Making a USB MIDI Game Boy DMG-01

Sounds like a cool idea but like you, I have no idea about the USB placement. Good luck though

that's my plan, but how to mount the port? I find parts like this one, that gives me a port but no idea how to keep it staying in place...

probably something like this

search for "case mount" or "panel mount" usb female connector

Thanks, I bought one of those at the electronics store. I also found this nice USB A to A adapter, but I'm not sure I can fit the length it has with the USB-MIDI dongle inserted anywhere in the DMG... since I'm still waiting for my triwing to arrive I can't open one up and look.

That adapter you have there is useless anyway. You need a special non-standard cable for it to work. Not optimal.
If I would have done this, I would have done it this was, more or less:
Remove the link socket. (You can't really use it anyway when the adapter is permanently connected.)
Put a mini-USB connector in its place. (Not big type B. Too big. Not a micro-USB. Not rigid enough, imo.) The way I would do this is to design a small single sided PCB adapter board which I would glue to the area where the link port was, so that the USB port is facing out the hole.
Then add wires as needed. Since the USB adapter is not longer than originally in any direction, it can fit just about anywhere, such as in the empty pocket in the back part of the case.

For inspiration:

Derpie USB fix by nitro2k01 (Gameboy Genius), on Flickr

I had to fix my derp cart after I managed to rip the USB socket (and the underlying traces) off of it. The way I managed to do this was through a Gameboy drop test from 0.5 meters and more where I left the USB cable plugged in. I didn't anticipate that the force would ripp off the USB connector, but it did. (It didn't fall on the connector or anything. This was just from the sheer force of the cable moving.) I put no blame on the cartridge since I was deliberately abusing it.

Anyway, I'm justing posting this image for inspiration. And this is assuming I would actually do this mod, which I wouldn't.

My solution to the flimsy connection problems one might have with the NL adapter is as follows. Get a spare link connector and solder it to the adapter.

USB Nanoloop adapter improvement 2 by nitro2k01 (Gameboy Genius), on Flickr

Then add some heat shrink tubing around the adapter for isolation, and some hot glue for mechanical stability, and you're good to go. I would recommend not doing this unless you actually need to, to avoid stealing link connectors from perfectly working DMG boards. (Well, it was a GBC in my case.)

USB Nanoloop adapter improvement by nitro2k01 (Gameboy Genius), on Flickr

Another option is to solder the wires of a link cable to the adapter. I have thoughts on how to do this right, as well.

Last edited by nitro2k01 (Nov 13, 2012 7:54 pm)

Thanks for all the tips, nitro.

Just to clarify why I actually want to build the adapter into the Game Boy instead of modifying the adapter or building a cable:
1) USB cables are cheap to replace (2 bucks at most)
2) USB cables are easy to find (e.g. in my local electronics store)
3) I can get USB cables pretty much any length I want
4) and in arbitrary quantities (if I have more than one computer I want to carry the Game Boy between)
5) I won't lose the USB-MIDI adapter

I don't know how easy you can come by a link cable in other parts of the world but in Germany at the last six flea markets nobody had one, not even the resellers, and you have to get them online for 9 Euros plus shipping and have to wait for the package to arrive. Pricing on ebay is similar and plain utopian.

I chose the A socket for now because it seems I at least have a chance getting it to stay in place without creating a breakout board (which I have no tools for). All the other socket types look like they need support from the inside (i.e. a PCB), this is the only type that looks like it might hold on from the outside with the help of some super glue or hot glue.

I'd love to be corrected on the socket issue, because I'd indeed much rather have a USB mini (or B) socket since the cables are even easier to come by (though I've bought an male A to male A cable today for 2 bucks to try the female A to female A adapter idea out that I showed in the photo above)

Putting the USB socket where the link cable socket used to be sounds like a good idea, if I can find a way to fix it in place there.

P.S.: The adapter I got yesterday (presumably the newest version) doesn't have a flimsy connection at all, in fact it sits rock solid in the link cable's plug, it's even an effort to push it in and pull them apart.

oh that's awesome news that would totally eliminate the problems I'm facing. Should you have a spare or two left over after experimenting I'd be happy to include them in my next order