Intelligent Slot Expander “Modulon”

incognito ergo sum (116)

02-07-2013, 00:15

A few questions.

What's so special about "It works with the Playsoniq"?
I'm guessing it has something to do with the ability of Playsoniq to act like a slotexpander itself? :/

What are the volume adjusters good for? Personally I would like a separate audio output for every slot (and then optionally block that audio going into the MSX). That would give you higher audio quality and allow you to use an external mixer for mixing, for example, several SCC and FM-PAC cartridges.

Also, I hope no MT-Telcom PCB's are getting trashed, because they can still be very useful when converted to RS232 interfaces.

By boblet

Master (187)

02-07-2013, 00:21

They could attach the MT-Telcom PCB's to the modulon!

This seems like an ideal addon, do agree regarding the sound, might be a good idea to have that externally routable even if it's just via jumpers or whatever

By syn

Prophet (2134)

02-07-2013, 00:26

I just copy pasted the list of features from the supersoniqs page, but I left out some small parts. In addition to the compatibilty with Playsoniq it states " *1: with a maximum of 4 MB memory config; all other functionality supported without limitations."

Good point for next newspost: dont blindly copy paste featureslists.. and surely don't leave anything out!

By edoz

Prophet (2501)

02-07-2013, 06:47

Nice device, i like the 3.5 mhz add-on when running in turbo-mode.

By meits

Scribe (6571)

02-07-2013, 11:24

Finally MT Telcom modems are being used usefully since the BBS era. I wonder how many of them were simply thrown into the trash, as mine did.
What about flash cartridges on 7MHz? Will they be put back to a 3,6MHz data transfer rate as well?

incognito ergo sum (116)

02-07-2013, 11:54

"The second expander (and up) will configure itself into a I/O expander."

How is this different from inserting any existing slotexpander into any other existing slotexpander?

Seems to me there's a lot of HYPE being generated here for common slotexpander functionality...
The only new thing I read is the dubious volume adjusters and the optional clock crystal.

Also, LOL @ noobness galore which I'm not going to explain because I'll just get yelled at by indoctrinated users.

By edoz

Prophet (2501)

02-07-2013, 12:03

I love it, a new slot expander, with volume adjustments and a internal clock. Is it possible to use the clock for each slot ?
hope for a release soon!. Need this one !

incognito ergo sum (116)

02-07-2013, 12:30

Thank you for your positive reaction edoz and Meits! Thats one of the reasons we still develop things.

New functionality based on customer feedback will indeed seem helpful for some, and questionable for others. But that counts probably for every electronic device. For the rest: everyone can make adjustments to this device to extend it functionality. As for the basis functionality of this slotexpander: it's always a trade-off between costs, space on the pcb and actual time for developing. If projects tend to last to long, changes of not finishing them are getting bigger each day. So at a certain point in time you have to say, let's produce it. And of course any customer feedback on this version will be taken into account for future projects, if any.

Some MSX users will see the benefits of this expander and will enjoy using it. If not, well there are plenty of alternatives, new or on the secondhand market. And maybe some are better than the Modulon, depending on your needs.

One of the challenges was: could we make something that could fit in a MT-Telecom cartridge? It was fun to see that we could. We had a great time designing, testing, soldering and being together working on MSX stuff. For me that's what counts. And I will probably enjoy doing this for a long time.

Of course we want to satisfy everyone, but in this world that's not going to happen. However, we sold everything we've made so far, so I feel strengthened by the thought that we at least made some MSX users happy with the stuff we are doing. ;-)

By meits

Scribe (6571)

02-07-2013, 16:31

Right said...
Let the communication skill noobs who only yell from the side line say whatever they want...

By Poltergeist

Champion (280)

02-07-2013, 16:48

I'm a total noob on hardware (and software, and music... but can these modulons be daisychained? So, could I connect a Modulon to the back port of the Modulon, and then connect a Modulon to that back port, et cetera?

I won't buy it (my MSX'ses are stored) but I like the idea. Especially the volume adjusters can come in handy. But do they also amplify, or just throttle down the volume?

And Guyver800, why are the volumeknobs dubious? Maybe Supersoniqs can do something with comments, so they can improve the thing further...

Paragon (1438)

02-07-2013, 17:10

Die lui van Supersoniqs zijn GOED bezig!

By Creepy

Champion (335)

02-07-2013, 17:22

Now there's a reason to use that like button!

By syn

Prophet (2134)

02-07-2013, 17:48

I like the suggestion of having an audio output for each slot, although not every one has a external mixer I suppose, so for those people the volume knobs could be very welcome, since volume discrepancies are somewhat of a known "problem" on the msx.

The extra clock crystal for overclocked sounds good, because I never thought upgrading a msx to 7mhz would be useful because it would mess up the sound, if this expander solves this problem I will definitely look into it. But I wonder does this clockcrystal solve the problems regarding music on overclocked systems in EXISTING software, or do programmers have to adapt their code to use it?

By meits

Scribe (6571)

02-07-2013, 17:53

By eisbaer23

Supporter (14)

02-07-2013, 17:59

CAEK!!1!EINZ

Paragon (1438)

02-07-2013, 18:00

YAY!

By syn

Prophet (2134)

02-07-2013, 18:03

noob now you messed up your round number

Paragon (1438)

02-07-2013, 18:04

did i?

By wolf_

Ambassador_ (10135)

02-07-2013, 18:07

Among computer nerds, 1024 is even rounder.. ^^

By syn

Prophet (2134)

02-07-2013, 18:08

I failed the g33ktest

By meits

Scribe (6571)

02-07-2013, 18:11

Didn't wanna steel the subject, but wanted to congratulate the guy anyway...

incognito ergo sum (116)

02-07-2013, 18:24

Ok so no answers? WELL DONE

Guess I won't be buying this then.

By meits

Scribe (6571)

02-07-2013, 18:44

Good for you...

By hit9918

Prophet (2932)

02-07-2013, 19:35

"The second expander (and up) will configure itself into a I/O expander"
I wondered about that, too.
What is an "IO expander"? It does filter RAM space signals, is it that?

Should a subslot expander filter FFFF acesses in the subslots?
I guess the answer is yes. Then another expander sitting in a subslot, it can keep "IO expander mode" as long as getting no acess to FFFF.

"IO expander mode" actualy could put RAM requests on all slots.
Then one cartridge still can have RAM space.

The manual of the expander should describe what it does.

incognito ergo sum (116)

02-07-2013, 20:09

Instead of crucifying me for my supposed lack of communication skills, you could take it into account. Then maybe I can try to take into account your deficiencies...

incognito ergo sum (116)

02-07-2013, 21:10

Supersoniqs answered my comment on their, by editing and censoring it.
Then I said "Thanks for answering and censoring my comment." and they censored that too.

VERY CHILDISH and EVIL!!!

By edoz

Prophet (2501)

02-07-2013, 21:11

It is cool that you can insert the playsoniq in this adapter. It's saves me a slot and 4096 is fine by me.
so if already possible put me on the buyer list

Paragon (1438)

02-07-2013, 21:14

GuyveR800 wrote:

Supersoniqs answered my comment on their, by editing and censoring it.
Then I said "Thanks for answering and censoring my comment." and they censored that too.

VERY CHILDISH and EVIL!!!

I suppose that MRC's fault too

incognito ergo sum (116)

02-07-2013, 21:16

They are now putting words in my mouth.. And deleting comments I write informing their readers of that fact.

I'm assuming it's Sander van Nunen doing this, who is also running this site... That's why I'm writing about it here.

Also I think users should be informed about manipulation like this.

By edoz

Prophet (2501)

02-07-2013, 21:22

Relax dude, live is one big manipulation...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-WKyFELSnQ

incognito ergo sum (116)

02-07-2013, 21:39

edoz, you're right...
Still, I feel that it is my duty to the community to report the truth. Even if some people crucify me for it.

By mars2000you

Enlighted (6556)

02-07-2013, 21:43

Resident (39)

02-07-2013, 21:53

GuyveR800 wrote:

"The second expander (and up) will configure itself into a I/O expander."

How is this different from inserting any existing slotexpander into any other existing slotexpander?
Seems to me there's a lot of HYPE being generated here for common slotexpander functionality...
The only new thing I read is the dubious volume adjusters and the optional clock crystal.
Also, LOL @ noobness galore which I'm not going to explain because I'll just get yelled at by indoctrinated users.

A second device of this into the fourth slot, will be turned into I/O slots instead of extra
expanded slots.
It's a nice device. i've seen the prototypes in Marienberg.
( An I/O expander is a differend device, not this one.
Something todo at &H40 with a Manufactory ID )

Not a Hype, a real thing.

incognito ergo sum (116)

02-07-2013, 22:05

"I/O expander" weren't my words, and the the &H40 thing is called "Switched I/O"

Normally a slotexpander stuck into another slotexpander will already function as I/O slots only, but also a slot of the second slotexpander will act like the subslot it was stuck into. After checking circuit diagrams of existing slotexpander designs it seems that exactly which slot is not fully deterministic, due to leakage of the secondary slot register into the second slotexpander. Obviously for cartridges that accept no memory reading/writing, this is not a problem and these I/O only devices should work perfectly in the second slotexpander.

Resident (39)

02-07-2013, 22:19

So, GuyveR800,

What is your problem with this device called "Modulon"
It's a Slotexpander with a twist.
Separated volume per subslot.
3,57 MHz Clock for Audio and Music Cartridges.
Maybe even a solution for the SCC+ /SD Cartridge when your MSX is running at 7MHz.

It's possible that i'm buying a "Modulon".
I'm still building my own Slotexpanders.

By syn

Prophet (2134)

02-07-2013, 22:35

hey zilogger I mailed you a while back through your website hansoranje.nl about your 6-slot expanders but I never got a reply, so I assumed you didnt made them anymore.

But now that I look closer it seems you have a few different mail adresses listed on your site, which one is your correct mail address?

Resident (39)

02-07-2013, 22:48

My Demon account is gone.
Too expensive to keep it going with XS4ALL.
My e-mail is info apestaart hansoranje.nl
or msx apestaart hansoranje.nl

incognito ergo sum (116)

02-07-2013, 23:21

Well, Zilogger, I don't have a problem with this device. I think it's great that another slotexpander is being developed!

The price is good too. I would consider buying it if it had the separate audio outputs (which would be an advantage compared to my current Sunrise 8-slot expander). Unfortunately I do not have the electronic skills to add them myself.

I just asked for some clarifications and the same old trolls started blowing up against me again.
I also don't like to have words put in my mouth and/or censored, so I make mention of that.