Author Topic: LambdaSpeak Speech Synthesizer, Sample Player, RTC, MP3, Serial Interface, MIDI (Read 32150 times)

LambdaMikel · « **Reply #400 on:** 17:26, 19 April 19 »

Updated software. "RTC.BAS" on LS300.dsk shows how to set and use the RTC / calendar / temperature sensor.

LambdaMikel · « **Reply #401 on:** 04:32, 20 April 19 »

Next PCB.

LambdaMikel · « **Reply #402 on:** 04:07, 21 April 19 »

Here is a demo of the Talking Clock for the CPC (a BASIC program on the LambdaSpeak 3 Software Distribution DSK that uses the RTC):

https://youtu.be/Dsok873zTjM

LambdaMikel · « **Reply #403 on:** 06:56, 21 April 19 »

Here is the last of the test videos - this time 115200 serial over FTDI with Linux PC:

https://youtu.be/8MZMzynYyxI
This completes the LambdaSpeak 3.0 tests.

LambdaMikel · « **Reply #404 on:** 23:52, 21 April 19 »

One more update to RTC.bas and SERIAL.bas.

LambdaMikel · « **Reply #405 on:** 04:17, 22 April 19 »

... this is how your "final prototype / final product" looks like after you listened to the feature requests from potential users / buyers

Thanks for that, @zhulien ! The serial interface / MP3 board option, RTC, and loop back audio into CPC speaker should make a big difference in value for money, glad you suggested it

GUNHED · « **Reply #406 on:** 15:30, 25 April 19 »

Now, it's a comprehensive expansion card like the SF3. And both actually fit together very well.

LambdaMikel · « **Reply #407 on:** 17:50, 25 April 19 »

Thanks @GUNHED , but it doesn't have storage facility or RAM / ROM expansion, and I am not going to add this either. Maybe the little EEPROM could be used to store some data. But the ATmega firmware is full.

I have changed the title of this thread btw to reflect the fact that it is for all CPCs, and more than just a Speech Synth by now.

Somebody suggested though to open up the I2C and SPI capability such that it support arbitrary I2C and SPI devices. The hardware is capable of doing this, but it is not clear to me how a high level API for the CPC to I2C and SPI should look like (maybe similar to UART? send message blocks, buffer them, transmit them). Anyhow, this ATmega is full.

I can offer an alternative firmware for opening up I2C and SPI with a new API at some point though, using the same hardware.

But originally I had though this to be a different project,

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/cpc-hardware-tinkering-platform/
but nobody seems to be interrested in such a device.

I still think the little click! boards are extremely ingenious and if we can find a generic way of leveraging them for the CPC, it could mean the end of all CPC hardware development

GUNHED · « **Reply #408 on:** 16:53, 27 April 19 »

Therefore I like the idea of the combination of SF3 and LambdaSpeak 3. Guess 3 is a good number

LambdaMikel · « **Reply #409 on:** 17:17, 30 April 19 »

Happy to say that LambdaSpeak 3 reached its final form and the new version passed all tests

@GUNHED @Bryce @zhulien I will start making them for you now.

If somebody else would like one, please drop me a PM for details. The MP3 and RTC module and the SPO256-AL2 are optional, and they add to the price. I can also solder in pin headers instead of the modules, then one can use DuPont cables to use the serial interface.

Thanks again to all who provided ideas and helped shape the final product, especially @zhulien @GUNHED @bryce.

GUNHED · « **Reply #410 on:** 19:50, 30 April 19 »

Excellent! Now is also the time for the wishlist of the community. A 16 KB ROM has quite some space and YOU can tell now what you like to be part of the LambdaSpeak III software RSX library.

LambdaMikel · « **Reply #411 on:** 08:35, 01 May 19 »

OK, here is the cost breakdown for LS 3.0

Basic LS 3.0 - no SPO256-AL2, no MP3, no RTC, no LambdaDrum, no Epson board:

PCB: 8 $
CPLD: 8 $
ATmega 644 20pu: 8 $
other parts: 12 $
shipping from the US to Europe: 14 $

Sum: 50 $.

To this, you can add the following options:

click Epson speech board: 39 $
(this is not really an option, it is required, but you might already own one)
SPO256-AL2 (I only have ~ 5 of these): 35 $
for authentic SSA1 and DKtronics modes (not emulated)
128 KB EEPROM: 5 $
(required for LambdaDrum - the 4 Channel 16 khz 8Bit PCM Sample Player / Drum Computer)
RTC option: 6 $
MP3 option: 4 $

So, a "deluxe LS 3.0 with everything" (shown in the pictures) will cost you

50 + 39 + 35 + 5 + 6 + 4 = 139 $.

If someone finds cheaper options for, for example, SPO256-AL2, let me know. The cheapest I found was 35 $ (including shipping).

If you already own a SPO256-AL2 and the click Epson speech board, then it is not too expensive - 65 $.

GUNHED · « **Reply #412 on:** 17:13, 02 May 19 »

My personal suggested configuration:

LS3 board: 50$
click Epson speech board: 39 $
128 KB EEPROM: 5 $
(required for LambdaDrum - the 4 Channel 16 khz 8Bit PCM Sample Player / Drum Computer)
RTC option: 6 $
MP3 option: 4 $

50 + 39 + 5 + 6 + 4 = 93 $.

But let's ship a bunch of them from USA to Europe, then the price will drop further to about 93$, which is about 84 Euros. That's a decent price for all the functionality.

Now I would volunteer to send LS3 to you all over in Germany/Europe if case LambdaMikel is fine with that.
Maybe it's time to start a list of potential buyers, or is it to early?

LambdaMikel · « **Reply #413 on:** 17:30, 02 May 19 »

Thanks for the initiative and enthusiasm, @GUNHED !!

It has to be small batches though, because I do not have the capacity to produce a lot of these in a small period of time (and there might not be that many buyers anyhow). But I will publish the Gerbers and Firmware such that others could also build it. I will need to work on the Github site with the info also.

But I guess if we could send over batches of 5 to Germany and then dispatch / distribute from there, that would already reduce postage significantly.

Currently, I am assembling a batch of 6. I would also like to hear from these first customers first before assembling more. Every CPC is different. So @GUNHED and @Bryce and @zhulien and 2 other members will get theirs soon.

LambdaMikel · « **Reply #414 on:** 07:29, 03 May 19 »

Gerbers:
https://www.seeedstudio.io/LambdaSpeak-3-g-1230571
Project GitHub / firmware:
https://github.com/lambdamikel/LambdaSpeak3
Readme.md still pending.

GUNHED · « **Reply #415 on:** 18:09, 03 May 19 »

Very well, guys if you use Gerbers work together to save money.

LambdaMikel · « **Reply #416 on:** 08:51, 05 May 19 »

Board explanations

GUNHED · « **Reply #417 on:** 16:34, 05 May 19 »

Great picture! Perfect for the manual.

Ehm... I will do some day.

LambdaMikel · « **Reply #418 on:** 19:14, 05 May 19 »

Quote from: GUNHED on 16:34, 05 May 19

Great picture! Perfect for the manual. Ehm... I will do some day.

I think the |help command will be perfect for that... with picture of course

GUNHED · « **Reply #419 on:** 21:47, 05 May 19 »

Or a schematic of it...

LambdaMikel · « **Reply #420 on:** 10:23, 09 May 19 »

Getting there... first batch going to be tested tomorrow, shipping probably on Friday if tests go well.
A new era of CPC speech+PCM sound+MP3 begins

GUNHED · « **Reply #421 on:** 19:10, 09 May 19 »

The world will never be the same! This is so great for game development!

LambdaMikel · « **Reply #422 on:** 01:26, 10 May 19 »

Quote from: GUNHED on 19:10, 09 May 19

The world will never be the same! This is so great for game development!

I gladly accept the offer for world leadership, thanks!

Glad I am not getting more likes, otherwise I would have to spend all my evenings soldering these things.
Thank god nobody is interested in it, now I can move on to the next project (hello, TRS-80...)

LambdaMikel · « **Reply #423 on:** 01:35, 10 May 19 »

@XeNoMoRPH , I have parts for exactly 1 LS 3 left - are you interested? Since you just bought LS 1.95, your price will be reduced.

Audronic · « **Reply #424 on:** 02:13, 10 May 19 »

Quote from: LambdaMikel on 01:26, 10 May 19

I can move on to the next project (hello, TRS-80...)

Which TRS-80 ? Model 1/3/4 CoCo ?

Ray

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Author Topic: LambdaSpeak Speech Synthesizer, Sample Player, RTC, MP3, Serial Interface, MIDI (Read 32150 times)