USBSID-Pico is a RaspberryPi Pico/PicoW (RP2040) & Pico2/Pico2W (RP2350) based board for interfacing one or two MOS SID chips and/or hardware SID emulators over (WEB)USB with your computer, phone, ASID supporting player or USB midi controller.

This is USBSID-Pico! :)

“Raster Bar” (8-bit)	Van Halen's Jump dual SID in Stereo!	Next Level	Outerversal dual SID in Stereo!
_{by LukHash}	_{by Nordischsound}	_{by Performers}	_{by Abyxus}

Wonderland XI	Wonderland XII	Wonderland XIII	Wonderland XIV
_{by Censor Design}	_{by Censor Design}	_{by Censor Design}	_{by Censor Design}

USBSID-Pro (Soon™)

In development is a modular USBSID-Pro featuring 4 SID sockets with 4 mono out ports, switchable audio channels into a single stereo out jack , Midi port, an onboard rp2350b and more. No release date has been planned yet!

Index

This is USBSID-Pico! :)
Swag!
Software support & Features
Questions & Support
Known issues
Project status
Firmware
Hardware
Examples
Acknowledgements
Disclaimer
License
Certification

Swag!

Do you like swag!? I sure do!! greyandslate created these great t-shirt designs which are available for purchase in his Etsy shop, link below.
Use coupon code USBSID15 for a 15% discount!
Shop link: https://greyandslate.etsy.com/?search_query=usbsid

Software support and features

See the Software manual for more information on how to use supported software!

USBSID-Configtool

The USBSID-Configtool is a must have tool to configure your board!
Checkout the Configtool manual or PDF

SID files

USBSID-Pico supports various ways of playing SID files.

Webbased SID players

Chrome webbrowser only

Out-of-the box playing is supported by using Deepsid by Chordian
by selecting WebUSB (Hermit) as player in the pulldown menu or
by selecting ASID (MIDI) as player in the pulldown menu.
Out-of-the box playing is also supported by using C64jukebox by Kenchis, note that this is still in BETA.

SID players

Acid64 Pro	VSID(Vice)	(lib)sidplayfp	Phosphor

version 4.4.0 (Windows only)	version 3.10.0	player 2.16 lib 2.16	any version
up to 3 SIDs	up to 3 SIDs	up to 3 SIDs	up to 4 SIDs

Other:

SidBerry is a command line SID file player for Linux & Windows with up to 4 SIDs supported (Windows version is buggy).
TrueSID TrueSID is a Python based graphical SID player which utilizes JSIDPlay2 and / or SidplayFp to play SID tunes

Amiga SID players

Real SID's on the Amiga? Why yes!

erique and koobo have added support to playsid

Commodore 64 emulators

Official support has been added to:

Vice	JSIDPlay2	Denise

version 3.10.0	version 4.13	version 2.7
up to 4 SIDs in x64sc	up to 4 SIDs	up to 4 SIDs

Others:

Unofficial support is added to a fork of RetroDebugger, up to 4 SIDs are supported.

Chiptune trackers using SID's

Into creating chiptunes? USBSID-Pico is your board!

You should be able to use the ASID fork of sidfactory2 without issues.
When using Vice or RetroDebugger you can freely use applications like SID-Wizard for music creation.
There is also work being done in my forks of GTUltra and Goattracker2.
Ask on Discord for latest binaries :)

Driver code

Want to create your own implementation? You can by using the driver code examples below

USBSID-Pico driver repo is available @ https://github.com/LouDnl/USBSID-Pico-driver and contains C++, Java and Javascript implementation examples
- @sandlbn has created a driver in Rust which is available here USBSID-Pico-Rust-driver
HardSID USB / SidBlaster USB emulation driver example

Midi

USBSID-Pico acts as Midi device and supports basic Midi in ~ note that Midi is still in development and in Beta phase.
This means that no support is available here at this time, please visit the Discord for more information.

Cynthcart VST

Raros has made a custom VST (Windows only) to use with the Cynthcart embedded firmware version.
Checkout the README.md he made for more information!

Questions and Support

Any questions about or support with USBSID-Pico can be asked

Known issues

PCB/Audio/etc

Possible audible low/high alternating hum when using a Pico1 or Pico2 board that has an RGB LED onboard.
- Cause: Ground loop, when two or more interconnected pieces of audio equipment are plugged into different power outlets (with or without ground pins), creating multiple paths to the electrical ground.
- Example: When powering the board from your computer and routing the audio out back into your computer.
- Example: When powering the board from your computer and routing the audio out into speakers but both connected to different outlets.
- Fix: Route the audio out through a ground loop isolator.
- Fix: Connect audio out to headphones.
- Note: Its more present on v1.0 and v1.3 board, but still there on v1.5 boards. To fix this on the board would require significant layout and pcb changes.

Firmware/Software

Enabling and then disabling the onboard cynthcart emulator without restarting the board causes audio glitches
Switching on readmode and then switching it off again without restarting the PCB and Vice will result in distorted audio

Project status

Visit the Project Page for an up-to-date list of things being worked on. While in development any mentioned features, options, etc. are subject to change.

Code status

	Master	Dev
Release
Build
Commit
	Other
Latest
Open
Info

Supported platforms

See the Software manual for driver installation and supported software information!
In development
Linux: Vice, JSidplay2, Denise, SidplayFp, RetroDebugger, SidBerry, USB Midi, WebUSB & ASID (in webbrowser) SID Play
Windows: Vice, JSidplay2, Denise, SidBerry, USB Midi, WebUSB & ASID (in webbrowser) SID Play
Android: USB Midi, WebUSB & ASID (in webbrowser) SID Play Amiga: PlaySID library

Linux Udev rules

See the Software manual for udev rule installation information!
An example rule file can be found here.

Windows driver

See the Software manual for driver installation information!

Firmware

See the releases page for more information on what's changed and previous releases.

Configuring your board's firmware

Use the new official USBSID-Configtool to configure your board.
Downloads are available in the releases section of the tools githubpage.
Make sure you read the Firmware manual for more information on how to set up your board!

Testing your board

You can test your board with WebUSB and ASID here on the same site as the web configuration tool here: USBSID web configuration tool (requires a Chrome based browser).

Firmware features

The firmware is still in development so features might change, be added or removed.

By default both sockets are enabled and the configuration is set to 2 SID's.
Custom CDC protocol for playing SID files or usage with emulators
WebUSB support using the same CDC protocol for WebUSB supporting players
- Play SID files in your browser via Deepsid by Chordian
- Play SID files in your browser via C64jukebox by Kenchis
Midi (in) ASID support (heavily inspired by multiple sources)
- Play SID files in your (midi supporting) browser via Deepsid by Chordian
- Play SID files in your (midi supporting) browser via IneSID by Fazibear
Midi device support over USB
- Use your USBSID-Pico as Synth with your Midi controller
Cynthcart embedded (special firmwares only)
- Starting with firmware version v0.6.0-BETA and up some firmwares have Cynthcart as midi input
  See the USBSID-Pico Cynthcart manual for more information!
Embedded USBSID-Player for playing PSID, RSID, PRG or P00 files without a computer operated emulator!
- Starting with firmware version v0.6.0-BETA and up some firmwares have USBSID-Player embedded
  See the USBSID-Player manual for more information!
Two SID sockets with up to 4 SID's (e.g. SKPico) supported
- Socket one address range $00 ~ $7F (default $00 ~ $1F) auto based on configuration settings
- Socket two address range $00 ~ $7F (default $40 ~ $7F) auto based on configuration settings
- Configurable via config-tool for Linux and Windows
Onboard LED acts as VU meter calculated by the voices of SID1 (Pico & Pico2 only)
Onboard RGB LED acts as second VU meter calculated by the voices of SID1 (default)
- Requires Black Pico clone board with RGB LED onboard!
- SID voices to use for calculation can be changed in config
Uses the TinyUSB stack

v1.3+ PCB

Audio switch Stereo/Mono control

v1.5+ PCB

Socket voltage control

Building

You can build the firmware using the Pico SDK 2.1.1 and the included TinyUSB. Be sure to clone the SDK with --recurse-submodules.
After download run cd pico-sdk/lib/tinyusb and then python3 tools/get_deps.py PICO_PLATFORM where PICO_PLATFORM is either rp2040 or rp2350 depending on the board you are using.

Hardware

Where to buy

My SmallRun store

You can purchase/pre-order (semi) assembled boards with or without Pico via my SmallRun store!

PCBWay

At a minimum of 5 bare or assembled boards it is also possible to purchase PCB's at PCBWay
No account yet at PCBWay? Please use my referral link to register, thanks!
Volume daughterboard
PCB revision v1.5 (soon!)
PCB revision v1.3
PCB revision v1.0

Known and approved resellers

Run Stop Re-Store at Retro8BITshop is the first reseller to sell licensed USBSID-Pico boards.
PCB revision v1.3 product page

PCB usage information

Your USBSID-Pico PCB has several hardware features like jumpers and pins that require your attention. Click on the viewing method

PCB revision v1.5 manual

PCB revision v1.3 manual

PCB revision v1.0 manual

Volume board

An optional volume board to control left and right audio independently.

Plug and play compatible with v1.5+ boards.
Compatibale with v1.3 boards with a small modification to provide voltage.
Checkout the manual or PDF

Yes! I have cats ;-)

Cases

All USBSID-Pico community created cases are available in the cases directory, direct links below.
Cases for PCB revision v1.0:

Cartridge case by @spotUP
boxy case by @schorsch3000

Cases for PCB revision v1.3:

Cases for PCB revision v1.5:

COMING SOON!

PCB Features

volume board

Control the volume of the left and right audio channel independently

revision v1.5

Improved voltage and audio filtering
- Input voltage filtering with π LC filter
- ESD protection diode on audio port for (minimal) backwards/reverse voltage protection
- Extra filter capacitors on SID 5v and hv (9v/12v) voltage input
- Softpull to gnd when headphone jack is empty (should help against clicks on jack insert)
Jumperless design
- Automatic 9v/12v selection based on detected Chip/SID
  - sockets are independently configuratble for 9v or 12
  - 5v and hv (9v/12v) on/off is for both sockets (sorry not enough gpios!)
- Automatic per socket SID filter capacitor selection based on detected Chip/SID
- Automatic per socket 6581 shunt resistor on/off based on detected Chip/SID
- Automatic per socket 8580 digiboost based on detected Chip/SID
Updated audio expansion pins
- Plug and play ready for the new "Volume daughterboard"
- Ext IN always connected
  - Be carefull when connecting anything to this pin!
- Now includes SID voltage pin
Includes all other features from v1.3

revision v1.3

Supports all MOS SID chips e.g. MOS6581, MOS6582 & MOS8580
Supports SID chip replacements e.g. SIDKick-Pico, ARMSID & FPGASID, SwinSID.
USBSID-Pico will by default generate a 1 MHz square wave using pio
- other clock speeds are configurable
IO controlled Stereo/Mono switch, can be set in config or toggled during play with supported players
- SID1 audio left
- SID2 audio right
Powered via USB
- Three separate voltage regulators for filtered voltages to the SIDS
- 1x fixed 5 volts and 2x 9 volts or 12 volts
- 5v stepup for clean 5v VCC to both SID chips
- Supports mixed voltage! e.g. you can use one MOS6581 (12v) together with one MOS6582 (9v) or MOS8580 (9v)
- 12v/9v jumper for each SID socket, defautls to 12v ~ inspired by SIDBlaster-Nano design
Audio out filter as in the C64 schematics
- With optional 6581 resistor, solder the 6581 jumper pad in each audio circuit for this.
Optional EXT-IN pulldown resistor as filter bypass to reduce filter noise for Digiplay on 8580 SID's
SID socket placement is more spread out for:
- easier filter capacitor access
- optional ZIF sockets
Better IO port layout
- Unused GPIO pins for optional future expansion boards
- IO5 pins for quad SID configuration
- Uart pins
- SID Ext in pins (requires closing the solder jumper on the bottom)
- Ground pin
New soldermask art ;)

revision v1.0

Supports all MOS SID chips e.g. MOS6581, MOS6582 & MOS8580
Supports SID chip replacements e.g. SIDKick-Pico, SwinSID, ARMSID (untested), FPGASID (untested)
1 MHz oscillator (external optional, enabled via jumper pad)
- if no external clock is detected USBSID-Pico will generate a 1 MHz square wave using pio
  - clock speed is configurable
- if an external clock is detected will read the external clock signal
Power via USB
- 5v stepup for clean 5v VCC to both SID chips
- 12v or 9v stepup for clean VDD to both SID chips
  - 12v/9v jumper, defautls to 12v ~ inspired by SIDBlaster-Nano design
Audio out filter as in the C64 schematics
- With optional 6581 resistor, solder the 6581 (mislabeled 8580!) jumper pad in each audio circuit for this.
Audio jumper
- SID1 audio left & right
- SID1 audio left & SID2 audio right
Optional EXT-IN pulldown resistor as filter bypass to reduce filter noise for Digiplay on 8580 SID's

Open source design files, schematic and BOM

If you want and are up to it you can solder your own PCB or create your own development board using
the open source KiCad design files and gerbers documents below.

revision v1.0

revision v1.3

revision v1.5c

volume-daughterboard v1.0

Datasheets of parts used

Datasheets

PCB Development

v1.5c release board
v1.5b unreleased board
v1.5 unreleased board
v1.4d unreleased board
v1.4 unreleased board
v1.3c unreleased board
v1.3b release board
v1.2 unreleased board
v1.1 unreleased, unfinished and skipped
v1.0 release board
v0.2 unreleased testboard
v0.1 unreleased testboard

Examples

Visit my Youtube channel, other socials or the SHOWCASE page to see more examples of the board in action.

Acknowledgements

Special thanks goes out to @tobozo for making the USBSID-Pico logo and for his (mental🤣) support since starting this project.
Thanks to @erique and @koobo for creating and implementing Amiga support!
Thanks to @Chordian for implementing my crappy webusb solution into deepsid.
Thanks to @kenchis for adding webusb support to jsidplay2's c64jukebox.
Thanks to PiCiJi for adding support to Denise.

Some portions of this code and board are heavily inspired on projects by other great people. Some of those projects are - in no particular order:

Disclaimer

I do this stuff in my free time for my enjoyment. Since I like to share my joy in creating this with everyone I try my best to provide a working PCB and Firmware. I am in no way an electronics engineer and can give no guarantees that this stuff does not break or damage your hardware, computer, phone, or whatever you try to hook it up to. Be sure to take great care when inserting any real MOS SID chips into the board. While everything has been tested with real chips, this is in no way a guarantee that nothing could go wrong. Use of this board and firmware at your own risk! I am in no way responsible for your damaged hardware. That being said, have fun!

License

Software License ~ GNUv2

All code written by me in this repository is licensed under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation, version 2. Any code in this repository that is not written by me automatically falls under the licensing conditions by the authors of said code as mentioned in the source code header. For for more information about this license please read the LICENSE document in the root of the USBSID-Pico repository.

USBSID-Pico

This is USBSID-Pico! :)

USBSID-Pro (Soon™)

Index

Swag!

Software support and features

USBSID-Configtool

SID files

Webbased SID players

SID players

Amiga SID players

Commodore 64 emulators

Chiptune trackers using SID's

Driver code

Midi

Cynthcart VST

Questions and Support

Known issues

Project status

Code status

Supported platforms

Linux Udev rules

Windows driver

Firmware

Configuring your board's firmware

Testing your board

Firmware features

v1.3+ PCB

v1.5+ PCB

Building

Hardware

Where to buy

My SmallRun store

PCBWay

Known and approved resellers

PCB usage information

PCB revision v1.5 manual

PCB revision v1.3 manual

PCB revision v1.0 manual

Volume board

Cases

PCB Features

volume board

revision v1.5

revision v1.3

revision v1.0

Open source design files, schematic and BOM

revision v1.0

revision v1.3

revision v1.5c

volume-daughterboard v1.0

Datasheets of parts used

PCB Development

Examples

Acknowledgements

Disclaimer

License

Software License ~ GNUv2

USBSID-Pico v1.5 PCB Hardware License ~ CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

USBSID-Pico v1.3 PCB Hardware License ~ CC BY-SA 4.0

USBSID-Pico v1.0 PCB Hardware License ~ CC BY-SA 4.0

USBSID-Volume-daughterboard PCB Hardware License ~ CC BY-SA 4.0

Certification

USBSID-Pico v1.3 PCB OSHWA certification

USBSID-Pico v1.0 PCB OSHWA certification

cc65-Chess

Macropad_4chord_MIDI

digital-synth-pra32-u

PicoAudio.js

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