#92

Yeah I was mainly thinking PS/2 and standard microcontroller-based/MIDI-based breaking-out of the link-port’s functionality, rather than physically breaking it out (poor choice of words on my part). I wonder, though, whether an analog sync could function in parallel with arduinoboy and PS/2 keyboard implementation; in which case, a hypothetical module could use arduinoboy as an expansion instead of integrated behind the same panel (as in, having PS/2, analog sync, and and a mounted link port all available in parallel, so that an arduinoboy or something comparable could still be used if desired).

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#93

This IPS DMG display replacement is a more expensive alternative to a backlight mod, but it really seems like the way to go:

I was kind of weighing whether it would be worthwhile in consideration of the Analogue Pocket coming out soonish and came to the conclusion that though I’m definitely going to pick up the Pocket, I’m almost certainly not going to get a second one anytime soon, and most of my old LSDJ material uses two DMGs. Plus, I own three and could put IPS screens in all of them for about the cost of the Pocket (and likely enough would over time).

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#94

So I may or may not have borked a ribbon cable on my DMG-01 screen while attempting to fix lines :frowning:

I considered the IPS, but for a little bit more I could just gut it and rebuild using a Raspberry Pi Zero, so I’m going that route instead! I have all the parts and will begin my build later this week. Even though it’s a ground-up rebuild, it actually seems to be a lot physically easier than hardware DMG mods, and I’ll be able to play SNES games on it if I succeed :slight_smile:

There have been hardware advancements, so this video is a little dated, but if you have an interest in a GBZ build you should check it out!

I haven’t heard of the Analogue Pocket before, it looks awesome! Unfortunately I have a DIY sweet tooth so I should be able to build a similar product for half the price!

#95

Emulation!? Heresy! :nerd_face:

I might be mistaken, but I’m not aware of any emulators which have yet been adapted for MIDI (or some hardware or virtual linkport alternative which might be adapted in this way) outside of dedicated chipmusic software and plugins (which are not designed to run ROMs), and I would have to imagine this to be the case with the GBZ, based upon a cursory search. It might not matter for your intended use, but it’s something to consider if you’re hoping to make a more robust instrument out of the project.

Well, the Pocket wouldn’t be at all worth the price but for the FPGA, of which it has one dedicated to the Gameboy and other handheld systems but also a more powerful FPGA for developers to tinker around with (this is perhaps the biggest draw for me).

For my part, I get a bit precious about the original hardware, apart from their FPGA alternatives which make me salivate profusely. If you get the itch, there’s plenty of DIY enthusiasm in the realm of FPGA-based classic hardware reproduction (though unlikely to be made to fit in a DMG shell or comparable device, I think, without some commercial-level electronic/industrial design chops):

Edit:
The GBZ’s prospective uses remind me of the way I’ve occasioned to use my PSP with custom firmware for LSDJ sketches, in that I would either just use it on the PSP for more off-the-cuff music-making or else for starting work on a song that I would finish on the DMG. I also used to use that for LGPT and believe that something like the GBZ would actually work way better for LGPT, since you could make use of MIDI with that software/hardware combo.

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#96

CircuitPython seems to be an interesting alternative to, I guess, other ways of producing ROMs for the Gameboy (or just about any system, conceivably):

I’m left wondering what could be done with those mini-jacks:

https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/python-GB-cart.png
https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/python-GB-cart.png1344×1636

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#97

A post I made in regard to Bitwig contained some reference to the subject of this thread, so I figured I’d extract the relevant bits and provide some additional context, given also that this followed a recent installation of the aforementioned IPS screen replacement/upgrade, which went well and has made working with the DMG substantially less cumbersome. More importantly, it’s sparked quite a bit more experimentation, of late:

But none more radical, to my mind, than this recent undertaking of developing a new workflow and improved signal-chain for my work with the Gameboy:

Tangentially, I’ve been exploring various niches of technical estorica around game consoles and emulation while surveying some potential inroads for undertaking my own development projects in the area and have turned up some interesting gems:

https://bitbucket.org/mpyne/game-music-emu/wiki/Home

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#98

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158519498545355900652940645244033024×4032 2.88 MB

Thought i’d share a couple of 8bit unicorns.

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#99

Midines!? Jealous. x|k was one of my favorites.

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#100

I havent used it in a few years since my NES died. Despite the drama around MIDINES somehow i managed to get 2 of them straight from wayfar. Sold one awhile back and kept his one which is the latest version.

Wish this clone had the same sound quality as the original console.

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#101

Yeah, too bad the Analogue NT Mini was so damned expensive (and now discontinued, I believe). The Polymega, I think, would be the next best thing, assuming it ever comes out, and while it’s certainly not cheap, it is significantly cheaper than the NT and more multipurpose.

#102

The Polymega looks great. I think its being released soon.

I consider this the ultimate NES clone for MIDINES. I’ve always regretted not buying one and they never come up second hand. I wonder if the maker could be persueded to do another run?

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#103

I recently took delivery of an FPGASID chip from Kryoflux for my SID Guts Deluxe. It’s amazing and allows audio in to the filter section. Sweeeeeeet!!

It also seems to respond faster than the SwinSID chip that the SID Guts came with. With that chip I would get slew as notes changed - with this FPGASID chip it’s clean and quick.

Recommended.

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#104

Nice! I think I’ll follow suit quite soon. I wonder how possible or feasible it would be to link the chip between a pair of modules (maybe using a custom PCB mounted across the back of them), considering that it has stereo capability.

#105

There’s a more in-depth video about this one. Been waiting to hear/see a bit more:

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#106

I am very interested to see the MIDI spec on this and how it stacks up to genMDM. One thing that’s kind of disappointing is the lack of USB, particularly since this pretty much precludes any possibility of a hapiNES-style VST implementation. This is beautiful and incredibly tantalizing (albeit, prohibitively pricey), but I’m starting to get burned out on the disjointed nature of the growing number of Megadrive synths, both emulated and physical. Maybe, it’s just me, but I’d like to see some standard interoperability between them (like being able to compose for one and playing it back on another without too much fiddling) and a bit more consideration for the value of VGM capture and playback.

#107

As much as I love the idea of a physical device with a really chip set (or two) I still feel the Plogue VST is probably the best long term option. Being able to play back and also take layers from music you love and rebuild them means it could potentially be a great intro tool to FM design a well as VGM

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#108

I only partially agree. I think that in the longterm, I would prefer to work almost exclusively on FPGA, and while I’ll always eventually wind up on the DAW, the longer I can delay that work, the better. Mainly, I just prefer things to be self-contained to some extent and interoperable (modular, standardized).

Besides, any MIDI device can be made to work as well with a DAW as with any plug-in, the only question is how and whether that how is reasonably portable across devices or at least robust in and of itself. As far as VGM goes, well, I’m not holding my breath when it comes to anything currently available (whether Plogue offers VGM features before Deflemask fleshes out its MIDI implementation or vice-versa, somehow I think these are not high priority for either, though I’d certainly welcome such a surprise).

Currently, I keep my hardware improvisation and VGM composition separate, apart from sharing instrument dumps between them (between Deflemask and the DAFM), but I’m certainly itching for a greater breadth and depth of cross-pollination.

#109

A friend’s SID black metal project now on bandcamp: https://nythyhel.bandcamp.com/

cover photo by myself on the Gameboy Camera :slight_smile:

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#110

Alright, so this is a little different–using ORCA to sequence the RetroPlug VST, running mGB, with Bitwig as host:

The main feature that I have in mind, here (though not yet featured), is to process RetroPlug in two instances with four discrete channels (each sound channel paired off and panned opposite one another and processed discretely as four mono channels). The MIDI between the VST and hardware (DMG) would be identical, but the actual DMG’s sound output would be paired off into only two discrete channels (the extent of its capability).

The idea here would be to use the emulated VST output as a way to accentuate the DMG’s own sound output, though ultimately, I intend to accomplish much the same effect with two DMGs (accomplishing four tracks by abusing their combined two stereo outs); however likely still not to the exclusion of RetroPlug. I may also include the aforementioned technique of using MIDI gates and envelope followers in post-processing of DMG’s output.

I don’t honestly know what all of this will add up to, but I think it’s something like an information enrichment of the chipmusic production process–starting with a maximal amount of information and widdling it down to an impression of the sound, rather than merely a reproduction.

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#111

Forgot to post this a while back. It’s finally on it’s way (though with significant delay):

They moved start and select buttons to the middle, likely in consideration of music application; plus, many of the newly announced accessories (mostly link cable adapters) are very much for music application.

Also, it occurred to me that I hadn’t shared this particular find on here, before:

I did some experimentation a little while ago with ORCA controlling the PPSE部 C700 VST (SNES/SFC emulated sample processing):

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDiCiGdFw9D/?igshid=1uqmva5izs86p

And I have been interested to try the chipsynth SFC:

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