(DIY) TAPE64 (by Metallic) COMBO V2

Hello,

This is a tested and working circuit board.

TAPE64 is a Commodore cassette loader emulator. You can load C64 games with any mobile phone, MP3 player or PC (in digital audio file format like MP3).

You can easily solder and make this Commodore Cassette Loader Emulator, all components are through-hole and signed on the PCB.

It is not easy but it is a real fun to load games with TAPE64, like the old days. ;)

Many thanks to Metallic for designing Tape64 and coding "Easy Tape Loader" software (in the cartridge).

This PCB has two main parts; Cartridge part and Tape64 part.

The cartridge part of the project includes software for easier loading from Tape64.

The cartridge part and TAPE64 part can be used independently. You can separate TAPE64 part from the cartridge part, and then solder 2x6 pin edge connector directly to TAPE64 part of PCB. (It is more practical to use separately.)

If you do not want to use the Tape64 separately from the cartridge then, only two wires from pin 4 (read) and pin 6 (cassette sense) need to be connected to cassette port connector pin4 and pin6. (please look at the photo).

There are two ways of loading with using TAPE64

Firstly you need to convert a Commodore game to a digital sound file, usualy it is a MP3 file.

You can use TAPDANCER Aplication or Wav-Prg, for converting .PRG files to audio files.

https://paleotronic.com/software/tapdancer/

http://wav-prg.sourceforge.net/faq.html

1.way-- Start loading regular way; by pressing SHIFT and RUN/STOP together. But you will not see "Press Play On Tape". Then, play the sound file from the player. And when the "FOUND ......" appears, you must press the SPACE key immediately. Because the audio source is not paused, it still continues to send data to Tape-64, but Commodore64 is paused to receive the data. Pressing the SPACE key allows the c64 to continue receiving data.

 2.way-- You can press F5 or F7 keys for special software in the cartridge, in that case you do not need to press SPACE key when the "FOUND ......" appears, the SPACE key will be automatically pressed by software.

 The switch on TAPE64 is used for inverting the input signal. You need this function if the audio file was recorded inverted.

 You should turn off all sound effects including equalizer adjustments from your sound source device.

 You can adjust volume of your sound device by using "head aligner softwere" in the cartridge. (Usually %50 - %80 volume is enough, depending to your sound source device.)

https://www.commodore.gen.tr/forum/index.php?topic=4746.msg120005#msg120005

You can download the binary eprom image file and sample mp3 games from the bottom of this page.

Many times, the mobile phone protective case may prevent the audio plug from entering completely. Please remove the mobile phone protective cover and make sure that the audio plug is fully inserted.

Many thanks to Ilker Ficicilar for "Tape64 Kernal" software in the cartridge.

TAPE64 has not "save" function, you can only load.

Other end (notch end) of the TAPE64 PCB can be used for power supply to some devices like SD2IEC, if needed.

Preparing digital sound files and Loading them from TAPE64 can be challenging, it has many parameters and needs some knowledge. I can not have time to answer all the questions, please search answers from internet.

If you have a question about the PCB then I can try to help.

If you want an easier way to load games to commodore64 then you may prefer "Tapecart SD".

https://www.pcbway.com/project/shareproject/Tapecart_SD_is_a_Easy_to_Use_Commodore_64_SD_Card_Loader_.html

In order to protect your electronical devices, always turn off your Commodore 64 before connecting or unconnecting any device.

Gerber files can be changed at any time. Before paying for the PCBs, be sure to update your orders!

Have fun

Thank you.

COMPONENTS:

27C128 or 27C256 or 27C512 or W27C512

74LS00 or 74HC00

CD4069UBE (DIP14)

2pcs. IC Socket (DIP14)

IC SOCKET (DIP28)

3.5mm 5 pin Stereo PCB type female audio connector

2x6 pin 3.96mm Pitch Card Edge Connector

3pin 2.54mm SPDT slide SWITCH

Right Angle Tactile Button (for optional reset switch)

3mm or 5mm LED

100nf Ceramic capacitor

22nf Ceramic capacitor

1nf Ceramic capacitor

33pf Ceramic capacitor

2pcs. 100K 1/4 watt resistor

2pcs 10K 1/4 watt resistor

1K - 1/4 watt resistor (value changes leds brightnes)

3.5mm stereo male to male audio cable

You will need a Programmer for EPROM, (if you only want to built TAPE64 part of PCB then you do not need an eprom programmer)