Comments on: WATARI – MIDI ENABLED ATARI 2600 – INSTALLATION AND DEMO

By: siemprelaluna

siemprelaluna — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:44:24 +0000

Unless you are capable of custom programming an atari cartridge, you’ll need a synthcart to make music with your Atari game console.

You can also use the MIDI2600 kit to MIDI script game performances. I’ve never used it for that purpose before, but it doesn’t seem like a difficult thing to do with a decent sequencer.

By: stephk42

stephk42 — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:44:24 +0000

Does the 2600MIDI kit require the Synthcart to make music?

By: nsputnik

nsputnik — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:44:24 +0000

What about the drum sounds? How do you trigger them?

By: siemprelaluna

siemprelaluna — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:44:24 +0000

It’s two part multitimbral, each part mono, you can play notes with MIDI, I’ve not been able to get CC or program data to work, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t happen. I’m unsure if those features are implemented. I’ve had some luck using two MIDIfied Atari’s setting them to the same programs and controlling them on separate MIDI channels. Doing that, you can make some interesting chords and chaos. Add a MIDI controlled filter bank to all that and you’re going to be stoked.

By: nsputnik

nsputnik — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:44:24 +0000

Thanks for replying. I posted to the yahoo group but maybe you can answer my other questions more quickly. With Synthcart, is it true that you cannot trigger the noise sounds with midi, only stop and start the beatbox? Can you change tones or envelopes with a continuous controller or program change? It is two part multitimbral, each part monophonic?

By: siemprelaluna

siemprelaluna — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:44:24 +0000

The original atari circuit board is rather small compared to the size of the case. The MIDIspeak board is only about 2″x3″. There is plenty of room inside the case to fit both boards. The only modification that needs to happen to the case is drilling the hole for the MIDI connector.

By: nsputnik

nsputnik — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:44:24 +0000

I was waiting to see the most important part: where does the board sit inside? How will the back panel need to be cut?

By: juankenon

juankenon — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:44:24 +0000

where can I get a copy of this song?

By: siemprelaluna

siemprelaluna — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:44:24 +0000

I’m not certain, but I think the external version just needs a couple of joystick extender cables to connect to the 2600 and a MIDI cable to connect to your keyboard or sequencer. Highly Liquid will even assemble it for you for a small fee.

By: beepbeeprustrust

beepbeeprustrust — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:44:24 +0000

i really want to add midi to my 2600 but i don’t know anything about circuitry or stuff like that. is the external version easier to install?