SYMBiFACE III in development

[m_dr_m]

SF III looks really great! What is its status? Is there a new batch to order from?
(Couldn't find the info on the site)


I happen to use my CPC a lot (:

[SOS]

Is there a new batch to order from?

Please write Hans an E-Mail (see "Contact" on "tmtlogic.com")

[.]

Hello,
Yes, please send an email.
There are enough components on stock, for building new SF3's

[GUNHED]

Hello,
Yes, please send an email.
There are enough components on stock, for building new SF3's

Can you tell us pease how much units have been sold till today? Or is it to early to ask - I know further development of the SF3 is advancing in big steps. 

[.]

I don't know exactly how many I sold it, for the CPC it will be lot of.
but this SF3 can be used for multiple computers.


at the moment we are working on the SC3000.


New developments for the SF3:
Last options is VOIP via TMTNET.
you can call each other through this system.


I am busy with the improved version of the SF3, the RSF3
TFT touch screen, faster WiFi, faster dual core processor, separate connection for headset audio out, audio processor, connection for Effect processor, MIDI in out, 2x usb, 1x sd, FM radio, 2 MB FMC memory (ram / rom), 2x CPC slot, Cases possible


development will take a few months.
because almost the entire chipset is new, but this version is compatible with the SF3

[.]

Demo of CPC EMR MIDI software
Playing on the SF3. And can also play the SF3's internal GM-MIDI sounds

[.]

We are busy with this midi adaptor. For CPC and Enterprise

[GUNHED]

Can you please tell more about the MIDI interface?

[.]

About the MIDI interface.
It is not very exciting. Midi is nothing more than a SerialPort with its own Baudrate and line voltage.
There is a SerialPort connector on the backside of the SF3. normally we use this to read Debug information. but I have here (when MIDI mode is selected) converted this to baudrate of 31250.
Here comes a 6 wire flat cable and connects to the MIDI adapter (look at the picture above)
The adapter does convert than 3v3 to MIDI signals.

The SF3 has emulated some single signals from the 6850 uart chip. Not all signals yet, because I can't test it yet.
This function has been present in the SEONE part of the SF3 for some time. I have supplied IO port F8F2 and F8F3 and ported to the SEONE.

A new update with this feature is not coming yet. I'm not even waiting for us to test the adapter




The adapter is designed for the CPC and Enterprise slot.
When you use the CPC version, you break off the Enterprise part.
Sounds funny. and saves me drawing another PCB

[GUNHED]

So, you didn't patch the software at all?

The 6 wire cable will contain RX and TX, what else?


Few days ago a MIDI keyboard CT-700 (Casio) arrived here. 

[.]

I have not changed the EMR software.
SF3 handles the F8F2 & F8F3 IO ports

I don't use the other pins except for the GND.  this port is normaly connect with the  Sparkfun FTDI card(3v3)

Is there any other midi software for the CPC?

[GUNHED]

Thanks for your information. Well, I just start to learn about MIDI by myself (slowly).
Seems that there is actually few software:
http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/MIDI#MIDI_software_for_the_CPC

Also there is some stuff in CPC power, search for MIDI there:
https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=database

[zhulien]

MIDI also could allow the CPC to be the noise maker rather than the controller, I wonder if anyone has made a midi software to use the CPC as the noise maker, ideally with a full range of CPC audio hardware support - inbuilt AY, playcity 2 x AY, perhaps speech synths... since CPC has some cool sounds it could compliment the array of other musical instruments in a MIDI band.  I don't mean just basic CPC sounds, but also some of the other cool effects like in the shoot em up game HATE (for example).

[VintageAdvantage]

MIDI also could allow the CPC to be the noise maker rather than the controller

Only proof of concept, but here:

- use USIfAC as MIDI IN to control LambdaSpeal 3 SP0256-AL2:
 

- use LambdaSpeak 3 MIDI IN, AY CPC MIDI Sound, and LambdaSpeak 3 MIDI Soft Through at the same time:
 

[.]

Most of the hardware has been tested.
Soon I will be drawing the final PCB

[.]

RSF3 prototype pictures

[GUNHED]

Now it needs a proper case... Some 3D print guru around?

[.]

When the definitive pcb layout is drawn, I can put the 3D STEP file of the RSF3 online, with this STEP file a 3D housing can be made

[m_dr_m]

SFIII is really an impressive beast!


Some questions (2, i think):
* The manual states there are a lot of RSX beyond |LOG. But were are they described?
* What does OS-MOD.ROM does, compared to regular ROM. Is it necessary? I couldn't find this info back!


Thanks.

[SOS]

* The manual states there are a lot of RSX beyond |LOG. But were are they described?

Take a look at the attachment

(maybe the ROM-Commands need to adjust for the last firmware )

* What does OS-MOD.ROM does, compared to regular ROM. Is it necessary? I couldn't find this info back!

Maybe Duke's Lower-ROM-Patch.... (when your CPC cant replace ROM7 directly)
Place it in Winape as Lower-ROM and take a look (when having default-ROM-Configs) on the Floppy - it should be gone...

[m_dr_m]

Take a look at the attachment

Great, thanks!

Is there an official homepage for this ROM?
Do you share the source?

[m_dr_m]

(maybe the ROM-Commands need to adjust for the last firmware  )

Oh yes! |ROMS shows a random ROM (not even selected) and then hangs!

[m_dr_m]

Random questions from a random citizen:

   
• When the SD card is here with custom ROMS, |LOG still works, but not |ROMS and other rsx (returns "Unknown command"). Despite the boot showing "Symbiface 3 Driver - 060102b".
• Power cycle takes 17 seconds to boot, even when SF3_INI hasn't changed. Is it normal? What can be done to accelerate that?
• Apparently, we cannot access SD card from SymbOS (I've tried via both Master/Slave IDE, both points to the USB). Does CubeMDos SFIII version allows to access it?
• Apparently, we cannot update ROMs from SymbOS. I must try with FutureOS, but the FOSC-E roms crashes when |OS.
• "If you had amnesia and then were cured, would you remember that you forgot?"

[/list]

[.]

For the long startup time. try other USB stick.
some USB sticks take a long time to initialize.


SD card is not supported for use, not even under Symbos.
SD card is only available for system files.

[GUNHED]

   
• Apparently, we cannot update ROMs from SymbOS. I must try with FutureOS, but the FOSC-E roms crashes when |OS.

At the moment there is a problem with ROM uploading, I don't know if the problem is on the hard or soft side. I will come back to this.