Modded Commodore 64 - Custom 8-bit Synth

via this auction

Sold For: US $200.00


"This commodore 64 has been modified for use with MSSIAH and CYNTHCART in your music studio. This is the latest in my series of custom Commodores. If you are unsure of what this machine is capable of, please have a look at this video for the last one I built:

MSSIAH SLAVED TO ABLETON LIVE MIDI DEMO

YouTube via djjonnyjams
'Commodore 64 with SID 8580r5 running MSSIAH software, sequenced by Ableton Live 7'

The machine in that video was sold to the production team "nVMe" based out of Brooklyn,NY. These guys are very happy with their purchase and plan to use it on future productions.

now listen to a track I made with a commodore 64, entitled "Easter Disco" you can hear it on my myspace page: http://myspace.com/djjonnyjams

The sound of this machine has been mimmicked for years with VST plugins, and sample sets, Now you can use the real-deal in your studio, and the MSSIAH cartridge makes this machine a fully midi-capable synthesiser. If you are unfamiliar with the SID chip, it's a three voice digitally controlled analog synthesiser with excellent Filter capabilities. The SID chip in this particular machine is the last revision 6581r4 (extremely rare). This is without a doubt the best sounding, and most sought-after 6581 SID chip to date. The filter capabilities in this revision are far superior to it's predecessors It is capable of producing everything from thick pads, to crunchy leads, to "blow your speakers out" sub-bass tones. It has been used for every genre from funk to house, to jungle/DNB, to Hip-Hop, and more. For a more in-depth explanation of the SID chip, see this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOS_Technology_SID

The machine you are bidding on has the following modifications:

1. This is the classic "breadbin" style 64c case, with the latest revision motherboard (the most stable of the breadbin compatible boards) This commodore sports a single 6581 R4 and it sounds absolutely brilliant!

2. The pot installed in the upper right may be assigned to control any parameter in MSSIAH's Bassline, Drummer, and MonoSynth applications, you can select which parameter it is assigned to with the press of a button and all the keys have been fitted with my custom keylabels making it super easer to instantly map the knob to chosen parameter without ever stopping the performance. This knob can also be used to control filter cutoff with CYNTHCART (another popular c64 synth cartridge)

3. Noise reduction mod, the SID audio input (which is not used) creates a terrible noise so I have grounded the input and this eliminates that white noise that has plagued c64 musicians for years.

4. The stock red power LED has been replaced with a sweet RGB LED which cycles through all the colors in the spectrum. See this link for an example of what this light looks like:




5. Composite video output via RCA jack, so you may use a modern television or LCD with a video Line-in

6. Custom white paintjob using specialty paint that bonds to plastic. The look of this machine was inspired by the classic Commodore Vic 20, and It's even been fitted with the Gold "blingin" Vic 20 nameplate!

7. Swapped white and brown keys to represent two octaves of piano roll for live use.

8. The key labels were digitally printed on adhesive backed vinyl, and contour cut on vinyl plotter. This vinyl is designed for outdoor signage and the printer uses eco-solv UV ink, which is gauranteed 7 years average lifetime (this is assuming the commodore sat outside in the sun, rain, and snow for seven years, after all that, they might look a little bit faded) I chose these materials so that the labels will not fade even after thousands of sweaty finger keystrokes! See the pictures above to check out these labels.

10. Thouroughly cleaned all ports and contacts.

11. 1/4" TRS audio output jack for connecting to your mixer. This will give you the cleanest audio output, optimised for recording with an excellent signal to noise ratio.

Please note, the MSSIAH cartridge is not included with this auction. You can purchase a new MSSIAH cartridge here

This machine will be shipped in an original commodore 64 box, I will include a commodore owners manual, and power supply"