sparx

Thanks for the offers chaps, Aus is obviously closer to NZ than Germany, so Wilba and /tilted/, it is just the keyboard from a breadbin that is needed, not the whole thing, is that OK? Goblinz, is it a 64C you are after? I have one waiting for you. Thanks again and regards Sparx

Hi all I am looking for a working C64 keyboard preferably in or somewhere near to New Zealand. Story is this, someone emigrated there from the UK and a VIC 20 didn't make it in one piece, so if anyone has a breadbin keyboard spare after using the SID, rather than it be thrown away, it will find a good home. Thanks in advance Regards Sparx

I have been asked to source a design tablet, someone wants to use it to touch up photographs, reduce red eye, that kind of thing. Have always found a mouse works for that, anyone have any suggestions as to brands and models? TIA S

OK, have you measured the voltages on the 165's on the DINs? Check that they are getting power. Also check the soldering on the core board where the DINs connect. S

Hi Trevor Are you sure that the DINs are working? Test these outside the organ for now, just short some pins to ground and you should get an output. If not, check your soldering. It may be worth loading in another fresh INI file, one where you know inputs are enabled. You did write and load one? Do you have an LCD attached to the core? Regards S

Hi Ah, there is some kind of motor required somewhere. We'll come to that later! Certainly for playback, you can use MIDIO128, the DOuts driving ULN type driver chips which drive some kind of magnet/solenoid. What you need to be looking at is something like the e-valve system, you need to put a T junction into EVERY hose. One end goes to the tracker bar, the other to your magnets, the other goes to the key. I have seen a drawing of this on line somewhere, but as always I can't find it right now. Have a look here though: http://members.shaw.ca/smythe/e-valves.htm On this page is also a link to Willy's Frati MIDIfication which is how the MIDIO128 all started. Now, for MIDI recording of a performance, hand or roll played, this will pose a number of other problems. First of all, a piano is a dynamic instrument, an organ isn't. In the early days of piano rolls, dynamics wasn't supported, in later days, it was (in various forms). Nowadays we have MIDI with 128 levels of velocity. The MIDIO128 is digital, that is, it only knows about on or off, a key when pressed will be on and when released will be off, no matter how softly or hard you play, the MIDIBox will only detect it as being on or off. Secondly, with no electrical signals present inside the piano, you will probably have to interface a mechanical part that only moves when a note is pressed. Perhaps a slotted opto-switch which is activated when a note is pressed down? Now, the motor, have you tried plugging a vacuum cleaner into it? Did it come with any rolls? Regards Sparx

Hi all Is this a foot pump (pedal) operated player piano? Regards Sparx

Probably just as well really as you haven’t. What you have done however is post a lot on here and been helpful to some of the other newbies as well as let us know about your neighbours attempts at growing his own. Only one thing worse than having no POKEY synth and that’s having no POKEY at all! Nils? “Where’s ya POKEY gone?†Here’s the offer then, I will send you, for free, all the way from London, England a brand, spanking new POKEY chip. That takes care of “bâ€. In return, you make the Eagle PCB files and source code etc available so that those of us who are really interested in building an MB POKEY can at least make a start on the hardware and possibly contribute to this project so that it can actually move forward and one day (soon hopefully) be completed. Many hands will make light work, this will give you more time and take care of “câ€. As for point “aâ€, this is a DIY project and the wrong place to ask for money, but I know what you mean, real life needs to come first. This is a massive project to undertake all on your own as you are finding out. People here are quite willing to help out if you ask nicely and do a bit of reading etc, all of which you have done and pointed out several times to others. I am not posting this to be nasty or cause bad feeling, but having followed this thread for about a year now, there is little progress and I think, like many others, an MB POKEY would be cool. PM me your details and your new POKEY can be on its way in the morning, after that, there will be no stopping you. Best regards and wishes to all Sparx

Hey, if he can't collect it or if he's only after the psu, can I have the 128 case? Am in west london. Thanks and regards Sparx

Thats the one! (If anyone wants one of these and can't get Maplin to deliever, I'm more than happy to help out) But now I want one in red.... Thanks. Sparx

Photos of my 6582? Well it looks like all the other 6582's, blue LCD, blue LEDs, black and white knobs...but will try if you want Would rather post some photos of my original SID when its recased as it is far more individual, but I do like the 6582 :). Anyway, the fan I used came from Maplin, I can't find it on the site, but they have it in store, cost £4.99 and is the only blue LED 40mm they do. I am toying with the idea of doing another 6582 in red, so will need a red fan, anyone had any success? Sparx

What about putting a 100nF capacitor across the supply to the fan? It is with great pleasure that I can report my blue LED fan is woking quietly and there is no problem with the rest of my 6582, its taken a while but MB6582 number 79 is rocking away in London town tonight! Regards Sparx

Thanks Frailn, I can't believe I missed that. Will report back on noise or any other problems, thanks again. Sparx

Thanks Nils but any smaller anyone? Sparx

Connect them underneath the LCD header on the board. Regards Sparx

Am in the midst of reboxing my first SID synth and space in the new case is really tight so am looking for suggestions as to a smaller encoder or possibly a wheel like on a PC mouse. Anyone have any experience or suggestions on this? Thanks and regards Sparx

OK, am nearly there with the 6582, but any suggestions as to how to connect the fan? I have one of those blue LED one. Thanks Sparx

Seppoman you are the man! Thats it, many thanks. Now can anyone tell me why on some patches I am unable to play a large range of notes? Seems the top end is most reliable. Thanks again to all Sparx

Thats kind of it: beep, silence, silence, silence, beep, silence, silence, silence, beep Just put some other SIDs in and same thing, tried the Waveform change, all OK. Filtered Poly works fine but the notes also sound a bit off. Thanks for all your help so far, it is greatly appreciated but still no closer. Sparx

Nope, controller is fine, works perfectly on all other equipment including a V1 SID. Opto, all the data went in OK from MIOS studio, just swapped it with another one and the same thing. Good ideas and thanks for the reply but still not playing on all notes. Regards Sparx

Hi all Nearly there with my first MB6582, all PICs and SIDs are there all seem fine, make noise etc. BUT I only seem to be getting a note if I press a key several times, i.e. if I play a note, it sounds, I then have to press it again 3 times before I can get another note, anyone got any ideas what could cause this? Thanks and regards Sparx

Hi OK, I had this and was pulling my hair out with it, if you are using a header socket, change it for another one. If not, resolder the cable. HTH Sparx

Thanks everyone for your comments and help. Am still none the wiser though! :( Just installed a Catweasel card so will be making some C64 disks up and trying them with the suggested links. Of course I will report back on my findings. The Moog SP is available from one of links on DrBunsens posting, scroll down and its there. Did think about mailing the bloke who makes the new interfaces but I probably won't be using his interface so it seemed a bit unfair. There are links on his page, but these use some other kind of C64 DOS (I think)and its not a route I really want to go down. Need to make it as easy as possible using the hardware I have. More comments are welcomed though. Thanks again. Sparx

Oh yes, I googled it all first before posting here! Got mainly results about Prophet 64 cart, which I have, but I am just after a MIDI sequencer to load files from disk and am more looking to see if anyone could suggest, from first hand experience, a suitable program. Someone here must have used one or did we all get C64s and rip out the SIDs? Anyone? Thanks for the replies so far though. Regards Sparx

Thanks for the reply Bill Yes thats EXACTLY what I am after There sure are! I have one in front of me, this guy sells a new multi standard one: http://www.cbm8bit.com/fotios/fbmidi.php and they come up on ebay often. Think the C64 was one of the first to be used in music making, may have something to do with the SID. Question still unanswered though, anyone able to recommend a suitable sequencer? Thanks Sparx