This week saw the release of version 0.2.4 of the Saturn TON Editor by developer Frogbull. The most recent updates have included UI improvements, tooltips and some user-requested features by members of the Saturn homebrew community.
Version 0.2.3 saw added support for extracting samples directly from TON bank files to WAV format, similar to how the well-known tool VGMTrans works for other game platforms like the Sony PlayStation. Musicians and sound designers looking to easily export Saturn music and sound effects for use in modern sampling VSTs should find this feature useful.
Released yesterday on Frogbull’s Patreon, version 0.2.4 expands the supported sample rates from 4kHz up to 96 kHz. This feature was requested by noted Doom Fix Patch developer fafling, after he pointed out that some of the audio samples in Saturn Doom use an uncommon sample rate of 5512Hz.
VST (Virtual Studio Technology) plugins are software modules that add instruments or effects to a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). They fall into two primary categories: VSTi (instruments like synthesizers and drum machines) and VSTfx (effects like EQs, reverbs, and compressors).
The official changelog for both versions is below:
- Saturn TON Editor 0.2.3
– Added support for extracting samples directly from TON bank files to WAV format (requested by Shadowmask)
– UI improvements - Saturn TON Editor 0.2.4
– Expanded supported sample rates from 4 kHz up to 96 kHz (requested by fafling)
– Added tooltips
– UI improvements
The Saturn TON editor provides a full GUI allowing users to open, edit and explore the sound data of their favorite Saturn games. For homebrew composers it’s an important step towards the full reverse engineering of Saturn’s original audio development tools, opening the door to homebrew games with sequence-based music and sound effects.
What is a TON, and why would you edit one? TON is a container housing instrument banks that most Sega Saturn games use for generating sequenced music and sound effects. It’s used in tandem with the SEQ format, used for MIDI-like sequencing on the Saturn and PlayStation.
SEQ was cracked by Misty Demeo nearly 10 years ago, allowing for conversion of SEQ data (not necessarily using the .SEQ extension) into general MIDI. And when paired with J.F. Santos’ mid2seq, users can repackage that same general MIDI (or any MIDI) into SEQ format again.
Remaining elusive to homebrew tools was the corresponding TON file, which works alongside sequence data to provide formatted PCM samples to the Saturn’s SCSP chip for playback. Composers were used to working with the MIDI/Soundfont format popular throughout the ’90s, and the SEQ/TON format provides familiar functionality.
Until Frogbull’s TON Editor, the ability to create or edit TON formatted data (again, file extensions are just suggestions) has been locked behind obscure Mac OS 9.0 tools that are entirely Japanese and require rare, expensive developer tools like the Sega Saturn Sound Box to fully utilize. That is why this tool is such a welcome addition for Saturn sound-heads.
The Saturn TON Editor lets you:
- Inspect and edit existing TON files (from Saturn games or custom ones)
- Change the Root Note per layer (it’s tested and it works with the SEQ Player)
- Play and replace samples (with some limitations)
- Generate new TON files from scratch (with some limitations)
Version 0.2.2 of the TON Editor was entered into the SegaXtreme Saturn 31st Anniversary Homebrew Showcase earlier this year.
Do you have a feature request for the Saturn TON Editor? Let Frogbull know over on his Patreon page. Mega thanks to him for devoting his talents to create awesome homebrew tools that are sure to become standard utilities for anyone work with Saturn sound development. More updates to be posted here as they come!
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