[MBHP_USB_PIC V1 released (and imperfections documented)]

A 4Mhz crystal can also be used due to how the 4550's PLL works.

[What is the best chip test tune?/Mp3s with SIDs audio in feature?]

I tried using the audio in once when I was fixing up this C128. Can't really say how the audio quality was because it was using a crappy setup.

I've thought about making a crazy synth that uses some form of FM synth passed through the SID's audio in, which is closer to the intended use of the audio in feature of the sid.

[LCD Use]

I thought MIOS used a 2x20 by default? When I had mine together, I used a 2x20 no problem, don't think I had to go through and change + recompile

[Weird DINX4 Problem!! (ex. broken sid topic)]

Sorry for the mix up, been working with chips where Vdd is the 5 and Vpp is the 9/12. Its the 5v pin. I'm not saying that you gave me a bad SID, I blame my board, its been nothing but bad luck to me. Going to try etching a PCB so I can have a more reliable board.

[Weird DINX4 Problem!! (ex. broken sid topic)]

I can one up you...

I just got my two 6582's from Wilba and got ready to try em out. I modified my dual SID module for the 6582 (it was set up for 6581s) and double checked everything and my 9v supply. I get one chip in to test and it doesnt work. I check again and notice that D7 and Vdd are shorted together. I thought "aha! if D7 is pulled up, nothing will sound right" then started to look for the short. I was in great dismay when I found it, it was in the SID chip. The Vdd and D7 pin where shorted on it.

[Some questions about the 6582]

Over the past year, most of my experience was in dealing with the 6581. I know with the 6581, if the 1k resistor between the audio out and the ground is lost, the chip kills its self. What I am wondering, does the 6582 do this? I know the 6581 datasheet shows this connection, where as the 6582 datasheet does not. I would go with what the datasheet says, but I know how trustworthy a MOS datasheet is.

Another question on it is, what filter caps does it use. I would presume the same as a 8580, but the 6582 data sheet says (I think) 6.8nf.

Any other info I should know would be great, now excuse me while I update my SID module for 9v and debug more loose connections out of it.

[6581 filter not working]

Chances are is that the filter section of your chip is toast. I've got a 6581 with this problem. I drop a good one in the same SID module and the filter works fine. You either stuck with getting a new chip or using an external filter.

[Newb Thinks He's Figured the Optimized PSU]

Oh man,

just by looking at this thread i know im after getting in way over my head with the project.  :-\

Im just going to have to learn as much info as i can on electronics before i even start putting the thing together.

Thanks a lot for linking that site which shows how to make the Optimised PSU.

I was trying to find something which shows a noob how to build it on this site from scratch but I couldnt find anything.

Id be lost without it!

For a lot of this, just follow the schematics and you'll be ok. Knowing stuff about electroncis helps, but when you've got a schematic or a kit, you really just need to know how to put it all together. *Gets back to making the cheapest transitor-ladder filter possible*

[Further Education Microcontroller Courses]

My advice is to just play around. A lot of this isnt that hard to pick up and can be fun.

[Further Education Microcontroller Courses]

Odds are thoose courses will be HC11 (as it looks like the one is). The HC11 is a completly different thing then the PIC18F that the midibox uses. Much different. I'm in a 68HC11 class right now and going from it to the PIC is a bit of a shock.

Edit: Although a lot of what you'll learn can be used in application to this. How much digital electronics experience do you have? Basic understanding of gates and basic logic cirucits is a must. These class will introduce the concept of assembly programing and the parts of an MCU. Just keep in mind you can't learn HC11 asm then program the PIC. Type ldda $8100 into MPLAB and it will throw a fit (well MPASM will).

[SID chips]

where did you find 300 some SIDs?  :o

[Perf Board Construction How To?]

Also, keep it as clean as you can. You don't want a mess of wires to trace through when something isn't working right. Also, make sure you know where your voltages are going (nothing says defeat like that sickening pop and that smell of toasted electronics).

[will all smashTV PCB's for the mbSID step C fit into PAC TEC PT-10 case?]

Well, I wanted my CS to be small so I eliminated the SID selection and the CC/Link buttons. I did this because I don't plan on having more then one SID at the moment. I also cutout the mod matrix. You'll have to recompile the .hex file with the updated pinning of your DIN shift registers, but it eliminates 2 shift registers. Although I guess that just helps if you are making custom boards.

If you feel like being a perfboard champ, you could probably condense everything a good bit. Say, one board with the PIC and the SID and associated shift registers, then another board over it with 6 or 7 of the DIN shift registers and the 6 DOUT shift registers (which you may be able to squeeze to 5 if your creative)

[LCD Problems]

Well, I got a Hantronix 20x2 display HDM20216l and got it wired up. After having trouble with it needing -5v, I got it to display somewhat. Now Its giving me what I guess is some kind of error. It says Test LCD X-Cons. Pin: D0. I checked and its good. Any ideas?

[just finished building my midibox sid!]

Grats.

Got my Core and Sid module together the other day. Kind of surpised it work considering the Sid module is one I made out of a basic radio shack protoboard and some parts I found laying around. My LCD and some odds and ends from Jameco on enroute currently.

What are you using for an enclosure? I'm considering useing a C64C case I've got, but may build something from scratch.