MIDI-Kit for Audigy2 SB0400

TravelRec. · May 23, 2005, 11:21 AM

Hi guys and girls!

Since the new Audigy2 value has no external MIDI connection and no jumper ports on the card, I started to trace the UART 1/2 I/O-pins on the CA0108 chip. And guess what?! I´ve found them and they work! I built a small pcb which has all the needed components for a ready to use MIDI port on it, so an opto-coupler, 3 transistors (2 only for indicating the signals) some resistors and 2 LEDs

. It works perfectly / tested with MIDI-OX and Cubase. So if there is some interest here, I will post further information, schematics and a "How to build guide" on my side for downloading.

Note: it is absolutely necessary to solder on the fine-pitch pins of the custom chips, so only people with knowledge in electronics and a good nerve system can realize this upgrade.

Greetings and CU!

TravelRec.

Tiger M · May 24, 2005, 07:01 PM

Perhaps you should call yourself the 'Circuit master' or something like this

. I personally don't use external midi equipment, but many people will find this useful when SB0400 is fully supported, I'm shure.

TravelRec. · May 24, 2005, 09:32 PM

Thanks for the flowers Tiger! I needed the MIDI-thing for myself (MIDI performance on two different computers for hardware development) and so I upgraded the card. When finished all testes, I post a detailed "How to..." with sharp pictures, that anyone can make this upgrade too. Anyway - I can´t understand why this relatively cool card came without any external port... useles for making music and also for playing games?!?

CU!

TravelRec. · May 29, 2005, 10:54 AM

Hello!

The complete description for making the upgrade for yourself is online now. Go to www.electricstart.de -> Electronics -> MIDI-Kit for SB0400.

Have fun!

TravelRec.

Samir · May 29, 2005, 12:47 PM

Very interesting gadget, TravelRec!

TravelRec. · May 29, 2005, 07:06 PM

Yes, of course, and it´s working

. Think this is not the last one

.

londonloonie · May 29, 2005, 07:24 PM

Hi there.

That looks to be a very CREATIVE mod :-)

It so happens last week I was looking for information about the value card and did notice that the european creative site no longer recognises that this card exists even though it is still at many suppliers here in the UK (at least). Perhaps this board has already been discontinued?

Cya

TravelRec. · May 30, 2005, 04:35 PM

However it is now, many of the boards are on the market and due to the strategy of Creative also many users got the card instead of a real Audigy2 from a local dealer (just me

). The thing is, that the card is downgraded with connectors, but seemingly it has the same capabilities like the bigger models (except for the p16v-chip). This makes the card very interesting for hobbyists like me for modding it up

! Greetings.

May 23, 2005, 11:21 AM	#1
TravelRec. Alternative Audioproductions Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Germany / Sachsen-Anhalt Posts: 1,710 Rep Power: 56	MIDI-Kit for Audigy2 SB0400 Hi guys and girls! Since the new Audigy2 value has no external MIDI connection and no jumper ports on the card, I started to trace the UART 1/2 I/O-pins on the CA0108 chip. And guess what?! I´ve found them and they work! I built a small pcb which has all the needed components for a ready to use MIDI port on it, so an opto-coupler, 3 transistors (2 only for indicating the signals) some resistors and 2 LEDs . It works perfectly / tested with MIDI-OX and Cubase. So if there is some interest here, I will post further information, schematics and a "How to build guide" on my side for downloading. Note: it is absolutely necessary to solder on the fine-pitch pins of the custom chips, so only people with knowledge in electronics and a good nerve system can realize this upgrade. Greetings and CU! TravelRec. __________________ Always take a look behind.

May 24, 2005, 07:01 PM	#2
Tiger M kX user Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 851 Rep Power: 0	Perhaps you should call yourself the 'Circuit master' or something like this. I personally don't use external midi equipment, but many people will find this useful when SB0400 is fully supported, I'm shure.

May 24, 2005, 09:32 PM	Thread Starter #3
TravelRec. Alternative Audioproductions Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Germany / Sachsen-Anhalt Posts: 1,710 Rep Power: 56	Thanks for the flowers Tiger! I needed the MIDI-thing for myself (MIDI performance on two different computers for hardware development) and so I upgraded the card. When finished all testes, I post a detailed "How to..." with sharp pictures, that anyone can make this upgrade too. Anyway - I can´t understand why this relatively cool card came without any external port... useles for making music and also for playing games?!? CU! __________________ Always take a look behind.

May 29, 2005, 10:54 AM	Thread Starter #4
TravelRec. Alternative Audioproductions Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Germany / Sachsen-Anhalt Posts: 1,710 Rep Power: 56	Hello! The complete description for making the upgrade for yourself is online now. Go to www.electricstart.de -> Electronics -> MIDI-Kit for SB0400. Have fun! TravelRec. __________________ Always take a look behind.

May 29, 2005, 12:47 PM	#5
Samir kX Lover Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 520 Rep Power: 0	Very interesting gadget, TravelRec! __________________ MU3NKA 3A HAPO6!

May 29, 2005, 07:06 PM	Thread Starter #6
TravelRec. Alternative Audioproductions Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Germany / Sachsen-Anhalt Posts: 1,710 Rep Power: 56	Yes, of course, and it´s working . Think this is not the last one . __________________ Always take a look behind.

May 29, 2005, 07:24 PM	#7
londonloonie HardwareHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 11 Rep Power: 0	Hi there. That looks to be a very CREATIVE mod :-) It so happens last week I was looking for information about the value card and did notice that the european creative site no longer recognises that this card exists even though it is still at many suppliers here in the UK (at least). Perhaps this board has already been discontinued? Cya

May 30, 2005, 04:35 PM	Thread Starter #8
TravelRec. Alternative Audioproductions Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Germany / Sachsen-Anhalt Posts: 1,710 Rep Power: 56	However it is now, many of the boards are on the market and due to the strategy of Creative also many users got the card instead of a real Audigy2 from a local dealer (just me ). The thing is, that the card is downgraded with connectors, but seemingly it has the same capabilities like the bigger models (except for the p16v-chip). This makes the card very interesting for hobbyists like me for modding it up ! Greetings. __________________ Always take a look behind.