dwestbury

Looks like a nice and compact design given all the flexibility it offers. Kudos cheers!

Two quick updates: First, I decided to order some ARM2SIDs to try out in my MB6582, so I should have them in a couple weeks, assuming all goes well with import customs, etc. Second, it looks like Poly.play has a fresh batch of SwinSID Ultimates back in stock ~$44.50 USD (€38.02). https://www.polyplay.xyz/SwinSID-Ultimate?jtl=v From what I've read and heard, these sound (subjectively) closest to the real SID and they support external sound input, so you can use them with your distortion pots!

Yeah, I read through some of the older forum debates, but decided to give PS Opt. E a go, with the Recom SREG and haven't looked back. My ear doesn't pick up on any discernible noise, above what a standard 8580 SID would produce on it's own (not that I'm any kind of expert on the subject). I went ahead and ordered some of AliEx converters, which I'll plan to take for a spin in a couple weeks :-)

I ordered the angled JST XH connectors from AliExpress, but they haven't shown up in the mail yet (usually takes about 5-6 weeks to make their way into the US from Asia). https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000029760504.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.349a4c4dKTIGpV So, for now I'm using standard angled SIL headers, which seem to do the trick. The mount is flush and the connections are solid.

Just as I expected, the 100mm JST XH cables are a much nicer fit (and look), but what's most important is they leave enough room for the case to close properly. Now I feel comfortable recommending this solution to anyone that's looking for quick removal access to service their control surface.

I love using the Recom DC-DC Step Down converter (r-78b5.0-1.5) in place of a standard 7805 5v regulator, with Power Supply Option E: http://www.midibox.org/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=wilba_mb_6582_psuopte It's super efficient @ ~94%, so it doesn't require a heat sink, but it's a bit expensive @ ~$10.23 USD: https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/919-R-78B5.0-1.5 I noticed that you can find super cheap DC-DC converters on AliExpress for only a couple bucks: https://bit.ly/36LB0q9 Clearly, they're not quite as efficient @ 76-90%, but they look like they should do the trick. Any thoughts on these? 5V Description: Input voltage 6.5~40V,output 5V Maximum output current 1A DC-DC Step-Down Converter module working frequency 550KHz. efficiency is 76-90% . Quiescent current: about 1.5MA Overtemperature shutdown, input under-voltage protection, BS-voltage protection, and short circuit protection. 2.54mm pin pitch,Can directly replace the L78XX LM78XX TO-220 IC

Does anyone know if the guy in this video (@MaxB) is still here on the forums? https://youtu.be/ZbJkuwY9W7k You see, I purchased an army green MB-6582 some years ago, that looked identical to the one in the video (e.g., same panels & phillips head screws, same mixed red & green colored LEDs and knob set, etc.), so I'm like 99.5% sure it was his build. Simply knowing that you could make such an instrument yourself, gave me the inspiration to seek out these forums and learn some electronics, so that I could eventually roll up my own sleeves and build one of these bad boys. After studying my muse for what now seems like forever, I finally picked up a soldering iron around Christmas time 2019, and I still haven’t put it down... :-) So, I just want to thank MaxB for introducing me to this wonderful universe and I want to thank TK and the rest of this community for all the support that's been fueling this new addiction! Cheers all! -Darrell Here what she currently looks like today, with new knobs and LEDs and a few more battle scars to prove her warrior status ;-) ...here's a peek under the hood at some of the changes & MODs I've made... Original knobs & panel screws...

Amazon is amazing. I received some samples in the mail today, within 24hrs of placing my order and with free shipping. More importantly, I can confirm that even at the 300mm cable length, there's no discernible evidence of noise or instability in the communications between the control surface and the base PCB, over a >2hr period of testing. I did wind up having to tie-wrap the cables to get the "spaghetti mess" under control and properly tucking them into the PT-10 case was a little bit clumsy. I'm thinking @JohnnieBee may be right and 100mm cables will be a bit easier to manage... 8 Pin JST XH Cables @ 100mm https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XKRZD7Z/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 2 Pin JST XH Cables @ 100mm https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XNTQK5M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I'll report back after some additional testing... Cheers all, -Darrell

Cheers @Noise-Generator - If I decide to give the ARM2SID a shot I'll report back.

Has anyone tried to use JST XH connectors and cables to join their MB-6582 PCBs? They look to be about half the height of standard DuPont connectors, so they should fit nicely inside a closed PT-10 case. Curious about the overall durability and bend radius, etc.? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XNZV995/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_4uMCFb7TCFS47

Doing a little digging with the mbhp_core_v3 schematic, I can see that J14 should be accessible from the PIC's RD4 pin: http://www.ucapps.de/mbhp/mbhp_core_v3.pdf Following the relevant trace on the base PCB schematic shows this: http://www.midibox.org/dokuwiki/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=mb-6582:mb-6582_base_pcb_r2_color.pdf Which is tied into the CS pin of U2_SIDx : http://archive.6502.org/datasheets/mos_6582_sid.pdf Would I need to reroute this to make an ARM2SID pair work in U1_SID1 and U2_SID1 of my MB-6582? Thx, -Darrell

The streaming ASID over MIDI signal has been steady and stable for me over both my portable iRig (https://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/irigmidi2/) and my full sized iConnectivity mioXL (https://www.iconnectivity.com/mioxl). Best, -Darrell

Which VST are you using to control the sammichSID? Assume something like CTRL (for making patches) or Lemur for live MIDI control?

It's much cheaper to buy the ARM2SID pair than getting two individual ARMSIDs and you get the added benefit of FM capability. Although, I'm not sure it's possible to take advantage of that with any of the current mbox firmwares? This side-by-side sound comparison shows pretty good sound quality too: http://kompjut0r.blogspot.com/2018/04/sid-8580-vs-armsid-vs-swinsid-ultimate_12.html Is anyone actually using ARM2SID's in their mbox SID yet? Wondering what level of customization would be required to get the basics operational?

The going rate for SIDs on eBay has been hovering in the ~$80 USD range for a while. it's great to see that the seller you've referenced has some current SID inventory (both 6581 and 8580) in the $35 - 40 range. I've also had some good luck with this source, who typically has 8580R5 in the ~$45 range, when inventory is available. https://www.etsy.com/shop/Amigascene?ref=yr_purchases