Speak&SID - CPC MIDI IN SID + AY Synth

Published on Dec 4, 2019 Michael Wessel

"Turn your CPC into a powerful MIDI IN SID + AY Synthesizer!

A new mode has been added to the Speak&SID firmware - the MIDISID mode.

In this mode, Speak&SID can receive MIDI messages over its UART header to which a 10 $ MIDI breakout board is connected via Dupont cables. The Microkorg is used solely as a MIDI controller here (no sounds from the Microkorg). The incoming MIDI messages are then received by the CPC by reading the Speak&SID serial buffer byte by byte, and analyzed and translated into (polyphonous) notes for the internal CPC AY 3-8912 soundchip. At the same time, these notes are also sent to the (ARM)SID chip on the Speak&SID card, which is then also playing the received notes (currently only 1 voice - but for the AY we are using all 3 voices). With a little bit of additional work on the CPC machine code program, all of the SID's capabilities will be controlled via MIDI and/or the CPC keyboard keys in the near future, hence turning a CPC with Speak&SID into a powerful and inexpensive, versatile SID + AY 3-8912 MIDI IN realtime synthesizer. It is even possible to add one more soundgenerator to the mix - the SpeakJet chip is also a 4channel sound synthesizer! Interestingly, as you can hear, the SID and AY sound chip are slightly detuned from each other. Not sure why this is... maybe I need to tune the SID or AY frequencies a bit? Or maybe that's an ARMSID inaccurarcy? Have to try with my real 6581."

Speak&SID CPC - 2nd Demo, Line Out Recording + LEDs!

Published on Nov 9, 2019 Michael Wessel

"This time, a line out recording of Speak&SID CPC. Last video was taken from the camera's mic. Speak&SID's GPIO LEDs are controlled by the CPC, not the firmware. The 4 LEDs, from left to right, are the GATE bits of the corresponding SID cannels, and the 4th LED indicates changes in filter resonance. As the LEDs are controlled by the CPC / SID Player software, it is also possible to turn this LED display into a volume level indicator display, or other kinds of "lightshows". It is easy to patch the ASM for that (all the SID registers are modeled in software there).

In the meantime, the 2nd PCB revision boards arrived. So I should be able to ship out the first Speak&SID cards early December."

Amstrad CPC Speak&SID - First Demo of SID Player

Published on Nov 2, 2019 Michael Wessel

"First demo of Speak&SID with the DaDMaN's version of Simon Owen's SID Player. Thanks to DaDMaN from the CPC Wiki Forum for sharing his branch of this player with me, which he had already customized for the CPC! Indeed, it was very little effort to get it running with Speak&SID. I only needed to change the output port and a couple other bits. And worked out of the box, to my surprise! And now - enjoy RoboCup and Commando on the authentic SID 6581.

In case you should be wondering why the sound volume goes low and sounds tinny for a couple of seconds at some point in the video - Speak&SID also feeds into the CPC's internal audio speaker, so at that point I am turning off the amp and let the CPC speaker roar for a bit."

Some additional info in via Mechael Wessel:

"I am cooking up a SID soundcard for the Amstrad CPC

Maybe of some interest to SID / CPC lovers?

'CPC Speak&SID' is a SpeakJet-based speech synthesizer for the CPC, and a SID sound card! It works with the original SID chips, but SwinSID and ARMSID are also valid options. The video shows the original 6581 in action.

The sources for CPC Speak&SID will be made open source soon. The production costs for the card are in the 50 $ range (without the SID chip of course - builders have to source one themselves) Speak&SSID uses the SpeakChip chip for the speech synthesizer, an ATMega 8535 at 16 MHz as the microcontroller, and a Xilinx 9536 CPLD. The SID chip is connected directly to the CPC address and databus though; the CPLD generates the 1 MHz clock signal from the CPC's 4 MHz clock, as well as the other control signals such as R/~W etc.

Unlike the Commodore, the CPC uses IO ports instead of memory mapped registers for hardware interfacing. Hence, the 29 SID chip registers starting at address &d400 to &d41c in the C64 memory are mapped to the CPC's Z80 IO ports &fac0 - &fadc. C64 SID BASIC programs can be ported easily to Speak&SID, simply by replacing the POKE's (PEEK) with OUT (INP) commands, and by adjusting the SID base address.

For the SID Player shown in the video, I am using a version that was already customized by DaDMaN from the CPC Wiki Forum, and it is based on Simon Owen's SID Player for the Z80."

TEST SERIES ALM Busy Circuits ALM012: Sid Guts Deluxe Eurorack SID Chip Sound Design

Published on Sep 5, 2019 Outsider Sound Design

"Trying out the ALM Sid Guts Deluxe.

The purpose of 'TEST SERIES' is to focus on the sound design possibilities of various gear combinations. This series is not musical nor does it serve as an instructional video. It is all about sound potential.
Please consider supporting this channel by purchasing a sample pack or music download from www.outsidersounddesign.com"

Elektron Sidstation Ninja

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via this auction

"If you're clicking you know how rare and desirable these synths are - the all-black Ninja edition of the Sidstation was the most limited production run. They go for a lot - there's currently another "Ninja" on Reverb for $1,886 (+ $125 shipping), so mine is priced to move at $400 less. Only 50 were ever made - unlikely never see another one of these for anything close to this price! Has blue LEDs and looks / sounds awesome.

The Sidstation is the guts of a Commodore 64 with an analog filter and custom software to bring out the power of the original, NOS chipset. Three syncable oscillators produce 8bit waveforms, with wavetables, ring modulation etc. Can make classic video game tones, but can do much more - has a much more raw and powerful sound than a standard analog synth.

Excellent condition sonically and cosmetically. Comes with original power supply, and you can download the manual from Elektron - who went on to make the MachineDrum, Analog Four, Digitakt etc., so they are still going strong."

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Twisted Electrons therapKid SID Synth - C64 Chip Tunes

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via this auction

"All the sounds of the c64 in one little box."

Not this is the therapKid and not therapSid. You can find an overview and details on the therapKid here.

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Mode Machines ALKEX SID SN 3308204-215

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Commodore 64 and Pro Tools sync'ed (DM Enjoy the Silence)

Published on Jul 2, 2019 DX5

"Just testing how a Commodore 64 and Pro Tools suit sync'ed together.
C64 DCO's are three, sharing one filter. I made a backtrack with three tracks: 1: bassline, 2:extra "drums" and 3: initial sequence and "guitar". C64 runs as slave, with Pro Tools as master. They sync for start/stop, as well as for MIDI CLOCK.


Gear used:
Commodore 64 Aldi version (a bit yellowish!). SID 8580
Emu Emax II
Roland Promars MRS-2
Roland JP8000.

Backtrack originally recorded in Pro Tools (with many more instruments)"

Midibox MB6582 Maxed Out w/ Eight SID 8580's

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via this auction

"Midibox MB6582 Maxed Out eight SID 8580's C64 MIDI Synthesizer Rare!. Condition is Used.It's maxed out with eight 8580R5 SIDs. Beautiful blue panel from Julian (which has some scuffs) and white LED's though not too bright. A nice illuminated fan on the back with the "overdrive" pots. Loaded with latest firmware. Has the clear custom plexi window to protect the LCD display. Includes original C64 power supply. The encoders do tend to "bounce" but from my understanding it's normal, and totally manageable if you don't twist too quickly. Like I said, there are some blemishes, priced accordingly." $700 at the time of this post.

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Sammich SID with 2 x SwinSID Installed

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Published on May 19, 2018 Q J

via this auction

"Sammich SID music sythesizer with 2 SwinSID chips installed. The chips has a jumper to select between MOS 6581 or Mos 8580.

I don't use arcrylic case anymore. They are soft and fragile, lots of scraches/marks overtime. That's why I am using a new design aluminum case. I've also added a fan next to the regulators. As you know the regulators generate lots of heat and the SID chip is right next to it and they are working at a very high temperature. The heat will damage the SID overtime and causing a broken filter, so a fan next to it will help releasing the heat from the regulator. The rack mount ears is optional. CNC pre-cut all sockets at the bottom of the case, you can remove them easily and plug all midi and audio sockets to the back. Add the rack mount ears and turn the unit to a rack mount unit. Optional rack mount ears will be extra $20 including all midi & ausio sockets for installation. I only have 10 sets of rack mount ears at the moment and they only comes in black."

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Upcoming DIY midiphy LoopA MIDI Sequencer - Hawkeye - Microwaved (Waldorf Microwave 1, SID 8580 and friends)

Published on Apr 28, 2018 Hawkeye

"Hi, it has been a while...

This song sat on the sequencer for far too long - there were too many different melody lines going on and it was really difficult to bring it together - while i am not 100% convinced, it is the best possible effort with the midi clips i came up with, i hope you still like it - it had to be finished at some point, otherwise it would have occupied the sequencer for another few months :)

It was live sequenced on the midiphy LoopA - this small 'inspirational MIDI sequencer' will be available as an affordable DIY kit soon.

Other hardware used:
Dreamy string: Waldorf Microwave 1
Simple Lead: SID 8580 in MBSID/MB6582 synthesizer
Arpeggiated synth: Alesis Andromeda
Bass: MFB Dominion I
Second Lead: Roland V-Synth
Drums: Elektron Machinedrum
Audiograbber: Tascam DR-100
FX: Strymon Timeline and BigSky

Recorded directly from the hardware, only audio-compressed in post-production, but no DAW was abused during recording :).

Many greets to all DIY folks out there, you know who you are, thanks for your support and time!

I might be uploading a few DIY videos (e.g. how to build the LoopA sequencer used in this song) in the next time, if you are here only for songs, please don't go away, there will be more, later on :).

Thanks for watching and listening,
Hawkeye / Maelstroem Records"

The “C=MM² red” Commodore Music Maker Sexy Upgrade

Published on Mar 6, 2018 Perifractic's Retro Recipes

Note the above is a 2 part playlist. You can skip ahead using the player controls on bottom.

For those that want to build your own, you can find the parts list on Perifractic's Retro Recipes YouTube description here.

Part 1:
🕹 After seeing a beautiful piece of Akai kit called the “MPK mini red”, I realized I could recreate its look without taking up more space on my desk. And so v2 of the Commodore Music Maker (“CMM”) was born. I call it the “C=MM² red”, but you can just call it bloody sexy. Who needs E=MC² when you have C=MM². (Rhetorical question.)

Part 2:
Let’s finish my 'C=MM² red', record a new chiptune from it & make SID scream!
📀 OWN BOTH TRACKS NOW:
- All current and new Patreons (even at $1!) get access to their own shiny download link to own the full track PLUS a bonus polished ‘radio edit’ with sparkly percussion & echo added. So that’s 2 tracks for as little as 50¢ each.
- Better still as this video has no ads they also help support this retrochannel to hopefully keep bringing you content, so thank you!
- I’m very proud with how my original little SID song turned out! I hope it brings you joy.
🔗 Click here & own your copies now: https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?c=14...

MODE MACHINES SID 2014 Beige 8-Bit Desktop Synthesizer SN 308204-142

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B.H.Z. Quad Sid

This was one spotted on ricardo.ch, by swissdoc. According to the listing it's a:

"C64 SID Synthesizer 4x SID Chip

1x Midi In
1x Midi Out
4x Audio Out Mono je SID Chip 1 Audio Out"

If anyone knows more about this one or B.H.Z let us know! This is the first B.H.Z. post on the site.

Curious if this is a one off Midibox based SID.

Update: confirmed this is Midibox based. Now checking on what the B.H.Z. stands for. Maybe the initials of the maker.

MIDIBOX SID KEYTAR CUSTOM DIY GIANA 64 C64 COMMODORE SYNTHESIZER

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Giana 64: Commodore 64 Keytar Published on Feb 25, 2010

"A quick demo of a keytar I built out of a Commodore 64. It uses two SID 6581 chips and was made using the Midibox Sid platform from www.ucapps.de. Better video to follow later." See here.

via this auction

"Up for auction is a unique electronic musical instrument, The Giana 64. Giana is a custom MidiBox SID v2 built into a keytar form-factor using an original Commodore 64 case for the body. The build includes several unique additions to the standard Midibox SID, including an assignable ribbon controller, expression pedal input, CV inputs, and of course the integrated keybed. A full MidiBox SID control surface is integrated into the neck.

I built Giana in the winter of 2010. It was a true labor of love, being one of the first large-scale electronics projects I ever worked on. The first video I posted of Giana went quasi-viral (by 2010 standards) and was covered by numerous synth blogs including Synthtopia; as far as I know it remains the only MIDIbox SID ever built into a keytar form-factor.

I tried to design it to look a little like a ghostbusters proton pack—some of the “retrofited” elements, like the rainbow ribbon cable running across the exterior, are not actually functional, but were fit for a hax00ry, cyberpunk vibe.

The instrument can be used flat on a table, or worn upright using the built-in strap buttons. The entire system is mounted onto a single piece of solid wood, and the plastic components are attatched with metal hardware, making it quite sturdy / gig-able.

Please note that for aesthetic purposes, the majority of the controls have been left unlabeled. The neck layouts are uniquely spaced, so that with a little practice all the major functions can be easily memorized. A PDF will also be provided labeling each function, to be used in combination with the official Midibox SID user manual.

Features:
MIDI Box SID V2 including standard MIDI I/O
Full control surface including mod matrix
Dual 6581 SIDs in stereo configuration, hand matched for similar filter characteristics
Integrated keyboard
Assignable ribbon controller (range-centered for use with pitch bend)
3 assignable CV inputs, 0-5V range, diode protected (plug and play with Euro modular)
Assignable expression pedal input
Custom power supply (not a recycled c64 PSU) provides robust power
Ships in custom case with custom foam inserts (see pictures—adapted from a rifle case)

Included Items:
Giana 64 Keytar
Custom PSU
Custom Carrying case
Moog EP-2 expression pedal
Rainbow guitar strap
Interface guide PDF

The instrument is in excellent condition, having been privately owned for 7 years, with about 3 of those years spent in storage. In preparation for the auction I tested every function and all systems are nominal. Since this is a DIY project however, the instrument is being sold as-is. Potential buyers should understand the responsibility that comes with owning a DIY instrument.

The pictures were taken a few days ago and reflect the present condition of the instrument. The linked youtube videos were recorded back when the instrument was first built. Not much has changed since then except for a few minor chips in the paint."

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Elektron SID Station 8 bit Synthesizer

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via this auction

Video below.

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01 - Rumore Rosa: Le Onde Quadre

Published on Mar 4, 2017 pcna

"Prima Puntata di Rumore Rosa, la mia rubrica dedicata all' audio.

Per definizione lo scopo dell' audiofilo è il raggiungimento della riproduzione di un evento sonoro quanto più reale possibile. Se l' evento da riprodurre non fosse reale?

Da un' idea di Bebo Moroni una serie di video dove racconterò agli audiofili la storia della musica elettronica, le tecniche di sintesi e di manipolazione del suono."

Googlish:

"First Episode of Pink Noise, my phone book dedicated to 'Audio.

By definition, the purpose of 'audiophile is the achievement of playing a sound event as real as possible. If the 'event to be played is not real?

From a 'idea of Bebo Moroni a series of videos where audiophiles will tell the history of electronic music, the techniques of synthesis and sound manipulation."

Elektron Sidstation Midi Synthesizer SN E00400498-81

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via this auction

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Commodore 64 SID analog synth music computer w/ many extras

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via this auction

"Up for sale is a complete music setup for SID chip music
Including :
- Commodore 64 complete computer with 6581R4 SID chip
- mouse
- paddles (x2)
- keyboard overlay
- power supplies (x2)
- DIN A/V cable (with adapter)
- dust cover
- SID 2 SID interface (to add a 2nd SID chip, 6 voices, stereo and all) new never mounted
- 2nd 6581 SID chip to use with the aforementioned board (bought fully tested working but never used by me)
- MSSIAH MIDI cartridge (synthesizer + MIDI output and capability)
- Cynthcart cartridge (synthesizer, usable without any TV) version 1.2.4

Everything works to the extent of my knowledge. Makes for very nice chiptune or analog synth sounds! Get started with this complete setup for way less money and hassle than finding all those pieces one by one!"

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Rare Custom Commodore C64 SID Synthesizer

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via this auction

"in excellent condition, made from a vintage Commodore 64 case that will have minor wear due to its age.

**This is a rare custom designed synth made from a Commodore 64 case and that uses 2 SID 8580 chips.
its got a ton of power and features. killer synth for chip tune.

fast and hands-on with heaps of crazy features (3-way-polyphony, wavetables, triggers, special drum engine, bassline engine, etc).

The sound chips are the later SID 8580 (from the mid 80s original C64s), much better than the earlier 6581 ones the SID station uses. It can combine waveforms, like TRI+PULSE, SAW+PULSE, etc, the old ones couldn't do it. Gives it a much wider sound spectrum.

it has two independent SIDs, each with own MIDI channel and seperate audio outs, so one can do a bassline and the other can do skanks for instance while you can tweak both in realtime, with the knobs or MIDI controllers."

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Hawkeye - SID Love (C64 8580 Stereo, Mutable Instruments Anushri)

Published on Nov 30, 2016 Maelstroem3

"Hola,
as recently requested by my YouTube friend KATOD_music (also a C64 SID nut :-)), here is a track that focuses again on the sound of the Commodore C64 SIDs. The synth in the upper left (red backlit knobs) houses eight 8580 SIDs in a DIY MB6582 synthesizer in four separate engines/channels, only a single stereo channel with two SIDs is used (lead stereo sweep starting at around 00:30).

Also featuring a Mutable Instruments Anushri (percussive arpeggio, right at the beginning), the Moog Little Phatty (dirty bassline, made with the LP through a DIY Polivoks filter and a Strymon Timeline delay) and an Elektron Machinedrum for percussion.

The session was recorded live, directly from the bare metal (Mackie 1604 mixer into Tascam WAV recorder) and was only slightly compressed in post-production and aligned to the video, no DAW necessary because of the fantastic MIDIbox MBSEQ V4 sequencer :-).

Hope you enjoyed it!
Thanks for watching and listening!
Hawkeye/Maelstroem"