Classic computing fanatic Ian Scott has launched the PicoGUS 2.0, a contemporary ISA soundcard for traditional laptop methods able to emulating a spread of authentic {hardware} — powered by an on-board Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller.
“PicoGUS can emulate Gravis UltraSound, AdLib (OPL2), CMS/Recreation Blaster and Tandy 3-Voice, and helps MIDI output with MPU-401 clever mode emulation,” Scott writes of his board’s capabilities, ticking off the overwhelming majority of audio output units a traditional gamer might hope to make use of. “You can too plug in a USB gamepad ([Microsoft] Xbox 360 & [Sony] DualShock 4 presently supported) and play DOS video games with a contemporary controller!”
The PicoGUS 2.0 makes use of an on-board Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller to emulate a spread of classic ISA soundcards. (📷: Ian Scott)
Because the title suggests, the PicoGUS 2.0 is a twist on the unique PicoGUS — constructed primarily to emulate the Gravis UltraSound, or GUS, soundcard, and requiring a full-size Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller board to be put in. The PicoGUS 2.0, in contrast, retains the title however ditches the Pico in favor of placing the Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller immediately on the board.
Scott has additionally launched the design recordsdata for the board below the CERN Open {Hardware} License v2 Permissive license — although has a warning for anybody trying to construct their very own. “PicoGUS 2.0 is designed from the bottom up for automated meeting so making your personal could be a serious problem,” Scott says. “Within the close to future I will probably be releasing model 1.2 of the unique PicoGUS design bringing among the stability/manufacturing enhancements from 2.0 to a extra DIY-friendly board.”
The board is permissively-licensed open {hardware}, however Scott warns it is optimized or automated meeting. (📷: Ian Scott)
The PicoGUS 2.0 is listed on the Polpo Electronics Tindie retailer now at $45, although on the time of writing was displaying as out-of-stock — Scott having exhausted his preliminary inventory after simply two hours. “I used to be not anticipating that. I am overwhelmed (in a great way) by this response,” Scott writes. “For those who missed out, I will be making one other batch, don’t fret.”
The design recordsdata and firmware supply code can be found, in the meantime, on the challenge’s GitHub repository.