justin1985 wrote on 2025-07-19, 13:07:

EDIT - I tried running UNISOUND /D before returning to Windows, and it does actually work now! Is there any way to automate that though? Commands run when ending a DOS session started via PIF, rather than when starting?

Windows swaps out the autoexec.bat and config.sys files for the custom ones set in the PIF file when you use the short cut and then swaps them back after you return to windows mode.

To make commands run only when windows starts, edit C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT after windows has loaded.

Edit: After you add the UNISOUND/D to the windows autoexec.bat and you have the whole shebang working, you can copy the shortcut to "C:\WINDOWS\Exit to DOS.pif" and it will also use those settings when using Shutdown -> Restart to MS-DOS.

Hello! I have a question. Does the MPU401 work in cd emulation mode ?

Mr.Hunt wrote on 2025-07-21, 15:59:

Hello! I have a question. Does the MPU401 work in cd emulation mode ?

There's a feature matrix here: https://github.com/polpo/picogus/wiki/Configu … ng-your-PicoGUS

MPU401 for General MIDI will work, intelligent mode MP401 for the MT-32 will not work.

I do not know if this is somehow related or not. I uploaded the bin cue quake first. 2 different version to the usb flash drive and it freezes on startup from the first or the second disk. Little big Adventure will also freezed on startup. I think it's because of the cdrom (matsushita) driver. Has anyone encountered this?

Is there interest on adding a wavetable header to PicoGUS 1.2 ?

SScorpio wrote on 2025-07-21, 16:03:

Mr.Hunt wrote on 2025-07-21, 15:59:

Hello! I have a question. Does the MPU401 work in cd emulation mode ?

There's a feature matrix here: https://github.com/polpo/picogus/wiki/Configu … ng-your-PicoGUS

MPU401 for General MIDI will work, intelligent mode MP401 for the MT-32 will not work.

There are some quirks, Police quest 3 works in USB and MPU mode but not in SB mode for example (drops out after showing intro message on MT32 display). Since the MPU module is the same for USB and SB mode it must be load or timing related. I have found using a separate SB or highly compatible card (EG ESS) plus the picogus in USB (with ODE) or MPU mode is the most stable.

gerpux wrote on 2025-07-21, 20:57:

Is there interest on adding a wavetable header to PicoGUS 1.2 ?

I'd be happy to build a second card if the header was added but I know of no current development for such. Someone linked to the 1.2 files above and encouraged others to add it but that is beyond my capabilities.

appiah4 wrote on 2025-07-23, 07:51:

gerpux wrote on 2025-07-21, 20:57:

Is there interest on adding a wavetable header to PicoGUS 1.2 ?

I'd be happy to build a second card if the header was added but I know of no current development for such. Someone linked to the 1.2 files above and encouraged others to add it but that is beyond my capabilities.

Ok, thanks! I'll take a closer look...

justin1985 wrote on 2025-07-19, 13:07:

I hadn't quite described things correctly above - on a fresh boot to command prompt via F8, the CDMKE driver from config.sys was reporting no drive (perhaps a timing issue with the PicoGUS not having initialised yet?), but Unisound was working for the YMF719. After a reboot, again direct to command prompt via F8, CDMKE was working, but the YMF wasn't detected in DOS, or again via Windows, until a fresh boot. So very much seemed like it was either/or - PicoGIS or YMF. [EDIT - this is my remaining issue - CDMKE not detecting the drive from a cold boot into DOS via F8]

What mode do you have your PicoGUS saved to start up in? If it's not in USB or SB mode when the computer boots then CDMKE won't be able to detect the emulated CD-ROM interface. I see you set it to USB mode in your DOSSTART.BAT file, but that should not be necessary once you run "pgusinit /mode usb /save" once to save the mode to your PicoGUS. After doing that, the PicoGUS will start in USB mode and CDMKE should load right after a cold boot for you.

NeoG_ wrote on 2025-07-21, 23:56:

There are some quirks, Police quest 3 works in USB and MPU mode but not in SB mode for example (drops out after showing intro message on MT32 display). Since the MPU module is the same for USB and SB mode it must be load or timing related. I have found using a separate SB or highly compatible card (EG ESS) plus the picogus in USB (with ODE) or MPU mode is the most stable.

FYI this is a bug with sending MIDI data too slow in SB mode that will be fixed in the next release, which should be soon.

Shreddoc wrote on 2025-07-16, 23:26:

It's not impossible (afaik), but would probably be a very manual job of point-soldering to different places on the card, and physically cobbling together some kind of interface. Or alternatively, redesigning the card to include it from scratch. I can't say offhand whether the v1.2 card has other impediments to that, e.g. free GPIO, firmware behaviour differences, etc - it may!

The only real impediment to a "real" PicoGUS 2.0-style wavetable header with digital volume control is that a regular Pico does not have enough free GPIOs to control the volume control chip. However if you're OK with an analog thumb wheel wavetable volume control, that's totally feasible. In fact, that's how the wavetable header is done on the ISA carrier board for the PicoGUS Femto, which is essentially a PicoGUS 1.x board shrunk down to fit on the Hand386/Pocket386 ISA pin header. Note that this is a very simple analog mixing circuit with no DC blocking capacitors like on the PicoGUS 2.0.

I'm personally not going to design a 1.x. variant with a wavetable header but I'm fully in support of anyone that wants to take it on!

polpo wrote on 2025-07-23, 22:09:

NeoG_ wrote on 2025-07-21, 23:56:

There are some quirks, Police quest 3 works in USB and MPU mode but not in SB mode for example (drops out after showing intro message on MT32 display). Since the MPU module is the same for USB and SB mode it must be load or timing related. I have found using a separate SB or highly compatible card (EG ESS) plus the picogus in USB (with ODE) or MPU mode is the most stable.

FYI this is a bug with sending MIDI data too slow in SB mode that will be fixed in the next release, which should be soon.

Ah great news.. Can't wait for the next version to try out! I just got a Sandisk Fit 128GB drive and am loading it up with images until it starts breaking.

Also FYI the King's Quest 6 mystery is solved, the image somehow got corrupted when transferring it to the older USB drive and then the corrupted image got transferred to the newer USB drive. I noticed when I couldn't delete the file entry from the drive, the game now works fine with a fresh image.

polpo wrote on 2025-07-23, 22:16:

The only real impediment to a "real" PicoGUS 2.0-style wavetable header with digital volume control is that a regular Pico does […]
Show full quote

Shreddoc wrote on 2025-07-16, 23:26:

It's not impossible (afaik), but would probably be a very manual job of point-soldering to different places on the card, and physically cobbling together some kind of interface. Or alternatively, redesigning the card to include it from scratch. I can't say offhand whether the v1.2 card has other impediments to that, e.g. free GPIO, firmware behaviour differences, etc - it may!

The only real impediment to a "real" PicoGUS 2.0-style wavetable header with digital volume control is that a regular Pico does not have enough free GPIOs to control the volume control chip. However if you're OK with an analog thumb wheel wavetable volume control, that's totally feasible. In fact, that's how the wavetable header is done on the ISA carrier board for the PicoGUS Femto, which is essentially a PicoGUS 1.x board shrunk down to fit on the Hand386/Pocket386 ISA pin header. Note that this is a very simple analog mixing circuit with no DC blocking capacitors like on the PicoGUS 2.0.

The attachment IMG_7081 Large.jpeg is no longer available

I'm personally not going to design a 1.x. variant with a wavetable header but I'm fully in support of anyone that wants to take it on!

Yeah this sounds like a good way to build it; the potentiometer could actually stick out through the rear bracket like the Adlib or something, so it can actually be used when the case is closed. I'd be very happy about such a 1.3 revision... 😀

polpo wrote on 2025-07-23, 22:16:

The only real impediment to a "real" PicoGUS 2.0-style wavetable header with digital volume control is that a regular Pico does […]
Show full quote

Shreddoc wrote on 2025-07-16, 23:26:

It's not impossible (afaik), but would probably be a very manual job of point-soldering to different places on the card, and physically cobbling together some kind of interface. Or alternatively, redesigning the card to include it from scratch. I can't say offhand whether the v1.2 card has other impediments to that, e.g. free GPIO, firmware behaviour differences, etc - it may!

The only real impediment to a "real" PicoGUS 2.0-style wavetable header with digital volume control is that a regular Pico does not have enough free GPIOs to control the volume control chip. However if you're OK with an analog thumb wheel wavetable volume control, that's totally feasible. In fact, that's how the wavetable header is done on the ISA carrier board for the PicoGUS Femto, which is essentially a PicoGUS 1.x board shrunk down to fit on the Hand386/Pocket386 ISA pin header. Note that this is a very simple analog mixing circuit with no DC blocking capacitors like on the PicoGUS 2.0.

The attachment IMG_7081 Large.jpeg is no longer available

I'm personally not going to design a 1.x. variant with a wavetable header but I'm fully in support of anyone that wants to take it on!

I might take it on and release back to the community. Are the PCB design files of Fempto available, or at least a schematic? This is to see how the WT header and volume wheel are routed.
Thanks!

gerpux wrote on 2025-07-24, 12:05:

polpo wrote on 2025-07-23, 22:16:

The only real impediment to a "real" PicoGUS 2.0-style wavetable header with digital volume control is that a regular Pico does […]
Show full quote

Shreddoc wrote on 2025-07-16, 23:26:

It's not impossible (afaik), but would probably be a very manual job of point-soldering to different places on the card, and physically cobbling together some kind of interface. Or alternatively, redesigning the card to include it from scratch. I can't say offhand whether the v1.2 card has other impediments to that, e.g. free GPIO, firmware behaviour differences, etc - it may!

The only real impediment to a "real" PicoGUS 2.0-style wavetable header with digital volume control is that a regular Pico does not have enough free GPIOs to control the volume control chip. However if you're OK with an analog thumb wheel wavetable volume control, that's totally feasible. In fact, that's how the wavetable header is done on the ISA carrier board for the PicoGUS Femto, which is essentially a PicoGUS 1.x board shrunk down to fit on the Hand386/Pocket386 ISA pin header. Note that this is a very simple analog mixing circuit with no DC blocking capacitors like on the PicoGUS 2.0.

The attachment IMG_7081 Large.jpeg is no longer available

I'm personally not going to design a 1.x. variant with a wavetable header but I'm fully in support of anyone that wants to take it on!

I might take it on and release back to the community. Are the PCB design files of Fempto available, or at least a schematic? This is to see how the WT header and volume wheel are routed.
Thanks!

It's on the PicoGUS github, see https://github.com/polpo/picogus/tree/main/is … nd386%20adapter

I had a quick look to see what you might be facing in this task.

One important constant you'll need to decide upon near the beginning of your design process is "which actual wavetable boards (i.e. sizes) will this physically support?", as wavetable boards come in all shapes and sizes. The existing PicoGUS 1.x outline could fit smaller and even some medium wavetable boards, if a vertical header was added near the left edge, but quite a few WT boards on the larger side would be excluded. Note, checking clearance underneath is also important as some wavetable boards have protrusions.

A likely avenue will be to increase the card height similar to the PicoGUS 2.0, which will give you a lot more room to play with, especially for giving space to the volume wheel on the backplate. Quick image mockup :

You might also need/want to get rid of the redundant (for users) ISA breakout footprint, in order to shift the IRQ/DMA selector block down, as done on the 2.0. (though you may wish to leave the appropriate 2 pins at the right-hand end, which the user needs to close during the 1.x flashing/update process)

Shreddoc wrote on 2025-07-24, 21:36:

One important constant you'll need to decide upon near the beginning of your design process is "which actual wavetable boards (i.e. sizes) will this physically support?", as wavetable boards come in all shapes and sizes. The existing PicoGUS 1.x outline could fit smaller and even some medium wavetable boards, if a vertical header was added near the left edge, but quite a few WT boards on the larger side would be excluded. Note, checking clearance underneath is also important as some wavetable boards have protrusions.

A likely avenue will be to increase the card height similar to the PicoGUS 2.0, which will give you a lot more room to play with, especially for giving space to the volume wheel on the backplate. Quick image mockup :

The attachment pgus1_wt_mockup.png is no longer available

In the "isa-hand386 adapter" (ISA adapter for the Femto) and "hw-chipdown" (PicoGUS 2.0) KiCad projects there is a footprint for the wavetable header that includes in the user drawings layer the largest standard wavetable board form factor, as well as holes for standoffs that those boards support. Those standoffs really help make the combination of sound card + wavetable module feel really solid:

Shreddoc wrote on 2025-07-24, 21:36:

It's on the PicoGUS github, see https://github.com/polpo/picogus/tree/main/is … nd386%20adapter […]
Show full quote

gerpux wrote on 2025-07-24, 12:05:

polpo wrote on 2025-07-23, 22:16:

The only real impediment to a "real" PicoGUS 2.0-style wavetable header with digital volume control is that a regular Pico does not have enough free GPIOs to control the volume control chip. However if you're OK with an analog thumb wheel wavetable volume control, that's totally feasible. In fact, that's how the wavetable header is done on the ISA carrier board for the PicoGUS Femto, which is essentially a PicoGUS 1.x board shrunk down to fit on the Hand386/Pocket386 ISA pin header. Note that this is a very simple analog mixing circuit with no DC blocking capacitors like on the PicoGUS 2.0.

The attachment IMG_7081 Large.jpeg is no longer available

I'm personally not going to design a 1.x. variant with a wavetable header but I'm fully in support of anyone that wants to take it on!

I might take it on and release back to the community. Are the PCB design files of Fempto available, or at least a schematic? This is to see how the WT header and volume wheel are routed.
Thanks!

It's on the PicoGUS github, see https://github.com/polpo/picogus/tree/main/is … nd386%20adapter

I had a quick look to see what you might be facing in this task.

One important constant you'll need to decide upon near the beginning of your design process is "which actual wavetable boards (i.e. sizes) will this physically support?", as wavetable boards come in all shapes and sizes. The existing PicoGUS 1.x outline could fit smaller and even some medium wavetable boards, if a vertical header was added near the left edge, but quite a few WT boards on the larger side would be excluded. Note, checking clearance underneath is also important as some wavetable boards have protrusions.

A likely avenue will be to increase the card height similar to the PicoGUS 2.0, which will give you a lot more room to play with, especially for giving space to the volume wheel on the backplate. Quick image mockup :

The attachment pgus1_wt_mockup.png is no longer available

You might also need/want to get rid of the redundant (for users) ISA breakout footprint, in order to shift the IRQ/DMA selector block down, as done on the 2.0. (though you may wish to leave the appropriate 2 pins at the right-hand end, which the user needs to close during the 1.x flashing/update process)

I literally just popped over here to see if a Wavetable Pi would work on the PicoGUS 2.0, I assumed it would, but wanted to verify before I order a stack of PCBs to build myself just one.

Guess it's safe to order the boards. Same cost for up to 10 of them, so, going to have several extra. 🤣

Going to modify it ever so slightly to move the OLED to the front panel of my system.

StriderTR wrote on 2025-07-25, 00:00:

I literally just popped over here to see if a Wavetable Pi would work on the PicoGUS 2.0, I assumed it would, but wanted to veri […]
Show full quote

Shreddoc wrote on 2025-07-24, 21:36:

It's on the PicoGUS github, see https://github.com/polpo/picogus/tree/main/is … nd386%20adapter […]
Show full quote

gerpux wrote on 2025-07-24, 12:05:

I might take it on and release back to the community. Are the PCB design files of Fempto available, or at least a schematic? This is to see how the WT header and volume wheel are routed.
Thanks!

It's on the PicoGUS github, see https://github.com/polpo/picogus/tree/main/is … nd386%20adapter

I had a quick look to see what you might be facing in this task.

One important constant you'll need to decide upon near the beginning of your design process is "which actual wavetable boards (i.e. sizes) will this physically support?", as wavetable boards come in all shapes and sizes. The existing PicoGUS 1.x outline could fit smaller and even some medium wavetable boards, if a vertical header was added near the left edge, but quite a few WT boards on the larger side would be excluded. Note, checking clearance underneath is also important as some wavetable boards have protrusions.

A likely avenue will be to increase the card height similar to the PicoGUS 2.0, which will give you a lot more room to play with, especially for giving space to the volume wheel on the backplate. Quick image mockup :

The attachment pgus1_wt_mockup.png is no longer available

You might also need/want to get rid of the redundant (for users) ISA breakout footprint, in order to shift the IRQ/DMA selector block down, as done on the 2.0. (though you may wish to leave the appropriate 2 pins at the right-hand end, which the user needs to close during the 1.x flashing/update process)

I literally just popped over here to see if a Wavetable Pi would work on the PicoGUS 2.0, I assumed it would, but wanted to verify before I order a stack of PCBs to build myself just one.

Guess it's safe to order the boards. Same cost for up to 10 of them, so, going to have several extra. 🤣

Going to modify it ever so slightly to move the OLED to the front panel of my system.

I have a Wavetable Pi on my PicoGUS 2.0. It fits on the card without issue. I have the one with the integrated LED that is way too thick for my comfort. I had to switch around the card slots in my computer to make sure the combo fit without impeding another card.

Eben Upton announced the a4 revision of the RP2350 And it will be 5V tolerant: https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/rp2350-a4-rp … king-challenge/ this would make a new revision of the PicoGUS and other Retro HW easier.

just bracket