Clock Signal vs DSP Emulator

Clock Signal is a free emulator for running classic software on Linux and macOS without first having to learn the original machine or emulator controls. It supports systems including the BBC Micro, Apple II, Atari 2600, Commodore Vic-20, early Macintosh, MSX, Sega Master System and ZX Spectrum. When you provide disk, tape or ROM media, it can identify and configure a machine, issue the commands needed to start the software, and speed up loading where possible. It does not import or take ownership of your files. The emulator processes video signals such as composite video and generates audio at the emulated machine’s source rate before filtering it for host output. Its README gives typical audio latency as 5–10 ms; display latency depends on host hardware. It aims for cycle-accurate emulation, which it says it achieves in some cases. Acorn Archimedes, Commodore Amiga and early PC compatible emulation is less complete than for the other listed systems. A BIOS is required. The project is MIT licensed, with macOS releases using Cocoa and Metal and Linux builds available through Qt, OpenGL or SDL options.

DSP Emulator is a free emulator project for arcade games and home computers, with source code and downloadable binaries in its repository. The listed computer systems include ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, Oric Atmos, and MSX 1; arcade drivers include systems and titles such as Galaxian, CPS1, and Sega System 16B. The changelog describes automatic tape loading for several computers, including support for TZX, TSX, CAS, and WAV formats on MSX 1. Input handling covers keyboard, joystick, and arcade controls, with joystick button remapping. Users can type a game name in the selection window to choose it. Other described tools include snapshots for supported systems, saved DIP switch values, and exporting ROM and sample file information from drivers. The latest listed version is 0.24WIP3, dated 11/11/25, and marked work in progress; its listed binaries are for Windows and Linux. The project also lists macOS support. Repository documentation includes a compilation guide and a short user guide.