Changes

The '''Digiblaster''' is a small hardware device plugged into the CPC's printer port to play 8-bit mono sound samples. It was designed by [[Face Hugger]] and printed in the German magazine [[CPC Amstrad International]] in issue 8-9/1991. In 1995(?) [[Joshua]] made a redesign for better sound quality, later [[Bryce]] made a redesign with even better sound quality. Also, in 1995, [[Futurs']] created and distributed the [[Soundplayer]] which is an improved Digiblaster (also featuring additional support for [[Virtual Net 96]]).

* [[== Software supporting the Digiblaster howto]]==

== Software supporting Digiblaster ==* '''Demos'''** [[Bordelik Demo 4]] (1995)** [[Digital Orgasm]] (by [[Prodatron]]) (1994)* '''Utilities'''** [[Cocoon Player]] (by [[One]]) (1995)** [[Digitracker]] (by [[Prodatron]]) (1993)** [[Protracker]] (by [[Crown]]) (1993)===

* [[The Drumming CPC]] (by Andreas Stroiczek, aka Face Hugger) - published as a listing in [[CPC Amstrad International, 1992, Issue 4|issue 4/5'92]] of [[CPC Schneider International|CPC Amstrad International]], and on the DATABOX cassette/disc for that issue* [[Digitracker]] (by Prodatron) (1993) * [[Protracker]] (by [[Crown]]) (1993)* [[Octwaver]] (by [[OCT]]) (1994)* [[Cocoon Player]] (by [[One]]) (1995) * [[FuturePlayer]] (by TFM of FutureSoft) === OS ===* [[FutureOS]] == DigiBlaster V2 == <gallery caption="Digiblaster Soundplayer pictures(a Digiblaster based card by [[Futurs']])">Image:soundplayer 2.JPG|The digiblaster (Soundplayer for classic CPCs)Image:soundplayer 3.JPG|The digiblaster (Soundplayer+ for CPC+)

== Weblinks DigiBlaster V3 ==* The main difference with this version of DigiBlaster is the additional Line-in connector which allows the user to feed the AY output through the card so that both sound sources are played through the same speakers. The DigiBlaster has been made dual-mono so that both speakers play the sample as is done with the AY-3-8912 Channel B. The variable resistor RV1 adjusts the Digiblasters output level to balance it to the AY level. Unlike V1 + 2, which can be used with a passive mono speaker, the output of V3 has been brought down to Line-out levels and so should be connected to active stereo speakers. [http[Image://andercheranDigiBlaster3_Schematic.upvPNG|600px|centre]] The diodes in the original version have been removed, because they served no meaningful purpose and an R2R ladder design was used for the DA conversion.es/~amstrad/docs/digiblThis not only improves the linearity of the DAC greatly, but also ensures that the output impedance remains stable and of course means not having to buy 8 or 9 different non-standard value resistors.html Schematics Pin 14 has also been chosen as ground instead of pin 9 to make it compatible with printer ports that have been converted to 8-Bit. The completed devices look like this: [[Image:DigiBlaster3_Types.jpg|700px|centre]] Track layouts have been made for both Centronics and additional informationEdge-connector. As seen in the picture above, the layouts use isolation displacement connectors (the type usually intended for flat cable) which have been modified (ie: the plastic band and clips removed) so that it can be mounted directly to the PCB. 1.5mm FR4 PCB should be used preferably to give the circuit stability. == Resources == [[File:DB3_Edge_Layout.pdf]] - PCB Track Layout for Edge Connector Version [[File:DB3_Cent_Layout.pdf]] - PCB Track Layout for Centronics Connector Version == See also == * [[Digiblaster howto]]* [[Soundplayer|Soundplayer+]](compatible soundcard)

[[Category:HardwareDigiblaster]] [[Category:DIY]] [[Category:FutureOS]] [[Category:Music_and_sound]][[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:Printers and printer ports]]