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Ash Checksum
Account closed
Registered: Nov 2013
Posts: 6 |
Product announcement! HACKERS new sid
Hello there all fellow C64 enthusiasts!
We are planning to release our first hardware product soon! So we need you to tell us what you think of it:
So the idea is that since C64 computers have very varying SID chips, with different kind of sound from a PC emulator. So there are many composers out there who would like to hear their songs as they are meant to be played. This is the reason we are dedicated to implement the original SIDPLAY2 sid sound on a FPGA chip. This new SID meant to be a drop-in replacement, which you can use to replace the old, dodgy sid chips in all C64 models. The chip could be also used as an SID replacement for other sid synthetizers, such as Midibox SID and Catweasel MK3.
We are developing for the Xilinx Spartan 6 LX9 FPGA, which is the best FPGA in the universe. All hardware will be developed by ourselves, and doesn't require any software to run.
So, what do you think? Pretty cool huh, finally a chance to hear many classics as they were meant to be played.
Signed,
Ash Checksum of HACKERS |
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hedning
Registered: Mar 2009
Posts: 4723 |
Isn't the existance of different SID-models part of the charm with the C64? But still: the day when all old sid-chips die will come, so a replacement chip is probably a good idea. The same goes with the rest of the MOS-chips. |
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iAN CooG
Registered: May 2002
Posts: 3187 |
"finally a chance to hear many classics as they were meant to be played." contradicted by previous statement "we are dedicated to implement the original SIDPLAY2 sid sound on a FPGA chip"
sidplay2 is accurate but not enough to be as meant to be.
The day all sid chips are dead, what's the point to use a real c64 with fake sid, when you can just play tunes on pc with the same resulting output?
<purists> because of the added noise
ok, I raise my hands! =) |
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hedning
Registered: Mar 2009
Posts: 4723 |
Because PC is Satan. Use your Commodore machines and your soul will be spared. |
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MagerValp
Registered: Dec 2001
Posts: 1074 |
I'm not going to get into the discussion about how SID chips should sound, but having a high quality SID core available as a drop in replacement chip is undoubtedly a good thing, especially if the core is available as open source for continuous improvement and available for integration in other projects. |
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Mixer
Registered: Apr 2008
Posts: 447 |
SID on FPGA is a good thing and I do not think there are many challenges with it regarding the digitally functioning part of the sid chip. Didn't Jeri do it already for DTV?
The problem is really in getting it to sound the same after signal leaves oscillators. In my understanding that is where the sound of the individual sid chips differs mostly.
I would be happy if you get that stage done as well as in sidplay-fp. (+ upcoming fixes)
On the other hand. If the original sound is not the intent, then one might as well improve the sid, and make completely new socket pluggable replacement chip with improved features. |
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Fierman
Registered: Feb 2002
Posts: 85 |
The SID in the DTV is nice, but in no way complete. It lacks filters alltogether. No idea about details of swinsid, but comparable I think.
SID on fpga is also done on the Chameleon and on the 1541U. At least the chameleon has (partial!) filters now, but I understood that took a great length in time and effort. |
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Krill
Registered: Apr 2002
Posts: 2969 |
Quoting Ash ChecksumXilinx Spartan 6 LX9 FPGA, which is the best FPGA in the universe. Please elaborate. |
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TheRyk
Registered: Mar 2009
Posts: 2219 |
SWIN SID nano ain't really bad, better than no SID at all atm. Nice to have as a toy for you can at least toggle 6581/8580 and maybe put it in a machine you do not use very often, I put it in a C128 I hardly use. Works fine with many old tunes. But it can't be seen as a really 100% functional replacement, some songs just don't work and unfortunately - afaik - firmware development has - at least for the time being if not altogether - stopped, hardly heard any breaking development news lately.
Any approaches of replacing original ICs is highly appreciated, so I really look 4wd to this hardware.
PS: Hey hardware gurus, CIA replacement anyone? :) |
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chatGPZ
Registered: Dec 2001
Posts: 11360 |
Quote:We are planning to release our first hardware product soon! So we need you to tell us what you think of it:
maybe post some example output of that implementation, so we can actually judge it? |
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Six
Registered: Apr 2002
Posts: 293 |
This is awesome - if the core is to be open source. Otherwise, meh. |
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FATFrost
Account closed
Registered: Sep 2003
Posts: 211 |
Awesome!!!! When is the release and how much?! Lots of us will buy as c64 is like and old uncle that needs fixing every so often. :)
Sidplay sound is fine as I mostly listen to sid's with it on my Mac and sounds nearly the same... As we old chubbers get older we lose hearing a bit anyway so all is good. ( I mean were not like , 18 anymore are we?) |
