Ecosyste.ms: Awesome

An open API service indexing awesome lists of open source software.

Awesome Lists | Featured Topics | Projects

https://github.com/schlae/snark-barker

A 100% compatible replica of the famed SB 1.0 sound card
https://github.com/schlae/snark-barker

Last synced: 3 days ago
JSON representation

A 100% compatible replica of the famed SB 1.0 sound card

Awesome Lists containing this project

README 

        
# The Snark Barker - a SB 1.0 Clone



The Snark Barker is a 100% compatible clone of the famed SB 1.0 "Killer Card"

sound card from 1989. It implements all the features, including the digital

sound playback and recording, Ad Lib compatible synthesis, the joystick/MIDI

port, and the CMS chips (which are actually Philips SAA1099 synthesizer

devices).



![Snark Barker photo](https://github.com/schlae/snark-barker/blob/master/images/SnarkBarker.png)



All of the components are readily available. In the bill of materials,

Mouser part numbers are listed where they are available. Chips not available

from Mouser can be purchased from a variety of sources in China.



[Schematic](https://github.com/schlae/snark-barker/blob/master/SnarkBarker.pdf)



[Bill of Materials](https://github.com/schlae/snark-barker/blob/master/SnarkBarker.csv)



Please note that the 0.1" header pins are *not* listed on the BOM. They are

standard breakaway headers (both single and double row). Jumper shunts are

also not listed on the BOM.



[Fab files](https://github.com/schlae/snark-barker/blob/master/fab/SnarkBarker.zip)



Board dimensions are 9.1 x 4.2 inches. When ordering the board, you may want

to specify a card edge bevel (fairly cheap!) and selective gold plating

(expensive!) depending on your needs. The soldermask color can be whatever

you like, but hot pink is preferred.



## The Volume Knob

There don't seem to be any off-the-shelf knobs compatible with the Alps

potentiometer. You may be able to 3D print one based on the model below.

I'd recommend using a high-resolution SLA printer like the Formlabs Form 2.



Fasten it to the potentiometer using an M1.4x0.3mm thread, 6mm long screw

(McMaster-Carr part number 91800A036 or equivalent).



![Image of the volume knob](https://github.com/schlae/snark-barker/blob/master/images/vol_knob.png)



[Volume knob STEP model](https://github.com/schlae/snark-barker/blob/master/mech/vol_knob.zip)



Update: I've added a modified volume knob that may print better on FDM

printers.



[Volume knob STEP model, FDM version](https://github.com/schlae/snark-barker/blob/master/mech/vol_knob_fdm.zip)



## The ISA Card Bracket

The bracket specified in the BOM is a blank Keystone 9200 bracket. You will

need to punch or drill holes for the connectors. The KiCad board file has

detailed dimensions showing where to make the holes in the bracket.



I use a chassis nibbler tool to make the square slot for the volume knob as

well as the hole for the DA-15 joystick/MIDI connector. If you are rich,

Greenlee makes a punch for the DA-15 outline.



## The Firmware

There are two ways to get a programmed 80C51 chip for the Snark Barker. One

is to purchase a SB 2.0 DSP chip from China and put it in a 44-PLCC to

40-DIP adapter. This works fine and provides the largest feature set.



Another option is to buy a blank Atmel 89S51 (as listed in the BOM) and

program it with [this HEX file](https://github.com/schlae/snark-barker/blob/master/firmware/sb.hex).



## Assembly Notes

You may wish to socket the two CMS chips, the 80C51 microcontroller, and the

two Yamaha chips.



Be sure to add the 4.7K ohm bodge resistor on top of U5, running between

pins 4 and 14. (Shown below.)



![Photo of bodge resistor](https://github.com/schlae/snark-barker/blob/master/images/bodge.png)



For MIDI to work properly, you'll need to solder jumper wires on the headers

marked TXD and RXD (next to the SNARK BARKER logo). Originally these two 3-pin

headers may have been used as a debug port.



Be sure to place shunts in the jumpers marked DRQ1 and JP1, to enable DMA and

the joystick, respectively. Also place shunts to configure the I/O address and

IRQ.



## Testing and Diagnostics

Test your shiny new card using your favorite PC games, or use the [SBDIAG

program that I've written](https://github.com/schlae/snark-barker/tree/master/sbdiag).



## Other Notes

Like the original SB 1.0, the Snark Barker does not need a -5V rail.



## License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0

International License. See [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).