[techdemo] MB6582 test: 8x 6581 C64 SIDs, multiple engines in live use

Published on Aug 17, 2015 Maelstroem3

"Disclaimer: this is not a proper musical track, it is just a quick function test and a highly repetitive demo, with focus on parameter changes - just to see, if all encoders, switches and LEDs work well, and to test, if multiple MBSID engines can be controlled in a live session from the frontpanel.

This MB6582 is for sale (and it is already currently reserved for a MIDIbox forum member). It is my secondary unit, am of course keeping my first MB6582. I just don't have enough space for it... and 16 SIDs in one studio might be considered overkill. :-)

Listen with headphones for optimum SID induction! :-)

This synth has eight classic 6581 SIDs in four MBSID hardware engines with four independent 6.3mm stereo outs. Three of these four engines were tested in parallel in this run:

* Bassline Engine (MBSID engine 1) run through a Strymon Timeline delay, sequenced by the MBSID onboard bassline sequencer (which is awesome!) - it allows for two parallel basslines per engine/SID stereo pair - one running from top to bottom, one running from left to right (see matrix view) - and they are routed to the left/right stereo outputs of that engine.

* Lead engine (MBSID engine 2) sequence externally added via MBSEQ, the rest of the sequences are from the onboard MB6582 sequencers (drums + bassline). You would not need a DAW or external sequencer for this kind of jam session. The Lead engine output is also run through the Strymon Timeline.

* Drum engine (SID engine 4) muted and unmuted via mixer, run through a Schippmann Ebbe & Flut filter/compressor/distortion unit.

All sounds produced only by the 6581s (production years 1983/1984), only 2 external FX units used.

The signal to noise ratio is not super good on the 30+ year old SIDs, but you can add noise gates or filter the higher frequencies via EQ, external lowpass filter or even with the SID inbuilt lowpass filters...

If you listen to this track with headphones, you will notice not-too-bad noise levels, even though only a single noisegate was used on the drum engine outputs (inbuilt in the Ebbe and Flut FX). The still remaining high-frequency noise could be quite easily filtered with a low-pass filter, but i was lazy :-).

Imho, the gritty 6581 SIDs are ideal for dirty 8-bit drums and basslines, enjoy the filtersweep @ 5:15! :-).

Many greets and thanks for watching and listening!
Hawkeye/Maelstroem Records"