Hi everyone,

I wanted to try this nice SID Player by Edu Arana with a very nice design.

Edu Arana used Bakisha opensource code for the SID (only Psid) player, the code also has my own little implementation for the Vu-Meter with three LEDs (thanks Edu for the note printed on the PCB).

I know the Bakisha SID Player fairly well, below you will find several Links of my blog where there are some experiments and implementations i did years ago.

I’m not going to dwell too much on the loyalty of this SID Player, which as i said i know well, all in all it works but we are far away light years from perfection, at least as i understand it, in fact i started another project that you all probably know: The Return of the Hybrid SID Player which in addition to an ‘almost’ perfect CPU emulation including Illegal Opcodes and uses the “Original” or “Clone” SIDs for playing music tracks and other nice and useful features.

The ‘plus’ version of the Edu SID Player differs from the previous one for the implementation of the bluetooth module which however is not supplied.

As you can see from the photos and video i have installed the BlueTooth module and the Battery to make it totally portable, the battery recharge is via USB like a mobile phone.

UPDATE:

I wrote this update because some things i wrote bothered someone.

With the phrase “I’m not going to dwell … it works well but …” i just wanted to say that the emulation of the SID, let’s talk about EMULATION, is not perfect, i’m a purist of SID songs, so for me a SID music plays perfectly only and only using the original chip, however for the price this player is sold it is perfect and also very nice!

Anyway you are always welcome to break my balls, i will always answer you.

Gallery:

Video:

Link:

• Arananet RetroProducts:
  • https://www.arananet.net/pedidos/product/sidplayer-an-standalone-psid-player
• Bluetooth Module:
  • https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33058710334.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.304.7439194dMtIVVN
• Lithium Polymer battery 3.7v:
  • https://www.amazon.it/dp/B08215WQMQ
• Bakisha STM32 Sid Player:
  • https://github.com/Bakisha/STM32-SID-PLAYER
• STM32F40x SID Player by Bakisha with LCD and ARMSID:
  • https://www.nightfallcrew.com/03/01/2021/stm32f40x-sid-player-by-bakisha-with-lcd-and-armsid/
• STM32F407VET6 (168Mhz Arm MCUs) SID Player by Bakisha:
  • https://www.nightfallcrew.com/05/12/2020/stm32f407vet6-168mhz-arm-mcus-sid-player-by-bakisha/
• STM32F401CCU6 (Arm Cortex MCUs) SID Player by Bakisha:
  • https://www.nightfallcrew.com/23/11/2020/stm32-arm-cortex-mcus-sid-player-by-bakisha/
• The return of the Hybrid Sid Player:
  • https://www.nightfallcrew.com/tag/hybrid-sid-player/

Observing these two displays at first glance there are no big differences are noticed.

Wrong! the Display where you reads V2.0 (updated version of the previous one), also works perfectly if inserted very close to the PCB of a Switching Power Supply, the other one instead at Random resets and displaying 888 just move it 10 CM away from the Switching Power Supply PCB and it works perfectly.

I wanted to share this news because i’m not the only one with this bizarre problem.

Gallery:

A new version of the firmware for the Ultimate-64 (U64/U64E) / U2 / U2+ / U2+L by Gideon is released.

This release has again some significant changes for the firmware upgrade. Please read the manual before installing 3.10i.

Background:

If you would take some time to check the commit history of the repository at GitHub, you may find over 500 commits since the last released version, 3.10a. This is a lotttt more than it usually takes to release a next firmware version. The version is still 3.10, so there are not many functional changes. Yet, files have been touched, updated, or just made compatible with the new Ultimate-II+L hardware. It was more difficult than expected to get the Lattice FPGA to work correctly and keep compatibility with the existing hardware platforms.

On top of the new introduction of the Ultimate-II+L, there is still a need to support the “good old” 1541 Ultimate-II (or simply: U2). There have always been issues with the Microblaze processor and the compiler from Xilinx. Every version of the Xilinx compiler had different bugs that caused the Microblaze based firmware to be broken in one way or another.

Since the U2+L runs well on the Risc-V, it was decided to upgrade the CPU inside of the U2 and ditch the Microblaze forever. Unfortunately, the CPU that was chosen to run inside of the U2+L did not fit in the same space as the Microblaze clone, so I decided to write my own Risc-V compatible CPU. This is the CPU that will be used from now on in the 1541 Ultimate-II.

General Fixes:

• [Important] Fixed ExFAT filesystems with 128kB clusters (Fixes failing D64 mounts from some ExFAT thumbdrives)
• [Facebook Discussion] EasyFlash save function now saves all chip chunks to support incomplete CRT files
• [Issue-271] GEORAM at boot (MarkusC64)
• [Issue-279] Support for 2 MHz operation for any cartridge, including EasyFlash
• [Issue-246] Fixed: Virtual Printer crashes when file cannot be created.
• [Issue-234] Deleting last item in directory makes selection invisible
• [Issue-236] Confirmation modal asking a question only gives ‘OK’ instead of ‘Yes/No’.
• [Issue-R17] Added mapping of ESC key to RUN/STOP.
• [Facebook Request] Added: Leave menu on mount (can be selected per drive)
• [Facebook Bug Report]: Fixed starting Kingsoft Business Basic cartridge
• [Facebook Bug Report]: Allow Maverick (and others?) to write wrong sector headers on MFM tracks.
• [Facebook Bug Report]: Unable to select GeoRAM. Is now a mode of the RAM Expansion Unit.
• [Facebook Bug Report]: Fixed color palette not loaded at boot (U64 only).
• [Facebook Bug Report]: Fixed USB sticks not recognized
• [Messenger Report]: Improvements to palette file read. Rejects faulty files. Fixes hang-up
• [Messenger Report]: Fixes ‘Create DNP’ when run from Telnet. Turned out to be a stack overflow.
• [Email Discussion]: Adds EEPROM segment to GMOD2 when it is missing in the CRT file

U64 core fixes:

• Multicolor graphics side border bug (core version V1.41 => V1.42)

Modem fixes:

• ACIA NMI pulse extension to extend over bad line. This allows the 6502 to see it always.
• Performance optimization ACIA / Modem
• Allow spaces after ATDT command.
• Minor fixes in the modem emulation layer from Scott Hutter (xlar54)

Cartridge Support:

• [Issue-314] Added support for Blackbox V9.
• Additional C128 cartridge variant that allows banking and offers some RAM (U2/U2+/U2+L only).

Additions:

• Firmware target added: Ultimate-II+L; the Lattice version!
• System Information page (F4) now shows elaborate version info.
• GEOS support functions from MarkusC64

Download:

• U64/Ultimate-64 - U2 - U2+ - U2+L v3.10j (Core: v1.42) (528)
• Installation and User Manual V3.10i (668)

source: ultimate64.com github.com facebook

A new version of the firmware for the Ultimate-64 (U64/U64E) / U2 / U2+ / U2+L by Gideon is released.

This release has again some significant changes for the firmware upgrade. Please read the manual before installing 3.10i.

Background:

If you would take some time to check the commit history of the repository at GitHub, you may find over 500 commits since the last released version, 3.10a. This is a lotttt more than it usually takes to release a next firmware version. The version is still 3.10, so there are not many functional changes. Yet, files have been touched, updated, or just made compatible with the new Ultimate-II+L hardware. It was more difficult than expected to get the Lattice FPGA to work correctly and keep compatibility with the existing hardware platforms.

On top of the new introduction of the Ultimate-II+L, there is still a need to support the “good old” 1541 Ultimate-II (or simply: U2). There have always been issues with the Microblaze processor and the compiler from Xilinx. Every version of the Xilinx compiler had different bugs that caused the Microblaze based firmware to be broken in one way or another.

Since the U2+L runs well on the Risc-V, it was decided to upgrade the CPU inside of the U2 and ditch the Microblaze forever. Unfortunately, the CPU that was chosen to run inside of the U2+L did not fit in the same space as the Microblaze clone, so I decided to write my own Risc-V compatible CPU. This is the CPU that will be used from now on in the 1541 Ultimate-II.

General Fixes:

• [Important] Fixed ExFAT filesystems with 128kB clusters (Fixes failing D64 mounts from some ExFAT thumbdrives)
• [Facebook Discussion] EasyFlash save function now saves all chip chunks to support incomplete CRT files
• [Issue-271] GEORAM at boot (MarkusC64)
• [Issue-279] Support for 2 MHz operation for any cartridge, including EasyFlash
• [Issue-246] Fixed: Virtual Printer crashes when file cannot be created.
• [Issue-234] Deleting last item in directory makes selection invisible
• [Issue-236] Confirmation modal asking a question only gives ‘OK’ instead of ‘Yes/No’.
• [Issue-R17] Added mapping of ESC key to RUN/STOP.
• [Facebook Request] Added: Leave menu on mount (can be selected per drive)
• [Facebook Bug Report]: Fixed starting Kingsoft Business Basic cartridge
• [Facebook Bug Report]: Allow Maverick (and others?) to write wrong sector headers on MFM tracks.
• [Facebook Bug Report]: Unable to select GeoRAM. Is now a mode of the RAM Expansion Unit.
• [Facebook Bug Report]: Fixed color palette not loaded at boot (U64 only).
• [Facebook Bug Report]: Fixed USB sticks not recognized
• [Messenger Report]: Improvements to palette file read. Rejects faulty files. Fixes hang-up
• [Messenger Report]: Fixes ‘Create DNP’ when run from Telnet. Turned out to be a stack overflow.
• [Email Discussion]: Adds EEPROM segment to GMOD2 when it is missing in the CRT file

U64 core fixes:

• Multicolor graphics side border bug (core version V1.41 => V1.42)

Modem fixes:

• ACIA NMI pulse extension to extend over bad line. This allows the 6502 to see it always.
• Performance optimization ACIA / Modem
• Allow spaces after ATDT command.
• Minor fixes in the modem emulation layer from Scott Hutter (xlar54)

Cartridge Support:

• [Issue-314] Added support for Blackbox V9.
• Additional C128 cartridge variant that allows banking and offers some RAM (U2/U2+/U2+L only).

Additions:

• Firmware target added: Ultimate-II+L; the Lattice version!
• System Information page (F4) now shows elaborate version info.
• GEOS support functions from MarkusC64

Download:

• U64/Ultimate-64 – U2 – U2+ – U2+L v3.10i (Core: v1.42) (65)*
• Installation and User Manual V3.10i (668)

* Temporarily revoked due to one report of bricked unit.

source: ultimate64.com github.com facebook

Still in beta stage but interesting this software written by SLC that allows you to write and read C64 file formats (D64/G64) using a regular 360k Floppy Drive with the Greaseweazle interface.

To understand how this program works, you should first read the README found in the program archive.

I tried it personally and it works quite well, the only problem is the double sided management of Floppy Disks for Commodore 64, i don’t want to dwell too much on this question but in other words the Floppy Drive PCs do not allow you to turn the floppy disk to use also the other side of the Floppy Disk, the optical sensor is present only on the left side of the reader (the Floppy Drive of the Commodore 64 does not have this sensor).

There are MODs to get around this annoying problem, mods that are not exactly immediate and not for all Floppy Drive.

So let’s say it outspoken, if you want to read and write Floppy Disks for Commodore 64 what i recommend is the software OPENCBM + Hardware XUM (ZoomFloppy) or similar and a native Commodore 64 (1541/1541-II) drive. :-D … and everything is great.

Download: Disc Disk Revolution 64 v0.99B3

This is the official demo party results from BCC #17. See also the CSDB BCC #17 section for more informations and download.

C64 Demo:

• 1 – Strange New World by Delysid
• 2 – Battle Stations by Hokuto Force

C64 Music:

• 1 – Tales From The Crib by Toggle
• 2 – We’re all Hardcore Supermensch by Røly
  • Lángoló Delfineken Lovagolunk át a Boldogság Kráterein by dalezy    
• 4 – Saudade No. 3 by Mibri
• 5 – Undecided by Spider Jerusalem
• 6 – Evening Primrose Oil by GI-Joe        
• 7 – Atlantis Rising by Nordischsound        
• 8 – Midnight Strobes in the Sky by Xiny6581        
• 9 – Trapped! by Proton        
  • Summer Sunday by DJ Space        
• 11 – Let The Bass Rule by PowerTrace        

C64 Graphics:

• 1 – Hokuto Fox by Fabs
• 2 – Wartime by Grass
• 3 – Sparkle Tail by Fabs
• 4 – Galaga Alien by Slaxx
• 5 – ChatBot by Slaxx

WiLD Demo:

• 1 – Lotus SID Cover by Excess        
• 2 – Grimassenschneider by Prof. Pi^2    

C64 Fast Intro:

• 1 – Shake Memories by Hokuto Force
• 2 – Opticalcraptro4k by Excess
• 3 – Shadow-Intro by Genesis Project
• 4 – Lotus Radio by Excess
• 5 – Große Kunst by Hotstuffaz

Mixed Graphics:

• 1 – The White Dragon by Atlantis
• 2 – Petsciing Mantis by Hokuto Force
• 3 – Begin Your Journey by Hokuto Force

Mixed Music:

• 1 – Drunken Sailor by Mayday!
• 2 – Another One Bites The Dust by Finnish Gold
• 3 – Inside by Triad
• 4 – Wildberry Lillet by Excess
• 5 – Love Profusion (C64 Gone Wild) by Hokuto Force
• 6 – You’re Doing Well by Hokuto Force
• 7 – Child in Time (Dub Purple Remix) by Atlantis
• 8 – Never get Outta da Car by Hokuto Force
• 9 – Blazing the C16 Trail by Padua
  • Call of Magic by Manganoid

Download: BCC #17 Full Party Stuff (664)

source: csdb.dk