A computer capable of running the necessary software (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
Basic knowledge of command-line operations and programming concepts.
Software Development Kit (SDK): devkitPro with devkitARM for GBA development.
GBA Sound Engine: Such as Maxmod or libgba for audio playback.
Hardware: A programmable GBA cartridge (e.g., EZ-Flash, EverDrive GBA X5) and a Gameboy Advance console for testing.

Step 1: Prepare Your MIDI File

1. Simplify the MIDI File

While the GBA is more capable than the original Gameboy, it still has limitations:

The GBA can handle multiple audio channels, but complex MIDI files may require simplification.
Use a MIDI editor to adjust instrument assignments, tempos, and channels to suit the GBA’s capabilities.

Recommended MIDI Editors:

Anvil Studio (Windows)
MuseScore (Windows, macOS, Linux)
LMMS (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Step 2: Install and Set Up devkitPro

1. Download devkitPro Installer

Visit the devkitPro Website.
Download the appropriate installer for your operating system.

2. Install devkitPro with devkitARM

Run the installer.
During installation, select GBA Development Tools (devkitARM).
Ensure that the installation path is correctly set, and the environment variables are configured.

Step 3: Install GBA Sound Engine (Maxmod)

1. Download Maxmod

Visit the Maxmod GitHub Repository.
Alternatively, Maxmod may already be included with devkitPro; check the devkitPro/libgba directory.

2. Install Maxmod

If not included, extract Maxmod to your devkitPro directory.
Ensure Maxmod’s libraries and include files are accessible in your development environment.

Step 4: Convert MIDI Files into Maxmod-Compatible Format

1. Use mmutil Tool

mmutil is a utility included with Maxmod for converting audio files.

2. Convert MIDI to XM or IT Module

Maxmod supports module formats like .XM (FastTracker II Extended Module) or .IT (Impulse Tracker Module).
Use a tracker software to convert MIDI to XM or IT.

Recommended Tracker Software:

OpenMPT (Windows)
MilkyTracker (Windows, macOS, Linux)

3. Steps to Convert MIDI to XM/IT

Open your MIDI file in the tracker software.
Assign appropriate instruments compatible with the GBA’s capabilities.
Export the file as an .XM or .IT module.

Step 5: Prepare the Audio for Maxmod

1. Use mmutil to Convert Module

Open a command prompt or terminal.
Navigate to the directory containing your module file.

2. Run mmutil

mmutil your_song.xm -o your_song.bin -m

Replace your_song.xm with your module file.
The -o option specifies the output file.
The -m flag tells mmutil to process a module file.

3. Output Files

your_song.bin: Binary file containing the music data.
soundbank.bin (if multiple files are processed): Contains all sound data.

Step 6: Set Up Your GBA Project Structure

1. Create Project Directories

Create a new directory for your GBA project.
Inside, create subdirectories like source for source code and data for music data.

2. Place Files Appropriately

Move your_song.bin into the data directory.
Ensure that Maxmod’s headers and libraries are accessible.

Step 7: Write the Main Program

1. Create main.c in source Directory

#include <gba.h>
#include "maxmod.h"

// Include the soundbank (generated by mmutil)
#include "your_song_bin.h"

int main(void) {
    // Initialize GBA system
    irqInit();
    irqEnable(IRQ_VBLANK);

    // Initialize Maxmod with the soundbank
    mmInitDefault((mm_addr)soundbank_bin, 8);

    // Start playing module
    mmLoad(MOD_YOUR_SONG);
    mmStart(MOD_YOUR_SONG, MM_PLAY_LOOP);

    while(1) {
        VBlankIntrWait();
    }
    return 0;
}

Ensure that your_song_bin.h is generated by mmutil and included properly.
Replace MOD_YOUR_SONG with the identifier generated by mmutil for your module.

2. Adjust Makefile

Create a Makefile to automate the build process.
Include Maxmod’s build rules.

Sample Makefile:

# Define toolchain
CC := arm-none-eabi-gcc
AS := arm-none-eabi-as
LD := arm-none-eabi-ld
OBJCOPY := arm-none-eabi-objcopy

# Directories
SRC_DIR := source
DATA_DIR := data
BUILD_DIR := build

# Files
ELF := $(BUILD_DIR)/game.elf
ROM := game.gba

# Flags
CFLAGS := -mthumb -mthumb-interwork -O2 -Wall -I$(DEVKITPRO)/libgba/include -I$(BUILD_DIR)
LDFLAGS := -specs=gba.specs -mthumb -mthumb-interwork

# Sources
SOURCES := $(wildcard $(SRC_DIR)/*.c)
OBJECTS := $(patsubst $(SRC_DIR)/%.c,$(BUILD_DIR)/%.o,$(SOURCES))

# Data
DATA_FILES := $(wildcard $(DATA_DIR)/*.bin)
DATA_OBJECTS := $(patsubst $(DATA_DIR)/%.bin,$(BUILD_DIR)/%.o,$(DATA_FILES))

# Rules
all: $(ROM)

$(BUILD_DIR)/%.o: $(SRC_DIR)/%.c
	mkdir -p $(BUILD_DIR)
	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) -c $< -o $@

$(BUILD_DIR)/%.o: $(DATA_DIR)/%.bin
	mkdir -p $(BUILD_DIR)
	$(OBJCOPY) -I binary -O elf32-littlearm -B arm $< $@

$(ELF): $(OBJECTS) $(DATA_OBJECTS)
	$(CC) $(LDFLAGS) $^ -o $@

$(ROM): $(ELF)
	$(OBJCOPY) -O binary $< $@

clean:
	rm -rf $(BUILD_DIR) $(ROM)

Adjust paths and flags according to your setup.
Ensure that the Maxmod library is linked correctly.

Step 8: Compile the GBA ROM

1. Run the Build Command

Open a command prompt or terminal in your project directory.
Run:

make

This should compile your code and produce game.gba.

2. Troubleshooting

If errors occur, check that all paths are correct.
Ensure that the devkitPro environment variables are set.
Verify that Maxmod is properly installed and linked.

Step 9: Test the ROM in an Emulator

1. Choose an Emulator

mGBA (Windows, macOS, Linux): Download mGBA
VisualBoy Advance (Windows, macOS, Linux): Download VBA-M

2. Load and Test the ROM

Open the emulator and load game.gba.
Verify that the music plays correctly.
If issues arise, revisit previous steps to troubleshoot.

Step 10: Flash the ROM onto a GBA Cartridge

1. Obtain a Flash Cartridge

Purchase a flashable cartridge like:
- EZ-Flash Omega
- EverDrive GBA X5
- Flash Advance Pro

2. Install Cartridge Software

Install any necessary drivers and software provided by the cartridge manufacturer.

3. Flash the ROM

Connect the cartridge to your computer via USB or another interface.
Use the provided software to write game.gba to the cartridge.

Step 11: Play the Cartridge on a GBA Console

1. Insert the Cartridge

Place the flashed cartridge into your Gameboy Advance console.

2. Test the Music

Turn on the Gameboy Advance.
Confirm that the music plays as intended on the actual hardware.

Additional Tips

Optimize Audio Quality: The GBA has limitations in audio playback. Fine-tune your module files for better performance.
Maxmod Documentation: Refer to the Maxmod Documentation for detailed instructions and advanced features.
Alternative Sound Engines: If you encounter issues with Maxmod, consider using libgba or writing custom audio code.
Community Support: Engage with communities like GBATemp or the devkitPro Discord for assistance.
Legal Considerations: Ensure that you have the rights to distribute any music you convert, especially if the MIDI files are of commercial songs.

By following these steps, you can successfully convert MIDI files into a playable music Gameboy Advance cartridge. This process not only allows you to enjoy custom music on original hardware but also provides a hands-on experience with retro console development.