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Manufacturer info page for Digifiz Replica for VW mk2

This post will be extended and improved while there is more info

As we sold many Digifiz Replica units on behalf of Duplux Production (https://www.instagram.com/duplux_production/) there are many common questions and corresponding answers should be. There will be some more info regarding the device.

As a Russian development, the original page of Digifiz Replica is on the Russian social network VK, here:

https://vk.com/digifiz

Also, I’ve created a Telegram page of Digifiz Replica some time ago:

https://t.me/digifiz

Currently, here is an official Manual for Digifiz Replica on English:

https://disk.yandex.ru/d/JSVqGUKjwCQQrQ

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UltiSID is released

UltiSID is released publicly and is now tested:

UltiSID while testing
UltiSID while testing

https://github.com/Sgw32/UltiSID

You can also order PCBs almost assembled using JLCPCB order files provided in the repository.
New UltiSID is highly inspired by Kung Fu Flash – and commonly, it is a Kung Fu Flash with a special firmware(Kung Fu SID, included as a submodule)

Video:

https://youtube.com/shorts/YMMjhMZqSjQ?feature=share – small video of new hardware and software working on a real C64.

By the way, I have 4 extra chips and I can send/sell them somewhere if someone wants to check them out.
As it was declared initially, UltiSID is completely free and open-source even for commercial purposes (GPLv3 license)
I will be happy if someone will improve the project or add some new functions to it. It still lacks paddles, but new hardware supports it.
As well, there is an OpAmp on output cascade, and output is completely generated by DAC, not PWM as on SwinSID – which ensures smooth and good generation of sound. I still need some optimization of code.

There are no hard flaws as it was before on the previous revision of the hardware. It processes data and it is possible to read it back, it works stable.

I would also be happy for any donation:
PayPal is unfortunately banned in Russia, as Russia resident I am unable to use it, even if I’m not in Russia actually(as it is)
0xeDc17cb23241eACe19DF3617291aa7d2d92E62DC – USDT/ETH ERC20
TKSPmVWoCgQky8umDUcR7oivJKNzAXueSB – USDT TRC20
0x77c411fdedc72b034432571ae9aee10330b72d6c – USDT BSC20
https://www.cgtrader.com/sgw32 – or buy something here(my 3d models of C64 for 3d printing)

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Top 10 things from Aliexpress for Retro-engineer

1.    Xgpro(MiniPro) TL866II/TL866-3G programmer

XGpro T48 is a better version and is available here:

http://alii.pub/6i5jff

2.    Gotek Floppy emulator

Gotek can be modded to add I2C display and buzzer.

Most of new revisions come with STM32 clone – AT32, can be flashed using USB cable.

http://alii.pub/6i5jpx

3.    Joysticks

http://alii.pub/6i5kny – SNES joystick

http://alii.pub/6i5k01 Atari-compatible joystick

This joystick will help to work on Commodore 64/Amiga/Atari machines, but it can be rewired for any other machine (MSX, ZX Spectrum).

4.    GBS8200 and GBSC upscalers/scandoublers

This thing is very useful if you want to have a good quality of your image and use your primary monitor while working with retro computer. Personally I’ve tested it on Commodore Amiga.

http://alii.pub/6i5k9d – GBSC

http://alii.pub/6i5k9y  – GBS8200

5.    Anycubic I3 Mega X 3d printer

http://alii.pub/6i5lbh – Anycubic I3 Mega X

https://anycubic3dprinter.aliexpress.ru/store/721071?spm=a2g2w.detail.0.0.4dca54000tzw6c Anycubic Store

6.    SCART HDMI converter

http://alii.pub/6i5lnc

SCART can contain composite and RGB signals. This converter supports RGB format, so provides better quality.

7.    Famous chips

68000 – microprocessor for Amiga, XC68000, Sega and others https://alii.pub/6rc8dc

68030 – microprocessor for many expensive Amiga accelerators https://alii.pub/6rc8e4

MOS 6502 – microprocessor for dozens of retro computers https://alii.pub/6rc8eb

YMF262 – OPL3 sound chip, produces SEGA-like music, and other FM https://alii.pub/6rc8ei

YAC512 – necessary component for YMF262 https://alii.pub/6rc8ew

I8086 –  https://alii.pub/6rc8f3

KC89C72 – AY3-8910 sound chip functional analog https://alii.pub/6rc8fa

8.    Capacitors for recapping

200x small radial capacitor pack https://alii.pub/6rc8fo

SMD capacitors https://alii.pub/6rc8g2

9.    Cartridge case

https://aliexpress.ru/item/4000762474316.html – Atari Jaguar

https://aliexpress.ru/item/32907768028.html – Sega Genesis/MD

https://aliexpress.ru/item/1005003424443171.html – NES cartridge(with games)

10.    EEPROM chips

https://aliexpress.ru/item/1005002993055946.html – EEPROM eraser

https://aliexpress.ru/item/32996311620.html – 27C512

https://aliexpress.ru/item/4000702190607.html – 27C040

https://aliexpress.ru/item/1005003078637234.html -27C020

https://aliexpress.ru/item/1005001882853500.html – 27C32https://aliexpress.ru/item/1005004613641886.html – W27C020

Advertising/Реклама.

https://vk.com/sgw32

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Nano SwinSID manufacturing and test tutorial

Introduction

In this tutorial, I’ve used information from http://www.tolaemon.com/nss/ as well as my own experience for testing.

You’ll not only know how to assemble & flash SwinSIDs, but how to do it almost automatically.

SwinSID is a microcontroller-based clone of the SID, the audio chip used in nearly all 8-bit Commodore computers in the 80s, and later in some chiptune synths like SIDStation. The original SID ( Sound Interface Device) was designed by the engineer Robert Yannes and produced by MOS Technology under the names MOS 6581 and MOS 8580 from the early 80’s to the early 90s. Despite the production of the original SIDs stopped years ago, you still can find spare units of unknown origin on some internet sales sites, but they are very expensive and usually have some of their parts damaged ( it is not strange to find units with malfunctioning filters or oscillators ).

Pinout of SID(and SwinSID too):

SID pinout

Ordering boards

Here we’ll order boards that they will become partly(or fully) assembled.

To order fully assembled boards I do prefer PCBWay (use https://pcbway.com/g/Cc53D7), however you can use any other manufacturer.

Select necessary board number and select color of boards:

Turn on assembly service, enter necessary amount of boards and click “save to cart”, after that, you’ll be requested to update BOM, Pick and Place and gerber files.

Here they are(for full assembly):

Here they are(for manual header soldering, part assembly):

Payment, shipping and delivery

PCBWay accepts ordinary debit cards,  PayPal and wire transfer. It is also possible to order for a company, they provide all the necessary documents.

Shipping using E-packet takes almost one month to Europe and USA(almost everywhere)

In Europe you can pay VAT while the order and receive items with simplified customs clearance.

Soldering partly assembled boards

This is how assembled boards look from the factory

If you’ve ordered boards without DIP assembly, you’ll need 2.54 round gold-plated headers:

You can buy them here: Aliexpress headers

Flashing

Adapter guidelines

Necessary tools for flashing: USBASP Cable + adapter

Socket for USBASP: USBASP wires

Now, you need to make an adapter for flashing using USBASP.

Please connect lines 5V, MOSI, MISO, SCK, RST, GND to the corresponding pins on the bottom of USBASP.

Now, please download the flashing pack (for Windows, but you can adopt BAT file for Linux too) :

Testing

Insert to C64 socket, boot up (you’ll hear a “ping” sound)

Install location of SwinSID

Try to load some music. If you’ve followed the instruction, you’ll hear the sound. Good luck!