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LektroiD

Joined: Aug 23, 2008 Posts: 1019 Location: Scottish Borders
Audio files: 2
G2 patch files: 2
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 2:40 pm Post subject:
Any C64 SID projects out there? |
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I loved my Commodore 64 back in the 80s, and still love the sound. I was wondering if a C64 SID project has ever graced the forum? |
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b-funk

Joined: Jul 17, 2007 Posts: 193 Location: Berlin
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 4:50 pm Post subject:
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Hi,
I don't know about any projects here at electro-music, but maybe you want to have a look at ucapps.de... Scroll down for the MidiBox Sid v2... This sure is the most powerful SID synth ever...
Best wishes,
Tobias |
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Sebo

Joined: Apr 27, 2007 Posts: 564 Location: Argentina
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 5:43 pm Post subject:
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Here is a picture of my Mini64, a MIDIbox SID V1.
(from http://www.ucapps.de/ of course).
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This image has been reduced to fit the page. Click on it to enlarge. |

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_________________ Sebo
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My Music:
https://www.facebook.com/cosaquitos/ |
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LektroiD

Joined: Aug 23, 2008 Posts: 1019 Location: Scottish Borders
Audio files: 2
G2 patch files: 2
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:22 pm Post subject:
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They look amazing!
However, what I had in mind was more along the lines of a DIY module with a single SID chip. |
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Sebo

Joined: Apr 27, 2007 Posts: 564 Location: Argentina
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Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 5:27 am Post subject:
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LektroiD wrote: | They look amazing!
However, what I had in mind was more along the lines of a DIY module with a single SID chip. |
That's exactly what my Mini64 is: a DIY synth with a single SID chip.
In the MIDIbox SID V1 you can choose to build the synth with 1 to 4 SID
chips.
In version 2 you can choose between 1 to 8 chips.
Also you can choose how simple/complicated the user interface will be,
from nothing (you can control everything by MIDI) to a full UI with an
encoder for every parameter.
Mine is a intermediate UI.
Go to http://www.ucapps.de/ you can see all the details there. _________________ Sebo
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My Music:
https://www.facebook.com/cosaquitos/ |
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strategy

Joined: Jan 03, 2009 Posts: 87 Location: portland, oregon
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Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 12:09 pm Post subject:
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I hadn't considered this project because I thought it would be too advanced for me (might be) but the scaled back version really appeals.
One question is I have several non functioning C64s, I've been saving them to rescue the SIDs and other components. Is there a chip testing protocol for these to make sure they're not fried?
I'd be more likely to go for this project if I knew the SIDs I have work... |
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Sebo

Joined: Apr 27, 2007 Posts: 564 Location: Argentina
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Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 2:23 pm Post subject:
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Hi strategy:
I don't know what is advance for you, but this project is intermediate, I
think.
The hard part is to burn the bootloader in the PIC, you need a burner to
do that. Today burners are cheap and you can use it for a lot other
projects. Or you can buy a pre-burned PIC. Also you can buy the PCBs
and parts kits. Or etch the PCBs yourself.
So in the end if you buy the pre-burned PIC, PCB and parts kit, is pretty
straightforward.
There is no way to check the SID until you have the Synth up and running.
Or you can check them in a working C64. _________________ Sebo
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My Music:
https://www.facebook.com/cosaquitos/ |
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strategy

Joined: Jan 03, 2009 Posts: 87 Location: portland, oregon
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Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 2:28 pm Post subject:
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Hi Sebo thanks for your comment. By advanced I mean: most projects I've worked on have not had digital elements like PICs, MIDI, etc. I'm working on mainly kits for purely analogue synth modules, noise makers, etc. - starting simple and working my way up
I did see how friendly the kits are and so I have ordered part of what I'll need...
With any luck at least 1 of my 3 SIDs will be functional, if not then I'll find one! |
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Sebo

Joined: Apr 27, 2007 Posts: 564 Location: Argentina
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Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 3:36 pm Post subject:
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Great!!!
You won't regret it. I used the MB SID in almost all tracks of the new
album of my band, I love it. _________________ Sebo
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My Music:
https://www.facebook.com/cosaquitos/ |
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strategy

Joined: Jan 03, 2009 Posts: 87 Location: portland, oregon
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Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 1:10 pm Post subject:
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Sebo:
What solution did you use for the powersupply?
The doc's recommend cannibalizing an original C64 PSU, but these are very old and have problems- which can lead to damage, even, of older Commodore original CPU's...It seems it's complex to power both the CORE and the SID modules without complexity- what was your solution? |
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filterstein
Joined: Mar 17, 2007 Posts: 42 Location: The Netherlands
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Sebo

Joined: Apr 27, 2007 Posts: 564 Location: Argentina
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Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 5:59 pm Post subject:
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For the PSU I stuffed the componentes in the CORE PCB and the SID PCB,
in both there is space to fit the diode bridge, capacitors and regulators
(7805 in the CORE and 7812 in the SID).
Then I wired a 7.5V 500mA to the CORE and a 15V 300mA to the SID PCB.
Previously I tried with a 7.5+7.5V wiring one half to the CORE and the
extremes to the SID PCB, but I got humming in the audio, but could
be the CORE was demanding too much current (the LCD needs a lot). _________________ Sebo
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My Music:
https://www.facebook.com/cosaquitos/ |
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skrasms
Joined: Feb 21, 2008 Posts: 121 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 8:55 pm Post subject:
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Sebo wrote: | For the PSU I
Previously I tried with a 7.5+7.5V wiring one half to the CORE and the
extremes to the SID PCB, but I got humming in the audio, but could
be the CORE was demanding too much current (the LCD needs a lot). |
Did you use -7.5 and 0 as the half, or 0 and +7.5? The latter would make you end up with two different grounds.
I'm working on a big complicated SID project, but I don't think it will end up DIY-able. It's going to work with a modular synth and have extra little features like sync inputs. Right now it's just for my own sake as it's probably going to cost $500 to make :lol: _________________ Software and Hardware Design |
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Sebo

Joined: Apr 27, 2007 Posts: 564 Location: Argentina
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Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2009 8:55 am Post subject:
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Hi:
I used the -7.5 as ground (I don't think we can call it -7.5 because is AC).
Left wire from the transformer to both diode bridges, mid point to the
bridge of the 5V circuit and right wire to the 12V circuit.
But again, I think it was a matter of current consumption. _________________ Sebo
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My Music:
https://www.facebook.com/cosaquitos/ |
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