Ultimate SID?

[Konata]

Everybody knows what the SID chip is (or should know), but if you need to learn a little bit more about the C64's AMAZING synthesizer, scope this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOS_Technology_SID

Now that we got that out of the way, which is your preferred chip?

[RedWolf]

Everybody knows what the SID chip is (or should know), but if you need to learn a little bit more about the C64's AMAZING synthesizer, scope this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOS_Technology_SID

Now that we got that out of the way, which is your preferred chip?

I dunno, Kitsune.  I've never really been picky about my SID chips.   Whichever is in the C64 I'm using is fine with me.

And I'll always prefer Atari 800 music over the C64, but that's just me.  It has four voices instead of three, which makes for more complex arrangements. 

[Konata]

That's true about the voices, but the SID has analog filters, giving it a unique hybrid analog/digital sound.

Atari 800 pwns though, wasn't that what they used to make the 5200? Great great system. ^_^

[RedWolf]

That's true about the voices, but the SID has analog filters, giving it a unique hybrid analog/digital sound.

Atari 800 pwns though, wasn't that what they used to make the 5200? Great great system. ^_^

Yeah, the 5200 was basically a slightly modified Atari 400/800 system with new controllers.  Almost all of the 5200 games are available on the Atari 800, and you can play them with a better joystick on there, so I'd say skip the 5200 in general.

I wonder if anybody has hooked up something like 16 SID chips in parallel and done a complex musical arrangement with them simultaneously.

[Konata]

That's true about the voices, but the SID has analog filters, giving it a unique hybrid analog/digital sound.

Atari 800 pwns though, wasn't that what they used to make the 5200? Great great system. ^_^

Yeah, the 5200 was basically a slightly modified Atari 400/800 system with new controllers.  Almost all of the 5200 games are available on the Atari 800, and you can play them with a better joystick on there, so I'd say skip the 5200 in general.

I wonder if anybody has hooked up something like 16 SID chips in parallel and done a complex musical arrangement with them simultaneously.

16, no. But people have made a thing called the HARDSID card, which is four SIDs on a PCI card,so it's entirely possible.


And this is offtopic, but I wanted to know, Redwolf, what's better in your opinion, Atari 800 or ST?

[Konata]

Oh and btw, here's some links for you guys:

http://sid.oth4.com/ - Download some SID MP3s today

http://ym2149.oth4.com/ - Or some Atari ST/800

http://www.6581-8580.com/ - when this is complete (only like a couple of days from now), EVERY SID FILE EVER will have a MP3 (for free download!), and it will be recorded on BOTH chips. Redwolf, you might want to look at the tech behind recording this, it's fascinating!

[RedWolf]

And this is offtopic, but I wanted to know, Redwolf, what's better in your opinion, Atari 800 or ST?

Better in what way?  Music?  Or just in general?  I love the Atari 800 because I grew up with it as our family's main gaming computer for a long time.  We actually had an Atari 1040ST as well shortly after it was released, and I loved to play Phantasie on it.  My vote is for the Atari 800, because it has more charm.   Still, the Atari ST is an incredibly large world unto its own.

[Konata]

And this is offtopic, but I wanted to know, Redwolf, what's better in your opinion, Atari 800 or ST?

Better in what way?  Music?  Or just in general?  I love the Atari 800 because I grew up with it as our family's main gaming computer for a long time.  We actually had an Atari 1040ST as well shortly after it was released, and I loved to play Phantasie on it.  My vote is for the Atari 800, because it has more charm.   Still, the Atari ST is an incredibly large world unto its own.

That's exactly what I was looking for, thank you!

[wiskow]

I felt that I should point out that the C128 (original, flat model) has a 6581 SID chip.  The 128D (with built-in disk drive and detachable keyboard) has the 8580 SID chip.  Of course, some of both models may use the other SID chip, but this is the general rule.

-Andrew

[t3hfr3ak]

Thanks for the info Andrew and welcome to the boards

[RedWolf]

I felt that I should point out that the C128 (original, flat model) has a 6581 SID chip.  The 128D (with built-in disk drive and detachable keyboard) has the 8580 SID chip.  Of course, some of both models may use the other SID chip, but this is the general rule.

-Andrew

Awesome; now we have a Commodore expert onboard.   Indeed, I second the welcome wholeheartedly!

[tecneeq]

If you actually take the time and compare the chips you will see that the MOS6581's sound is richer.

Compare for example Chris Hülsbeck's ,,Great Giana Sisters'':
http://www.6581-8580.com/ -> download -> search for ,,Great Giana Sisters'' and choose the 3:45 one from Chris

Maybe it's because the great tunes where written on the MOS6581 and sound like intended by the artist?

[wiskow]

Maybe it's because the great tunes where written on the MOS6581 and sound like intended by the artist?

That's probably right...  The 8580 was intended to be an "update" to the 6581, with bug fixes and whatnot, but since a lot of music or sound had been written written to make use of these "bugs", they sounded different on the 8580 than they did on the 6581.  Most notably is anything that uses speech synthesis...  On a 6581, it sounds as it was intended to, but on an 8580, you can barely hear it.

-Andrew

[Konata]

Maybe it's because the great tunes where written on the MOS6581 and sound like intended by the artist?

That's probably right...  The 8580 was intended to be an "update" to the 6581, with bug fixes and whatnot, but since a lot of music or sound had been written written to make use of these "bugs", they sounded different on the 8580 than they did on the 6581.  Most notably is anything that uses speech synthesis...  On a 6581, it sounds as it was intended to, but on an 8580, you can barely hear it.

-Andrew

Thank you for posting that! ^___^