Nestle

Does my case design cause any problems by connecting the grounds of the boards? Mmh... Yeah, basically all the boards are connected by the corner screwholes, and because of the metal case, all of the boards are connected from the same points. should I insulate them somehow. Should have bought plastic screws! I could insulate the poles, but if it doesn't matter, that would be better! At least I wouldn't think about my insulation holding up! But basically I could get rid of the problem (if such exists) using plastic between each ground and the case when stacking the boards. Huh, ::) Nestle

I found this game Rampart! It has intro that asks me to adjust my filter to the position where I can get a certain sound. It is practically a manual filter sweep test!!! Top notch! I tested 20 sids with it and made this table how they functioned. It seemed that resonace and filter differ a bit inside a revision, but the sounds are pretty much the same. This is inside a revision. Between revisions it was more about HOW deep the filter could go. The most usual turn off was pretty high downpeak, that didn't really do lowpass at all, more like middlepass. Lots of these in R3. Earlier models were really low and murky, without that much exitement at high tones. Personal favourite was this early 6581 pair that was really deep. Goes well for bassline! Second pair would be R4AR and R4 chips that really gave nice highpass filter sound, while maintaining the deep end. R4AR was better of this pair, but haven't got my hands on second R4AR - this one is from my SX64 and hardly used! Third pair will be 8580R5 pair - they sound crisp, makes a good hi-hat, clap, cymbal filtered soundengine. Propably will do most of the drums with this one. Last pair, dunno... Maybe 6582A pair, maybe something else. Something to use with organ type sound. Ok, but I will make some 8580 test later, I didn't have newer model, so I couldn't test them yet, just 6581 this far. But Ramparts! Find one with that tune, together with Star Paws, you soon find all the attributes you want. See you guys, Nestle

with this USB -interface added, do I need separate midi -addon if I want to use midi too or like to use both midi and USB at the same time? I have intentions to put internal USB -connection to my midibox SID and solder it directly to core module. So, do I add another midiout/in for midi connections? Thanks, Nestle

I have 20+ 6581 of different revisions and also some 8580 chips. I am planning to pair 3 different revisions of 6581 and one pair of 8580 (or 6582a, if they sound better). Expecially interested of my 6581R4 6581R4AR pair - really hoping that both are in exellent condition! Dunno if there really is difference between AR and plain R4, will see... I am more interested testing 6581s, because they are all scavenged. These 6582a chips I trust, because I trust you,Wilba 8) But yeah, I had this demo that asks to use joystick to choose chip-type before starting - just because filters. I can't remember the name unfortunately! :P Maybe I just start browsing my 2000+ disks... It is there somewhere! Also, I finished the midi-inputs for Midibox, so I might use test tune after all. Is there community tune somewhere? If not, maybe I can do it. Any ideas and help about formats and tools are appreciated! Haven't saved music in c64 format before!

yes, i think that would be wisest... but ::) i have sx-64 with non-working keyboard and external sid-socket thats really fun for testing. my midibox rig is pretty all over the place at the moment having all kinds of improvements going on at the same time. thats why i am after a game, hehhe! Nestle

I have tried to imagine what it would be like, but only song I have found was the one by TK with feedback loops, which I don't believe gives enough information for final breakthru ;) I bought 8 linear 470k pots for the feedbackloops - should have bought stereopots, but maybe this is as good... maybe I need mono adjustment sometime! Next question: What is the best tune to test sid -chips? I am about to start testing a lot of chips and need some proper tunes that take all the 3 channels + filters on use from the beginning. Also it would be nice to be a game song, as I propably have it somewhere. :P

Second question: What is the best tune to test sid -chips? I am about to start testing a lot of chips and need some proper tunes that take all the 3 channels + filters on use from the beginning. Also it would be nice to be a game song, as I propably have it somewhere. :P As a finishing touch I have thought adding jacks for Audio IN:s to my Midibox SID case, but before I do them, I am more than intrigued to hear how does it function. If you have anything using it as MP3, I would love to hear it! Is there a big difference between 8580 and 6581, on audio in? Thanks, Nestle

Update: Ok, it seems to be pin compatible with older revisions (well it is 6581 :P) so I just plug it in. Rather good collection of different chips, only one I don't have on board is 6582A because of the different voltages. Only 2 SID boards with 8580 and want to keep those for hihats and other high pitch sounds.

By this thread I remembered that I have bit faulty SX-64 in my closet. I opened it and it had 6581R4AR 1187 14 chip installed. I might swap it with one of my MidiboxSID on board chips. Gotta Google some voltage information first. Any comments on this revision? Nestle

Sun shines on my Midibox project at the moment, first USB/midi -chip and now this! Separate CV -module - I will adopt this idea right away. I am just finishing my MidiboxSidv2 and I was about to put the AOUT inside the SID -case. I think I rather do a CV -module with a connector cable to the main unit and stuff all the AOUT jacks, power unit and circuitboard to this one unit rack-case I got from a friend yesterday. Top notch! Nestle

Hah! I have been browsing USB-Midi cables and different USB and Firewire preamps for a few days now. Should have midi up, because I am about to fire up my V2 for the first time. But in the meanwhile I noticed that the not so ancient Soundblaster Extigy doesn't work in Vista - and it had my only midi-ports!!! This is more than luck! I placed 4/4 order. Many thanks for diggin' up this stuff for us Thorsten!! Nestle

is it like they are more hot than the other SIDs? I have several running at the moment and hadnt had any problems with the heat. So, if these are running hotter, maybe I should glue some on them too. Is there anyone who can compare the SID temperatures? Nestle

Ok, thanks... I think I got it. Tomorrow I will turn into mr. Driller... R

I am printing the control surface picture to use that for the drilling marks, but because I don't have any required applications, from that small image at ucapps... I would like to know what are the exact proportions to keep the front panel 1:1 with the holes of the circuit boards... 40 cm width seems to be pretty close. Thanks, Roope

Just my quick and silent wish in the middle of this v1 v2 v3 debate: Thorsten: Please, even though all the limitless possibilities are witing us with the new PIC power, it is crucial to keep Midibox SID hardware backwards compatible. Of course there can be tweaks, additional encoders/buttons etc, but changing the design too much will be a disaster for most of the people who have had the money and the time to build v1. If you can keep SID in the original box, even with shortcuts and multibutton triggers, it is 100% great. I know that you have stated every time that you don't have need to revamp the hardware desing, it is not that I have forgotten, just encouraging you to keep the faith ;) Roope

Thanks, I will do that. Just needed confirmation. I got this today: I think it will make a good companion for MidiBOX SID ;) Nestle

I found Casio CZ-1000 for 10 euros to fill my keyboard controller problem. 8) I have decised to change my casing plans, and will use my old SX-64 as a case for my midibox. Now I am ready for control surface, it will be a busy week! Roope Ps. Still, about clocking the SID synchronous to the PIC, is it for real or have this bug softfixed in latest software? Plz plz plz :P

I think it is easier to find some small used midi synth and make most of it. It is just so frustrating to know that there is a perfect keyboard for 49 euros, but only without midi. Is it possible to make midi keyboard ot of synth that does not have midi out? I mean, isn't most of the synths still controlled internally via midi? Gotta keep searching or pick another case that can hold a bit longer keyboard.

True true! Maybe I can make a built-in keyboard after all then!! In my case there is around 45 cm space for keyboard. I would be ace if I wouldnt need a separate controller. Is it difficult to save working midi out and keys from synth? At the moment I try to figure if it is possible to add midi-out jack into M-Audio eKeys that is just perfect for my needs, minus midi, of course :-\ Nestle

Just browsing the net to find my midi-keyboard solution. It seems that small keyboards are USB-only, which isn't nice. My intention is to build complete synth, with keyboard. I only have lenght of 45 cm for keyboard. Does anyone has good, small products that carry midi-port too? Seems rather ridiculous that there is not small midi-products. Maybe some old Casio might do the trick, but they seem a bit rare. This is what I have found this far: http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/eKeys37-main.html from the more expensive side I found this: http://www.music123.com/Edirol-PCRM1-i148580.music but it has many useless knobs. With these, I still need to build USB-module, and frankly, I could do without. Yours, Nestle ps. Still wondering about clocking the SID synchronous to the PIC ;)

I managed to program all PICs and change device_ids to proper values. After tracking down a cold wire, I got 'link'-button to work and got sound from 3 of 4 sids. One of them keeps this continuous high noise. i changed the sid, but the flaw remains. So, only real clue I have is that high pitch sound that SID #3 sends. Well, I am sure I get it sorted out. -update: fixed, now 4/4 sids are running nicely!!! BUT, I just read this: http://www.midibox.org/forum/index.php?topic=5748.0 So should I apply clocking the SID synchronous to the PIC? Thanks all, Nestle

I decised to buy me a new LCD to check if the display itself is faulty. ANd behold, it works and now I can continue this project. Tomorrow I will buy some aluminium for control panel. One step closer ;)

I have soldered like a dog... I removed our nice 16 pin connector and used plain wires. I get the same result, just a quick flash in lcd and continuous backlight. However, because my frustration kept growing and I was almost sure that the whole synth is flawed, I decised to upload sid-application to my core. I even connected headphones to audio out... Good thing I did, because it works!!!! Oh boy! My sid is alive!! Thorsten, that cheap pulse... I thank thee! ;) LCD seems faulty. The reaction has been the same from beginning, never even changed the wiring, just triple-checked and proved it right. It could be broken from the beginning. Too bad I ordered it from Germany, as it is hard to return. I try to get one from somewhere just to test if I can get it to work.

No, just 2 flashes that make other half of the matrix black, then nothing. I try same display on other core, maybe it gives different output. My lcd is DEM20231 (http://www.elpro.org/Images/html/Punktmatrixmodule/DEM20231SYH-PY.pdf), got it from Mikes, so its a proper one. I tried the display on 3 other cores, but only gave empty lcd, no dark bars at top or anything. Only the flashed PIC gives the sign of life. Should lcd work with just 16 wires connection, i mean, without any further parts of minimal control unit, just core, sid and lcd? N

Just a quickie: I can't get my LCD running, I just get backlight and some rapid flashes in matrix itself, but after these short flashes it remains empty. I only connected LCD using 16 wires, but not any pots or leds, should it work that way? Nestle Update: I checked and re-soldered LCD and added din and dout modules (without any pots or buttons). Did not help. If it should work, I will take some pictures so you guys can help me out in noticing if there is some blatant errors. I have connected all modules, flashed one PIC, everything seems ok - just can't get that lcd running.