pingosimon

Ah, so what exactly was the order? Which type of socket was soldered to the board, and which type of socket held the SID?

So in the kit from Smash TV, there are only enough ICs to solder to the board, and plug the SIDs into right? We do need to buy the extras to safely swap out SIDs?

I meant the LCD screen itself. I'm taking a set of grey and a set of red knobs from bhc303. Still finding time to research the other parts! Unfortunately, researching used cars has just become the priority :(

Going out of town till late Sunday, so I can't respond to anything till then!

I could just buy some from you then! Could I get a set of red and a Set of grey?

ooh, how many spares?

http://www.midibox.org/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=wilba_mb_6582_base_pcb_construction_guide I'm a noob but... The first section is about the PSU. It seems A and B are mutually exclusive, and C and D are so complicated that they'd each be mutually exclusive with others. I have two C64 PSUs, and I'm not too afraid of either breaking, plus I might come across even more in my search for SID chips, so I'm going with option B.

ooh that's nice. More expensive than I would have thought, though. Where's a good place for regular SIL machine sockets, for the capacitors? I definitely need these, as I see myself switching out SIDs pretty often.

I'll be ordering some 6582 parts soon. I plan on building two. Anyone want to join forces? If SmashTV doesn't sell it, I need it. This includes: Buttons Rotary encoders Knobs LCD screens Cases Panels Nuts, bolts, washers IC sockets (if SmashTV doesn't have extras) Maybe some different colored LEDs I'm still researching into exactly what I need, and what really needs to be ordered in bulk, but I figured I'd start this process now.

hahaha Thanks again!

Ah, I get it now, thanks! I'll try some different patches when I figure out this SysEx editor...I don't have any buttons or knobs yet. I need to read up on Bankstick, DIN and DOUT, and then I think I'm actually going to start on a MB-6582! UPDATE: Figured out the sysex editor, tried the Multi patch, played some 6-note chord progressions, nearly pooped pants.

Awesome, thanks! I uh...couldn't wait for my buttons and knob for the frontpanel to test it myself...too exciting! :D

Just curious, to what extent can I get polyphony from SID chips when playing live with a keyboard? With a single CORE and two SID modules, can I play up to 2 notes at a time, or up to 6 notes? Is it necessary to split the keyboard into multiple sections to play more than one note, or can non-mono patches automatically route multiple keys to different SID chip channels?

Uh...both modules work now! They each emit the testtone, and they each work with the default lead patch! Maybe all that plugging/unplugging of cables and SID chips did something. Er wait...My LCD screen shows: EInt|PInt| Ld Chn. 1 1***|Lead Patch Does the 1*** mean that SID 2 is not being recognized? I don't have any buttons yet for the control surface, so I don't think I can select anything. I'd still like to learn how to use the interconnection test, for future reference.

Well, all pins are continuous, except SO, but even that is continuous when the power is on. I sometimes had to feel around for a bit to get a beep. I assume that's just the nature of multimeters, but would it be worth it to resolder the pins?

Ah ok, corresponding pins between SID L and SID R. Thanks! As for the interconnection test, I'm not sure how to use it. I can get it uploaded to the core, and it reads "Test SID Module Pin: A0" When I change the mod wheel (or use a program called MIDImouse for Mac) I can get it to read "Test SID Module Pin: xx" where xx is A and a number or D and a number, or some other things. What exactly am I looking for? I'm using a 2x20 LCD.

Sorry, could you explain the continuity test a bit more? I'll have access to a multimeter tonight. Am I looking for continuity between EVERY combination of pins (not including S0) on J2? I have a Y shape, with two wires stuffed into certain plugs of the core. I'll probably have access to a camera tonight too, so I'll try to get pictures.

This works! Both modules are outputting sound with this method. I rested the SIDs back in their places, even tried switching them, but I got the same result as before. I made a new wire plug for core 14 - SID J2 SO, same result. I noticed that the SID chip of the functional SID L is getting pretty hot, while the chip in SID right is just getting a bit warm.

Actually, I am just connecting one audio jack, alternating modules. I just have an instrument cable plugged into a bare 1/4" jack, connected to a guitar amp, and I'm touching the SID audio out wires straight to the jack while running testtone. I do have Core:J14 connected to SID:J2:SO of SID R with a wire and plugs....I'll try making another wire just in case. Thanks for the troubleshoot suggestion! I'm leaving soon for the weekend, but I'll try the resistor bridge when I get back! So...is the interconnection test unnecessary for this problem? I did a forum search, and someone always suggested "try the test."

Based on what I can see, the connections are fine. Exactly the same for both modules, except for where SO of SID J2 connects to the CORE. Would the interconnection test app tell me if there's something wrong with the connections that I can't see? I'm using mbsid_testtone_v3b.zip from http://www.ucapps.de/mios_download.html The pdf doesn't make much sense to me. I only have one CORE, and my LCD is working fine D 1-16 plugged into the core. I used this guide http://www.midibox.org/users/jim_henry/building_a_midibox_lcd_cable.pdf

Short question: I'm uploading the applications to the CORE just fine. My LCD reads "Test SID Module Pin: A0" I can use the mod wheel to select different pins. What now? Long explanation: I finished a CORE + 2 SID modules! I'm using the latest version of everything, and an optimized PSU. I have a 2x20 LCD screen, which seems to be working fine. The Left SID works perfectly, but the Right doesn't produce sound with the testtone app. I tried swapping the L and R SID modules, and it was still the module in place of SID R that didn't work, so the modules themselves are fine. I got successful voltage checks in the IC sockets before adding the chips. Since noticing this problem, I swapped the power wires between the SID modules. This did not affect which module produced sound, so the power lines are ok. The only thing I have left to suspect are the wires and plugs that connect the CORE to the SID R....right?

There are discrepancies between the PSU schematic and SmashTV's SID PCB. Should I trust the labels, or the placement? Schematic shows for SID J2: SO MD RC MU SC PWR Vs Vd My PCB is labeled as: SO SC RC MU CLK Vs Vc Does CORE J10 MD connect to SID MD (as labeled in schematic) or SC (as positioned in schematic)? EDIT: I went with the visual representations, tested the voltages on each IC, and came out with the correct readings. It's safe to put the chips in, right?

If only everything were easy to find. Anyway it's working! I still need to go buy the 220 ohm resistor for the LED, and add pin headers and make plugs, but I tested the loose wires and got 5V and 14V! wooo!

I've been using this PDF the whole time http://www.ucapps.de/mbhp/mbhp_8xsid_c64_psu_optimized.pdf Is there one that's labelled more clearly? I was told not to go by "looks" when reading schematics. Anyway, I think I've finally got all the info I need to start putting this together. Thanks again for all the help!

Ah I see now. I didn't realize the 5VDC label was specifically for the red wires. Thanks! Wait, so I am correct about the 9VAC line, right? BOTH wires on the left of the plug are 9VAC, and it doesn't matter which is which? How do you get two wires onto one pin? For example, RC of CORE 1 is supposed to go to RC of SID 1 L and RC of SID 1 R. I was planning on just using the crimps and housing from SmashTV's shop.