Etaoin

I found that an the older 1.4c firmware I still had from a previous built does load without errors. I can't get 1.4e to load without the eeprom error.

Obviously it wouldn't work without ground lol :smile: but ground on the OPL3 board doesn't need the ground plane. If you open the board in Eagle without the ground plane, you'll see there is also an almost complete ground trace, which is incorporated in the ground plane. So for most of the ground connections, the ground plane isn't actually needed for the connection. That's exactly why I decided I wouldn't etch a new board. I wouldn't have gone on if all ground connections were missing, obviously... Where a connection was missing (in two places) I added it. Secondly, the test tone firmware is loading and running fine, and the mp3 is from that one. So no, I'm not missing ground and the firmware is loading fine. With the FM firmware (and only with that one) I have exactly the same problem as described here: So what I meant was that it can't write the 256 EEPROM bytes. There are no errors in uploading the firmware itself, which runs fine and responds to midi and patch changes as it should. As mentioned in that thread, that error would only affect the default patch. My question, which started my post, was if this output was typical for a dead YMF? Because if it is, I can probably stop looking for something else.

I built the OPL3 board yesterday and am running into some odd output. I wanted to post this to see if anyone had this before and whether this was an indication of a dead YMF262. Attached is the output of the test tone program. First sound it produces when booting MIOS, second comes straight after when starting the test tone program. It's good funky 80's computer sound, but not the test tone it should produce... Notes: I forgot to turn on the ground plane in Eagle and only after drilling did I realize that that also leaves out a couple of traces. I added those (two I think are missing). But I don't think the missing ground plane can cause this anyway. I didn't fancy etching another one. I use UV photo boards so the traces are as crisp as they get. As I'm getting clean audio, the analog part is probably ok as well. I've "beeped out" the connections to the SMD chips from the pin on the chip to the other end of the trace. Those should be ok. I doubt I overheated the chips, although even with over 25 years in DIY and good tools one can never be sure. With the Midibox FM firmware, I do get the startup note, but it is heavily distorted (digital distortion). That might just be a bad patch though. Like someone else posted recently, I also have the problem that Midistudio can't write the flash-part of the firmware, so it will probably leave random data as default patch. mbfm_testtone.mp3

Albs are not responding to the online quote request, so I'm still looking for these knobs as well.

I have found 500x100mm stripboard. That will probably do as well as a matrix board.

Problem is I can't get any boards larger than 100x160mm!

I assumed having it in my profile was good enough ;) I'm in The Netherlands. I just came across an electronics forum though that said the ITT D6 range was absolutely rubish as they use an unprotected metal for the contacts that oxidizes quite quickly. If true, I'll probably go for other buttons. I've written Albs for a quote for the knobs, but they haven't replied yet.

Hadn't thought about Mouser yet (are they any better for shipping to Europe?). Anyway, they appear to be ITT buttons and Mouser do seem to have them (part# 611-D6R0 to 611-D6R9) but they are not in stock and have a lead time of 7 weeks. The search goes on...

Hi I'm thinking of building the SEQ with the default Schafer panel. Does anyone know where I can get the buttons and knobs that will fit that design outside Germany? I know Reichelt delivers anywhere, but at some cost! Mike's shop appears to have similar buttons, but I can't get any replies to my e-mails so I'm note sure. Even then, there are only three colours available from there. Considering the cost of the front panel, I want to make sure I get parts that will fit. I don't want to redesign the panel for different sized buttons and knobs and make a 100+ euro mistake somewhere. I'm also still looking for 20cm wide veroboards. I got a couple of eurocard-size ones thinking I'd get away with it, but the displays are too wide for those! Again, Reichelt has them, but I would need 150 euros worth of stuff before I can order from them. Thanks Louis