Commodore data cassette

The Commodore data cassette format was used to store programs and data on cassette tapes from Commodore computers (PET, C-64, etc.). It was so notoriously slow that even the rather sluggish Commodore 1541 disk format was lightning-fast in comparison. Most commercial Commodore cassettes ended up using "turbo loaders" which were stored first on the cassette in standard Commodore format, then executed to install a new load command which used shorter pulses, a format in which the actual program was stored.

Tap files are a format for storing the raw pulses of a Commodore cassette in a file suitable for storage and transfer in modern computer systems and networks.

Format documentation

 * Tape loaders
 * CBM ROM loader

Other links

 * C64 Tapes project
 * The Ultimate C64 Tape Page
 * Forum thread about Commodore tapes
 * Transfer files to PET and back
 * Archiving C64 Tapes Correctly
 * Today's kids try the Commodore 64