Testing SIDs While I wait for PCBs

[Amanita]

Hi

Is there a test circuit that i can breadboard in order to test the SIDs i have pulled? I am waiting for PCBs to be delivered, but it would be good to be able to verify the condition of the chips i have.

Cheers

A

[Flemming]

Ofcourse you can always just test them in a C64.. if you got one - if you pulled the SIDs yourself chances are that you have a working C64 which could be used to test SIDs with. Try playing some hefty SID-files (Hubbard or the likes) that you know already, and you will quickly discover if it does not sound as it should.

Just be aware of the 9V/12V difference in SID and C64 ofcourse, so you won't blow any of your delicious chips. Also, the 6581 won't play mixed waveforms so be sure to find SID-files that are compatible with both chips, or the 6581s will sound dead at times.

But it's a cheap and easy test, i did it myself a few times, and actually i only found 6581s with errors. The 8580s and 6582s i tried never had a problem at all.

[Amanita]

Hi - thanks for that. The C64's i've acquired all have reported problems - i've basically bought up machines for spares. A mix of chips has resulted so far - 3 x 6581 (1983 vintage) and 2 x 8580 (1989 and 1990). 2 more machines on the way. The PCBs i'm waiting for are for the MB6582. I guess i could get the SID module and PIC Core up and running more quickly than i'm realistically going to build the MB6582 - maybe thats the way forward (if i'm understanding things right).

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[nILS]

Short answer: No testing w/o core and sid module unless you have a different machine to test them in (c64, sidstation, hardsid, ...) :)

[Smithy]

Is this is about as minimal as it gets:

http://www.asciilifeform.com/parallelsid/parasid.html

But of course you'll need a computer with an old printer port. Not sure if a usb to parallel cable would do.

[Amanita]

Thanks for the suggestion Smithy. Looking at the Schematics for the Core module and the SID module i might just go ahead and build them on proto-board - there are not too many components afterall.

Probably a "Famous Last Words" statement i know.....

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