tel3

It's definitely a cool idea. I'm actually using something very similar for my SID box. I decided to use a small Road-Ready utility case, an "RRUC" to be exact. Everything for a quad-SID w/step C control surface fits right in it very snug! The case opens up to the CS front panel mounted along the edges of the open case that held the foam in it. 8) I'm thinking of mounting some very small hinges along the top edge so the CS panel can be easily flipped up for easy access to the internal workings. It isn't quite finished yet but, as soon as I do finish it I will be posting a few pics for everyone's viewing pleasure! ;D -tel3

Crystalfontz do make pretty sweet displays. If only they made different color OLED displays I would have used one in my box. I wanted something different than the usual green/yellow colored display though. I ended up using their negative red 20x2 for my SID box and the same in a 40x2 size for my FM box... -tel3

Sweet! That shortened C64 case is a really cool idea...very different!

seppoman, all I can say is...WOW!! ;) Totally cool project! I'd love to hear what it can do. I'll be looking forward to some samples!! -tel3

Hey toneburst, I don't see a problem at all. As long as you are using the appropriate parts(voltage reg, caps, etc) on your SID boards and correct software on your PIC for the particular SID chip (8580 or 6581). So, as far as I know you shouldn't have any problems at all. Hope that helps! -tel3

I'm sure there are cheaper ones out there, I just didn't feel like doing a bunch of searching for 'em. ...It was quite easy, and I didn't mind the price all that much!

The website described in the thread below this one has 'em for $5.00 US each! I believe I bought 2 YMF262 and 4 YAC512 from them for less than $40 dollars US a few months ago. I would recommend trying them if you haven't already. -tel3

Yea, I kinda thought maybe that feature existed already! :-[ Thanks TK! ;D

I had an idea I thought would be quite useful... Now, I'm not totally sure this feature doesen't already exist, but I'll shoot anyway. My idea is to have an audition button (kinda like my E-MU E5000 Ultra has) that can be used to trigger a MIDI note. This way you can listen to and edit a patch without always needing a keyboard controller connected. This button could be in the main menu section labeled "AUD" for audition, of course! Also, if you could specify the particular note triggered that would be cool too. I'm not a programmer, but I would think this wouldn't be too involved a task for someone that is? What do you guys think? -tel3

Hey sas, one thing I like to do to find different parts like knobs is to take a trip to my local music store and check out all the parts on various pieces of gear. Once you find something with knobs you really like, special order them from the same store!! Most of the mega-chain type music stores will have a lot of gear to get ideas from and generally can special order parts like that no problem. Some pieces with nice rubberized knobs are the Alesis Ion and Micron, various DigiDesign control surfaces like 002 and D-Command, M-Audio controllers, etc. Just go there and go "shopping" There's no rules to DIY!! ;) Hope that helps. ;D -tel3

I've never used JSynth before. I'll Have to give that a try as soon as I get my fried Core back up and working again after my little shorting incident. :) I also didn't have a bankstick connected at the time either, so I wasn't testing with actual patches. I'll have to hook one of those up too. Thanks! -tel3

I have recently tested 2 different 6581 SIDs, one '83 and one an '84 run. I have heard alot about issues with the filters not working and am wanting to make sure the conclusion that I'm coming to about my SIDs filters not working right is correct. When I tested them I used just the basic, almost minimal requirements, Core w/LCD and SID modules. I connected them to my PC and opened MIOS Studio. I then assigned one of MIOS Studio's on-screen CC knobs to #47 as per the MIDIbox SID controller data.txt document. Next I tweaked the newly assigned controller after "latching" an on-screen key and listened for the changing cutoff frequency......Nothing changed! So my question is, does anything else need to be done first before being able to hear the cutoff changing? Is the default setting of the filter channels for each voice set to on or off? I did then assign another controller knob to CC#44 and carefully attempted to turn on and off the filter channels for each voice, then again tweaked the cutoff freq knob with no success. Does that sound about right to anyone? Do I have 2 SIDs with bad filters? I've only kinda recently started to get sound out of them so I'm not totally sure how they really should be behaving to begin with. Thanks, tel3

Are the available SIDs 8580s or 6581s? I want 2 8580s lemme know. -tel3

Just my luck! The bridge rec is getting really hot too...like instantly after applying power, all three are blazing hot! The PIC and bridge rec are the only ones I can't quickly replace too. the others I can cannibalize from a C64... ;D

Thanks stryd_one... I do believe it landed on the negative side of the 470uF cap. -tel3

I hooked up a temporary testing setup using some alligator clip leads to try out an '83 6581 SID chip I have recently aquired. The setup was very minimal, consisting of a Core R4C and SID R3 module, LCD screen and no control surface. Everything was powered up with a C-64 PSU connected as described in the mbhp_sid_c64_psu.pdf file. Aside from another 6581 with (typical) non-working filter issues, things were working just fine when I accidently let the unconnected wire on the SID module's J1 power input jumper touch a lead on the PSU circuit's 470uF electrolytic capacitor!!! :o The LCD dimmed long enough for me to notice and quickly attempt to pull the unused J1 wire from the Cap's lead. I pulled it away and let it go and it FELL RIGHT BACK ON IT!!!! DAMN!!! >:( So, now when I attempt to power up just the Core, the PIC and 7805 get hot enough to fry eggs on! All of the initial Core voltage checks without the PIC and 6N138 are normal, but when you install the ICs, break out the eggs and bacon! Anyone have any suggestions? Think I burned up the PIC? :'( Thanks, tel3

SWEET! I might not have missed out after all... 8) I'll be waiting patiently! ;D -tel3

If there are any 8580s left or anyone backs out of a purchase I would like 2... Thanks, tel3

Well unfortunately, I thought I had figured it out but when I tried it I could not get it to work ??? Smash (or anyone else that knows!), Correct me if I'm wrong but, I believe that they are set up this way (with 10 pin DIL headers) to make it easier to build/setup and so that the female 10 pin IDC connectors can be used, making the single Vs on each of the four 10 pin header jumpers common for each jumper. this in turn brings the common Vs closer to each input connection to be wired on that particular jumper. Similar to what SmashTV stated in a previous post about the new DOUT R3 module. If this is pitifully wrong, someone please correct me on how to connect the encoders and switches to a DIN R3 for a SID CS setup!! I was attempting to connect just the appropriate inputs for the step A control surface using a DINX4 R3 kit from SmashTV. All parts were connected to the board except for the other 3 74HC165 logic ICs that are not to be used yet. That is what I'm supposed to do right? So anyway, I'll have to try it again soon once I have gotten some more rainbow ribbon cable, connectors and such... -tel3

Nevermind... I think I have figured it out! ;D -tel3

I am unsure how to connect my encoders and switches to the new DIN module for my SID control surface?. I have noticed there is only one Vs for each DIL jumper (J3,J4,J5,and J6) but on the SID CS DIN map .pdf there is one Vs on each SIL jumper row... ??? So, how should I be hooking up my encoders and switches? I have searched the various pages and forum posts and cannot find any documentation on the new DIN(R3) board's connection specifics. -tel3

Hello Marcel, Yeah I was afraid someone would say that! Getting those DIL40's out are a pain when you don't have an IC pulling tool! About the PSU, I have tried a few different ones. Even a 9v battery! ;D Thanks for the help, Much appreciated! _tel3

Cool, Thanks Raphael! I'm In Brooklyn, NY right now for the BENT circuit bending festival over in lower Manhattan right now, so I'll do that as soon as I get back home to B-more! _tel3

Hey Raphael, Thanks for your interest in helping! I guess I should have clarified better...Sorry! Well anyway, I actually meant not one of the pins described for testing can I get a voltage reading! And, the "many other" pins are various pins on the PIC and a few on the 6N138 Optocoupler, also on the J2 Vd point is a normal 5v or so, as well as all the other Vd's on the board are 5v as normal. When I get home after my N.Y. trip I can re-test and list the exact pins that do give the normal reading, and the pins that don't. ;) I don't think I have done much of the MIDI in tests, but I still should be getting 5v on the PIC and Opto's pins as described on the MIDI troubleshooting's measuring Vd page right? -tel3

I STILL CAN'T GET IT TO WORK!!! >:( Sorry, this can be frustrating though! Somebody has to know what is up with my core? (and how to fix it!) So here's the deal so far...I tested the socket pins originally before inserting the ICs. The voltage was at like 4.70v. Then I realized that my DMM was not giving me correct readings and was somewhat busted, so I figured everything was a go after testing with a better DMM. Then I attempted to upload MIOS via MIOS Studio. I could not get it to work correctly (upload) after several tries. So I checked everything and then rechecked everything to make sure there was nothing wrong with my solder joints, PSU connections, etc. and...just my luck, STILL NOTHING! ??? Then I tried measuring the core Vdd as described in the MIDI interface troubleshooting pages. I can't seem to get 5v on one of the pins/points described! I don't get it! I am able to get 5.10v on many other pins! Oh yeah I almost forgot, my core IS sending the "Upload Request" message to the computer too...But, will not seem to upload MIOS no matter what I do!!! I assume it has something to do with my voltages not being there on the points to be tested while measuring the cores Vdd, and being just about everywhere else? Maybe a short? Maybe a cap or diode installed incorrectly? I don't think so...I'm just hoping it's that simple! So what do you guys think? I'm puzzled ??? -tel3