What is Vectrex Studio?

Vectrex Studio is a modern IDE for Vectrex game development. It provides a Python-like language called VPy, a 9-phase Rust compiler, a cycle-accurate emulator, and professional tools for vector art, music, and debugging.

VPy is a Python-like programming language designed specifically for Vectrex development. It provides readable syntax while compiling to MC6809 assembly, eliminating the need to write low-level code by hand.

Is Vectrex development easy with Vectrex Studio?

Yes. Vectrex Studio makes development accessible to programmers from any background. VPy syntax is familiar to Python developers, and the built-in emulator and debugger eliminate the need for physical hardware.

Can I develop Vectrex games without assembly?

Yes. VPy handles all the low-level details. You can focus on game logic. If needed, you can use inline assembly for optimization.

Is Vectrex Studio free?

Yes. Vectrex Studio is completely free and open-source. Download and use it forever at no cost.

What is the difference between VPy and assembly?

VPy is a high-level language with Python-inspired syntax, while assembly is low-level machine code. VPy code is more readable and maintainable, while being compiled to identical machine code as hand-written assembly.

SFX Editor · Vectrex Studio

The SFX Editor opens when you create or double-click a .vsfx file. It provides a graphical interface for designing one-shot sound effects for the AY-3-8910 PSG, with a live Web Audio preview so you can hear the result instantly.

SFX Editor — envelope visualisation on the left, ADSR and pitch sliders on the right

Presets

Seven built-in presets give you a starting point:

Preset	Typical use
Laser	Fast downward pitch sweep
Explosion	Noise burst with decay
Power-up	Rising arpeggio
Hit	Short sharp noise
Jump	Upward pitch sweep
Blip	Short beep
Coin	Two-tone chime

Click a preset to load it, then adjust the sliders to taste.

Envelope visualiser

The large graph on the left shows the amplitude envelope over time. The curve is colour-coded to match the preset category. A dashed white line overlaid shows the pitch sweep if enabled.

Controls

Basic

Control	Range	Description
Duration	20–2000 ms	Total length of the sound effect.
Frequency	55–1760 Hz	Starting pitch of the oscillator.
Channel	A / B / C	Which PSG tone channel plays this effect.
Peak Vol	1–15	Maximum amplitude at the peak of the envelope.

ADSR envelope

Control	Range	Description
Attack	0–500 ms	Time to ramp up from 0 to peak volume.
Decay	0–500 ms	Time to fall from peak to sustain level.
Sustain	0–15	Volume level held after the decay phase.
Release	0–1000 ms	Time to fade from sustain to 0 after the note ends.

ADSR sliders with the envelope shape visible in the visualiser

Pitch sweep

Enable the Pitch Sweep toggle to make the frequency change over the duration of the effect.

Control	Description
Start multiplier	Frequency at the start, as a multiple of the base frequency (0.1×–4×).
End multiplier	Frequency at the end (0.1×–4×).

A downward sweep (start > end) sounds like a laser shot or falling object. An upward sweep sounds like a jump or power-up.

Noise mix

Enable Noise Mix to blend white noise into the effect — useful for explosions, hits, and static bursts.

Control	Range	Description
Period	0–31	Noise pitch/colour. 0 = highest pitch noise.
Volume	0–15	Noise amplitude.
Decay	ms	How quickly the noise fades out.

Arpeggio

Enable Arpeggio to rapidly cycle through multiple pitches, creating a chord effect.

Control	Description
Notes	Up to 3 semitone offsets added to the base frequency (0–24 semitones).
Speed	How fast the arpeggio cycles, in milliseconds per step (10–200 ms).

Preview

Click Play in the header to hear the effect through the Web Audio API. The preview uses a square wave oscillator and matches the PSG output closely.

File format

{
  "version": "1.0",
  "name": "jump",
  "category": "jump",
  "duration": 200,
  "oscillator": { "frequency": 440, "channel": 0 },
  "envelope": { "attack": 5, "decay": 20, "sustain": 8, "release": 80, "peak": 12 },
  "pitch": { "enabled": true, "start_mult": 0.5, "end_mult": 2.0 },
  "noise": { "enabled": false, "period": 16, "volume": 8, "decay_ms": 100 },
  "modulation": { "arpeggio": false, "arpeggio_notes": [0, 7, 12], "arpeggio_speed": 40 }
}

In VPy code:

PLAY_SFX("jump")