80's Rhythm

Update time! Managed to win the drum machine, it's arrived and working (Yamaha RY8), drum sounds are just right for this project. MIDI clock sends a start down to the C64. Can't get the MIDI notes to change the patterns on MSSIAH Bassline yet tho but still learning the software.

The MIDI merge box I mentioned arrived also, but unable to fully test it until the rest of the MIDI cables arrive, doh! The mouse adapter works a treat with the sequencer, much easier than using the joystick.

Also good news on storage...turns out the cheaper, more flexible uIEC/SD works with MSSIAH, so it's inventor Jim Brain tells me, so I placed an order, fingers crossed that solves the problem of saving and loading.

I've also started to think about how to store this lot, it's a mess at the moment in a pile on top of a storage unit, that I have to drag down and plug in, then tear down and store each time, can't leave it out anywhere - no space, and young kids in the house so not safe to leave stuff out. A laptop rucksack may just about do it, should be lighter and more portable than the heavy case used for RIG-1. Early days!

Blog on the bog

Too much info. Just a quick post, mouse converter and midi merge arrived in the post! Bad news is lost the bids on drum machine and sd storage compatible with MSSIAH is expensive and a seems rare in the UK. More soon...

Happy Shopper?

Still in research/shopping mode, but I did order the MIDI Solutions merger and put a few offers in on eBay for drum machines and controllers, unlikely to win the bids at the budget I have but worth a try. The storage is bugging me, I don't quite understand what product to buy and if it's 100% compatible with MSSIAH so that's on-going. Hope the C64>PS/2 adapter turns up before the weekend so I can spend some time with the sequencer (I can use it now but navigating with the joystick is a bit of a pain). I won't be able to save anything though. Also noticed the 7" TV has video out, so if I find a cheap USB capture stick I should be able to record the C64 screen direct to the laptop and redirect the audio, to make a YouTube video of the sequencer directly. Hmm! Well, I don't like to blog without a picture if I can help it, so here's the MIDI merge box from the site, winging it's way to the UK from Germany as I type.

Basic Plan

So, needed to do a brain dump on how this is all going to fit together - Google Docs to the rescue!

OK it's basic but it's a start. Red arrows are power, blue are MIDI and black are "other". Blue boxes are done, grey stuff I either don't own or haven't worked out what to use yet. Some things are proving harder than I thought, like an SD card solution and tracking down a mouse. I gave up on finding an original C64 1351 Mouse and I've ordered a PS/2 adapter from www.amigakit.com instead.

7" TV : achieved!

Well, seems a 7" TV with RCA input (AmigaKit sold me the AV cable) was in the Maplins sale, cheaper on eBay from China but wanted to avoid import complications and hassle if it didn't work. Quick test and it's up and running. A little hard to read at times but good enough.

Storage, input, display

Ok so the first hurdles are things we take for granted these days. As I want this to be portable-ish, lugging a TV around isn't an option, so need to look at 7" screens. Reliability and added size/weight of floppy drive means looking at custom SD solutions for storage, and while joystick input works, mouse (and potentiometers maybe) will be better, so need to do some research on input. MIDI input also needed of course, but as with RIG-1 I want to avoid traditional keyboards and use the c64 keys and my trusty Kenton Spin Doctor for input to start with. Need to prove a few basic things before I get too carried away.

C64 MIDI ?

So, turns out the chaps at 8bitventures created a cartridge for the c64 that enables MIDI IN (called MSSIAH) - wow, not only that it comes with a handful of built in programs for making music. This got me thinking about the main use cases for the rig, 1) use it as a DAW for chip-tunes, 2) use it as a live instrument/synth, 3) similar to 2 but use MSSIAH in 303 emulation mode for improv acid pattern jams.

RIG-2 ..smaller, lighter, better?

So, I learnt a lot building RIG-1 and had a lot of fun, but it is simply too complex for making music and too heavy to move. This next project will learn from the last one in these areas. The rough plan is to have a c64 at the heart for that awesome SID sound, I recently picked one up to get things started..