modularSID – installation

Preparation

Take a look at this overview of the rear side of modularSID’s Controller Board. Some of the components which are highlighted here will be important during the following installation procedure.

The modularSID module needs to be equipped with a SID chip. This can be either an original vintage SID chip or a modern replacement. If you ordered your modularSID including a SID replacement you can skip to step 5.

The SID chip has to be mounted in a so called ZIF socket. ZIF is the abbreviation of “Zero Insertion Force”. The chip can be inserted using no force at all. That’s very gentle on the chip.

Preparation

Make sure all cables are removed from the board. The board must not be installed in the rack and it must not be connected to any power source like the Eurorack bus or USB.

Step 1

  • Remove the jumper from the SID Voltage selector. Just pull the little plastic element (called “jumper”) upwards.

Step 2

  • Open the ZIF socket by turning the small lever into vertical position.
  • (If present: carefully remove the installed SID chip from the socket.)
  • Keep the lever in upright position.
  • Insert a vintage SID or a SID replacement very carefully. Do not force the chip into place. It falls without any force in perfect position.
  • Make sure that Pin 1 of the Chip is located next to the lever. This is very important! Failure may result in ultimate damage of the SID.
  • Close the lever.

Step 3

  • The various SID models (vintage SIDs and replacements) require different supply voltages.
  • This is very important too. Selecting the wrong voltage may result in ultimate damage of your SID.
  • SID Model 8580 requires 9V, SID Model 6581 requires 12V.
  • Modern SID replacement solutions often do not use this voltage at all. Read the manual of your SID replacement!
  • On customer request we ship modularSID with a preinstalled ARMSID. ARMSID uses this voltage to detect whether it should play in 6581 or 8580 emulation mode. So, chose which style you want to use.
Model: 8580Model: 6581
9V

12V

Step 4

  • The vintage SID models require different sets of capacitors for filter effects. Use the four little DIP switches next to the ZIF socket to select the correct capacitors for your vintage SID. The correct pattern is printed on the circuit board next to the DIP switches.
  • If you use a SID replacement consult that manual to find out whether external filter capacitors are used at all. It is very likely that these solutions emulate filters in software so this configuration has probably no effect at all.
Model: 8580Model: 6581

Step 5

  • Double check that you made the correct configuration for your SID!
  • Make sure that the BOOTSEL jumper is NOT set.
  • Make sure that the 5V Power selector is in Eurorack position.
  • There must be two jumpers only on the board: the one to select the 5V Power and the one selecting the SID Voltage.
  • Insert the module into your Eurorack as usual and secure it with at least 6 screws (included).
  • Install the Eurorack bus cable as usual.
  • Connect the Audio out to some sounding device of yours.
  • Turn on your rack.

The modularSID plays a little jingle greeting on bootup which uses all three voices mostly independent from the external controls. If you can hear this jingle it is very likely that your installed your SID correctly 😉 If you missed it, hit the Soft Reset button of the modularSID or gently cycle the power of your rack.

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