Comments on: Building a MIDIbox SID

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:57:20 +0000

That is really well done, it looks pro!

I never had a c64, but it’s tempting now…

By: Goblinz

Goblinz — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:25:44 +0000

Most people who are building Midibox SIDS at the moment aren’t ripping apart old C64s for the SID chips. Wilba has managed to source old 6582 chips (probably designed as a replacement for failed 8582 SIDs)and is supplying them to the community. i don’t know how he’s done it, but he’s sold on 1000′s of them!

By: MisterCharlie

MisterCharlie — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:39:46 +0000

I've tried this project already but had problem with the bootloader system... maybe because I didnt have an LCD at the time...

Well anyway I redid the project on my own on a Atmega164P instead.

Got love those SID chips, they sound so fat.

By: Orv

Orv — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 23:59:41 +0000

That's an awesome looking project.

I certainly wouldn't recommend using a C64 power supply for, well, anything. Even in their original job they ran hot and frequently failed, and their linear design wastes a lot of power. Power supply technology has come a long way.

By: Pragma

Pragma — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 23:47:05 +0000

"malfunctioning C64 PSU"

I chuckled when I read this. I've read that back in the day, C64 users learned about how dodgy these were early on. Replacement (reliable) PSUs were available on the after-market soon thereafter. To wit, I once purchased a complete C64 setup (w/dust covers!) from one such user where the original PSU was nowhere to be found.

There were also chronic overheating problems with various chips, including the SID thanks to the C64 "breadbox" design. Here's to hoping that midibox has a good thermal design!

By: thegimpster

thegimpster — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 23:15:29 +0000

It looks cool, but I would hate to hack up one of my C64′s. I only have 4 after all, and you never know when you will need one to save the day.