KillWill
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Hi there, I'm hoping someone can help me sort out all this chiptune hardware info I'm cramming into my brain, specifically where I can buy a pre-built MIDI interface to control the Atari 2600.

I bought an Atari 2600 years ago (I think it's a heavy sixer) with the intention of buying a Synthcart (I never ended up buying one). I recently uncovered it again and thought I'd get back into using it as a synth.  I'm hoping to control it from Ableton, or even with some of my MIDI gear, like my Korg Minilogue.

When I left off, pairing the Synthcart with a Highly Liquid MIDI box was the way to go.  Now I can't find any Highly Liquid boxes available and I'm running into a lot of dead links.  I then stumbled upon the little-scale A26F DIY instructions, but with a newborn at home, and several other soldering projects piled up, unfortunately I don't have the time for any extra DIY projects.

Now I'm seeing a lot of info about the Kitsch-Bent MIDIJoy interface.  This sounds really cool, but I'm not sure if it's intended to be used with the Synthcart or just on it's own.  Also it's a bit rich for my blood, but if it can also work well at making my Commodore 64 sing (I have MSSIAH cartridge, if that's relevant) then that would definitely help me justify the price tag.

Anyway, I would be super grateful if anyone here has any suggestions to help me narrow down my choices between: A) Taking a deep breath and buying the MIDIJoy, B) Scouring the internet for someone who's built or can build a little-scale A26F or, C) Scouring the internet for a used Highly Liquid MIDI interface...  or D) open to suggestions!

Thanks!

egr
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Abandoned on Fire

The MidiJoy lets you control the sound of the 2600 (or other device) directly from your computer just like it was a rack mount synth module or something. There's no joystick use or on screen interface. It's far more powerful than synthcart but also far more complicated.

Last edited by egr (May 24, 2018 6:35 pm)

KillWill
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Oh, that sounds awesome in it's own right!  So I would still have to find a MIDI solution for my Synthcart.

Thanks for the quick reply, by the way.

herr_prof
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outside of chipsounds, you can also build a http://www.midibox.org/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=midibox_tia


https://modularaddict.com/midibox-tia26 … partialkit

Last edited by herr_prof (May 24, 2018 9:24 pm)

TSC
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Milwaukee, WI
herr_prof wrote:

outside of chipsounds, you can also build a http://www.midibox.org/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=midibox_tia


https://modularaddict.com/midibox-tia26 … partialkit

I can vouch for these. Extremely easy build with a great form factor.

KillWill
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herr_prof wrote:

outside of chipsounds, you can also build a http://www.midibox.org/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=midibox_tia


https://modularaddict.com/midibox-tia26 … partialkit

This looks awesome thanks for the heads up! Very convenient, especially if it doesn’t require being hooked up to a console (which I’m guessing m it doesn’t need to be). I am looking at that (not bad) price and considering the time it might take vs just getting a prebuilt MIDIJoy (about $130 for me here in Canada), but the small form factor of the MIDIBox is definitely a plus.

@TSC good to know it’s an easy build, thanks. I don’t have a lot of time these days.

DSC
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I bought the last MIDI2600's from John at Highly Liquid, so if you want one for your Synthcart, let me know.
These were built by Paul and are fully tested and factory sealed.
I can work with you on price.

Last edited by DSC (May 25, 2018 2:49 am)

KillWill
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DSC wrote:

I bought the last MIDI2600's from John at Highly Liquid, so if you want one for your Synthcart, let me know.
These were built by Paul and are fully tested and factory sealed.
I can work with you on price.

Amazing! I knew there had to be some of these around. PM’ing, thanks!

HellaGoodAudio
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Hey everyone - does anyone know if these MIDI Joys are still around and for sale? It looks like it was a limited batch quantity and now are no longer being made - is that right?

Otherwise I'm looking at the MIDIbox TIA as an option to get MIDI out from my DAW to trigger the onboard sound chip and output audio...

Any help would be appreciated!

Last edited by HellaGoodAudio (Apr 14, 2020 12:58 am)

DSC
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Shot you a PM back.

handbaked
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London, UK

I am also revisiting the idea of adding midi to my 2600. I have a full synthcart setup.

I have been looking at the midijoy project. Does anyone know if it is possible to use the midijoy to control the synthcart?

Thanks.

handbaked
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London, UK
HellaGoodAudio wrote:

Hey everyone - does anyone know if these MIDI Joys are still around and for sale? It looks like it was a limited batch quantity and now are no longer being made - is that right?

Otherwise I'm looking at the MIDIbox TIA as an option to get MIDI out from my DAW to trigger the onboard sound chip and output audio...

Any help would be appreciated!

Kitsch bent still sell them at $85. Otherwise the build process seems pretty simple. Though not too sure of the midijoy works with the synthcart. That's what I would like to know :-)

http://www.phobotron.de/midijoy_en.html#GettingIt

Membrandt
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Hi,

is there any chance to get hold of the MIDI interface perceived by little scale?

http://little-scale.blogspot.com/2013/0 … c.html?m=1

Unfortunately I have zero soldering skills and I would like to buy an assembled unit. Does anyone have a spare one to sell?

Thanks!

catskull
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NUMBSKULL
Membrandt wrote:

Hi,

is there any chance to get hold of the MIDI interface perceived by little scale?

http://little-scale.blogspot.com/2013/0 … c.html?m=1

Unfortunately I have zero soldering skills and I would like to buy an assembled unit. Does anyone have a spare one to sell?

Thanks!

Looks like the code could be flashed to a genMDM with little to no changes. You'd need a separate 2600 flash cart of some kind though.

herr_prof
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Thats easy! its been at atariage for 20 years big_smile https://atariage.com/store/index.php?l= … &p=101

@catskull - you would need two of the sega interfaces though huh for the dual ports?

Last edited by herr_prof (Nov 9, 2020 1:53 pm)

catskull
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NUMBSKULL

Oh, I missed that part. Didn't realize it used both ports, in that case getting it working on a genMDM would be quite a bit more tricky.