Anybody with M4X wants to be first / second customer for LambdaSpeak?

[LambdaMikel]

This gives some more insights in how the Epson works: https://electronza.com/arduino-due-s1v30120-text-speech-code/
It is not straight forward at all.

[LambdaMikel]

I could use this thing:
https://shop.mikroe.com/text-to-speech-click
which is basically Epson IC only on a board... but already 39$!
And then - all the software problems that come with that...
https://github.com/MikroElektronika/Click_TextToSpeech_S1V30120
No, that's all too much work unfortunately


The Emic 2 solution is still the most comfortable and versatile IMHO.
Power has its price 

[Bryce]

Yeah, I didn't expect it to be a complete no-brainer. It would mean that you would have to use a bigger µP and take over the tasks that the emic2 processor looks after. It's just a bit of a waste having two µP in the project when one would be enough. Maybe I will take a look at designing the LambaSpeak 2.0 at a later date?

Bryce.

[GUNHED]

Because then it wouldn't be DKTronics or SSA-1 compatible and the games with speech wouldn't support it either.

There is no compatibility anyway, they use a different chipset.

[Bryce]

It's a different chip, but that just means it sounds different (better). LambaMikel was making it compatible as far as i/o addresses and commands are concerned, which means it would work with existing software. If you put it on a different address you loose that.

Bryce.

[LambdaMikel]

There is no compatibility anyway, they use a different chipset.

Take a look at the videos to learn about SSA-1 compatibility:

Notice that this is all original (unpatched) software.
Currently, there are 2 modes, selectable with DIP switch 1:
- on = native mode
- off = SSA-1 emulation
No DK'tronics yet (and not worthwhile).

[LambdaMikel]

Yeah, I didn't expect it to be a complete no-brainer. It would mean that you would have to use a bigger µP and take over the tasks that the emic2 processor looks after. It's just a bit of a waste having two µP in the project when one would be enough. Maybe I will take a look at designing the LambaSpeak 2.0 at a later date?

For sure you need a (much?) bigger microcontroller than the AVR 328, because of the big firmware file (32 KBs or so). Curious - which microcontroller would you chose? I would welcome LambaSpeak2 by sharing code and layouts with you (maybe some parts can be reused) - can we make it an open source project (and I would like to get a mention for LambdaSpeak "1"  ) Making SSA-1 mode work was a lot of work for me...

In the meantime, I will try to sell a couple on Ebay and SellMyRetro, just to get some development costs back... I think I burned about 500 $ on OshPark with all my different PCB versions  But hey, it wasn't wasted, I learned a lot!

Looking forward to working on LambdaSpeak 2 with you 

[Bryce]

I wouldn't go for a massive µP just to get the extra RAM. The µP could be a smaller cheaper device and the Firmware could be stored in a cheap 2-wire EEPROM such as an AT24C64. The µP just needs to shovel the data over when it boots.

Bryce.

[GUNHED]

Ah, thanks, missed that.

[fandenivoldsk]

This is really cool. Love the Eliza video! Are you planning on selling it at some point?

[fandenivoldsk]

Are you still looking for the $130 guy?

[LambdaMikel]

Are you still looking for the $130 guy?

Right, so far he hasn't reported back to me... he was supposed to do the Mother4X testing. But I will also have a Mohter4X next week! Then I will know for sure. But it works perfectly fine with my (Mother4X compatible) CPC 464 Expansion Port Connector, so I don't expect any surprises.

I would like to start selling a couple in 2 or 3 weeks or so - not many though; I only have time to assemble 5 or so by hand. The outstanding tests for LambdaSpeak are: connect to 6128 with centronics expansion port cable, and connect to Mother4X.

Bryce and I are working on LambdaSpeak 2.0, a cost-reduced version which will be much cheaper. That will probably not be ready before the end of the year.

[fandenivoldsk]

Well, I for one really want one. 1.0 or 2.0, please let me know when to order, when it is time

[LambdaMikel]

Well, I for one really want one. 1.0 or 2.0, please let me know when to order, when it is time

Do you have / require Mother4X compatability? I have the one assembled shown in the picture at the beginning of this thread.
It would come with a CPC 464 Expansion Port Connector (you don't need this connector if you have Mother4X). Without connector its 130 $, with connector 145 $ (includes shipping to Europe).

In terms of functionality, LS1 and LS2 won't be that different I believe. LS1 is for people who want to have a dedicated Emic 2 module, that they can also use for Rasperry Pi and Arduino Projects etc (shared resource). LS2 will have the speech chip mounted permantely via SMD. So it can't be shared for other projcets.

If you like, you can purchase the displayed one right away, send me PM and it ships on Monday 

[fandenivoldsk]

I do not have the Mother4X board. Do you know if I can still get one of those? I guess I would prefer to have LambdaSpeak together with Mother4X.

[LambdaMikel]

I asked the same question here on the board, and got a PM from the "supplier", if he still has some, he might contact you.

[LambdaMikel]

For our German-Speaking friends 

This piece of software has an interesting history. I typed it in in 1985 from a german version of the classic book "BASIC Computer Games (Microcomputer Edition)" - also Eliza got translated into German! I typed it into my CPC 464 during the summer break of 1985, and also added some special effects like sound effects etc. Also in August 1985, the "CPC Schneider International" Magazine had published a driver for the DK'Tronic Speech Synthesizer which allowed it to speak german: "Der CPC spricht deutsch". A simple phoneme-based translation. I typed this in as well, and then combined it with Eliza.  I owned the DK'Tronics since April 1985.

32 years later I remembered that piece of software and was curious if the DK'Tronics "german driver" would work with LambdaSpeak, which emulates SSA-1? I only had to change the port, and remove some INP(...) wait statements, because the hardware protocol is a bit different - and it worked! The german is actually much better than what the DK'Tronics produced.

[LambdaMikel]

The outstanding tests for LambdaSpeak are: connect to 6128 with centronics expansion port cable, and connect to Mother4X.

First part is done, and works - I got my 10-pack of Centronics connectors today. I can make a cable if somebody wants one. 

[LambdaMikel]

The outstanding tests for LambdaSpeak are: connect to 6128 with centronics expansion port cable, and connect to Mother4X.

Yeah, got my Mother4X today - and LambdaSpeak works! So LambdaSpeak v1 really is final