I’m going to make a “step A” MidiBox SID (20x2 lcd, rotary encoder, 6 buttons) and need to know exactly EVERYTHING that I will need so I can order it.
Okay, I’m working on getting the C64 for the SID and the PSU at the moment and my part list, from what I have read, now includes the following:
SID PCB KIT
CORE PCB KIT
DINX4
PIC18F452
6 BUTTONS
ROTARY ENCODER
20x2 LCD
SERIAL CORD
EePROM 24LC512
RIBBON CABLE
Is that all I need? Also, am I right in thinking that you make your own Banksticks from a hacked up serial cord and an Eeprom? AND will this lcd work and be powered properly by the MidiBox SID?
Yeah. I’m obviously not good at this sort of thing but I was a bit wary of the whole negative voltage thing of the fancy coloured lcd’s. I’ve just ordered a nice black/green text one (which nobody would help me with).
Seriously, what’s the point in this forum even being here if nobody will offer any help? Or is it just for “gurus” to condescend to (or simply ignore) “newbies”?
I’ve read this site from top to bottom until I don’t know what day it is and it’s really tough going for someone as inexperienced as myself.
How difficult would it be for one of you “midibox gurus” to say “yes, that’s all you need”?
You know, some of us are just mere musicians, not electrical engineers.
There’s a real inhospitable atmosphere on this forum.
It’s like asking for help from the guy who works in the comic book shop on the simpsons!
You need a bit more patience, man! You´ve just registered to this forum yesterday, your first post is about 24 hours old! Two persons have already tried to help you, so what do you expect? Do you think insulting the general public here will get you more answers in less than 24 hours next time???
I apologize. I’m just on here ALL the time… I guess things aren’t moving fast enough for me. I think there’s a name for that - you get it when you’ve been on the computer for too long and can’t calm down.
It was more a response to old threads I’ve been reading anyway.
Thanks for confirming my list.
Martin
ps - was I right about building the banksticks from a serial cable? And would a 24LC64 work the same? Also, any links for how to make a circuit with vectorboard instead of a pcb…? I’d like to make a DINx1 rather than buying a DINx4. But haven’t got a clue how it all works without a pcb. Do you just run cable behind the board to connect the various points?
ps - was I right about building the banksticks from a serial cable?
You can do either that or just buy a new connector en build it in there. Info is on the bankstick page.
And would a 24LC64 work the same?
As far as I know only 24LC256 and 24LC512 are supported. Also can be found on the bankstick page.
Also, any links for how to make a circuit with vectorboard instead of a pcb…? I’d like to make a DINx1 rather than buying a DINx4. But haven’t got a clue how it all works without a pcb. Do you just run cable behind the board to connect the various points?
Yes, working with veroboard includes running cable on the back of the board. But if this is your first try: please just buy the DINX4 PCB, it could save you a lot of work and the PCB is only 5 euro or so.
Another advice: A new version of the SID software is under development atm. and this will require a newer PIC, the 18F4685. So better buy this one instead of the 452. There´s also a current version of the software for the 4685, so with this you can start right now and update later without having to buy a new chip.
I might be going insane here but… It doesn’t seem to actually say “use the connector of a serial cable”. I just deduced that from the picture. And another question comes up - of the 8 connections involved, 5 of them share one leg of the chip. How does one make that connection? Are all 5 cables just hanging to the one leg with a lump of solder?
Also, if I use the DINx4 am I still connecting to J1, J3 and J4? Because on the x4 J3 and 4 these seem to be running from 2 separate IC’s rather than just the one (as on the DINx1). Do I only put one IC on the board? Or 2? Or all 4 but use only 2 IC’s?
And another thing, the DIN page doesn’t list the SID under “compatability”. This all adds to my confusion.
What I mean: I just have removed the comment about the compatibility from my webpage, because it is obsolete. I wrote this 4 years ago, where most of my projects were running on a PIC16F877 with a totally different firmware.
Ok, I see that I’m not the right person who could help you…
Ignorant: it seems that this word has a different meaning in english. Thats funny. Not sure how many times I wrote it for a totally different purpose.
Perhaps a good time to explain myself as I seem to have upset a few people here.
I have just finished producing (and playing bass/keys on) an album on which I ended up using QuadraSID and Gameboy, integrated into a live band, sound quite heavily. As a foot note to anyone who is interested - I’ve discovered Wayfar MidiNES is not A=440 but, suprisingly enough the humble Gameboy is.
Anyway, when I was looking around for these sort of sounds, I stumbled across www.ucapps.de but didn’t have the time (or ability) to realise my own MidiBox SID. BUT after hearing the difference I am now wholeheartedly determined to complete one for future projects. QuadraSID just sounds thin and hollow in comparison. To me, the MidiBox SID really just seems too good to be true and the more I learn the closer I am to realising one of these amazing, coveted little synths, of which I am so jealous.
So here I am, a musician attempting the daunting task of making his first synthesizer.
Pleased to meet you and sorry for any ruffled feathers.
It doesn’t seem to actually say “use the connector of a serial cable”. I just deduced that from the picture.
Do what suits you right, both are possible. You can even put the backstick inside the case on a piece of veroboard and don’t hassle with the serial conenctor.
And another question comes up - of the 8 connections involved, 5 of them share one leg of the chip. How does one make that connection? Are all 5 cables just hanging to the one leg with a lump of solder?
That is because all those pins are connected to ground. You indeed solder all those legs to the same pin on the connector.
Also, if I use the DINx4 am I still connecting to J1, J3 and J4? Because on the x4 J3 and 4 these seem to be running from 2 separate IC’s rather than just the one (as on the DINx1). Do I only put one IC on the board? Or 2? Or all 4 but use only 2 IC’s?
the DIN boards are designed to be daisy-chained. It is possible to cascase 4 DINX4 boards. One DINX4 board even uses cascading of 4 chips. It is possible to use one DINX4 board and just stuff one or 2 IC’s, it will work, it is designed that way, no worries.
And another thing, the DIN page doesn’t list the SID under “compatability”. This all adds to my confusion.
