Chiptune hardware choice

[Ldizzy]

Hi,

This is not intended to be another one of those X VS Y threads.

Id just like u guys what do u think about the various Sid hardware options out there... and im not talkin about the steampunk gameboy stuff (which ive already tried (and yes they're good!)

As far as i know, there are two machines that caught my attention :
the sidstation... and the HardSid4u... (+the previous versions)..

id like to know what u guys think of those machines... which one should i look into and for what reason... and if tehre are any other similar devices ?

i know i dont post often.. and iknow my english is pretty weird sometimes.. im frenchcanadian... thx for replying

[Selidor]

There's several "SID synthesizers" available...

Elektron SIDStation : I've linked to the Vintage Synth Explorer article since the Elektron website no longer has a page for the SIDStation at this time. This seems to be one wicked piece of kit, although they've incorporated a lot of technology aside from the SID chip in order to expand upon it's flexibility. Personally I'd snatch one of these up if I had the chance, so if there's anyone in Canada who would like to sell one, PM me

HardSID4U : This looks like it's a useful SID synthesizer. I know Nula, an active demoscene musician, has achieved good results with one, so I'd think it's worth checking out.

HardSID Quattro PCI : I'm not sure if this is available anymore, as it looks like they may have turned the product in to HardSID4U. Apparently it has been available in Europe for several years, so there's probably several floating around in the used market if it's no longer being produced. It's a PCI soundcard with four SID chips in it.

Hyper SID : I assume (but don't really know if) this synthesizer is similar to the HardSID4U, though it has some alternative "DIY" options when purchasing.

Prophet 64 : Though developed relatively recently, the Prophet 64 is a cartridge for your Commodore 64 that greatly expands the usage of it's onboard SID chip. It's been replaced by MSSIAH, though it still has many modern features, and you may be able to find them used at reasonable prices.

MSSIAH : A cartridge for your Commodore 64 that allows you to greatly expand upon the use of it's onboard SID chip. If I don't come across an Elektron SIDStation and keep my Commodore 64 I'll be ordering one of these myself soon.

It's worth mentioning that many chiptunes in the module formats, such as .mod's, .it's, .s3m's and .xm's, use single-cycle waveforms in their instruments that also utilize the format's features, such as the resonant low-pass filter in the Impulse Tracker (.it) format. In other words, you could replicate this by isolating a single cycle in a waveform (such as a single cycle from the C key from a violin or a particular synthesizer), and then export it in the format a hardware synthesizer uses, and then utilize the filtering, amplitude and other options the hardware sampler offers in order to create some interesting chiptune instruments. You can create even more interesting effects by isolating only four or five cycles from a waveform and then using them in this manner (although the end-result isn't likely to have that "chip" sound anymore, but it can still sound quite cool). I experimented with this quite frequently when I had an Ensoniq EPS, often with good results, though I'd imagine there are better samplers suited for the job. I've also seen it done quite well with soundfonts used in conjunction with the Creative-range of soundcards (although personally I'd caution against considering Creative soundcards as musician's soundcards).

By the way, there is an interesting "chip instrument generator" called BlipGen available here for Windows. It's capable of creating single-cycle waveforms as well as longer, more complex waveforms.

[kodomo]

I got the mssiah
and it is crazy not to have it cause you ll have:
a sequencer
a sampler
a drummachine
a monosynth
a bassline synth
and a drummachine
working on your sid chip with midi input and nice vst like interfaces onboard
for 50euros!!!

even if you do not have a commodore at hand, get one for less than what 30euros, then you can get a sid2sid board add a 2nd sid chip, then rotary controllers... haha its really fun and endless, love the commodore

[Selidor]

I almost forgot, there's one more "SID synthesizer" that I know of...

MIDIBox SID : A DIY SID synthesizer. It definitely looks pretty cool if you ask me!

[The Architecture]

i got Mssiah, but I cant get midi to work with it. I cant figure out what im doing wrong.

[Altitude909]

I rock one of these:



Nothing comes close to the depth of this thing.

[Kent]

Did you build it yourself? What did you do for a case? That's the only thing holding me back is the housing. I'd love something as sexy as that Darth Vader unit.

[Altitude909]

Originally Posted by Kent

Did you build it yourself? What did you do for a case? That's the only thing holding me back is the housing. I'd love something as sexy as that Darth Vader unit.

Yes. Off the shelf pactec PT-10 case (same as x0xboX). They run about $20. Total component price less the 8x SID chips is about $200 total. I actually went with green for mine:

[aeonlux]

Elektron SIDStation Custom


cheers,
Ian

[Altitude909]

Originally Posted by aeonlux

Elektron SIDStation Custom


cheers,
Ian

I love those trafos. Used one in my MBHP-CV PSU

[Kent]

Originally Posted by Altitude909

Yes. Off the shelf pactec PT-10 case (same as x0xboX). They run about $20. Total component price less the 8x SID chips is about $200 total. I actually went with green for mine:

Really, really nice! Where did you source the front panel? I'm very good with electronics but don't really like dealing with housings and face-plates and the like. Was there a group buy at one point?

[Altitude909]

Originally Posted by Kent

Really, really nice! Where did you source the front panel? I'm very good with electronics but don't really like dealing with housings and face-plates and the like. Was there a group buy at one point?

I ran the only group buy and my panel is out of that. The only option right now is to get them cut by Schaffer (aka Front panel express) or source it yourself. The Schaffer panel is what is on the red one in the video and they are very nice but they will set you back $160 (IIRC). The ones out of the group buy were screened (and poorly at that) but were $40 for both front and back. There is another group buy planned but no dates are set and it is pretty much in limbo AFAIK

[Kent]

Thanks for the information and responses. Is the FPD (or whatever the FPE format file is called) available on the ucapps site? I find navigating that site to be pretty cumbersome.

This box has intrigued me for the past couple of years but I never got into it due to not being able quite get my head around the scope of the project nor wanting to deal with the aforementioned housing hassles.

Thanks again,

Kent

[Altitude909]

the software you get from FPE themselves and it is free: (Home*- Front Panel Express, LLC > Front Panel Service for North America)

The panel files are on the WIKI: wilba_mb_6582_panels [MidiBox.org]

[Motion]

Hi

I know you ask about hardware but thought you may be possibly interested in this software which is currently in development by Plogue.(Montreal based )

Plogue.com :: View topic - chipsounds Flyer unveiled at NAMM

[Acid Hazard]

I really want one of those MIDIBox SIDs!

[Altitude909]

Originally Posted by Acid Hazard

I really want one of those MIDIBox SIDs!

Build one, compared to the xoxbox, it is cake (and cheaper). The analog section is like 3 resistors and 2 caps.

AVI Showtech - MIDIbox Online Store

Complete base board kit with PICs is $120, Control Surface PCB is $20, Control Surface parts ~$50, PT-10 Case $20

[Acid Hazard]

I've seen that, but i'm confused as to what pieces to buy. And the fact that the face plate isn't easily available doesn't help either.

[Acid Hazard]

Please remember that the MIDIbox is a DIY only project, commercial use or resale of the copyrighted designs and code is strictly prohibited.

So does this mean you're not allowed to resell the box?

[Altitude909]

Originally Posted by Acid Hazard

So does this mean you're not allowed to resell the box?

Yes and no. You can sell the box but you have to get permission and I have yet to see Thorsten put the kibosh on a one off sale. If you want to sell it, just PM him. The main thing about that is that you cant sell them as a business.

I've seen that, but i'm confused as to what pieces to buy. And the fact that the face plate isn't easily available doesn't help either.

All you need is the kit, control surface and parts, C64 power supply, case and SIDs. The face plate is the really only expensive part but it is readily available from front panel express . All the info,options, and guides can be found here:

wilba_mb_6582 [MidiBox.org][]=6582

[Acid Hazard]

I just sold my VFX-SD, so i might look into this.