Market for Mockingboard Replica?

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cbmeeks's picture
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Market for Mockingboard Replica?

I know original vintage Mockingboards are sought after. I've built my own in the past based on the Bill Garber design. There really isn't much to it.

So, I was wondering...is there still a market for clone Mockingboards in 2017/18? I know that Kim guy has one for the IIc that looks pretty cool. But I'm talking about for the IIe.

I'm itching to build and produce a card for the IIe but I'd like other people to benefit too.

Also, what are your opinions on emulating the AY-3-8910 chips instead of using the same thing? What if the emulation was dang near 100% perfect?

I welcome your opinions. Smile

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Re: Market for Mockingboard Replica?

A 'clone' of the MCMS would be more interesting or implementing a Mockingboard clone with more features (fm).

The YM2203C has a PSG AND a 3 channel FM synthesizer ... fully software compatible to the AY3-891x.
For the spectrum there were made some similar adaptions
http://velesoft.speccy.cz/turbosound-cz.htm

I have tested the YMF288 since it has 1 PSG (AY3-891x), 2x YM2203C and a simple percussion generator (6 channel rompler)
https://soundcloud.com/vintage-micro-music/sets/bmos

Smile

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Re: Market for Mockingboard Replica?

I know original vintage Mockingboards are sought after. I've built my own in the past based on the Bill Garber design. There really isn't much to it.

So, I was wondering...is there still a market for clone Mockingboards in 2017/18? I know that Kim guy has one for the IIc that looks pretty cool. But I'm talking about for the IIe.

I'm itching to build and produce a card for the IIe but I'd like other people to benefit too.

Also, what are your opinions on emulating the AY-3-8910 chips instead of using the same thing? What if the emulation was dang near 100% perfect?

I welcome your opinions. :-)

I know a couple of folks who would love to get a Mockingboard - they don't seem to turn up very often on eBay or other sales sites.

Jennifer

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Re: Market for Mockingboard Replica?

There is one on eBay right now, I have not seen this model before:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-II-Mockingboard-SSP-2000-Sweet-Micro-Systems-Stereo-interface-card-/112590551169?hash=item1a36eb7881:g:ADkAAOSwOrxZ1nNu

I personally think the seller wants a little too much for a board that does not have the needed cables.

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Re: Market for Mockingboard Replica?

Plamen from http://a2heaven.com seems to be developing a universal music card that supports mockingbird, Phasor, ALF MC1, Echo+ and S.A.M. (simple DAC)
https://www.facebook.com/a2heaven/posts/507263776300980

-Jonas

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Re: Market for Mockingboard Replica?

Plamen from http://a2heaven.com seems to be developing a universal music card that supports mockingbird, Phasor, ALF MC1, Echo+ and S.A.M. (simple DAC)
https://www.facebook.com/a2heaven/posts/507263776300980

-Jonas

Is there any more information on this card other than what is on FaceBook? I have a real gripe with FB and try very hard not to visit it. Smile

Thanks.

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Re: Market for Mockingboard Replica?


Is there any more information on this card other than what is on FaceBook? I have a real gripe with FB and try very hard not to visit it. Smile

Thanks.

Seems a lot of people here feel the same way about Fb. What I can tell you is this and i quote from Plamen I asked if he could send me a photo of the prototype board

Yes , i send picture of the test pcb after i return in office , I not make yet audio PCB , i use for test FASTChip PCB with many wires to test idea , Audio card emulation is based on FPGA emulation and not use real audio chips .

cbmeeks's picture
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Re: Market for Mockingboard Replica?


Is there any more information on this card other than what is on FaceBook? I have a real gripe with FB and try very hard not to visit it. Smile

Thanks.

Seems a lot of people here feel the same way about Fb. What I can tell you is this and i quote from Plamen I asked if he could send me a photo of the prototype board

Yes , i send picture of the test pcb after i return in office , I not make yet audio PCB , i use for test FASTChip PCB with many wires to test idea , Audio card emulation is based on FPGA emulation and not use real audio chips .

Ah, cool! That tells me a lot actually. I've really been tinkering around with doing a Mockingboard clone myself using some emulation. I do have an interesting "twist" on my version, however. But, it's really been hard for me to start considering there are now a few options for Mockingboards. Yet, they never seem to be in stock. Beee

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Re: Market for Mockingboard Replica?

I'm interested in building my own Mockingboard v1a from the one of the schematics available on the web. I've obtained an empty prototyping board and all the ICs and sockets (except the speech chips, which are hard to find) and I have most of the caps, resistors, etc. on hand. I'm good at soldering and comfortable with that aspect of assembly. However, I've never assembled anything from a schematic before and I'm also a little puzzled by the differences apparent in the two schematics available (Bill Garber vs. Tom Arnold).

What kind of tips can you offer before I actually begin assembling this thing?

Thanks,

Chris

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Re: Market for Mockingboard Replica?

I'm interested in building my own Mockingboard v1a from the one of the schematics available on the web. I've obtained an empty prototyping board and all the ICs and sockets (except the speech chips, which are hard to find) and I have most of the caps, resistors, etc. on hand. I'm good at soldering and comfortable with that aspect of assembly. However, I've never assembled anything from a schematic before and I'm also a little puzzled by the differences apparent in the two schematics available (Bill Garber vs. Tom Arnold).

What kind of tips can you offer before I actually begin assembling this thing?

Thanks,

Chris

I built my own Mockingboard clone about 7 years ago based on Bill Garber's schematic and it works great. The only tip I have is to use different coloured wire for the various rails, address lines, etc. It made it easier (for me) to visualise when soldering it all up. Details are up on my web site: http://apple2.sytes.net/hardware/Mockingboard

It's just a pity that the Mockingboard wasn't more widely supported.

Cheers,
Mike

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Re: Market for Mockingboard Replica?

Thanks. What you've done looks just like I was planning. I'll consult your photos when I begin.

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