Paul Slocum
-
Content Count
1,764 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Posts posted by Paul Slocum
-
-
That's how it's supposed to look.
-
I have an idea for some motivation. Since several people may submit beats which I may use, I can't afford to give everyone a free cart. But I can give away one.
So everyone who submits a beat or beats that are used on the cart gets entered (once) in a raffle to win a free Synthcart. I'd rather select the winner randomly rather than choosing the "best" one since it's way too subjective.
-Paul
-
I didn't get an overwhelming response on the contest idea, but I'm going to do it anyway because I think the Synthcart will benefit from the creative input of more than just me.
I've decided to make the Synthcart 8k, which will allow for quite a few more beats than originally planned.
I tried to make the beat editor kit as user friendly as possible: just edit a list of numbers to make the beat, then run a batch file to compile the program, then load the beats.bin file on an emulator or Cuttle Cart to see what it sounds like.
If you're running on a real Atari, the display may start looking funny. I'm aware of this bug and trying to track it down.
So if you want to try your hand at Atari beat-smithing, download this ZIP file and unzip it into a folder. The readme.txt will walk you through the rest.
-Paul
-
When you factor in all the time I've spent on the Syntcart and the cost of producing cartridges, it's going to be hard to simply break even. I did the Testcart and the Synthcart mainly because they were something I wanted. I would consider doing commissioned work, but I would also have to get more than $1000.
-Paul
-
I'd like to have 5 or so custom text fields that can be named by the user. This would take care of mine and many other people's requests for special fields.
-Paul
-
I've programmed a TRS-80 Model III in assembly (actually I wrote a Synthesizer program for it!), and I'd say the Atari is a bit more difficult. The assembly is about the same level of difficulty. However, things like displaying the screen that you would take for granted on a Z-80 computer must be done manually on the Atari. And you're working under much greater time and memory constraints than on any Z-80 computer.
-Paul
-
Would anyone be interested in a beat programming contest for the Synthcart? I may back out on this due to the extra time it would take, but I figure I'll see if anyone's interested.
- I would release a "beat player" 2600 ROM. You would change the beat data to make your own beats then send me your modified source.
- You would have to be able to (or figure out how to) compile Atari source code using DASM.
- You would probably want to have a Cuttle Cart or PROM blower so you can see what your beats really sounds like.
- All I can offer is that the winner(s) would have their beat(s) on the cart and get credit in the manual. I just can't afford to give away free carts. This project is getting expensive.
-Paul
-
It's slow, but my last message went through fine about a week ago. I've had problems with messages going through before, and I found the solution in the MESSAGES section here:
-Paul
-
-
I haven't. But if you send an Atari Video Music unit to my house, I will.
I have a couple of Commodore synth programs. One includes a small piano keyboard that fits over the computer keyboard. The other is the Sequential Circuits one that includes a 1 octave full size keyboard that plugs into the joystick port.
-Paul
-
I think you need to figure out what the difference is between the original ROM file and the one read from the EPROM. Make sure the new file is exactly 4096 bytes. Use a hex/binary editor to look at the two files and see where the difference is. It is just a few bits different? Is the new file all zeros? Are bits missing? Are extra bits set? This will give you an idea of what's going on here.
Look at the part number on your EPROM. If it says 2732A... then you need to use 21v. Any other letter after the 2732 means it's a regular 2732.
Also, try erasing your EPROMs for a full 30 - 45 minutes.
The 2532 does require the inverter, but other than that it requires no modification to the board.
I get my EPROMs from BGMicro:
-Paul
-
You have all the right parts.
- Make sure you aren't using instructions for a 2532 EPROM. The 2532 is a pin-for-pin match, but a 2732 requires you to modify the board a little more in addition to inserting the inverter.
- Use a multimeter to check all your connections on the board. Also check to make sure there are no shorts between ZIF socket pins.
- Standard 4K .bin files that work with Z26 etc. should work on the real Atari if burned directly to a 2532 or 2732. I use a different burner, but mine will verify a burn. What you read back should be exactly the same as what you put in.
-Paul
-
The SID is the Commodore 64 sound chip. Both are WAAAY advanced compared to the 2600's abilities. It was pretty difficult even finding 12 notes that were in tune to map to the keys on the keypad. But the 2600 does have some really awesome sounds. I REALLY like the bass sound:
-Paul
-
That's all coming out of the 2600 realtime.
-Paul
-
However a lot of homebrewers (including me) use really old EPROMs. I'm don't think they make 2732s any more, and I know they don't make 2532s. But multicarts and other items that use newer huge EPROMs and FPGAs might last a lot longer.
-Paul
[ 01-17-2002: Message edited by: Smart Patrol ]
-
At the rate I'm going, I'll be done with the programming by this weekend. But with testing, writing the manual, printing labels, etc. the cartridges probably won't be available for another 2-3 weeks.
-Paul
-
I've been working on the Synthcart non-stop for the last few days, and I've added the beat box and arpeggiator functions. It sounds pretty cool! I made a short MP3 of me noodling around with it:
-Paul
-
By modern cartridges, I mean modern homebrew Atari carts. As far as I know, all of them use EPROMs. EEPROMs, EPROMs, and modern PROMs are all subject to bit rot. This explains what happens:
http://sf.victoly.com/Bit-Rot/bitrot.txt
-Paul
-
As far as I know all modern cartridges will eventually suffer from bit rot after 25 years or so. I spent some time trying to find a way to make permanent ROMs, and the only way I could find was to actually have custom chips made, which is WAY too expensive.
I'm just setting aside $10 a years, and then in 25 years I'll have enough to replace all my modern carts. ;o)
-Paul
-
I've made 64-in-1's before and sold them for around $40-$50.
-Paul
-
You're right -- probably wouldn't be the best design decision. I was more just curious about whether it was even possible.
I did have an idea, though. When the cartridge wants to reset the Atari, it could usurp the running program and feed the Atari 3 or 4 NOP commands and then a JMP $0000 command, then switch banks back to the loader program. Seems like if you after 3 or 4 NOP commands you could be sure the processor will be expecting an opcode next.
-Paul
-
Say you've loaded and are playing a game on a Cuttle Cart. Then without turning off power, you start loading a new game. Is there a way that a slightly redesigned Cuttle Cart could automatically reset the Atari itself and start up a different game? It doesn't seem possible from a software perspective, but maybe there's some trick I'm overlooking. It appears to boil down to: how do you interrupt the game program and reset the program counter?
-Paul
-
My friend found Congo Bongo for the Intellivision at a mall store for $2 about a year ago. Wish I'd have that kind of luck!
-Paul
-
BTW: I did look through the dumpster, but did not find any copies of Lochjaw or Guardian.
-Paul
-
1
-
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Lemme run this by you...
in Atari 2600
Posted
nowhammies..nowhammies..nowhammies..STOP!!