Digiblaster

[mr_lou]

That sounds great!

All that's left to do then, is to make a poll asking how many wants to buy one for 20 euro + shipment.

I'll leave that up to you.

[Bryce]

Haven't heard the thundering of feet just yet. If anyone want's one, then post a reply here...

Btw, I just threw together a sample layout for the standard Digiblaster v2 without AY throughput, mounted directly onto the back of the connector. It would be 43mm x 34mm...

If you want a scaled copy to use, let me know...

Bryce.

[Devilmarkus]

Would you also build it with a centronics plug for CPC 6128 (german) and CPC+ ?
If yes, I want one...

[mr_lou]

Haven't heard the thundering of feet just yet. If anyone want's one, then post a reply here...

Don't expect people to pm you about it. I really think you should start an "ordering" thread. This thread has become too long anyway.
(If you don't, I will) 

Would you also build it with a centronics plug for CPC 6128 (german) and CPC+ ?
If yes, I want one...

The centronics variant is the only one he has planned.

[mr_lou]

@Bryce
If/when you create an ordering poll with the question "Would you  like to buy a Digiblaster from me for 20 euro + shipment", you should  add two choices:
1) Yes, I'd buy one with centronics plugs
2) Yes, I'd buy one with edge-connector

That way we can get an idea of separate interest.

[Bryce]

Yeah, but you're kind of missing the point. You see, I'm not out looking for customers, I've more than enough to do, and I'm certainly not going to start chasing people for interest. If they are interested enough to want one they can have one, ie: let me know. I you want to start a poll, by all means.

Bryce.

[mr_lou]

Yeah, but you're kind of missing the point. You see, I'm not out looking for customers, I've more than enough to do, and I'm certainly not going to start chasing people for interest. If they are interested enough to want one they can have one, ie: let me know. I you want to start a poll, by all means.

Oh, I thought it was about finding at least 8 people before you were interested in beginning the whole process...

[Bryce]

I don't mind building them for people, if the interest is there. But it's not like I want to start a business doing it. I'll gladly do it as a favour for those you don't think they are up to it themselves. That's all.

Bryce.

[Gryzor]

I'd buy one fore sure...

I understand all you say, but in the end having people preordering would help you cover the costs, no?

[Bryce]

I'll add you to the list.... 2

Bryce.

[Cpcmaniaco]

Put me too on the list if it's possible.

thanks.

[CPCIak]

Me, too PLEASE

1x German Centronics:  GND not connected to Pin9 (8bit port mod)
AY Input / throughput: Yes

[Bryce]

Ok, that's 4 now (5 actually). Ok, it's time to decide exactly what gets delivered.

Choices:

Connector: a) None b) English c) German d) CPC Plus ?

AY Input / throughput: Yes / No ?

Let me know your thoughts on the matter...

Bryce.

[mr_lou]

Ok, that's 4 now (5 actually). Ok, it's time to decide exactly what gets delivered.

Busy man all the sudden? hehe
I managed to cancel my order at the shop, so I'm "shopping" at "Bryce's" as well now. 

Connector: a) None b) English c) German d) CPC Plus ?

I vote that the standard plug will be centronics. And then you can ship some without a plug for those who wants an edge connector. My reason for this opinion is, that most people probably has edge connectors from old floppy cables lying around, and they are easy to cut and solder onto a board. I have a feeling it's easier than adding your own centronics plug anyway.

But why are you asking about CPC plus? Aren't the plus already able to play sampled sounds?

AY Input / throughput: Yes / No ?

Definitely yes! For two reasons:
1) I suspect we might be able to make one or more 6-channel music demo later on. ;-) Could be awesome.
2) No switching plugs all the time

[Bryce]

Yes, but I'm not sure whether digiblaster software is compatible with the CPC+ sampling hardware, so I thought I'd add the option.

I've managed to source quite a few edge connectors too now, and I think I might be able to come up with a layout that can use either centronics or edge connectors, so I think both should be possible to order.

I'll let you know when I've finished the layout and get a final confirmation of "who wants what" before I fire up the "Acme Circuit Board Machine"

Bryce.

Edit: I'd like to fine tune the Digiblaster if possible, what is the best sample / demo with the best quality, to guage my readings on?

[Devilmarkus]

I also want one

Edit: You should also add a volume potentiometer (I saw in v2 it's removed)

[arnoldemu]

Yes, but I'm not sure whether digiblaster software is compatible with the CPC+ sampling hardware, so I thought I'd add the option.

On the CPC+ it has a command-list that it reads from ram at HSYNC time. this tells it to interrupt, repeat or write data to ay registers.

So the digiblaster is theoretically compatible with the CPC+... although I read somewhere that the printer port on the CPC+ is not updated as frequently as on the CPC (something like 100 times a second), so digiblaster may not work on this?

[Devilmarkus]

About finetuning:
I could send a few converted MDL's + digitracker.
So you could compare them with original Amiga MOD's
Perhaps this would help?

[mr_lou]

I've managed to source quite a few edge connectors too now, and I think I might be able to come up with a layout that can use either centronics or edge connectors, so I think both should be possible to order.

I'll let you know when I've finished the layout and get a final confirmation of "who wants what" before I fire up the "Acme Circuit Board Machine"

That's cool! Great news.

Edge-connector for me please.

Wouldn't it be easier to create a poll then, so you can get a clear overview of "who wants what"?

[Bryce]

Yeah, but then I'd have to go to the bother of finding out how to create a poll

Bryce.

[mr_lou]

Yeah, but then I'd have to go to the bother of finding out how to create a poll

You can also use the old fashioned way: Write down on a piece of paper who wants what.
So far people didn't know they had to tell you what kind of plug they needed, so you might need to pm them the question.

Looking forward to hearing about the progress with Digiblaster v3, and subsequently make some music with it.

[Bryce]

Hi all,
         I just tried out Digi-Track with the Digiblaster and have discovered a slight issue with the AY throughput idea.
As you can see in the diagram below, the sound output from the CPC (3.5mm Socket) has a fixed and limited output level (Limited by R117 - R120), this is meant to be fed into an active speaker or amplifier. The Digiblaster on the other hand has a passive speaker level output (ie: 10 times louder than the AY output). To implement AY throughput, I need to get them to the same level as each other. To do this I could:

A) Add an op-amp and associated components, which means the circuit would then need a voltage source AND the price would go up considerably.

B) Throttle the output of the Digiblaster, which would not only have a negative effect on the quality, but also mean that an active speaker or amplifier would be required to hear anything (which the original digiblaster didn't need)

C) Forget about the AY throughput and go back to the original digiblaster design, with just a few modifications to improve the quality.

or

D) You all de-solder the 10K and 22K resistors in your CPCs and replace them with 1K and 2.2K resistors

What's the preferred solution?

Bryce.

P.s. I'd forgotten how impressive this little circuit is. I was newly impressed by the samples Markus sent me

[mr_lou]

Bummer.

I see no other solution than C
We forget about the AY-throughput. 

(But I want it next year in April then  )

But wait... you say that Digiblaster signal is already amplified? Does that mean I can't use Digiblaster with my regular speakers with built-in amplifier that I currently use?

[Bryce]

It's not exactly "amplified", it's just that the signal is created out of several 5V signals strapped together, so the voltage is naturally higher than a normal audio output. You can still use the active speakers, but you need to keep the volume close to zero. Lowering the 470 Ohm resistor (on V2) will lower the output volume, if it is too high.

The "April" addition could still have AY throughput, but then it already has the voltage and amplifiers required

Bryce.

[mr_lou]

I've been thinking....   (yes, I do that sometimes).

I'd like to know what the price would be for option A.

Because... if we don't have AY-through, it will be come quite annoying loading games that has Digiblaster music in the gamemenu, and AY-music while playing.
I surely don't want to switch plugs to my speakers all the time. Do you?

EDIT: Switch plugs and adjust volume...