Author Topic: LambdaSpeak FS (Read 1863 times)

GUNHED · « **on:** 18:50, 18 February 21 »

Information leaked, so here it comes....

The LambdaSpeak III is a great expansion with lots of features.
However it is not really cheap. Parts just have their price.

But... we decided to release the LambdaSpeak FS, which is nearly the same as the LS III.

What are the differences?

- The SPO256 chip is missing (no problem, the Click-2-Speach does the job anyway)
- You get an additional serial port, suitable for MIDI IN and OUT and way more
- EEPROM missing
- It's way cheaper!

What are the features?

LambdaSpeak FS (2021)
- Perfect Speech Synthesis (English and Spanish!)
- MP3 Player with SD card
- Real Time Clock (native OS, CP/M)
- PCM Sample Player
- 70 new RSX Commands
- Software for CP/M too
- Emulation of:
* SSA-1 speech synthesizer
* dk'tronics speech synthesizer
* Amdrum Drumkit
* Epson and DECtalk Modes
- Thermo sensor
- Serial Port (up to 625000 Baud)
- MIDI IN and OUT Option
- Two DSKs of software
- MX4 connector
- Help & Support granted

How to get it? Well, we wait for the next promotion for the Click2Speach board to save $20. Meanwhile we're building the boards.

Should you buy one?
- If you have the LS III, then NO

- If you have no LS, the YES

Preorder list for first batch of 10 units:
- Rambler
- valfac
- RetroCPC
-

XeNoMoRPH · « **Reply #1 on:** 19:30, 18 February 21 »

I have LS III

GUNHED · « **Reply #2 on:** 02:49, 19 February 21 »

Quote from: XeNoMoRPH on 19:30, 18 February 21

I have LS III

You are the lucky one. We work on some new software for LFS, it will run on LS3 too.

eto · « **Reply #3 on:** 12:57, 19 February 21 »

how much will it be?

GUNHED · « **Reply #4 on:** 16:25, 19 February 21 »

Quote from: eto on 12:57, 19 February 21

how much will it be?

Good question... the main "thing" here it this one...

https://www.mikroe.com/text-to-speech-click

At the moment the 'Text to Speech' Module costs 39 Dollars, but from time to time they have a promotion and the price drops to 19 Dollars - we wait for that now.
The remaining components are maybe around 30-40 Dollars, we need to see where to make the best deals.

Also, the price depends if you want to have the MP3 player (or not) and the RTC (or not).

We use these boards:
MP3: Aideepen YX5300 UART Control Serial MP3 Music Player Module for Arduino/AVR/ARM/PIC

https://www.amazon.de/aideepen-yx5300-UART-Steuerung-MP3-Music-Arduino/dp/B01JCI23JG

RTC: HiLetgo 5pcs DS3231 AT24C32 Clock Module Real Time Clock Module IIC RTC Module for Arduino Without Battery

https://www.amazon.de/Demarkt-AT24C32-Precision-Modul-Speichermodul-Arduino-1PCS/dp/B07NW86D97/ref=sr_1_3?__mk_de_DE=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&dchild=1&keywords=DS3231+AT24C32+Clock+Module+Real+Time+Clock+Module+IIC+RTC+Module+for+Arduino+Without+Battery&qid=1613744738&s=ce-de&sr=1-3

Meanwhile software is getting more and boards will get their first components soon. I'll keep you updated. And if there is a text2speech board promotion please let me know.

By the way, the project page is here:

https://github.com/lambdamikel/LambdaSpeak-FS

genesis8 · « **Reply #5 on:** 16:48, 19 February 21 »

I am interested for one (including MP3 and RTC), I cant wait the promotion.

GUNHED · « **Reply #6 on:** 17:06, 19 February 21 »

PM sent.

Hope the have a batch of 10 units available soon.

GUNHED · « **Reply #7 on:** 13:58, 23 February 21 »

Software & Firmware update on my HP and here...

What new?
- !ADEXIT can exit the AMDRUM mode
- !LSHELP (hopefully) litte more lookable
- Firmware 5 (can now exit from AMDRUM mode)

Have fun!

GUNHED · « **Reply #8 on:** 17:15, 26 February 21 »

You want to use MIDI with LFS or LS3?
Then you can connect via the MIDI breakout board:

https://www.amazon.com/ubld-it-MIDI-Breakout-Board-EZ/dp/B08JC1SZHG/

LambdaMikel made some software for it, see his channel at youtube f.e.

More software is planned.
Therefore let me know which kind of software you would like to have for CPC and Plus computers.
There is MIDI IN and MIDI OUT.

GUNHED · « **Reply #9 on:** 18:36, 03 March 21 »

A new software update for LambdaSpeak is out, now with the Digitrakker from Prodatron (Trakker and Player generator adapted for LambdaSpeak).

MiguelSky made me aware that the RAM RSX from disc don't work. Sorry for this, I worked most of the time on the ROM version. I will care about the RSX for RAM soon.

And now here a video of LambdaSpeak and Prodatrons great Digitrakker:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffm2ckMMNg4

GUNHED · « **Reply #10 on:** 03:02, 05 March 21 »

Thanks to Genesis 8, here is the actual software for the LFS:
http://futureos.cpc-live.com/files/LambdaSpeak_RSX_by_TFM.zip

The RAM RSX doesn't work at the moment (MiguelSky pointed me at that bug), but I will render it working soon. Will keep you updated...

GUNHED · « **Reply #11 on:** 16:15, 05 March 21 »

Hi there!

Today I opened the preorder list for the first 10 LambdaSpeak FS expansion cards.
This is especially for people who want to really use the LFS, not for pure collectors.

If you want one unit please PM here and I will put your nick in the preorder list (see first post).

GUNHED · « **Reply #12 on:** 21:16, 07 March 21 »

All the songs which are 'expected' by the MP3 player can be found at Mega Download.
(However, these songs are on you 'present' SD card anyway, but just in case ...)

See here:
https://mega.nz/file/q0djxIYD#dYcjvVoW3frF6eo_L1dZwh76BI6laYOwBrThm46u56k

GUNHED · « **Reply #13 on:** 03:48, 10 March 21 »

Small update of software (RAM RSX now cleared of a bug). New firmware.

zhulien · « **Reply #14 on:** 17:17, 10 March 21 »

for me for some reason the lambdaspeak software update doesn't work, does it work for anyone else?

GUNHED · « **Reply #15 on:** 01:25, 11 March 21 »

Quote from: zhulien on 17:17, 10 March 21

for me for some reason the lambdaspeak software update doesn't work, does it work for anyone else?

Which LS do you use? You have the LS3, right?
What exactly is the problem?
Please describe!

zhulien · « **Reply #16 on:** 09:28, 11 March 21 »

sorry I should have said the download link doesn't work within your signature.

GUNHED · « **Reply #17 on:** 14:49, 11 March 21 »

Quote from: zhulien on 09:28, 11 March 21

sorry I should have said the download link doesn't work within your signature.

Ah, well. Yes, that's a bit of a wiki forum problem I guess. Try something like "Save link as..." or copy & paste the link. I have the same problem with Chrome too. But it's out of my hands.
In the worst case goto www.futureos.de - there to downloads and scroll down.

For the LS3: Lots of new software for the LFS will work there too (of course), but we will need a bit of time to catch up with LS3 DSKs. At the moment we got serial communication and MIDI on the plate.

Thanks a lot for your interest and support!

Feedback is always a gem.

GUNHED · « **Reply #18 on:** 23:57, 17 March 21 »

Did somebody use the RAM RSX expansion?
Were there problems?
(Recent version I mean)

GUNHED · « **Reply #19 on:** 17:19, 18 March 21 »

Quote from: GUNHED on 23:57, 17 March 21

Did somebody use the RAM RSX expansion?
Were there problems?
(Recent version I mean)

Seems the the problem was one of the M4 card. Maxam creates binaries with file-length=0. This is a problem when using file copy of the M4 card. I suggest (MiguelSky) to load/save the file by hand, this way the file length is added to the file-header.

News:
The new update has an expanded manual and the first batch of commands for serial communication. I will test the commands during the coming week on real hardware.

Get your LambdaSpeak FS PCB...
RetroCPC did ask me if this is doable. Well, I can ship a bare PCB to anybody. This is 5 Euros for postage and PCB. Let me know during the next couple of days. Later on I will order parts and then they shall fit to the number of remaining PCBs.

GUNHED · « **Reply #20 on:** 20:31, 19 March 21 »

Great, nobody wants PCBs, then I start working on the 10 units...

VintageAdvantage · « **Reply #21 on:** 20:36, 19 March 21 »

I think that's because by now everybody knows how to order Gerbers from one of these Seeed-alike PCB maker services and can make them themselves for little money. So there is no need for a "man in the middle" in that sense anymore.

Like these Russian dudes that grabbed the LS3 Gerbers from the Github and are selling it on Chipkin.ru:

https://chipkin.ru/product/pechatnaya-plata-14/

I am sure your assembly services will be valued much more! It takes a lot of time effort and skill to make one of these.

GUNHED · « **Reply #22 on:** 21:01, 19 March 21 »

Quote from: VintageAdvantage on 20:36, 19 March 21

I am sure your assembly services will be valued much more! It takes a lot of time effort and skill to make one of these.

Well, I hope you can help me with this... What I would need is a plan which describes which part is which and where it come. And of course where to buy them. IIRC you do have that all.

Meanwhile I do the 'Drahtbrücken'.

GUNHED · « **Reply #23 on:** 23:49, 20 March 21 »

Quote from: zhulien on 09:28, 11 March 21

sorry I should have said the download link doesn't work within your signature.

Works now. Update is up.

MiguelSky · « **Reply #24 on:** 13:00, 26 March 21 »

I got some trouble in making the card pronounce correctly stressed syllables in Spanish as it uses a predictive way of pronunciation quite accurate but not for all words as you can type the accented vowels in CPC. I sorted this issue by using double vowel or hyphens, depending on the word structure. Just in case someone else bump into the same problem.