Playing SPU over Midi!?!

Post by **Jackhead** » October 25th, 2024, 8:12 pm

i want to start a little project to get a midi device like a sequenzer for example connected over the seriel port to a ps1.
So first at all i will build me a adapter cable USB-serialPS1. Im still not sure what best converter i should use.
https://unirom.github.io/serial_psx_cable/ . So first i will try a ST232. Arduino uno has a midi lib what would maybe better?

Goal is to send midi cc from a pc to the ps1 and there a little program let you play the spu over midi.
Also want to learn with this way more of the hardware.

I think there is a test program for the h700/800 what did the same but input on controller.
Its my first project so im not a pro and open for suggestion/help.
What you guys think?

Post by **CodeAsm** » November 1st, 2024, 2:37 am

Cool idea, I guess most usb serial adapters would work, because the serial port is just RX and TX (and ground) as far as I understand. (RX stand for Recieve, TX for transmit) connect the RX of a PC/USB to the TX of the PS1 and TX from PC/USB to the RX of the Playstation. this would also be called a very simple "null modem cable" connection. google for pinouts and youll see the example in picture format.

Arduino uno has a midi lib what would maybe better?

this confuses me a bit. unless you want to use the arduino as either a simulated PS1 (for when you have the midi code working) or simulate the pc sending midi commands?
Some examples use the rs232 converter IC on the arduino for its RX and TX pins, the atmega itself could be left unprogrammed and/or disabled (removed).

Homebrew development needed, including serial coms. Im not updated enough on what the most used and best supported recent SDK would be, but https://github.com/Lameguy64/PSn00bSDK seems to support serial port coms
https://github.com/Lameguy64/PSn00bSDK/ ... xsio/sio.c is the source I think you need. but there are example code to get some console control first and easy. guess you need that.

SPU stuff https://github.com/Lameguy64/PSn00bSDK/ ... u/common.c

I havent tried making things yet with any SDK, only loading homebrew (and that silly Runix linux thing that we cant seem to boot)

My first impression would be to get a simple serial usb device and get homebrew working, especially sending messages back and forth to the PC from the PS1.