The SIDBlaster TicTac comprises premium “open-source“ hardware for using a genuine „SID“-sound chip for C64 emulation, playback of SID tunes and music production as a little box on the USB port of a personal computer or Mac.

 

1. Hardware

SIDBlaster TicTac is based upon “SIDBlaster-USB“, and is 100% compatible with it.

The following improvements were made:

  • Good value universal current supply 9V or 12V

  • Original C64-audio wiring

  • Optional connection facility for two Paddles.

  • Switchable filter capacitors

  • Switchable capacitors for Paddle

  • Precisely fitting printed circuit board for assembly into a TicTac candy box

  • Audio-In

  • Professional 6,3mm mono audio jack sockets

  • Cozy blue power LED

  • (Rev.1.2:) red TX/RX-LED

 ... is a new design of the original Sidblaster-USB from 2007.

Infos at GitHub and Archive.org:

SIDBlaster-USB TicTac Edition at GitHub

Original SIDBlaster-USB at Archive.org

 

 

Presentation at "Lange Nacht der Computerspiele 2017" 29.4.2017 in Leipzig/Germany

 

This is a quick information, eagle-files, partlist and hints for building following soon or can found at GitHub.

 

The project is open source and free (GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE)

 

If you wanna support me, request on a pcb or a building set at me.

 

2. Software

2.1 hardsid.dll

is the SIDBlaster, so to say. It comprises a reprogrammed DLL of the Hardsid, thus, software programmed for the Hardsid becomes compatible for the SIDBlaster. The source cod is availabl on GitHub. The library is now ported to linux and MacOS.

2.2 Vice64

The famous C64 emulator supports up to 3 SIDBlasters. In the simplest case, you now have a C64 with original sound. But you can also use the SIDBlaster with Vice64 as a MIDI expander, by activating the MIDI emulation, and load a synthesizer program like Station64.

2.3 Acid64

Best SIDBlaster support, if you have several devices you can even play stereo and 3SID tunes.

2.4 SidPlay2

Good SID player; suitable as a jukebox because of playlists

2.5 Goatracker

Tracker

2.6 AIASS

A Max/MSP-extension to make a SID synthesizer available in Max/MSP or Max4Live. A VST is also available.

2.7 Cloanto‘s C64 Forever

Just copy the hardsid.dll in the directory of Vice (Help/About/VICE Plugin, Open File Location). Then, enter "-sidenginemodel hardsid" in the "Custom parameters" field (in Tools/Options/Emulation, under Plugins/VICE/Custom parameters...)

2.8 JSIDPlay2 4.0

Full SIDBlaster support for Windows, Linux and MacOS.