VecVox

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.vectrex (More info?)

I've got the final VecVox PCB done - whew !

It's a dual purpose board, which is made to fit a particular enclosure (a
door bell case). But, it can also be built as a 'no solder' module (as
before), just plug in a Sega extension lead and PC speakers (headphones,
hi-fi etc) and away you go.

www.vectrex.biz/Vox_in.JPG (holes at the top of the board accommodate
the Sega extension lead connector and audio phono socket)

www.vectrex.biz/Vox_out.JPG

Volume and mode select are accessed through holes in the bottom of the
case -

www.vectrex.biz/Vox_con.JPG (left-volume control, right-mode switch)

The unit defaults to 'VecVox mode', holding down the mode switch on
power-up enters 'VecVoice mode' (it speaks the mode).

A microcontroller (small chip in centre) emulates the speech of the
SPO256-AL2 based VecVoice, so that existing games work with the unit.

I've worked a lot on the conversion code, to get the tone, speed and
pronunciation as close to the SPO as possible. And it turned out to be much
better than I had thought (it actually works with the SPO based Chip Talk
software)

Now, while the cased unit looks cool (blue LED and all), it does sound MUCH
better when connected up to PC speakers (even cheap ones).

So, I've decided to mainly build the VecVox as the 'no-solder module' option
(supplied with a Sega lead) and build it cased only on special request.

This will make assembly simpler, the unit cheaper, and thus VecVox enabled
games more viable (as more people will own the synth).


FYI I'm sending a cased VecVox (and VecFlash) to CGE, so you can check it
out there. I will have VecVox units for sale around the same time.

In the mean time, as the VecVox is based on the SpeakJet chip, you can hear
some demo speech / sounds here - www.speakjet.com





Richard H.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.vectrex (More info?)

Looks really well done, as usual. Good idea to make it fit in a doorbell
case :^)

It would be cool to find a set of small powered speakers with a retro look
(or actually from the eighties) and build the VecVox into that.

I'm looking forward to what kind of sounds programmers will be able to get
out of it :^)

I still think a LED VU meter a bit like in Knightrider, or an analog one
would be really cool (for buyers to add themselves). I've seen some layouts
floating around the internet. I think you can also get VU meter kits, so
it's easier to build one.

Anyway, great job, I think the VecVox is a very interesting project.





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[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.vectrex (More info?)

>Good idea to make it fit in a doorbell case :^)

I spent all the time sourcing a case whilst missing the fact that small
speakers DO NOT sound good 🙁

I'm thinking of doing what Kev did with his 3D adaptor, and case the VecVox
PCB in heat-shrink. It's simple, easy and looks OK.


>It would be cool to find a set of small powered speakers with a retro look
>and build the VecVox into that.

Looked into this but found -

Lack of PCB mounting
Not being able to maintain a supply
Significant increase in cost
More construction time (i.e. adapting etc)

The easiest speaker to use with the VecVox is one of those un-powered
external CB / mobile phone units. They sound really good + have plenty of
bass.


>I'm looking forward to what kind of sounds programmers will be able to get
>out of it :^)

Yes me too ! - the SpeakJet chip can do some pretty cool stuff


>I still think a LED VU meter a bit like in Knightrider

It's easy to do, there's a dedicated chip that does all the work.




Richard H.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.vectrex (More info?)

>build the VecVox as the 'no-solder module'


This is it, same board with the extra connectors soldered on -

www.vectrex.biz/Vox_mod.JPG


Today I bought some of those 'walkman style' extension speakers to try with
it. Even though they're small, they sounded surprisingly good.

Don't know how they do it, must be clever design of the speaker case or
something.




Richard H.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.vectrex (More info?)

Nice board!

Can you use the RS232 with a PC?

"Richard Hutchinson" <richard.hutchinson@dsl.pipex.com> wrote in message news:<40f820ec$0$6447$cc9e4d1f@news-text.dial.pipex.com>...
> >build the VecVox as the 'no-solder module'
>
>
> This is it, same board with the extra connectors soldered on -
>
> www.vectrex.biz/Vox_mod.JPG
>
>
> Today I bought some of those 'walkman style' extension speakers to try with
> it. Even though they're small, they sounded surprisingly good.
>
> Don't know how they do it, must be clever design of the speaker case or
> something.
>
>
>
>
> Richard H.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.vectrex (More info?)

>Can you use the RS232 with a PC?

Not directly, it's specifically intended to connect to the Vec, which
supplies power through the connector. I'm building an add-on module to allow
PC use (for developers).



Richard H.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.vectrex (More info?)

BTW Ken, do you do a discount for bulk purchases of SpeakJet chips ?




Richard H.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.vectrex (More info?)

But of course I can give you a discount. Send me e-mail the quantities.

"Richard Hutchinson" <richard.hutchinson@dsl.pipex.com> wrote in message news:<40feab6d$0$6446$cc9e4d1f@news-text.dial.pipex.com>...
> BTW Ken, do you do a discount for bulk purchases of SpeakJet chips ?
>
>
>
>
> Richard H.