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Scarzix
Registered: Aug 2010
Posts: 143 |
Project SIDFX (formerly known as SIDFIXER)
Sorry for spamming you all, but regarding the DUAL SID hardware module SIDFX:
I mailed all PRE-ORDER contacts tuesday and I still miss a reply from 33% of you... please check your spam folder/email if there is any mail from sidfx-preorder@kick-ass.dk (16th december)
Thanks in advance.
There will be a registration site up shortly... so if you didnt pre-order/registrate already, you can also just mail me directly on the sidfx-preorder@kick-ass.dk mail address.
Cheers and merry X-mas to everyone! |
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Scarzix
Registered: Aug 2010
Posts: 143 |
Quote: Congrats for *finally* my STEREOinSID made it to denmark :D
It's a long time, somebody deleted my hardware from here.
Thanks :P
Personally, I have never heard of your hardware before and I didn't know that someone else had made a unit that allows you to put any two SID models into it and it then autodetects the SID type and adjust voltage accordingly, nor that you by 6510/8500 software can ask the unit which SID models are installed in the machine and the use a command to switch to the right socket, based upon the SID type?
no jumpers, no soldering! and working in ALL C64, C64C, SX-64, C128, C128D, and C128DCR... and we expect to support Reloaded in C64C chassis too very soon!
- and I am also surpriced to learn if your hardware enables the user to switch configurations, which they can customize and save in any 3 combinations they like, for either mono or stereo setups - or you can decide to have different setups for the amount if digiboost for the 8580 models.
I am fully aware that SIDFX isn't the only SID unit to let people use two SIDs etc, but there are so many different fixes and DIY units trying to deliver some of this and none of the existing units has solved all the issues in one unit!
The initial idea here was: "can't we have something that automatically can flip to the correct SID model based on the tune playing. The SID header of a .SID file in HVSC has this information, if only the SIDplayer software could use that info to tell the unit to swap automatically...." (Devia asked Lotus, I was told)
If such a unit had existed already, nobody would have wanted to spend more than 3 years trying to make this become a reality?!
Of cause this swap will not work for existing games and demos, so a manual switch has been implemented too, again to make it nice and easy for the end-user who wants to play his/hers Cybernoid or Arkanoid game etc.
Then there is the dual SID functionality: after analysing all tunes in HVSC, the three topmost common addresses of the 2nd SID used in .SID tunes are $D420, $D500 and $DE00 ... and as I have understood from Devia, thats why you can select these using the configuration tool that comes with the SIDFX.
You can even have all three settings, if you like, so you can move between them based upon your usage/need. Eg I make dual SIDs for $D420 using CheeseCutter editor, others wanna use MSSIAH module and it utilizes $DE00 I have been told and read in docs.
To me, as a musician/coder/end-user, I really dont want to open my C64 hardware too often. I want a working unit that I can customize to MY needs, using software configurations or the flick of a switch.
With this unit, I get all this + direct audio-out from the unit, I can force SID socket 1 or 2 as I please, I can put it into software/automatic mode where I can let software control which socket to control - and Gideon (1541ultimate) has agreed that we will make support for SIDFX directly in the firmware in the future, so when you pick a .SID file from your SDCARD or USB, the SIDplayer detects the SIDmodels installed, and if there is a match, it sets the primary SID to that socket automatically.
So this product is for people who REALLY like to play SID music on REAL hardware without all the troubles... to me, this is plug'n'play dual SID solution on a C64!
This project has grown far beyond that original idea and into THE ultimate dual SID chip solution, or the king of SID expansions as It states on the label here.
- and btw. if you think that Lotus is getting rich from this, you are terribly wrong... the research costs and startup fees for production of this unit ... OMG! luckily, we have no reached a minimum batch size that allows him to put it into production without loosing money. |
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CreaMD
Registered: Dec 2001
Posts: 3050 |
I had pleasure to read the last post and I'm really looking forward for this thing being part of my c64.
r |
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ilesj
Registered: Jun 2012
Posts: 27 |
Quoting ScarzixAs I have been told, Lotus and Devia spend a lot of initital time on messureing all the different motherboard types, to make sure this product fits within each of them.
I think that answers my question - yes, different models have been considered :)
So it sounds like the location of the SID socket is not the issue together with C-case keyboard, only the additional height of the ZIF socket with C64R. |
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Scarzix
Registered: Aug 2010
Posts: 143 |
yes, and maybe the metal shielding in certain c64c's which can be safely removed as far as I know, or bend/modified to allow inserting the SIDFX onto the SID socket. |
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encore
Registered: Aug 2010
Posts: 67 |
If you wanted to install SIDFX on the C64C-board that has the metal shield (and tongues for heat dissipation), you wouldn't be able to keep the shield on without modifying it? Like one of these setups (incidentally Ilesj's picture): https://ilesj.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/ks-64-c-old-motherboa..
Just crossed my mind since my main C64 is one of those.
Scarzix: It would be interesting if you did some recordings directly from the audio output in one of your videos. :) |
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Scarzix
Registered: Aug 2010
Posts: 143 |
I have exactly tested with this shielding and the default attachment of the grabbers on the cpu will not work because of it, so we just need to attach them on another chip in this specific model.
also you need to bend the two metal pins/bars going from it to your SID and CPU, because SIDFX is taller and wider than the SID socket (there are two SID sockets plus components in the middle)
but I am not done testing on this one and will come back to you on it... both you and I have this model ;-)
Note: of cause the SIDFX unit itself works fine with this board, without the cover. |
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Frantic
Registered: Mar 2003
Posts: 1646 |
Is there any kind of estimate on when this might start shipping? Even if just a very rough estimate? This year? Just curious. |
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Scarzix
Registered: Aug 2010
Posts: 143 |
Quote: Is there any kind of estimate on when this might start shipping? Even if just a very rough estimate? This year? Just curious.
yes, the plan is to get them into production very soon, so we can get them back and ready for X2016.
We have MANY pre-orders from people who plan to attend X2016 and this way they can save customs/shipping - so that is Lotus' mail goal at the moment.
As it looks, we are getting close to 300 units now. I think its reachable within a week or so and then we will probably close for pre-orders and start collecting payment.
After a short collecting, we will count the units paid - and then put them into production as the final number. Unpaid units will be considered cancelled. |
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Scarzix
Registered: Aug 2010
Posts: 143 |
who is in control of the .SID file standard? I would like to contact the "admin" if any or is it free to expand/develop? |
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chatGPZ
Registered: Dec 2001
Posts: 11357 |
HVSC team does, obviously. |
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