Huw

I should also add that these controls have been tested on my single 6581 SID synth

Hi there, I have just started looking at implementing a VST controller with synthedit, so far I have only implemented a few controls, I wonder if this is along the same lines as you have been creating? I hope to complete this fairly soon now I have got to grips with synthedit, with an interface similar to that of the JSynthLib patch editor. I would be interested to take a look at the source file or a desciption of how far you have taken yours so far. Huw

it always makes me a grin when you see people doing electronics & other techie things with crockery in the background ;D glad its not just me! - my kitchen is my workshop in the cold months ;)

you should be able to use jSynthLib, open up the example presets, the display should then show the presets as a single entry for synth MIDIBOX SID, type Bank, double clicking on this or right click->send , this then sends the presets to your stick, and yes you will see activity in the dos window you used to launch jSynthLib

One of the joints I had to resolder was the oscillator output on the SID board, I wonder if this was why we were both experiencing similar symptoms, glad to hear your boards are all going fine now ;D

Sorted, mines up and running now, it must have been a bad solder joint somewhere, I checked the lot and re-soldered a few and all is fine ;D Thanks to all for your input! Hopefully the experiences ive had will be useful for anyone else!

that sounds exactly what I have also, extremely frustrating. i know one of my sids worked because i tested it in its donor c64, will post any progress for you! both of my chips are 6581s by the way

i believe im having a similar problem with audio output at the moment, please update the post if you sort yours, i would be interested to see if a solutions for yours would work on mine. do you get the low level hum on your output or nothing at all?

i appears that was at least one of the problems, thanks ;D I can now hear some very low level clicking when changing through patches and when using JSynthLib to play patches there is some very low level sound on the output. I have run the interconnection test again since changing the CORE->SID wiring and all pins passed with 4.96V any more ideas? i feel like i am REALLY close to getting the unit working :)

checked and soldered al the joints on the SID board with no luck ???

Ah, fantastic, thanks! As for the lack of audio, I will be doing a bit of re-soldering to see if I can sort it!

right, I have connected up an LCD to see if the MIOS display can give me any extra clues as to the problem and uploaded the "6581 with CS" sysex. After booting, the display shows: P Â 1 Â C Â 1 Â 1--- Internal Patch I understand that the P value is the patch number from 1-128, and that the C value is the MIDI channel, which is defenately 1 in my case, I have confirmed this by sending patch change data from MIDI-OX and it only get recognised when the channel in MIDI-OX is set to 1, and that the Internal Patch just shows that a bankstick is not being accessed, as for the 1---, any ideas? Is there any documentation on what this signifies?

yes, hmmm, the plot thickens! ???

hmm, i should still be able to get audio out using the MIDI-OX keyboard keys though shouldnt I?

OK, it passed the interconnection test on all pins, I have connected it up to my PC and viewing through MIDI-OX, I get the initial boot message from the PIC, i have enbled the MIDI-OX keyboard and can see the outgoing data in the monitor when i press keys but I have no audio out. There isnt a boot tone either (im sure i read that there should be somewhere but cant find the reference again!). Any ideas? Cheers Huw

oops, replied in that post, thanks for the link!

Am i right in saying that all pins 1-13 should be 5V relative to pin 14 when this test is uploaded? Cheers Huw ;D

;D we have lift off! thanks! 8) MIDI I/O working fine now! should i be worried about how excited i am!?

ok, i have erased the pic and just put the bootstrap back onto it and verified it as fine, checked all the solder joints and im going to power it up again in a minute!*fingers crossed*

the bootstrap was pre-loaded onto the PIC

yeh, the trouble is that i cant get any midi activity, in or out of the core module ???

yes ive programmed the PIC, i actually put MIOS onto the chip using the JDM, I think you may be right that disconnecting the SID module must be my next step, will try that later and have another go at it

OK, I have put together the core and sid modules and linked them together, used my JDM to program the PIC successfully over a com port. Â I am now having trouble with the MIDI communication. Â I have tested the supply voltages and opto (in circuit), tried all polarities of MIDI wiring with no luck, and having put a LED over the MIDI out (J13), between MIDI+ and MIDI-, it does not light, can anyone give me any guidance as to what this may signify? Cheers ;D Huw