Using a Commodore 64

[davidv@plogue]

the built-in synth isn't controllable via the midi apps, I don't believe.

Two apps i know allow you to do this:

Triad MIDI Slave Manager:
http://www.df.lth.se/~triad/triad/ftp/MIDI/midislav.txt

M64:
http://gallium.prg.dtu.dk/anyware/

Both of which require one of three different MIDI interfaces,
DATEL / Siel+JMS / Passport or Sequential MIDI-interface

Im lucky to have found a passport
http://plogue.com/davidv/c64/passport.jpg

and a Sequential, but this one is a standalone thing, and has its own built in sequencer:
http://plogue.com/davidv/c64/sequential.jpg

[HelgeG]

For geeks who like to tinker:

http://www.ucapps.de/midibox_sid.html

This site has schematics and information on how to build your own synth using the SID chip and the C64 chassis.

[ammoniad]

The 64 was for 64 bits of memory. My cell phone has more memory.

64K, as in 524288 bits. The C64 was way ahead of its time and had a built-in analogue synth with digitally controlled oscillators, which is more than can be said for your cell phone.

Has anyone mentioned QuadraSID yet? Four emulated SIDs in a VSTi, what more could you ask for?

Finding software isn't a problem if you have an XE1541 cable, you can download it from the 'Net and use host software to transfer it to a real C64 disk (Star Commander) or tape (Tapserv). It works, I've tried it. I have a cables if you want one...

I had a C64 back in 84, and even used it for midi, with Dr. T's. I was not mocking the C64 as a tool, but it cannot record useful audio. I don't think the ppq is all that hot either. My phone does play midi files and samples too (though I would not use it a a performance instrument). Sorry if the comment sounded off handed.

[saulc12]

The 64 was for 64 bits of memory. My cell phone has more memory.

64K, as in 524288 bits. The C64 was way ahead of its time and had a built-in analogue synth with digitally controlled oscillators, which is more than can be said for your cell phone.

Has anyone mentioned QuadraSID yet? Four emulated SIDs in a VSTi, what more could you ask for?

Finding software isn't a problem if you have an XE1541 cable, you can download it from the 'Net and use host software to transfer it to a real C64 disk (Star Commander) or tape (Tapserv). It works, I've tried it. I have a cables if you want one...

Actually a digital synth with analogue filters - the oscillators were based on 14 bit wavetables.

The memory was as you said 524288 bits or more specifically 65526 bytes (64 kilobytes -hence C64).

And as for softsynth options, how about retro-gs01, it is cheaper and easier to use than quadrasid and is still very SID like and very powerful.

http://www.simple-media.co.uk/music/vsti/vsti.htm

[RoyNoahJones]

[herr_prof]

http://www.itsahit.com/ola/midisid/

I hae recently found this program

also the seqeuntial standalone has a menu option to boot a program off a floppy instead of using the builtin software... you can also make a switch to bypass the software automatically..

[dczx]

Excellent tracker for your C64:

Cyber Tracker
noname.c64.org/tracker/

don't forget prophet64.com either

[odo]

or Odintracker

[hjack]

these were still times ...the hard-sid-card is a "bonus-sound-card" or a "single-sound-card"?...at all events looks very interesting ...
was this of at all somebody tested here already time?...cya

tro

i tested it already
the Quattro can turn multitimbral up to 12 parts mono, is at least fun

[hjack]

tho, the sidstation and the monomachine
where's endmusik?

[bill fusion]

Does anyone know of a site that has some info on making music with a Commodore 64?

This thing is fun but I really have no idea how to use it.

You need to find a c64 group since yu have online access try to find some, there was a few programs made some freeware it is just finding a group that is around. I do know that there is one person who actually uses a MODIFIED c-128 to web pages. You will probally find some support in europeon sites as well. It is too bad when your friend toios out those old computers there wan't any IBM clones even an old 486 can do good midi.

[The Chase]

Thanks for the help everyone, but I'm really not going to use this thing if I have to pay a bunch for a MIDI interface and cables. You can create a very SID-worthy sound by loading a triangle/ramp/square wave into a Fruity loops sampler channel anyway.

[hoffy]

If you're really nostalgic, you could always try running an emulator...??

So then, did anyone have the any of those XE 1541 cables to sell? I don't think i could be bothered making one.....

[herr_prof]

all you need is 64hdd and a $15 dollar cable and you run programs off your pc's hardware directly into the commodore. You can hack a midi cable to get audio ins and outs for the sid. Shouldnt caost you more than 16 dollars for a working sid solution using the following:

prophet64
64hdd
the x-cable
http://www.64hdd.com/c64-xcables.html

If $16 is too much to spend to use the sid chip, I hope you can find it a good home

[Dogboy73]

Ah those were the days My first foray into sound creation was on my humble C64. What a machine!

I used to use a program called ElectroSound 64 which was a front end that allowed you to get inside the SID chip. It was basically a synth with a very basic sequencer. Loads of fun. There's also an emulation of this for PC (Though this requires a C64 emulator as well)

http://www.gb64.com/oldsite/gameofweek/ ... osound.htm