A while ago I made this MIDI module for RC2014: It works but a better design would have its own serial chip and port decoding. As it is, it provides the MIDI interface and a clock signal for the second SIO2 serial port. This means that it requires a little setting up and will only work for RC2014s with an SIO2 (and port B not already used). My challenge to myself is to learn how to connect a serial chip (probably 68B50 ACIA) to receive the incoming MIDI and to serialise outgoing MIDI design the module, including the port decoding write a library so that it can easily be used on any RC2014. Potential applications include a MIDI sequencer and using incoming MIDI to trigger notes on the AY or SID sound chips. Entering the Retro Challenge 2024 (aka RC2024/10) has given me an incentive to get on with this! I'm happy to see several more entries in the RC2014 category, including another musical project. Project logs: 1 Oct 68B50, ports, MIDI serial 4 Oct remarked chips, prototyping
I'm impressed at what Les has packed onto this standard-sized module. It contains an FPGA replacement for the TMS9918A, a YM/AY sound module and joystick interface. The project is open-source and is here . In MSX terms this is the VDP (vidio display processor) and PSG (programmable sound generator), thus being an alternative for both the J B Langston TMS9918A video module and Ed Brindley's YM/AY sound module and adds two joystick ports to boot. All on a single module for RC2014 or compatible computers. There's no room for the d-sub joystick ports, so headers are provided so that these ribbon cables can be used. This is a neat solution for those wishing to take advantage of Les' MSX8 system , which loads most MSX rom files along with a modified MSX BIOS from CP/M on a ROMWBW RC2014. It is hard-wired to the MSX ports for the sound and video, so it won't be suitable for those wanting to run Colecovision ROMs, for example. I'm torn myself between the real TMS