Audio adapters - cheapest way to add an audio input to my A1200?

Laika · 19 February 2019, 20:14

As per the thread topic - what's the cheapest way I can sample audio onto my A1200? I tried scouring the various Amiga parts vendors, but none seem to have any audio interfaces that aren't PCI sound cards that would require additional investment. Are there any parallel port samplers on the market?

grelbfarlk · 20 February 2019, 01:27

I recall there being quite a few Parallel port samplers back in the day, I had a GVP DSS8. As far as on the market now, I don't know of any. Not sure whether the Prisma Megamix has any inputs for recording, I don't believe it does.

Predseda · 20 February 2019, 12:27

I think the easiest way is to sample it through a PC microphone and then convert the sample for Amiga use.

demolition · 20 February 2019, 13:16

You can build your own:
https://archive.org/details/cuamiga-...-039/page/n159

turrican3 · 20 February 2019, 16:47

If i remember well i used a toccata, but it was so long ago.

Toccata had entry port if my memory isn't buggy.
ps: sorry, forget about it; or perhaps if you can add some zorro slots to your amiga 1200.

Daedalus · 20 February 2019, 21:35

Yep, I built my own sampler back in the day using a ZN448 chip, a couple of capacitors and resistors, and that was basically it. Slightly different design to the CU Amiga one (which I hadn't seen), but basically that's what a ZN448 chip is: an 8-bit sampler. Built it into a 25-pin D shell with a single phono input and that was that. Worked with lots of different software as a parallel sampler of one sort or another.

Commercial ones were pretty popular back in the day though, so I'm sure an old one might come up without too much waiting around. Perhaps put up some wanted ads?

There were some soundcards for the clockport on the A1200 that were supposed to be pretty good, with full rate 16-bit stereo recording. They were expensive at the time, and I'm sure they'll still be expensive 2nd hand.

Laika · 21 February 2019, 11:33

I wouldn't be averse to making my own sampler, as the instructions are really straightforward - however, I can't seem to be able to find a vendor still selling the ZN44x series ICs. Are there any modern compatible replacements?

indigolemon · 21 February 2019, 12:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laika

I wouldn't be averse to making my own sampler, as the instructions are really straightforward - however, I can't seem to be able to find a vendor still selling the ZN44x series ICs. Are there any modern compatible replacements?

Check eBay, there are a lot on there - some claiming to be NOS.

Daedalus · 21 February 2019, 15:14

How things change... I remember as a schoolkid walking into Peats Electronics in Dublin, asking for a ZN448, and the guy behind the counter not even blinking. NOS might be the way to go, but I'm sure there are plenty of modern alternatives.

I just found this on the Farnell website. It's listed as a replacement for the ZN448E, but it's also discontinued (with only 3 left in stock). Other, more modern ones might need a 3.3V supply (easy with a linear regulator), or a gain applied to the input (e.g. an op-amp). Not particularly difficult, but not quite as convenient.

daxb · 21 February 2019, 17:22

Maybe there is a 16 bit version where only 8 bit can be used?

Zoltar3.1 · 21 February 2019, 18:11

I used (and still use) both DSS+ (a very, very good audio sampler) and Aura (which was even better, though it's connected to the PCMCIA, but gives a 14 bit real environment.)
This last one allows you to load/save 16 bit audio samples, besides record directly to disk to be read sequencely, very useful for CD games.

19 February 2019, 20:14	#1
Laika Registered User Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Gdynia Posts: 4	Audio adapters - cheapest way to add an audio input to my A1200? As per the thread topic - what's the cheapest way I can sample audio onto my A1200? I tried scouring the various Amiga parts vendors, but none seem to have any audio interfaces that aren't PCI sound cards that would require additional investment. Are there any parallel port samplers on the market?

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20 February 2019, 01:27	#2
grelbfarlk Registered User Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: USA Posts: 2,996	I recall there being quite a few Parallel port samplers back in the day, I had a GVP DSS8. As far as on the market now, I don't know of any. Not sure whether the Prisma Megamix has any inputs for recording, I don't believe it does.

20 February 2019, 12:27	#3
Predseda Puttymoon inhabitant Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tromaville Age: 46 Posts: 7,604	I think the easiest way is to sample it through a PC microphone and then convert the sample for Amiga use.

20 February 2019, 13:16	#4
demolition Unregistered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Copenhagen / DK Age: 44 Posts: 4,190	You can build your own: https://archive.org/details/cuamiga-...-039/page/n159

20 February 2019, 16:47	#5
turrican3 Moon 1969 = amiga 1985 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: belgium Age: 48 Posts: 3,914	If i remember well i used a toccata, but it was so long ago. Toccata had entry port if my memory isn't buggy. ps: sorry, forget about it; or perhaps if you can add some zorro slots to your amiga 1200.

20 February 2019, 21:35	#6
Daedalus Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dublin, then Glasgow Posts: 6,396	Yep, I built my own sampler back in the day using a ZN448 chip, a couple of capacitors and resistors, and that was basically it. Slightly different design to the CU Amiga one (which I hadn't seen), but basically that's what a ZN448 chip is: an 8-bit sampler. Built it into a 25-pin D shell with a single phono input and that was that. Worked with lots of different software as a parallel sampler of one sort or another. Commercial ones were pretty popular back in the day though, so I'm sure an old one might come up without too much waiting around. Perhaps put up some wanted ads? There were some soundcards for the clockport on the A1200 that were supposed to be pretty good, with full rate 16-bit stereo recording. They were expensive at the time, and I'm sure they'll still be expensive 2nd hand.

21 February 2019, 11:33	#7
Laika Registered User Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Gdynia Posts: 4	I wouldn't be averse to making my own sampler, as the instructions are really straightforward - however, I can't seem to be able to find a vendor still selling the ZN44x series ICs. Are there any modern compatible replacements?

21 February 2019, 15:14	#9
Daedalus Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dublin, then Glasgow Posts: 6,396	How things change... I remember as a schoolkid walking into Peats Electronics in Dublin, asking for a ZN448, and the guy behind the counter not even blinking. NOS might be the way to go, but I'm sure there are plenty of modern alternatives. I just found this on the Farnell website. It's listed as a replacement for the ZN448E, but it's also discontinued (with only 3 left in stock). Other, more modern ones might need a 3.3V supply (easy with a linear regulator), or a gain applied to the input (e.g. an op-amp). Not particularly difficult, but not quite as convenient.

21 February 2019, 17:22	#10
daxb Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Germany Posts: 3,314	Maybe there is a 16 bit version where only 8 bit can be used?

21 February 2019, 18:11	#11
Zoltar3.1 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Caladan Posts: 33	I used (and still use) both DSS+ (a very, very good audio sampler) and Aura (which was even better, though it's connected to the PCMCIA, but gives a 14 bit real environment.) This last one allows you to load/save 16 bit audio samples, besides record directly to disk to be read sequencely, very useful for CD games.

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