Hello,
I've been looking at the MIDIbox SID stuff for a while with the intent to one day build a MIDIbox SID. That day is just a little closer now that I finally have a keyboard with MIDI ports again (wouldn't believe how picky I am with keyboards.) I tend to plan my projects months before I actually start working on them, so this might not start for a while.
This is not only my first MIDIbox project, but would be my first real electronics project I've undertaken. (I put together a few hobby kit electronics kits that my dad bought me when I was a kid, but that was it, but I do know how to solder.) This is going to be a learning experience for me, which means I'm going to take it slow while I learn everything along the way (this is the best way for me to learn stuff)
The plan right now is to get a single SID chip which will be controlled from my keyboard, my keyboard doesn't have a sequencer so I don't think I'll have much use for multiple SIDs at this point (might get a second one for stereo later.) For the case, I'm either going to use a PT-10 or an actual C64 case, depends on what I find in the market of damaged/broken C64 parts. I plan to make my own front panel by hand since I don't feel like paying for an expensive machined one.
Here's what I think I need:
-6581 Chip (important)
-C64 PSU or other compatible power supply (and matching jack)
-Either a PT-10 or C64 case
-Front panel material
-2x20 LCD
-Core8 kit (with MIDI jacks and PIC18F4685)
-SID module kit
-LEDs
-2 audio jacks (in and out)
-24LC512 (bank stick)
-Rotary Encoders (1 undetented and 14 detented, right?)
What I'm not sure about yet:
-Buttons, not sure what kind(s)
-Boards for the control panel? I can't seem to find anything for what I need to make the control panel and what needs to be wired up to it.
-DIN and DOUT modules?
-SIL and DIL pin headers and IDC connectors?
-Ribbon cables, do I just need one of each? Are these only used for connecting the MB-SID to the Core?
Anyways, I have a few questions I wanted to ask to help me figure out what I need.
-I'm trying to make a price estimate so I know how much to budget for this, but I keep finding things that I'm missing or weren't needed in the first place. I'm going to leave out the cost of any C64 stuff (SID, PSU, case, etc.) since the prices on those can vary. I'm not sure what I'm missing and what I don't need that I listed above.
-I have no idea how the control panel is set up
-Because of the cost of a machined front panel (over $200 everywhere I looked), I'm actually going to make the panel myself with a drill, a Dremel tool and a file (for the LCD slot) and use acid etching (with help from someone who has done this before) to make my front panel. Is there a recommended thickness of the aluminum for the panel?
-I'm planning on having this hooked up to a keyboard that doesn't have a sequencer, should I just go with a single SID chip or is there any use for multiple SID chips when there is only one device controlling it? I was thinking of making a separate MB-6582 unit if I ever get a sequencer.
-I actually had this interesting idea in my head where I find an old dedicated MIDI controller keyboard or broken keyboard (with enough room for a modified front panel), find a way to fit the MB-SID stuff in there and wire it all up and have it look like a standalone unit. Any recommendations on how this would be done? Or am I the mayor of Crazytown? (This would be a later project and would probably be a mix of multiple DIY MIDI controller and keyboard kits, still researching this idea just wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction)