qb wrote:So can I use a DAW like FL Studio to control the C64\SID via MIDI? Obviously I would have to create the sounds on a C64 software.
Yes and no. You can use something like TRIAD's Midislave (http://csdb.dk/release/?id=27468) and fully control it and make the sounds within it with a C64 if you will. And I said "no" to your second part, because nothing stops you form sending all necessary MIDI parameters to the chip from your computer and store patches in your DAW or librarian software. Personally this is how I use a C64 as a MIDI module so I don't have to deal with disk loading and saving, eliminating the need of a floppy disk drive and saving a lot of time.
Just by making a MIDI file that sends all necessary CC commands once, would set the chip to the patch you want. Then you can play it or even change it in real time with another set of commands. WARNING here through, sending all commands at once might clog up the MIDI bus so I wouldn't recommend changing parameters in real time, at least not frequently or on very tight timeframes. If you want to have various instruments at once in each channel and change them possibly every step, you are better off using a tracker. Normally, you wouldn't use an instrument that way so as a sound module, you should be fine.
I'm kind of worried about the noise coming from the C64 (though there are a few modifications you can make to mitigate it).
Have you ever used a Game Boy? The noise is MUCH WORSE on one of those even with Prosound.. So if that's OK with you the C64 will be fine. A little noise is something we have to get used to if we want to use low-bit or oldschool hardware. It's not the perfect realm of all-digital DAWs of nowadays.
You can do the input grounding like Jeff says but in my opinion it doesn't block most of the really complicated noise, which comes from the C64's logic. I honestly don't mind, you would only hear it if you are doing something with a really low volume.
Last edited by akira^8GB (Oct 6, 2015 3:28 am)