Wanted in exchange for soul (Page 1 of 2)

Only downside to that is there's licences attached to the designs/boards to essentially prevent (discourage) you from buying the stuff with a commercial sale in mind. That's how I read it anyway. If you tout for builders on their forums you run the risk of being banned.

I don't know if that's driven by an ethos or there's some issue with patents/rights.

Seems crazy to me - I'd pay someone good money to build me one like in that link.

arfink, with the resources at our disposal now, building MBSID is not so hard.  It is even accessible to newbies like me.  I'm building one.  It's kind of at a standstill for monetary reason, but it functions.  It's sort of in this stage:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjqBk8K1Rac

smashTV sells PCBs and part kits.  His site, along with ucapps.de has every piece of information you could possibly need, and the forum people are extremely helpful.

http://www.avishowtech.com/mbhp/

http://www.ucapps.de/index.html?page=midibox_sid.html

edit:  When building an MBSID, you have a few options.  You can build a regular MBSID v2 using the modular kits from smashTV (or do a true DIY job!), you can build a sammichSID, or you can build a MB6582.  The only advantage that the 6582 has over the modular kits is that it provides for a more robust build because it is one big board rather than a bunch of modules.  Also, the 6582 is meant to fit into this pactec case:

http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDet … 0TiA%3d%3d

Basically, the legwork and research on the 6582 is done for you, you just have to get the SIDs, work out your PSU, and not fuck it up.

The modular approach is cool if you have monetary limitations (you can do it a little at a time).  Also, you learn more from the experience.

Last edited by Cartoon Bomb (Oct 4, 2010 4:57 pm)

OK, well I just looked over the whole works quickly, and it doesn't look too bad. And by doesn't look too bad, it looks like a fine build, though because of the unified design I would not be able to afford to build it myself. XD I have all the tools, including a programming device for the PICs.

I also have a plethora of C64 PSUs and also 2 spare SIDs to get started with. So Neil, if you are interested in getting this built by me please PM me and we can discuss details. Obviously this is a big and expensive project and you'll want to talk about things, and I understand if you want to get it done by a more experienced builder too.

EDIT: I also looked at the SmashTV kits, and they look like a very very good deal to me. The baseboard parts kit can come with a pre-programmed PIC, but that's probably not necessary. As for the control surface board, he doesn't offer a kit of that, probably because the encoders / leds / display are all essentially customizable and it would be a big mess. But he does offer the PCB. And for a PCB that complex, $20 is a steal.

Last edited by arfink (Oct 4, 2010 5:07 pm)

I'd be happy to talk about building this for you. I love building kits and was looking at this as a potential next build anyway. Send me a PM if you're interested. My work is clean and I'm way OCD about details so I could almost guarantee you'd be pleased with the outcome. I wouldn't want cash, just whatever the cost is. Maybe you could sling me some of your fine wares as an exchange or something *shrug*. Let me know.

Trash80 had my kit that he built up.. he was selling it. not sure if it sold.. you should contact him to see if he still has it.

I sold mine. It was easy to solder. I'd say finding all the parts needed is the biggest issue.
If you ever need help just send me a pm.

Placing myself on call for advice/parts/labor.