New audio interfaces.
I heard that gasman and someone else had to release two new input interfaces for spectrum+AY : a theremin interface and something else I can't remember.
What about 'em? Still dreaming of a simple and pnp midi in interface for 128K :D
What about 'em? Still dreaming of a simple and pnp midi in interface for 128K :D
Post edited by DaRkHoRaCe on
Comments
It's only about 10% of the work creating the interface.
Software support is a much larger challenge imho.
It's very easy to create a midi in interface.
Resistor, opto coupler, adress decoder and voila, that's it.
But a serial input read routine is part 2.
Software to use the interface and input routine is step 3.
Nope, I'm not working on anything like that...
I know Winston was interested in building a Spectrum theremin, but I'm not sure if that's made it past the 'idea' stage yet.
Heheh you are an hardware wizard, not like me :D
Can you list the all the components and draw a lil circuit (by hand if you prefer)?
I have a bread board and maybe I can try to assemble it.
PartS 2 and 3 are a real problem :D
No, that would really take too much time; if I would do that, I must test it etc.
Designing is just one step.
I tried to find a schematic of the RAM Music Machine but it's probably not available; can't find it.
I think you're best of buying a RAM Music Machine and write software for that.
Maybe there are some machine code listings (maybe from a dissasembly of the RAM Music Machine code) to use without writing them yourself.
http://hardware.speccy.org/hardware/MIDI-Ventamatic/esquemas-i.html
http://hardware.speccy.org/hardware/MIDI-Ventamatic-i.html
Wow, that is great, a ready design.
Even the Eagle files are present, so it's very simple to create the board.
(carefully whispering that I am willing to create some of those, when time allows me)
It also has software ready; who can test that?
I can't find any machine code listings in the manual though.
edit:
Are those two sync in- and outputs needed?
Will the three midi ports be enough?
If I manufacture them, I can offer them for probably 30 euro.
Thank you all for answering! That's great!!!
I don't know if the software is what I'm looking for.. maybe it doesn't exist yet :|
Uhm, maybe the syncs are usefull to connect the interface to a midi clock / sync. But I don't know it exactly
What I desire is to connect my yamaha kx 25 keyboard to control the AY chip of my 128K +2A (but I don't think there are any zx programs to do that) , than sync the signal with other peripherals (not playing them , just starting / stopping)
Anyway, playing the AY chip with my keyboard is enough, omitting the PLAY/STOP for other peripherals.
I'll buy it for sure if it's good for my purposes!
How important is it to use the Spectrum? Would something like a MIDIBox AY be suitable? Although mine is still waiting to be put together....
A Spectrum Theremin?
Uhm, I don't know , but Ben said that he could do the interface (when he has free time).
It would be better for softwares and because I don't have spare AYs. I only have mine on board on my two 128Ks
Yes, the purpose is the same eventually. But maybe is more expensive.
You are planning to do a Midibox AY ? Cool!
Whaat? o_O :D
AY chips are probably easier to get hold of than the other chips, but don't know for sure.
The Music Machine was mentioned earlier, might it not be better to write some software for that? From what I understand, there is a lack of software that can record a live performance via MIDI input, is that correct?
I do have a MIDI Theremin, so maybe an AY chip under Theremin control isn't that far away.
As for the MIDI and audio, many years ago we were actually wondering abut making some kind of audio interface with small synthesizer built-in - and based on MIDI.
It would be something like early sound-cards for PC, with some wave-table and triggered by MIDI commands (here: coming from ZX-BUS).
Having that - and assuming there would be the same GM setup in all the interfaces, one could make music for games/demos even on PC/Atari ST/MAC and some midi-keyz. And music would always sound the same. Could be pretty good and would take not to much of RAM.
Another thing is would it take more CPU than 50hz AY. That I don't know.
But then Yarek Adamski became totally 'silent' and the project has died.
Back in the days, we considered basing it on some old PC cards (that were old even then) but now it might be even easier with all those programmable chip (altera and whatever more there was).
If you think that it could be easy, do it. It may be enchanting and soldable too :D
If you connect this interface to the zx bus, how could you connect to the other machines? Can't understand how it works.
It's not clear for me how is this interface works.
Oh I see. Nevermind :D