VOGONS


Cloning the AdLib Gold Surround Sound Module

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Reply 21 of 74, by root42

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Very impressive work! Yeah, an Adlib Gold reproduction would be nice. However software support wasn't great and the obstacles seem not worth it. But I always love to see more repro sound cards. 😉

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Reply 22 of 74, by JimWest

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Update:
In the past few days, I have been busy working on the board.
First I did some measurements on my AdLib Gold on the pin header to confirm my previous assumptions about the power supply. In fact, everything is as expected. I thought that actually (almost) nothing can break on my AdLib Gold when I test the module with it.
So I was brave, attached it and switched on the PC .... Believe me, I was so nervous the last time I wrote my final exam at university.. Haha...
I tried the AdLib Gold test program first because it includes a test for surround sound. So far, the switch for "Enable Surround" was grayed out. But not this time. And what can I say, the module works great. 😀

These are my first sample recordings of this module.

Sample Dune Intro:
No module attached
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AjWiML7LYRbgg9URncWYRIi1b8f2Iw?e=jW2wFw

Surround module clone attached
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AjWiML7LYRbgg9USAo7YhJqPeTtKhg?e=i55olc

For better comparison, short sample recordings from the game Dune:
No module attached
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AjWiML7LYRbgg9UAphI7DFacOAMYMA?e=JJsXkX

Surround module clone attached
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AjWiML7LYRbgg9RagMNslkW9RHaheQ?e=mG5Qmc

For a comparison with an original module I took the following recording from YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUfGyfbzl9k
I can't really tell the difference.

Let me know what you think!

Reply 23 of 74, by hard1k

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I think that I will order two units, and let's go for the SCSI addon module! I have already sent you my small archive on that, haven't I?

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Reply 24 of 74, by Tiido

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Congrats, this is nice ~

T-04YBSC, a new YMF71x based sound card & Official VOGONS thread about it
Newly made 4MB 60ns 30pin SIMMs ~
mida sa loed ? nagunii aru ei saa 😜

Reply 27 of 74, by JimWest

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Thank you guys!

SCSI adddon module ... huh ... I think that was still on your to do list, hard1k? 😄
I think you didn't send me your archive for that module. But I would still be interested in what information you have about it.

I am pleased that so many are interested. There is currently only one prototype, but of course I have the parts for more modules.
I'm sure you're interested in the price, but I haven't thought about that yet.

Reply 28 of 74, by hard1k

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Well, I don't have much, to be honest.
The idea is that the Adlib Gold prototype quite resembles the production card, the only missing part being the Z0538010VSC SCSI controller chip, the 50-pin header, and a resistor array as a terminator (I may be wrong here), look:

GBP_2271_smol.jpg
Filename
GBP_2271_smol.jpg
File size
824.24 KiB
Views
1321 views
File comment
Adlib Gold prototype
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception
AdLib-Gold-1000.jpg
Filename
AdLib-Gold-1000.jpg
File size
432.58 KiB
Views
1321 views
File comment
Adlib Gold 1000
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception

As far as I can get, on the prototype the SCSI chip is connected to the bus in parallel with (or via) YMZ263-F chip. So, the idea was to trace the pins of the black expansion header on the Adlib Gold, and to implement some schematics based on the Adlib Gold prototype design. Not much input data, sorry... I'm attaching the datasheets for both mentioned chips though.

Attachments

  • Filename
    ZILGD015-1-1.pdf
    File size
    1.09 MiB
    Downloads
    68 downloads
    File comment
    Z5380 SCSI
    File license
    Fair use/fair dealing exception
  • Filename
    YMZ263B-F_ETC.pdf
    File size
    932.73 KiB
    Downloads
    61 downloads
    File comment
    YMZ263B
    File license
    Fair use/fair dealing exception

Fortex, the A3D & XG/OPL3 accelerator (Vortex 2 + YMF744 combo sound card)
AWE64 Legacy
Please have a look at my wishlist (hosted on Amibay)

Reply 30 of 74, by JimWest

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Cool picture of the AdLib Gold 1000 prototype!
Okay I understand the approach. I think it could probably be doable, but it is currently not on my road map. But I keep it in mind, maybe in the future. Or near future, hmm who knows...

Reply 31 of 74, by matze79

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The Surround Module showed up on Ebay..
someone made a remake ?

https://www.ebay.de/itm/AdLib-Gold-Surround-S … S0AAOSweLZe1W-S

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Reply 32 of 74, by wiretap

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🤣 that price for a clone. Dual layer ENIG board for less than $5ea from JLCPCB/others, $2 assembly fee for SMT, about $20 worth of components. Such a simple circuit board design would take about 10-15 hours if you had a module to copy from 1:1.

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Reply 33 of 74, by matze79

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The asking price seems much to high.

Last edited by Stiletto on 2020-06-03, 21:17. Edited 1 time in total.

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https://www.retroianer.de - german retro computer board

Reply 34 of 74, by matze79

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Hi,
what does one module cost ? i saw one listed on ebay for 350€.. that can`t be real or ? for that price you can make a whole stock of them 😳

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https://www.retroianer.de - german retro computer board

Reply 35 of 74, by JimWest

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There is no price tag yet.
The offer is aimed at those who absolutely want it now. I currently have no parts to build more modules and it may take some time until the next ones are finished.
I thought I already had parts for other modules, but unfortunately not.

Of course, as soon as I have several modules available, the price will certainly be significantly cheaper.

Reply 36 of 74, by Doornkaat

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https://www.ebay.de/itm/AdLib-Gold-Surround-S … 86/402282838248

Sie haben nun die einmalige Gelegenheit eine Kopie des originalen Surround Sound Moduls zu erwerben.

You now have the unique opportunity to purchase a copy of the original surround module.

I have no problem with your price tag. You put in the work to make a copy, you make the price. Fair and square.
But is it fair selling this as a "unique opportunity" when you have more coming up that you're planning to sell cheaper?

Reply 39 of 74, by matze79

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Initial i tought its some kind of rip off like with previous projects ssi-2001 on amibay for example 😀.
You are free to take any money you want as i`m also free to not buy if its to expensive.

maybe in future i would take one at a more realistic price tag.

https://www.retrokits.de - blog, retro projects, hdd clicker, diy soundcards etc
https://www.retroianer.de - german retro computer board