E’ stato rilasciato da Nobomi un nuovo aggiornamento firmware per l’ARMSiD.

News features and fixes in FW 2.16:

• Fix for 2 MHz mode C128. Since this firmware ARMSID is functional for all modes and types of communication with C128 (even those incompatible with SID documentation).
• Added to the configuration the possibility to use the EXT IN input (pin 26) as an analog input and connect it to the internal mixer, as on the original chip. You should expect a slight increase in noise background from this input, I recommend using it only when you really need this feature.
• Also added to the configuration the possibility to change the emulation detection threshold of the 6581/8580 according to the input voltage (pin 28), so called autodetection. Originally this limit is set to 10.5V, what is below indicates 8580 emulation, what is above so 6581. With the new setting, this limit can be about 2V, so you can use logic levels of 5V or even just 3V for switching the emulation type (pin 28 is not used for power supply in ARMSID, only for voltage measurement, no power supply on this pin is required for function).

Download: ARMSiD v2.16 [PRG/D64/CONFIG] (330)

source: nobomi.cz github.com/nobomi/Arduino-ARMSID-configurator

E’ stato rilasciato da Nobomi un nuovo aggiornamento firmware per l’ARM2SiD.

ARM2SID firmware 3.15:

• Please don’t forget to download also a new configuration program.
• Fixed a bug with noise generation in the highest octave (reported for example in Crossroads II and Jumpman).
• SID type detection with this algorithm returns the actual type setting from the ARMSID configuration.
• Among other tracks, this allows you to play the last part of Wonderland XIII, at least if the ARMSID is set to emulate MOS6581. Prodigy rulez !
• Fixed bad music timing in Turrican 2 – The Final Fight (audible in track 2).
• Added undocumented playback of the “no” waveform, making, for example, the Boing Boom Tschak whistle significantly less (about 20dB down).
• Modifications in the generation of combined waveforms (not only) for MOS8580 emulation, where they are more close to the original (as close as possible for chips that are themselves different from each other, also dependent on temperature, voltage and time).

Download: ARM2SiD v3.15 [PRG/D64/CONFIG] (310)

source: nobomi.cz

E’ stato rilasciato da Nobomi un nuovo aggiornamento firmware per l’ARMSiD.

News features and fixes in FW 2.15:

• Fixed a bug with noise generation in the highest octave (reported for example in Crossroads II and Jumpman).
• SID type detection with this algorithm returns the actual type setting from the ARMSID configuration.
• Among other tracks, this allows you to play the last part of Wonderland XIII, at least if the ARMSID is set to emulate MOS6581. Prodigy rulez !
• Fixed bad music timing in Turrican 2 – The Final Fight (audible in track 2).
• Added undocumented playback of the “no” waveform, making, for example, the Boing Boom Tschak whistle significantly less (about 20dB down).
• Modifications in the generation of combined waveforms (not only) for MOS8580 emulation, where they are more close to the original (as close as possible for chips that are themselves different from each other, also dependent on temperature, voltage and time).

Download: ARMSiD v2.15 [PRG/D64/CONFIG] (359)

source: nobomi.cz

E’ stato rilasciato da Nobomi un nuovo aggiornamento firmware per l’ARM2SiD / ARMSID.

ARM2SID firmware 3.14:

• Please don’t forget to download also a new configuration program.
• Fixed a bug in tone pitch when generating noise (reported for example in Crazy Comets and Paperboy in FW 3.11 and 3.12).
• Fix in SFX emulation (some tracks were missing percussion).
• Unified SFX emulation sample rate for all settings (with correct FM frequency reference set) to approx. 49.7kHz as on original card.
• Optimization for speed, not only for running the emulation itself, but also the bus response.
• Application start-up is also faster, instead of hundreds of milliseconds, the ARM2SID is fully functional in less than 15 milliseconds from power connection !
• CS signals from both sockets are handled as independent accesses (important for use in synthesizers).
• Added the possibility to “fix” the so-called ADSR bug, i.e. a bug in the envelope generator, which is inherent to the original chips and is reproduced in ARMSID too. This is not needed in the C64 for compatibility reasons, but if you use ARMSID in synthesizers, you might be interested in this feature.
• It is possible via configuration to disable the automatic extension of the left channel sound to the right channel if it is not playing for a long time (again, important for use in synthesizers).
• There is also an option via configuration to have only the data from the left channel play fixed to both SID channels (the emulation settings for each channel remain).
• Slightly modified quality (Q) of filter circuits for even more faithful reproduction of MOS8580.

ARMSID firmware 2.14:

• Please don’t forget to download also a new configuration program.
• Bug fix – lower noise waveform tone pitch (reported e.g. in games Crazy Comets and Paperboy when using FW 2.11 to 2.13).

Download:

• ARM2SiD v3.14 (453)
• ARMSiD v2.14 (458)

source: nobomi.cz/8bit/arm2sid nobomi.cz/8bit/armsid

E’ stato rilasciato da Nobomi un nuovo aggiornamento firmware per l’ARMSiD.

News features and fixes in FW 2.13:

• Further optimization of code speed and size. Also bus operations are faster, finally “paddles” are successfully read on NTSC machines even with the oldest HW versions of ARMSID (with components on top) !
• ARMSID start is also faster. Instead of hundreds of milliseconds, ARMSID is fully functional in less than 15 milliseconds after power-up !
• Added the possibility to “fix” the so-called ADSR bug, i.e. a bug in the envelope generator, which is inherent to the original chips and is reproduced in ARMSID too. This is not needed in the C64 for compatibility reasons, but if you use ARMSID in synthesizers, you might be interested in this feature.
• Slightly modified quality (Q) of filter circuits for even more faithful reproduction of MOS8580.

Download: ARMSiD v2.13 (507)

source: nobomi.cz

Nobomi gia’ sviluppatore del famoso ARMSID e ARM2SID, ovvero un’ottima alternattiva sviluppata con STM32 del famoso chip sonoro del Commodore 64, ha reso disponibile una simpatica interfaccia via Terminale (putty) per aggiornare e modificare le configurazioni dell’ARMSID senza utilizzare il programma nativo che gira con Commodore 64.

Il progetto si basa su Arduino UNO REV3, dunque molto economico, i sorgenti sono disponibili su GITHUB e si puo’ acquistare QUI in versione KIT.

Nobomi ha anche azzardato un SIDPLAYER che gira sotto Windows e via seriale invia DATI e INDIRIZZI che vengono poi catturati dall’ARDUINO e inviati all’ARMSID e di conseguenza riproduce la musica ma non aspettatevi un SIDPLAYER perfetto, funziona ma non perfettamente.

Io comunque non lo autocostruito per questo motivo ma per modificare le configurazioni dell’ARMSID senza utilizzare il Commodore 64, questo mi tornerà utile per verificare eventuali problematiche quando implementerò nel SID Player “The Return of the Hybrid SID Player” lo switch in tempo reale tra 8580 e 6581 con chip sonoro ARMSID o ARM2SID.

Gallery:

Continuano gli esperimenti con STM32 e il SID Player di Bakisha. Ringrazio Branko (Bakisha) per il supporto e la pazienza.

Ho aggiunto il supporto LCD (ILI9341) per il SID Player sulla STM32F407VET6 DEV Board.

… e un SID esterno per il SID Player sulla STM32F401CCU6 DEV Board.

Ho utilizzato l’ARMSID di Nobomi, ma funziona discretamente anche con il SID 8580R5, si evidenziano solo alcuni problemi di Timing che bisogna sistemare.

STM32F407VET6 SID Player + LCD (ILI9341) Video:

STM32F401CCU6 SID Player + ARMSID Video:

E’ stato rilasciato da Nobomi un nuovo aggiornamento firmware per l’ARM2SiD / ARMSID.

ARM2SID firmware 3.12:

• Digifix in MOS8580 emulation is now configurable. By the software it can be set to a several levels including inverse polarities.
• The Digifix is controlled by external pin current by default (as a real MOS6581 is). If you miss it, just set it by the configuration program as you want.
• Digifix for MOS8580 is required for example in the Ghostbusters game, but most of the games, demos and music (specially new ones) is not counting with Digifix and can produce some additional noises and hum.
• In this FW is finished the hotfix in noise generation (test bit) from previous FW, now is no sound missing for example in the TestBit_4x.sid.
• Big improvement in 6581 emulation. Fixed inner analog offsets in the MOS6581 emulation. Less distortion in some demos (for example Mahoney – Musik Run/Stop) and no more clicks in some games music (for example Bubble Bobble).
• Fix in tone counter updates during fast changes.
• Fixed setting of the lowest filter frequency for MOS6581 emulation (sometimes the simulation did not match the settings).

ARMSID firmware 2.12:

• Fixed setting of the lowest filter frequency for MOS6581 emulation (sometimes the simulation did not match the settings).
• Remember the “Digifix” update from the previous version, if something sounds different to you on the MOS8580 emulation, please check the configuration.

Previous changelog of ARMSID firmware 2.11:

• Digifix in MOS8580 emulation is now configurable. It can be set to few levels including inverse polarities.
• Digifix is now controlled by external pin by default (as a real SID is). You can change it in config utility.
• Digifix for MOS8580 is required for example in the Ghostbusters game, but most of the games, demos and music (especially new ones) do not expect Digifix and can produce some additional noise and hum.
• Improved noise generation (test bit) from previous FW, no sound missing for example in the TestBit_4x.sid.
• Fixed inner analog offsets in the MOS6581 emulation. Less distortion and no more clicks in some music.
• A small fix in tone counters updates in the fast changes.
• Faster release of the data bus after reading cycle.

Download:

• ARM2SiD v3.12 (675)
• ARMSiD v2.12 (615)

source: nobomi.cz/8bit/arm2sid nobomi.cz/8bit/armsid

E’ stato rilasciato da Nobomi un nuovo aggiornamento firmware per l’ARM2SiD / ARMSID.

News features and fixes in FW 3.8 & v2.10:

• Fixed a bug from older versions in the values generation of the register OSC3 during a noise waveform. Reported in the game Paradroid.

Download:

• ARM2SiD v3.8 (602)
• ARMSiD v2.10 (624)

source: dzi.n.cz/8bit/arm2sid dzi.n.cz/8bit/armsid

E’ stato rilasciato da Nobomi un nuovo aggiornamento firmware per l’ARM2SiD.

News features and fixes in FW 3.7:

• Compared to version 3.6, only marginal changes, added reading of OSC3 and ENV3 registers to the third SID emulation.
• Simplified user interface for the update application.
• Compared to version 3.5, a quick response in stereo mode was added (when using a second socket), the dual-mono mode is activated without timeout when both socket is addressed in the same time.
• Also upper addresses mapping is fixed in the update (sometimes misaligned address detection in the update application).
• Corrected bug in bootloader. If user tried an update with SFX only mode configured, the ARM2SID stuck in the bootloader and was not possible to update it on a user side. Factory update was needed. New updater disables the SFX mode, as well as patches the bootloader to prevent problems in a future.

Download:

• ARM2SiD v3.7 (670)

source: dzi.n.cz/8bit/arm2sid

ARM2SID SIDs & SFX Sound Expander (OPL FM synthesis) emulator

Nobomi ci stupisce ancora con l’ARM2SID il nuovo “emulatore” del chip audio SID (fino a 3 contemporaneamente) del Commodore 64/128 e SFX Sound Expander ( OPL FM).

Il formato dell’ARMSID e’ DIP28 ed e’ assolutamente identico al chip originale e dunque si adatta perfettamente a tutte le situazioni.

La qualita’ audio e’ veramente buona sia per l’emulazione SFX Sound Expander (OPL FM) che per il SID.

Inoltre e’ possibile aggiungere un secondo socket come secondo SID se si dispone di un’adattatore Stereo/U64/Reloaded oppure collegare i cavi direttamente al Computer.

• Fino a 12 canali musicali contemporaneamente (due o tre SID o FM o un SID e FM)!
• Funziona con tutte le schede C64 e C128 (leggere il manuale)
• Modalita’ Stereo con qualsiasi combinazione del SID 6581 oppure 8580.
• Fallback automatico su dual mono se non si utilizza il secondo SID.
• Configurazione e aggiornamenti vengono fatti tramite software che gira sul C64/C128.

Maggiori informazioni le trovate sul sito di Nobomi e di RETROCOMP.cz

Galleria:

Video:

E’ stato rilasciato da Nobomi un nuovo aggiornamento firmware per l’ARM2SiD.

News features and fixes in FW 3.6:

• Compared to version 3.5, a quick response in stereo mode was added (when using a second socket), the dual-mono mode is activated without timeout when both socket is addressed in the same time.
• Also upper addresses mapping is fixed in the update (sometimes misaligned address detection in the update application).
• The “blind” FW 3.6 update updated without reading the registers during the update (especially useful if you have a problem with ARMSID detection)

Download:

• ARM2SiD v3.6 (628)

If you have wired A5/A8 address lines, you can try 3SID files modified for D400h, D420h, and D500h addresses.

• 3SID files modified for D400h, D420h, and D500h (617)

source: dzi.n.cz/8bit/arm2sid

E’ stato rilasciato da Nobomi un nuovo aggiornamento firmware per l’ARMSiD.

News features and fixes in FW 2.9:

• A longer time is required to activate the reset signal (some issue with board 250407 reported where can be short spikes on the bus, now fixed).
• Small fix in noise generator on the lowest bits. Also faster computing.
• Other speed and code size optimization.

Download: ARMSiD v2.9 (914)

source: dzi.n.cz/8bit/armsid

Nobomi ha fatto un nuova versione dello stampato dell’ARMSiD che pero’ ha le stesse caratteristiche hardware della versione precedente.

E’ stato inoltre rilasciato da Nobomi un nuovo aggiornamento firmware per l’ARMSiD.

Qui di seguito il changelog preso direttamente dal sito.

Differences between FW 2.8 and previous version:

• The start and the end of the bus data cycle (reading or writing) is now controlled by signal CS only (it was the same on the beginning of the cycle, but the end was controlled by 02 clock before), it can help with a bus stability in other systems than C64 a C128.
• Internal frequency generators are updated with precision of one 02 clock – about 1us (no audio signal phase changes after frequency retuning) !
• Correct polarity of the bandpass filter.
• Added emulation of internal filter voltage offset.
• Added the “Digi Boost” feature by software – an effect similar to adding 330kOhm resistor between EXTin and GND on the MOS8580.
• Other speed optimization.

Gallery:

Download: ARMSiD v2.8 (17/2/2019) (884)

source: dzi.n.cz/8bit/armsid

ARMSid (6581/8580 Replacement) by Nobomi.

Non ho resistito alla tentazione e ho voluto provare anche questa nuova emulazione del SID 6581/8580 con l’STM32F410 ARM Cortex M4, sto parlando dell’ARMSid di Nobomi.

La spedizione veloce e la cortesia di Nobomi sono sicuramente il punto forte, ma anche la confezione, l’integrato ARMSid viene spedito in un contenitore di plastica onde evitare qualsiasi problema con la spedizione.

Il suono e il feeling “sonoro” sono buoni come lo era per lo SwinSID Ultimate ma meglio, personalmente collocherei l’ARMSid come fedelta’ di emulazione tra il SID Originale e il SwinSID Ultimate, Nobomi sei stato molto bravo, complimenti.

Nobomi inoltre ha scritto un software per Commodore 64 per configurare le varie opzioni dell’ARMSid e un’altro software per aggiornare il Firmware.

Alcune informazioni prese dal sito di Nobomi in Inglese:

What is it ?:

• A new replacement of the MOS6581 and MOS8580 used in the Commodore C64. It is minimalistic (in simplicity of circuit and use, not in function and power).
• Real “plug & play” solution. Just insert instead of the original SID into the slot and it’s done.
• It determines (through supply voltages) which chip it replaces and starts the appropriate emulation (it can be changed later in software).
• No need to switch the PAL / NTSC version, the circuit uses directly the clock from the computer bus, always synchronous with the C64.
• It also emulates analog inputs (joysticks, mouse, etc. – POTX and POTY inputs)
• Analog output is sufficiently buffered, it is not necessary to change anything on the computer board for proper operation.
• Output sampling frequency is 1/16th bus clock of C64 (approx. 62kHz), real 12bit D/A converter, no pwm.
• Filters completely transferred to digital form, emulated by float point arithmetic.
• Significantly lower noise level and less interference from the power supply than the original :)
• Lower power consumption than the original.
• Firmware update possible inside the C64.
• Emulates all waveforms, and even “samples” (at least some of them, Ghostbusters laugh, Chimera screams at you).
• Full support of analog filters (LowPass, BandPass, HighPass, combination, Q quality control).
• Emulation of OSC3 and ENV3 registers (little delay, approximately 16 clocks of the C64 bus).
• Joysticks and mice work.

What is inside ?:

• A few resistors, capacitors, one stabilizer, one opamp and a processor. That’s all, parts only from one side.
• The only programmable circuit is the STM32F410, ARM Cortex M4 with HW float point arithmetic at 100MHz.
• Analogue output amplified via the AD8515 opamp.
• Stabilizer for the 3.3V processor, the processor itself has 5V tolerance inputs.

Firmware:

• New features in FW 2.6:
• Optimization for speed again (approx. 10ns more faster response to read registers, faster processing of writing registers).

• New features in FW 2.5:
• Again faster interrupt (approx. 10ns more faster response to read registers).

• New features in FW 2.4:
• Further optimization of the interrupt (approx. 20ns faster response to read registers).

• New features in FW 2.3:
• A part of source code (interrupt routine) has been rewritten in assembler and manually optimized.
• It makes a possibility to control the bus only through the CS signal (no need for O2 clock synchronization, so it can run on systems with a different CPU than MOS6502 now).
• Low frequency limit and filter strength settings and saving settings to permanent flash memory.

Gallery:

Download:

• ARMSiD Schematics (1246)
• Tester, Configuration Program & Firmware 2.6 (1029)

ARMSiD Video:

source: ARMSiD Homepage