Tips
Here are some tips on features that are not visible in the GUI (or which need some further explanation).
Command line arguments
SoftSpectrum 48 accepts two command line arguments:
Note that the command line arguments can be placed in any order. If the hardware mode argument is omitted, the emulator will start in the mode that was selected the last time it was closed.
SoftSpectrum 48 accepts two command line arguments:
- Hardware mode, which consists of a '/' character followed by a digit 0-4, where /0=48K, /1=128, /2=+2, /3=+2A and /4=+3.
- File to open upon startup.
Note that the command line arguments can be placed in any order. If the hardware mode argument is omitted, the emulator will start in the mode that was selected the last time it was closed.
PC keyboard mapping
Most special characters on the ZX Spectrum keyboard are mapped to the PC keyboard (UK and Swedish keyboard mapping can be selected in the user settings).
Shift and control keys are mapped to The PC keyboard in the following way:
Special key commands:
Most special characters on the ZX Spectrum keyboard are mapped to the PC keyboard (UK and Swedish keyboard mapping can be selected in the user settings).
Shift and control keys are mapped to The PC keyboard in the following way:
- LEFT SHIFT on the PC keyboard is mapped to the Spectrum CAPS SHIFT
- CTRL on the PC keyboard is mapped to SYMBOL SHIFT.
- ESCAPE on the PC keyboard toggles the Spectrum Extended mode.
Special key commands:
- Pressing the TAB key will slow down the emulator to 25 % speed.
- F1 will save quick save a snapshot.
- F12 will load a snapshot saved with F1.
Speed up or slow down the emulator temporarily
Holding down the § key increases the emulator speed. Holding down the TAB key slows it down.
Holding down the § key increases the emulator speed. Holding down the TAB key slows it down.
Settings for a specific game
If a settings file is saved (File>Save settings...) in the same map as a game and with the same name as the game file (but with the settings file extension .ssp), these settings will be automatically applied when the game file is opened. For tape images this only works when the image is opened directly via the File menu, not via the Tape Player.
If a settings file is saved (File>Save settings...) in the same map as a game and with the same name as the game file (but with the settings file extension .ssp), these settings will be automatically applied when the game file is opened. For tape images this only works when the image is opened directly via the File menu, not via the Tape Player.
TR-DOS / Beta Disk
To read TR-DOS disk images (either .trd or .scl format), the Beta Disk emulation must be activated via the Settings dialog. After this, the TR-DOS ROM can be entered, which is done by the command RANDOMIZE USR 15616. When emulating the 48K Spectrum, there is a shortcut in the Control menu, "Reset to TR-DOS", which activates the setting and enters TR-DOS in one step.
Once TR-DOS ROM is entered, a disk image can be inserted via the File menu. Use the CAT command (Extended mode + SYMBOL SHIFT + 9) to view the disk content or RUN "[filename]" to open and run a program. Often the program to run is called "boot".
Note that the Beta Disk emulation only works for the 48K and 128/+2 models - not the +2A or +3.
Also, note that currently it is not possible to write to TR-DOS disks.
To read TR-DOS disk images (either .trd or .scl format), the Beta Disk emulation must be activated via the Settings dialog. After this, the TR-DOS ROM can be entered, which is done by the command RANDOMIZE USR 15616. When emulating the 48K Spectrum, there is a shortcut in the Control menu, "Reset to TR-DOS", which activates the setting and enters TR-DOS in one step.
Once TR-DOS ROM is entered, a disk image can be inserted via the File menu. Use the CAT command (Extended mode + SYMBOL SHIFT + 9) to view the disk content or RUN "[filename]" to open and run a program. Often the program to run is called "boot".
Note that the Beta Disk emulation only works for the 48K and 128/+2 models - not the +2A or +3.
Also, note that currently it is not possible to write to TR-DOS disks.
Updated 30 July 2023