chipmusic.org is an online community in respect and relation to chip music, art and its parallels.
You are not logged in. Please login or register.
I picked up 3 C64's today. Only have one monitor cable though... wanted to test all 3 machines, but one of them has a different pin-out than the other 2. how many different pin styles are there? I really want to test the one I can hook up (its the cleanest one too)
any help would rock
also, I have no idea where to get started with music. any information on where to begin would rock. (google is no help since Im not familiar with the terminology really)
1) Does the Amiga have NTSC vs PAL issues in terms of demo-watching, like the C64 does?
2) If I got a European Amiga, would it work with an American power supply? An American TV?
1) There are various apps out there to force 50hz or 60hz signal. If using RF, you would need a NTSC modulator. Otherwise, I'm not aware of any issues, the PAL and NTSC machines are virtually identical other than the default frequency.
2) No. You'd need to find a US PSU for it and a NTSC modulator. I think there is a way to get S-Video by modifying the modulator. Easier if it's a A500 w/ A520 
EDIT : A520 S-Video Modification
EDIT : Or there's this DIY solution
Last edited by BitPop (Feb 3, 2010 12:15 pm)
also, I have no idea where to get started with music. any information on where to begin would rock. (google is no help since Im not familiar with the terminology really)
here you have a great repository of musical software for c64, vic20 and amiga: http://morganleahrecords.com/mooglecharm/commodore.html
I think there is a way to get S-Video by modifying the modulator. Easier if it's a A500 w/ A520
EDIT : A520 S-Video Modification
EDIT : Or there's this DIY solution
i use this a520 mod on my amiga to get svideo signal on a PAL unit. Its a great mod but it has a little problem with britghness and colors. More info here: http://www.lemonamiga.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4710
Awol:
1)
It does. You want a PAL machine Nothing runs on NTSC, specially demos (some games do, though)
2)
The power supply comes with the Amiga and it's 220V. But it will work if you get an american one. I bought one of each depending on where I go (got a 220V german PSU when I toured Europe, my Amiga was NTSC then). Get an american Amiga 500 PSU off eBay and that's it.
The television thing is different. It will not work. Televisions in most of the world cater for more than one video norm, but not in USA, their self-centered-ness 
makes them only have TVs that have NTSC only. However, if you have a modern TV with RGB input, you can connect your AMiga and enjoy crisp image with color. Otherwise get an american Commodore or Amiga monitor, as long as you connect with RGB, it doesn't matter if your machine is PAL or NTSC.
Another option, as mentioned, is to get an US A520 modulator. I think it will work with any Amiga (I never tested it with AGA modes though)
Thretris,
how many different pin styles are there?
Theres two different videoports. I think the one with more pins is the newer but I'm not sure.
Last edited by akira^8GB (Feb 3, 2010 12:46 pm)
Awol:
1)
It does. You want a PAL machine Nothing runs on NTSC, specially demos (some games do, though)
Really? I'm surprised ! I had a PAL machine and it ran NTSC fine (well, PAL60). How come the NTSC won't run PAL?
EDIT: Checked the facts. If it's a MK1 A500 then the Agnus is hard coded. For any models after that you can switch modes with a software preloader or with a hard mod (grounding a pin) 
Last edited by BitPop (Feb 3, 2010 12:48 pm)
Really? I'm surprised ! I had a PAL machine and it ran NTSC fine (well, PAL60). How come the NTSC won't run PAL?
Amiga 500s need to be modified for bi-norm, they don't come like that out of the box (they need minimum an ECS Agnus)
A1200s can switch, however, as you said, it's PAL60 or NTSC50... sometimes this brings compatibility issues.
All software is made for PAL Amigas, so it's best to get a PAL Amiga. Have you ever had the need to switch to NTSC for any software to run?
Amiga 500s need to be modified for bi-norm, they don't come like that out of the box (they need minimum an ECS Agnus)
A1200s can switch, however, as you said, it's PAL60 or NTSC50... sometimes this brings compatibility issues.
Yeah, I checked my facts, most A500s in the UK were fat ones, so that's probably why I've never heard of problems.
Have you ever had the need to switch to NTSC for any software to run?
No, but there is a performance gain from running @ 60Hz, so alot of people did it as a way of overclocking the Amiga
Thretris wrote:also, I have no idea where to get started with music. any information on where to begin would rock. (google is no help since Im not familiar with the terminology really)
here you have a great repository of musical software for c64, vic20 and amiga: http://morganleahrecords.com/mooglecharm/commodore.html
My problem is how to get these to play on my machine?? I got over 500 diskettes from the guy today along with my HUGE bundle. I got a few of those notation apps.
like I said, total C64 noob here.
also whats the best controll over music I can get? Coming from LSDJ, is mssiah a let down?
(thanks for the pin answer akira)
also whats the best controll over music I can get? Coming from LSDJ, is mssiah a let down?
MSSIAH is totally different to LSDJ. While LSDJ is a tracker, MSSIAH is more of a suite of software. The closest equivalent to the tracker in LSDJ is the Sequencer. This is more like the MIDI sequencers you see nowadays, with horizontal lanes, piano roll etc. I've not got into the details with the sequencer, but from what I've seen you can adjust everything and it does support things like tables (called wave tables in MSSIAH)
If you just want bass/leadlines, there's the Bassline which is modelled on the 303 step sequencer.
Myself, I prefer the Monosynth which I trigger from Cubase, live or from my RM1x.
Check out the docs : http://www.8bitventures.com/mssiah/manuals.php
Last edited by BitPop (Feb 3, 2010 1:05 pm)
My problem is how to get these to play on my machine?? I got over 500 diskettes from the guy today along with my HUGE bundle. I got a few of those notation apps. like I said, total C64 noob here. also whats the best controll over music I can get? Coming from LSDJ, is mssiah a let down?
To get these to play on your machine you will need to build or buy a cable like the xe1541 (or similar... ) to write c64 diskettes. Then you can read/write them using your pc. There are other solutions using an amiga, like the Easy1541 (using his own cable too).
check this: http://sta.c64.org/xcables.html
to buy http://www.nkcelectronics.com/commodore.html
amiga Easy1541: http://aminet.net/search?query=easy1541
btw... mssiah is great if piece of software if you are familiarized with modern sequencers and synths... and remember that its not a classic tracker!
but there is a performance gain from running @ 60Hz, so alot of people did it as a way of overclocking the Amiga
Not 100% true, games that use the full PAL resolution will actually slow down hen you pass them to NTSC, something to do with writing the extra lines of screen to non-existing space.
Also, some games that use 320x200 slow down when you pass them to NTSC (example: Lemmings).
Thretris wrote:My problem is how to get these to play on my machine?? I got over 500 diskettes from the guy today along with my HUGE bundle. I got a few of those notation apps. like I said, total C64 noob here. also whats the best controll over music I can get? Coming from LSDJ, is mssiah a let down?
To get these to play on your machine you will need to build or buy a cable like the xe1541 (or similar... ) to write c64 diskettes. Then you can read/write them using your pc. There are other solutions using an amiga, like the Easy1541 (using his own cable too).
check this: http://sta.c64.org/xcables.html
to buy http://www.nkcelectronics.com/commodore.html
amiga Easy1541: http://aminet.net/search?query=easy1541btw... mssiah is great if piece of software if you are familiarized with modern sequencers and synths... and remember that its not a classic tracker!
Thanks a ton, that answers everything. I will probably do mssiah then, leave the tracking to gameboy. My roots are in sequencing and from what i seen it kicks ass.
BUT, if anyone can write me a good tracker, I can send you some blank diskettes and pay for shipping back (dont want to buy the extra stuff, and im a mac user if that matters)
one (or 3) last question.. is a SID2SID a must do mod? I have a dead, 3rd, c64. Can I use the SID out of it for a Sid2Sid? and is there a cheaper way to do it than ordering this board http://www.8bitventures.com/sid2sid/ .... shipping says about $11 (yikes)
Thanks a ton, that answers everything. I will probably do mssiah then, leave the tracking to gameboy. My roots are in sequencing and from what i seen it kicks ass.
then you'll like the mssiah sequencer... but joystick control sucks a bit.
BUT, if anyone can write me a good tracker, I can send you some blank diskettes and pay for shipping back (dont want to buy the extra stuff, and im a mac user if that matters)
now i'm using a c64tpc unit to load / write mssiah songs and patches. take a look at: http://www.cancarpet.com/saymantek/c64tpc_en.html
one (or 3) last question.. is a SID2SID a must do mod? I have a dead, 3rd, c64. Can I use the SID out of it for a Sid2Sid? and is there a cheaper way to do it than ordering this board http://www.8bitventures.com/sid2sid/ .... shipping says about $11 (yikes)
yep! a must to do... you'll get 3 extra channels on the sequencer 
First check the sid revisions of your sids, because you can't use diferent revisions without doing a mod: http://sid.kubarth.com/sid_revisions.html
i think its the easier method to get a second sid on your c64.
i build mine some months ago: http://www.flickr.com/photos/84441860@N … 738802101/.
It's not a MUST unless you need the 6 channels.
make sure you get a Micromys V3
http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/cat … cts_id=877
Dont know what I would do without it!