PROPHET64 & MSSIAH Userforum

mpz60 · 2007-03-31 20:29:03

I saw an 8 bit weapon video on you tube and I was contemplating getting an Elektron Sidstation but an original C64 sounds just as cool. I have seen the keyboard overlays and I have a Vic 20 and a C64. Would I just need to get the synth cartridge use the C64 and the keybord overlay and presto 8 bit synth? I do not want to have the large screen but I could use one to get it up and running. Is this a difficult task to use the C64 as a synth? The pictures on this site of the modded c64s are amazing! Also once I make the synth so to speak can I use my MPC to sequence it? Thanks for any help..

jbuonacc · 2007-04-01 05:08:28

if you have a disk drive, all you need to use the C64 as a synth is something like the free Cynthcart software or one of the carts you're looking at ('Music Machine'?). the add-on keyboard isn't really necessary, and sure as hell isn't the "$5 item" that he makes it out to be. not these days at least.

to sequence from the MPC takes a bit more effort. you'd at least need some sort of midi interface, which aren't cheap or easy to come by - yet.

your best bet might be to build a MIDIbox SID for yourself...

mpz60 · 2007-04-01 18:07:04

Do you know a place I can find these carts for the C64? Thanks for any help!

mpz60 · 2007-04-01 18:13:33

Found Cynthcart. Which one would you reccomend? Can you burn this onto a cartridge? Can I use this without a screen once it is configured? I would like to use it live...

jbuonacc · 2007-04-01 18:39:35

?? i think there's just the one Cynthcart for the C64. the other one (Synthcart) is for the Atari 2600. you can buy the cart directly from the developer, or you can download the file and load it onto a C64 a few different ways. it can be used without a screen in a live situation, you might even be able to load it without any sort of monitor, etc. this should definitely work with the cart, just turn it on and go. it won't receive midi though...

jbuonacc · 2007-04-01 18:44:31

just realized something - i've got an app called 'Digital Recording Studio' which actually seems a lot better than Cynthcart. nice panel interface, and i think it might even be midi compatible.

it's available at http://www.lemon64.com/apps/list.php?Genre=sound

Last edited by jbuonacc (2007-04-01 19:05:10)

mpz60 · 2007-04-01 21:14:16

Thanks , that site is great . I am using an emulator right now to get familiar with those programs you directed me to. i almost paid 900.00 for the sid sound and with these progams you showed me woah am I glad I waited!!
Thanks again

jbuonacc · 2007-04-01 21:36:58

yeah, the SIDStation is a bit of a scam.

mpz60 · 2007-04-01 22:40:26

Another question , Can I use a MIDI Keyboard on an emulator to play the synth and what is your opinion on the difference in an emulators sound and the real deal?

jbuonacc · 2007-04-01 23:19:10

why not just get QuadraSID?

Last edited by jbuonacc (2007-04-01 23:19:29)

Tristan · 2007-04-02 02:13:49

Cynthcart and/or P64 are the best options IMHO. Cynthcart for the fact it's 'ready to go' (once youre familiar with the keyboard layout you don't really need a GUI) and P64 for its versatility and depth....

Slorrin · 2007-04-02 02:35:58

Midibox Sid or P64 with midi interface are the best options, unless you want to play the c64 itself, then cynthcart is amazing.

A midibox Sid is essentially a 75$ version of the SidStation.. it has basically the same functionality..

mpz60 · 2007-04-02 03:53:52

Where can I find all of these carts?I have the roms but I would like to pop in a cartridge ( not tape or floppy ) and go with the C64 and a musical overlay. Is the Midibox just an external midi interface for the 64. Can you create your own cartridges? Is it difficult?

mpz60 · 2007-04-02 03:57:54

I see the MIDI box mod now on google.. How hard is that mod and where do I purchase it? Does anyone have the Sidstation ?

Slorrin · 2007-04-02 04:26:35

go to www.ucapps.de

all the information is there for the midibox sid.

You buy it in north america, or in europe, at different online stores, who sell you the PCBs and components, minus a case, minus a SID.

Follow all the information on the wiki or on the forums. It took me a total of 30 hours from start to finish to make my midibox sid, and 2 bank sticks (memmory sticks for patches), a control surface, a case, and a power supply circuit. I gotta say, it's basically a sid station with a higher refresh rate (better sound) and you get to make it yourself, which is great.

The PCBs and the documentation make it a fairly easy task to complete, especially with the latest board revisions.

Also, in future, you'll be able to upgrade the software in order to run 2 sids for each PIC you ahve, meaning you can have 8 sids total, each going to a unique midi channel!

rcon303 · 2007-05-27 02:24:11

has anyone been using 3001 sound oddessy? just got it . it has 99 presets and it sequences too. really good program..
i have it on 5.25 floppy. wish i had a pc to post it here.just odered cynthcart too.

jbuonacc · 2007-05-27 04:52:48

actually, i just got this as well. haven't even fired it up though, i've had too much going on the past couple weeks. looks great though.

i thought it was available for download, but i don't see it anywhere now.

do you have the manual for it, either hard or soft copy?

Last edited by jbuonacc (2007-05-27 04:59:04)

rcon303 · 2007-05-28 20:27:25

yes i have the "real manual".you use it with a joystick (theres a cursor that points to the various funtions)
comes with 99 presets too and you can save 99 of your own presets on disk as well..has ring mod/lfo asdr sync ect very cool ...
. really rocks..wish i had a scanner -i'd copy the manual and post it.
i havent seen it for download either.

k3il · 2007-09-08 02:35:20

I have a sidstation, i managed to get one reasonably cheap and I think it was worth the investment. Creating patches is insanely easy and fast and it's nice to just plug it into a midi controller and go nuts. i just ordered prophet64 because I need sequencing and I'm so excited I think I'm going to combust. cheers

Slorrin · 2007-09-08 10:24:45

the MB6582 is also incredible.

ron · 2007-09-08 11:59:51

Full ACK for the MB6582! Plus: it's a pleasure to build one, the PCB is just so well done

Slorrin · 2007-09-08 21:44:22

I am still waiting for second group buy.. but i have my pannels ordered

Jaicen · 2007-09-11 16:51:19

I guess you don't want me gloating about having the PCB's and a set of 6582's then?? Hehe....

AxiMaxi · 2007-09-11 21:35:13

mpz60 wrote:
Another question , Can I use a MIDI Keyboard on an emulator to play the synth and what is your opinion on the difference in an emulators sound and the real deal?

Err... oh... bit late, but the answer is no
There is no 'connection' between most of the hardware of a PC and any of the virtual ports of the emulator.

PROPHET64 & MSSIAH Userforum

#1 2007-03-31 20:29:03

I am a total newbie, I want to turn a C64 into a standalone synth

#2 2007-04-01 05:08:28

Re: I am a total newbie, I want to turn a C64 into a standalone synth

#3 2007-04-01 18:07:04

Re: I am a total newbie, I want to turn a C64 into a standalone synth

#4 2007-04-01 18:13:33

Re: I am a total newbie, I want to turn a C64 into a standalone synth

#5 2007-04-01 18:39:35

Re: I am a total newbie, I want to turn a C64 into a standalone synth

#6 2007-04-01 18:44:31

Re: I am a total newbie, I want to turn a C64 into a standalone synth

#7 2007-04-01 21:14:16

Re: I am a total newbie, I want to turn a C64 into a standalone synth

#8 2007-04-01 21:36:58

Re: I am a total newbie, I want to turn a C64 into a standalone synth

#9 2007-04-01 22:40:26

Re: I am a total newbie, I want to turn a C64 into a standalone synth

#10 2007-04-01 23:19:10

Re: I am a total newbie, I want to turn a C64 into a standalone synth

#11 2007-04-02 02:13:49

Re: I am a total newbie, I want to turn a C64 into a standalone synth

#12 2007-04-02 02:35:58

Re: I am a total newbie, I want to turn a C64 into a standalone synth

#13 2007-04-02 03:53:52

Re: I am a total newbie, I want to turn a C64 into a standalone synth

#14 2007-04-02 03:57:54

Re: I am a total newbie, I want to turn a C64 into a standalone synth

#15 2007-04-02 04:26:35

Re: I am a total newbie, I want to turn a C64 into a standalone synth

#16 2007-05-27 02:24:11

Re: I am a total newbie, I want to turn a C64 into a standalone synth

#17 2007-05-27 04:52:48

Re: I am a total newbie, I want to turn a C64 into a standalone synth

#18 2007-05-28 20:27:25

Re: I am a total newbie, I want to turn a C64 into a standalone synth

#19 2007-09-08 02:35:20

Re: I am a total newbie, I want to turn a C64 into a standalone synth

#20 2007-09-08 10:24:45

Re: I am a total newbie, I want to turn a C64 into a standalone synth

#21 2007-09-08 11:59:51

Re: I am a total newbie, I want to turn a C64 into a standalone synth

#22 2007-09-08 21:44:22

Re: I am a total newbie, I want to turn a C64 into a standalone synth

#23 2007-09-11 16:51:19

Re: I am a total newbie, I want to turn a C64 into a standalone synth

#24 2007-09-11 21:35:13

Re: I am a total newbie, I want to turn a C64 into a standalone synth

mpz60 wrote:

Board footer