Why a physical machine and not a soft synth, or virtual machine? A
virtual machine could have virtual buttons, so why a physical machine?

The SID chips are very cool and are becoming increasingly rare. They have
so much sonic character (mainly because of their flaws) which could not be fully emulated in software. Also the physical machine is something you can feel and physically twist and turn knobs in real-time

- - - - - - - - - -

Q. Can the device record the knob twiddling over midi, and therefore play
it back during recording sessions?

Unfortunately not, as the TherapSID has no midi-out as of now.

- - - - - - - - - -

Q. So with the SID chips so rare, do you find it difficult to obtain SID
chips for the device, and does it just use one SID or can multiple SID
chips be installed?

It is indeed difficult to find SID chips; in fact my supplier has run dry.
My small stash is all that I have left :/ TherapSID just uses one chip as
of now, although I have been considering a stereo mod ,as I have had many requests. You can, however, install any type of SID and the necessary
parts for all types are provided.

- - - - - - - - - -

Q. Some readers coming from Other Commodore hardware may not be aware of
the SID chip. Could you enlighten them on why this chip is such a classic item?

Yes, of course. The SID chip is the voice of your Commodore C64 to whom
you owe the music you love! If you are really interested: here is an Interview with Bob Yannes archive.today/RZjdw Bob created the SID chip 33
years ago, and later he co-founded the synthesizer company Ensoniq.

- - - - - - - - - -

Q. You sell the device without the SID chip. What are the cost
differences and how difficult is the device to open and install the SID
chip?

TherapSid currently retails for 399 Euro with SID (while limited supply
lasts) and 333 Euros without, worldwide shipping included.

- - - - - - - - - -

Q. Can you tell our readers about other devices you supply (or are in the
pipe line)?

The AY3 is a fun little device that is a cheaper alternative to the SID.
You can hear some demos on my website (twisted-electrons.com/ay3). I'm
also currently working on an 8-bit chip tune-y drum machine/groove box, and
a desktop FM synth.

- - - - - - - - - -

Q. You list the device compatible with All SIDS. Would you personally consider one SID chip superior to another and if so why?

This is a matter of taste, but my personal preference is for the older
6581. I really like the sound of the filter, especially for basses. It
has tube-like distortion to it. However I know many people prefer the
later 6582 for its cleaner sound, higher filter resonance.

- - - - - - - - - -

Q. How many have you sold, and what sort of feedback from people have you
had? How would our user order one, and what are the delivery times?

I hadn't intended to make more than 100 units but am getting close to that goal. The feedback has been very positive and constructive. It's really
fun to be able to release new firmware updates based on the user's
feedback. It is available online (twisted-electrons.com/therapSid),
hand-built to order with a 20 day lead time.

- - - - - - - - - -

Q. Do you have any other comments you would like to add?

Thanks Nigel for sharing this info with your readers! Have fun.

See it here being tweeked:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3_3pWIvdg4

=====================================

*************************************
TRANSFER SEQ FILES TO EVERNOTE
OVER RS-232
*************************************

From: Ilker Ficicilar
To: commodorefree@commodorefree.com

Hi,

Thanks for your Commodore Free efforts. I really enjoy reading C=Free
using my ebook reader, and thanks to this current lively Commodore scene/atmosphere my commodore-enthusiasm was resurrected through inspiring articles...

Therefore, I've attached a tiny article for your consideration.

Recently, I was trying something new with my Commodore computers and I came
up with this idea:

Transferring my text files in Commodore to Evernote in real-time. The following article deals with this idea.

Best regards, Ilker Ficicilar

cbm.ficicilar.name.tr/

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

This method helps transferring PETSCII text from a running Commodore
platform to Evernote over an RS-232 connection. Evernote is a nice multi-platform application to organize notes that I use actively. It is
also compatible with Linux under the Wine emulator. In addition, there is
an Evernote-compatible NixNote program, and Evernote apps. for Android,
iPad etc. I do use Evernote to keep my notes and tips on Commodore as
well. And, I've just found a practical way to transfer old notes in
sequential files kept in Commodore diskettes.

That is to say:

* Evernote has an "Import Folders" option. First, we select a directory
for this. I used, /home/ilker/cbm/ .

* Then, I connected C64 and Linux using a null-modem** cable (with 3 wires:
RX, TX and GND).

* I added the following line to Linux's /etc/inittab to be able to use
Linux through C64. and, I executed 'init q' command in Unix shell (as
root) to activate this new inittab that makes Linux to listen the serial
port.

S0:123:respawn:/sbin/getty -L ttyS0 1
200 dumb

* In the C64, I opened a RS232 port as in here: cbm.ficicilar.name.tr/com modore/a-method-to-use-commodore-basi c-programs-remotely-over-rs232 and
logged in Linux:

100 open 1,2,0,chr$( 8 )+chr$(0):get#
1,a$
110 print#1,chr$(10);:print#1,"USERNA
ME"+chr$(10);:fori=1to1000:next
120 print#1,"PASSWORD"+chr$(10):fori=
1to1000:next:rem upper case PETSCII
chars should be changed with ASCII
equivalents
130 print#1,chr$(10);:print#1,"CD CBM
"+chr$(10);:fori=1to1000:next

(This code segment is not included in the program below)

* I wrote a small program on the C64. The program finds the seq files on a diskette; opens them one by one; executes cat > FILENAME command in Linux
over RS232; and, dumps this SEQ text file onto FILENAME through
PETSCII-ASCII conversion. At the end of file, the program sends CHR$(4) character to notify Linux, and this EOF closes the CAT command.

* Program exits after repeating this procedure for all SEQ files in the diskette.

* And, NixNote synchronizes the files in that directory with Evernote
servers.

* And, I can happily watch 20-year-old SEQ notes appear ('beamed' as in
Palm Pilot terminology) in the Evernote in my tablet connected to Internet
over WiFi.

* That's all.

I used the same program to transfer its own listing, as well:

10 rem seq2enote
20 rem sequential file to evernote
30 rem
100 open1,2,0,chr$( 8 )+chr$(16):get#
1,a$:rem rs232 1200bps 8n1 open
110 dimi,a$,as(255),a,s$,d,ds$,z$,b$:
z$=chr$(0)
120 gosub520:rem prepare ascii table
200 open2,8,0,"$0:*=s":d=0:ds$="
210 get#2,a$,a$,a$,a$,a$,a$:rem dir p
rg-start and disk name start
215 get#2,a$:ifa$<>"thengoto215:rem s
kip disk name
216 get#2,a$,a$:ifa$="goto260
220 get#2,a$,a$:rem number of blocks.
we don't need this info here
230 get#2,a$
232 if(d=1)and(asc(a$+chr$(0))=34)the
nd=0:printds$:gosub570
234 if(d=0)and(asc(a$+chr$(0))=34)the
nd=1
236 if(d=1)and(asc(a$+chr$(0))<>34)th
ends$=ds$+a$
240 ifa$<>"thenprint";:goto230
250 get#2,a$,a$:ifa$<>"thend=0:ds$=":
goto220
260 close2
270 close1
499 end
520 fori=32to63:as(i)=i:as(65+i)=33+i
:as(33+i)=65+i:next
530 as(7)=7:as(13)=10:as(19)=10:as(17
)=10:as(20)=8:as(29)=32:as(64)=64
540 as(10)=13:as(127)=8:return:rem pe
tscii to ascii table
550 rem print#1,chr$(10);
555 fori=1tolen(s$):a=as(asc(mid$(s$,
i,1))):print#1,chr$(a);:next
560 print#1,chr$(10);:return
570 s$="cat > "+ds$+".txt":gosub550
575 open3,8,3,ds$+",s,r"
580 get#3,b$:ifst<>64thenprint#1,chr$
(as(asc(b$+z$)));:goto580
585 print#1,chr$(4);chr$(10);
590 close3:return
700 get#1,a$:ifa$<>"thenprinta$:goto7
00
710 return
800 geta$:ifa$<>"thenprinta$;:print#1
,chr$(as(asc(a$)));
810 get#1,a$:ifa$<>

--- MBSE BBS v1.0.01 (GNU/Linux-i386)
* Origin: Dragon's Lair ---:- bbs.vk3heg.net -:--- (39:901/280)