pingosimon

hmm those look cool, but I think I'd much rather go with a 2x20 for now, since that's what the guides are written for.. I'm trying to avoid all possible confusion here for these first steps.

Alright, I ordered the kits, some MIDI jacks, some ribbon cable, and I'm trying to order an LCD screen. I'll worry about the control surface later. Let's see how this goes!

I'm trying! I've spent hours reading ucapps, the guides and FAQs, and these very forums, but I still have questions. I am trying my best to look things up, and not come across as demanding. I guess I could have easily found out that a potentiometer is not a rotary encoder, but I still need to know if that rotary encoder I linked to will work for the minimal control surface. So far, the control surface has been the hardest thing to research, because of lack of detail in the guides. ("9 Buttons?" Really?)

Cool, I feel almost ready to order these things, thanks a lot! What about this, though? It's from the SID module description page on SmashTV's site. LCD: I'm considering http://www.eio.com/p-938-orient-display-amc2002c-b-y6wfdy-2x20-character-lcd.aspx or http://www.eio.com/p-937-orient-display-amc2002c-b-g6wfdw-2x20-character-lcd.aspx. Can someone confirm that it doesn't have a negative voltage for the back light? Here is the specs for those: http://www.eio.com/admin/images/Downloads/AMC2002C.pdf Section 5 confirms that it doesn't, right? Do I need a ribbon cable to hook up the LCD? Now I'm stuck on the minimal control surface. Here's as much detail as I can find just reading around: What kind of buttons? Are the potentiometers at SmashTV considered "rotary encoders?" If not, does this work? http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?R=318-ENC160F-24P

I'm trying to figure out what to order so I Can build my first CORE and a SID module or two. I'm starting out with the SmashTV kits, but there are some important details: Banksticks: Does any 512 model work, or does it have to be 24LC512? If so, I'll order from the USA retailers. From the Bankstick page: LCD screen: Do I need to know any other details besides "2x20"? Module size, voltage, etc? CORE PIC header: I don't even know what this is. The default option in the kit is 0000 0000 0000 0000 PIC Microcontroller: Should I get this? I'm assuming I get PIC18F4685. Again, which header? Power Supply: I have two Commodore 64 PSU that output 9V. I'm using SIDs version 6582. This part of SmashTV's notes for the SID module confuses me. Can I request that he replaces the parts in the kit with the parts that I need? (the small description under the SID module kit says "Includes regulators and filter capacitors for both SID chip versions" but the ones I need are not listed in the parts list.) These "audio plugs" are just 1/4" phono jacks, right? Like the kind used in guitars and amps? Do I need this? Are there any more specifics to it? Thanks for the help! I've read all the pages on this stuff, and I'm up to page 18 on the forum, but I'm only comprehending a tiny bit of it. I really need some parts and directions in front of me so I can grasp what I'm reading about.

Thanks guys! I'll go with the single core and single SID for now. It makes sense to start simple, and I do need some experience with every aspect of this project.

ooh thanks for the soldering video, I learned a couple new things! hmm, now I'm confused. Maybe more people will jump in with basic module vs mb6582. I'll do some more reading this weekend before ordering anything.

Alright! Thanks for the tip in the other thread...I think I'll definitely start with the simpler project. Which one chip would you use to start out with? Are they very easily interchangeable once I build the SID module? I haven't actually tested one of the 6581, since the C64 I got it out of was broken.

First of all, from what I know it's good message board etiquette to bump old relevant threads instead of creating new ones. That's fine here, right? Second, wow, is this really the easiest SID project to start out on? I remember seeing this a month ago when I was first lurking around, and thinking that an 8-SID module was huge! I also remember reading somewhere that I can basically build this same module even if I only have four SID chips. I can't remember where I read that, but is it true? What do you guys think - build a single core and single SID module, or just go for this?

Cool, thanks! Yeah I guess that question is kinda hard to answer, but thanks for verifying my hunch that I should use the matched pair for a stereo setup. I'll start with the core and a single SID module and go from there....time to start reading this whole site...

Hello! I'm about to start making my first MIDIbox SID, which, frighteningly, is also my first big electronics/programming project of any sort. I'm sure I'll be posting here more as I try to construct the CORE, the SID module, and maybe some additions. I have two 6582A chips from Wilba, a 6581R4AR from a grey C64, and a 6581 CBM from a rounder C64. I may do some sequencing, but I'm starting this project with the intention of using the synth with a MIDI keyboard to play it live. Is two chips enough for a decent live synth setup? Is 4 overkill? Should I make two modules and use one for leads and one for bass? Is there a certain way I should or should not mix and match these four chips? I know the 6582 and 6581 use different voltages, but I don't know enough about the sound differences to know if it'd be worth it to work around the voltage issue in order to mix chips in a module. Thanks!