ZX Spectrum TAP Loader Simulator
Load a real .TAP file and watch, hear and
visualise the tape signal as the ZX Spectrum receives it.
Virtual Cassette Player
Tape Signal Oscilloscope
ZX Spectrum Loading Screen
Current Block
Tape Blocks
Loading Information
How the Spectrum Loader Works
A standard Spectrum tape contains a sequence of pulses. The Spectrum's EAR input detects transitions in the incoming signal and the ROM loader measures the timing between those transitions.
The standard ROM loader uses approximately 2168 T-states for pilot pulses, 667 and 735 T-states for the two synchronisation pulses, 855 T-states for each half of a zero bit and 1710 T-states for each half of a one bit.
The border is generated continuously while the ULA is scanning the display. The simulator therefore represents the loading effect as animated horizontal colour bands rather than simply flashing the whole border.