Scott's C64 Hardware Synth Blog

So I decided that I am going to make a synthesizer that utilizes the Commodore 64 sound chip. It is called a MIDIbox SID. SID being the C64 Chip. I am going to post my progress here.

What I have collected for the project:
Empty 19inch 1U rackmount case (Thanks Chester Electronics!)
Research on how the synth is made

Next on the list:
Check eBay for a Commodore 64 that is not blown up.

I will be ordering other parts soon to get started with this, so keep checking back.

Updated Project Total Cost: $352.22

Details
$10.00 - 19" Rackmount Case
$43.05 - Commodore 64
$51.85 - PCB's and Misc. Components
$35.04 - LCD Display
$50.40 - Misc. Components
$97.00 - Front Panel
$36.00 - New SID Chip:
$00.88 - New 74HC595 Chips (2)
$28.00 - Random Hardware and Paint for Case

_________________
-- Scott

Scott Danesi's first full length album has been released!!!

Click here to check it out!

Last edited by scott on Mon Apr 23, 2007 1:01 pm; edited 4 times in total

Just bid on a Commodore 64 on eBay. This C64 has no idea what it has coming... Smile

_________________
-- Scott

Scott Danesi's first full length album has been released!!!

Click here to check it out!

Update:
Won the eBay auction for the C64 CPU. I got the thing pretty cheap if you ask me.
http://cm.ebay.com/cm/ck/1065-29393-2357-0?uid=20202396&site=0&ver=BCA080805&lk=URL&Item=130092696989
Total: $43.05

Purchased Pre-printed PCBs and some parts I will need from mbhp.coinoptech.com (this will save alot of time and $$)
PCBs: Core Module, SID Module, MIDI Monitor
Total: $51.85

Purchased and LCD display for the front panel from crystalfontz.com (sexy colors if you ask me)

Total: $35.04

Thats it for now. I will keep updating.

_________________
-- Scott

Scott Danesi's first full length album has been released!!!

Click here to check it out!

I love the SID sounds, and have thought about doing one of these myself. Keep the updates coming.

_________________
Ron S. - "Anode Renaissance 1"
now out on Demiurge Music.
available at:
https://www.tracktracker.com/?xterm=Demiurge%20Records&goto=search&

Update: Brad and I powered up the Commodore 64 yesterday. We did not have any games or catridges for it but we could write code for it. Here is an example of what I wrote...

D="Brad Smells"
?Type Mismatch Error

D=23
Ready

Print D
23
Ready

Purchased more random components including de-soldering tools, pushbuttons, Perf Board, DC Power Jacks, and 5v 1200ma Power Supply.

Total: 50.40

_________________
-- Scott

Scott Danesi's first full length album has been released!!!

Click here to check it out!

Here is an update on what is going on with the C64 Synth.

Last weekend this is what I got done:
1. I managed to harvest the C64 SID Chip from the motherboard without damage.
2. Built the Core Module
3. Interfaced the Core Module with that sweet LCD
4. Built the SID Module
5. Loaded the Operating System to the Core Module Via MIDI
6. Booted up the Core Module
7. Tried to create a PCB with Radio Shack Etchant for the Power Supply Unit. (Failed, the etchant did not work)

I took a massive amount of pictures of my progress last weekend and will have them posted up ASAP.

_________________
-- Scott

Scott Danesi's first full length album has been released!!!

Click here to check it out!

Picture Updates

The 19 inch rackmount case I got for $10.

The Commodore 64 getting ready for harvesting

THe 6581 SID Chip on the C64 motherboard

C64 motherboard

Desoldering the 6581 SID Chip was definitely a task. This is the motherboard after the chip was removed.

The 6581 SID Chip after removal

The Core module not assembled yet

The Core module after assembly

LCD Wiring

Core Module powered up for the first time

Power switch on rack case rewired

SID Module with 6581 SID Chip inserted

Bankstick with 32k of memory

_________________
-- Scott

Scott Danesi's first full length album has been released!!!

Click here to check it out!

Update:

Power Supply Built to utilize the original Commodore 64 Power Supply "Brick"

Ran into a problem this weekend. I installed the Operating system and SID application to the Core Module, but the SID Module was not responding. Currently researching..... crap.

_________________
-- Scott

Scott Danesi's first full length album has been released!!!

Click here to check it out!

Update:

Finished mounting most of the internals in my 19" rack case
Ordered the front Panel from Front Panel Express

SID Module Update:
It turns out that I had one of the 74HC595 ICs in backwards. Since I powered up the module with this error, I may have blown out my SID 6581 chip. Luckily, I found one on eBay that had been tested. I am also going to replace the 2 74HC595 ICs in case I did any damage to them. Don't want to take any risks with this new SID.

I will post up some pictures soon of the components in the rack case.

_________________
-- Scott

Scott Danesi's first full length album has been released!!!

Click here to check it out!

Cost Updates:

Front Panel: $97.00
New SID Chip: $36.00
New 74HC595 Chips (2): $0.88
Random Hardware and Paint for Case: $28.00

_________________
-- Scott

Scott Danesi's first full length album has been released!!!

Click here to check it out!

Update:

I recieved the new SID Chip and 74HC595 Chips. I installed a new 74HC595 chip where I had the one in backwards. Good News! The module works!

I will have some pictures and sound samples up as soon as I get a chance. I am just really excited at this point because the C64 Synth is working!

My Front Panel was shipped so I should be able to complete this thing within the next few weeks.

Pics to follow.

_________________
-- Scott

Scott Danesi's first full length album has been released!!!

Click here to check it out!

Awesome man Smile

can't wait to hear it

Thanks! This thing sounds amazing too. I think I forgot to mention that. Smile

Makes better sounds than my Korg EA-1 since it has 3 separate oscillators.

_________________
-- Scott

Scott Danesi's first full length album has been released!!!

Click here to check it out!

Update:

I got the Front Panel in the mail this past weekend and to my surprise, it had a huge bend in it. Thanks UPS... Rolling Eyes

I was thinking about making a claim on it but decided that it was fixable with some special care and my garage floor. I took my time and the thing was bent beck exactly the way it should have been with absolutely no damage.

So this weekend I got the whole case put together and everything tucked neatly up inside. I will take some pictures next weekend and post them up.

I ran into an issue with my encoder and buttons this week, but after sitting around thinking about it today, I realized I did not hook them up properly to my CORE. Damn, now I have to wait till Thursday to fix it since I am out of town.

Pictures and Audio to follow.

_________________
-- Scott

Scott Danesi's first full length album has been released!!!

Click here to check it out!

SID Done!

Here are some pictures:

_________________
-- Scott

Scott Danesi's first full length album has been released!!!

Click here to check it out!