445 replies to this topic

[Wilba]

Well, because of the US$200-US$250. Don`t get me wrong. I don`t think it is expensive, but I already have all the parts to build it and laser cutter at hand for making custom case at low price. I could make it pretty cheap if I can buy just PCBs. If you sell it just as a kit, I understand. No problem.

OK... US$250 was overestimating... I'm getting closer to the final price, which should be US$205-US$210, including case and SIDs.

The cost breakdown is sort of like this:
Parts: US$72
PCBs: US$35
Case: US$45
SID x2: US$53

Parts include bulk ordered components from Mouser, Digikey, and my own stock of LCDs, encoders, knobs, rocker switches, screws, spacers etc.

I am now committed to a trial batch of 25 kits... meaning, I've started ordering enough for 25 full kits. If this trial batch of kits is a success and it leads to more batches (i.e. there's a long list of crazy people wanting one), then I can order extra PCBs when ordering for the next batch... i.e. "just PCB" orders can be handled quite easily if I know exactly how many there will be before I order PCBs.

Sasha: since I know your situation, PM me with details of what you want, and I will order extra PCBs just for you when I order this first batch of 25.

[Sasha]

Thank you very much Wilba.

[bhc303]

dood, you seriously rule!

I would love one of these kits!

[bhc303]

stereo SID, optimized for 8580/6582A, 6581 optionally supported

How is 6581 supported?

Cheers

[Smithy]

stereo SID, optimized for 8580/6582A, 6581 optionally supported

How is 6581 supported?

Cheers

Going by the pics on flickr, you'd have to solder a different Voltage regulator for the SID (in IC3, i think),
and soldering the different value filter caps for the 6581.

EDIT:
Im wrong! Theres a jumper select for 6581 and 8580!

Thats friggin awesome that ye fitted that in there.

[Wilba]

stereo SID, optimized for 8580/6582A, 6581 optionally supported

How is 6581 supported?

For those who don't know, 6581 SIDs need 12V, 8580/6582A need 9V.

To use 8580/6582A SIDs, you can supply the box with any unregulated non-switchmode supply from a walwart (AC adapter). I've had it running nicely on a 9.3V AC 1A walwart and a 12V DC 500mA walwart. One 7809 voltage regulator will regulate a 9V supply to the SIDs, another 7805 voltage regulator will regulate a 5V supply to everything else.

To use 6581 SIDs, you must supply the box with a regulated non-switchmode 12V DC supply (~500mA), and use jumpers to bypass the bridge rectifier and supply the SIDs directly from this input power. It's not as elegant as adding a 12V regulator on the PCB... and the requirement to find a good regulated DC supply (and only ever use this supply) might be considered a hack by some people, but the design is optimized for 8580/6582A for good reasons. (If you can't please everybody, you might as well please the people buying your 6582A SIDs!)

Smithy is sort of correct though... you could replace 7809 with 7812 and make it a fixed 12V supply, but then you can't use 8580/6582A and must deal with more heat inside the case, the 7805 will run hotter because of the extra 3V of input... for me, not worth the effort to find out how well that would work.

[m00dawg]

stereo SID, optimized for 8580/6582A, 6581 optionally supported

How is 6581 supported?

My guess is by replacing the 7809 with a 7812 since all the remaining components should only require 5V (only the SID requires 9V or 12V depending on the model).

[SLP]

stereo SID, optimized for 8580/6582A, 6581 optionally supported

How is 6581 supported?

My guess is by replacing the 7809 with a 7812 since all the remaining components should only require 5V (only the SID requires 9V or 12V depending on the model).

don't forget the different filter caps.

[bhc303]

sweet, thanks for reply's

would there be a new set of cc # parameters or would it be the same as below?

http://svnmios.midib...meter_chart.txt

cheers

[Wilba]

would there be a new set of cc # parameters or would it be the same as below?

http://svnmios.midib...meter_chart.txt

sammichSID runs MIDIbox SID synth V2 firmware, obviously with custom configuration for the control surface wiring... so the CC parameters would be the same unless people changed it and recompiled.

[bhc303]

cool, cheers wilba!

[Theta_Frost]

Yes!  I'll be ordering a kit for sure!  2 Q's though...  will the case source files be available if we wanted to order our own special color?  and will this be compatible with upgrading it with the possible Core32 options that have been discussed.  Really excited! 

[TheProf]

Beautiful work Wilba, and as in the MB6582, not just outside, but inside. The no-wiring makes this as near to an "off the shelf SID stnth" as can be made, as I see it, and at a fraction of the price of a SIDstation!

My congratulations to both you and Nils

[Wilba]

will the case source files be available if we wanted to order our own special color?

Yes. They are Inkscape SVG files and can even be edited with Inkscape (freeware vector graphics program) if people want to change things, which they might want to do if they use a thicker material like the wood veneers that Ponoko offers, or modify it to suit CNC router fabrication.

will this be compatible with upgrading it with the possible Core32 options that have been discussed.

I've made this as compatible as possible to upgrade to Core32 according to TK's current plans, which are, to use the PIC18F4685 as a "helper IC" to communicate with SIDs, DIN/DOUT and LCD modules. Thus there are pads for connecting a "daughter board" with the STM32 chip, and jumpers so the base PCB's MIDI In/Out is routed to the STM32, and the PIC connected to the STM32 by CAN bus. A fully populated Core32 PCB is too big to fit inside the case, but a smaller PCB dedicated to upgrading MB-SID V2 implementations (sammichSID and MB-6582) can be made, or optionally, people could cut a Core32 PCB to fit (messy, but theoretically possible, I'm going to try eventually!), or upgrade to a bigger case and connect the Core32 (and optionally add to or replace the control surface).

[m00dawg]

Good Lord, Wilba, what haven't you thought of! That is crazy! A tiny package that's also takes into account potential future developments. I'm almost scared to ask what your day-job is

Not that I'm trying to impose any pressure, but I was curious as to when you might be setting up the official bulk order stuff? I want to make sure I put my name down once the Wiki page is up (I assume you were going to do the bulk orders similar to the SID orders?).

[Wilba]

Not that I'm trying to impose any pressure, but I was curious as to when you might be setting up the official bulk order stuff? I want to make sure I put my name down once the Wiki page is up (I assume you were going to do the bulk orders similar to the SID orders?).

Assuming all the parts are available and delivered in the next few weeks (i.e. by 20th October), I should have the first batch of kits packed and ready to ship by 1st November.
While I wait for parts, I hope to write the documentation - step-by-step build instructions, parts lists, installing firmware etc.
It would be nice to have all that done before accepting real orders, because then people know what is involved in building the kit.

But I know how MIDIbox regulars like to get on a list ASAP. If you want to pre-order now, just email your details (NOT MONEY!) to: Jason.S.Williams@gmail.com
Include your MIDIbox username so I know who I'm talking to!
"Pre-order" just means I collect your email address, and I reserve a kit for you.
There is no commitment to buy, you can cancel or wait for another batch with no bad karma!

Guestimate Prices: (actual payment will be in AUD and include PayPal fees.)

• full kit, 2x 6582A SIDs: US$205
  
• full kit, no SIDs: US$152
  
• registered post shipping to USA: US$17
  
• registered post shipping to Europe: US$20

Please tell me your preferred acrylic colour. I hope it's dark grey tint but some people prefer black opaque or red tint. I might do 15 dark grey tint, 5 red tint, 5 black opaque. I don't really know... give me some feedback and I'll see what I can do.

**UPDATE** The first batch of 25 kits are now all reserved.
If you send in a pre-order now, it will be for another batch, unless someone cancels their order from the first batch.

[m00dawg]

Damn that red looks hot! I would personally prefer a red-tint case myself. If I had the pick of any color, though, I'd probably go for a translucent blue. I used a blue front-panel for my almost sort of working MB-6582 and it looks really nice with amber or green LEDs. Otherwise translucent grey is fine by me. I'm not a fan of the non-transluscent colors though. Them boards are pretty and I want to see thems!

Though honestly I'm more excited about being able to build a Sammich more than what it actually looks like. So, really, I won't complain if you offer whatever colors you can, particularly if other colors would complicate things.

[Wilba]

I admit, red tint does look good... I blame nILS.



(note this is an early prototype without the mesh holes on the sides)

[m00dawg]

Sounds reasonable to blame him sure

On an aside, I noticed those photos appear to have a covering over the LCD? Is that part of the kit or are we on our own for having to figure out that part?

[bhc303]

is black opaque a non translucent look?

cheers