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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Half-Saint on Mon, 08 February 2010, 15:53:04

Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: Half-Saint on Mon, 08 February 2010, 15:53:04: A while ago I picked up this keyboard labeled Solid State Logic (Rotec International Ltd. Made in UK). It looks a lot like Cherry G81-1800. It's a clicky keyboard and uses blue Cherry switches. The PCB is Cherry, dated 1992. On the bottom of the case there's a hole where a PC AT switch is supposed to be but it's obvious that the PCB has no connection points for the switch. There's a Philips PCB80C31BH chip in there as well as Texas Instruments SN75179BP (apparently a RS-422 differential transceiver). Cable connector is standard DB9 instead of PS/2.

(http://www.shrani.si/t/2M/5g/3Ru8F30s/keyboard.jpg) (http://www.shrani.si/?2M/5g/3Ru8F30s/keyboard.jpg)
(http://www.shrani.si/t/1L/lN/2FkvE76W/pcbfront.jpg) (http://www.shrani.si/?1L/lN/2FkvE76W/pcbfront.jpg)
(http://www.shrani.si/t/z/q3/lCXQybx/pcbback.jpg) (http://www.shrani.si/?z/q3/lCXQybx/pcbback.jpg)

Anyone know what this was used for and, if it can be modded for use with a standard PC?

Cheers,
SainT
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: lal on Mon, 08 February 2010, 16:26:33: Can't help you, but that case color looks nice. Reminds me of industrial Ms. Hope you'll get it to work :)
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 08 February 2010, 16:30:14: Hmm. Industrial Cherry G(80)s. I like the sound of that.
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: kishy on Mon, 08 February 2010, 16:41:00: Nitpicking...but technically that is a DE9 shell, not a DB. DB is the size used by parallel and 25-pin serial ports.

Interesting keyboard for sure though.
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: keyb_gr on Mon, 08 February 2010, 17:31:54: Some sort of serial keyboard for industrial applications for sure. RS-485 is not uncommon for longer-range serial connections. Older G80-1000 PCBs (with 8051) also had space for such a transceiver chip... seemingly for some synchronous serial interface. I'd guess that would have required the different controller IC (8031 with EEPROM) as well.

You might be able to make/buy a RS-485 <-> RS-232 adapter and use the board with that, though I'm not sure how these serial boards want to be treated software wise.
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: microsoft windows on Mon, 08 February 2010, 17:32:03: That thing ought to be PS/2 compatible with a cable swap.
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: kishy on Mon, 08 February 2010, 17:41:22: Quote from: microsoft windows;157128
That thing ought to be PS/2 compatible with a cable swap.

Dangerous words...I see no reason why that's possible at this point in time.

What makes you think so?
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: microsoft windows on Mon, 08 February 2010, 18:40:09: It looks to be the same model as a wide variety of other Cherry keyboards. It looks to be something that was used on an early "luggable" computer, so I wouldn't be surprised if it's AT compatible.
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: pfink on Mon, 08 February 2010, 20:24:10: Quote from: Half-Saint;157112
A while ago I picked up this keyboard labeled Solid State Logic (Rotec International Ltd. Made in UK). It looks a lot like Cherry G81-1800. It's a clicky keyboard and uses blue Cherry switches. The PCB is Cherry, dated 1992. On the bottom of the case there's a hole where a PC AT switch is supposed to be but it's obvious that the PCB has no connection points for the switch. There's a Philips PCB80C31BH chip in there as well as Texas Instruments SN75179BP (apparently a RS-422 differential transceiver). Cable connector is standard DB9 instead of PS/2.

Anyone know what this was used for and, if it can be modded for use with a standard PC?

If it's the same Solid State Logic as this:

http://www.solid-state-logic.com/

then maybe it was originally sold with some type of recording studio equipment.
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: InSanCen on Mon, 08 February 2010, 23:58:04: Regarding a cable swap.

The only way to know for sure is to compare the controller and circuit to a known PS/2 keyboard, in this case a G81-1800. Mine is in work, so I can't, even if we had pictures suitable for doing it. Unless it is the same, then there is a good chance you are going to fry something with a cable swap. While I wouldn't be surprised if it is compatible, I wouldn't want a member doing it and frying it based on my Gut feeling or Wild Ass Guess.

Just be careful with what you are saying.

*sigh*
MS Windows is on my ignore list, but I still see his stupidity if other people Quote him.

EDIT:-

That link pfink gave is a great way for InSanCen to waste hours. I aspire to setups like that, and makes my "little" 16ch Alesis mixer look quite crap in comparison. I did spot a CST Trackball though. Shame about the abundance of Mac chicklet boards.
http://www.solid-state-logic.com/resources/gallery/Matrix/Matrix_South_Beach_Studios_large.jpg
http://www.solid-state-logic.com/resources/gallery/c200/c200main/c200main6.jpg
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: Half-Saint on Tue, 09 February 2010, 01:38:58: Here's the connections from cable to PCB...
Black - GND
White - Vcc
Yellow..Red - connected to SN75179BP outputs (pins 5-8 or A,B,Z,X)

I don't think this would work with PS/2. Looks like there are no dedicated CLK or DATA lines...

SainT
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: erricrice on Tue, 09 February 2010, 12:23:41: Quote from: InSanCen;157178
EDIT:-

That link pfink gave is a great way for InSanCen to waste hours. I aspire to setups like that, and makes my "little" 16ch Alesis mixer look quite crap in comparison. I did spot a CST Trackball though. Shame about the abundance of Mac chicklet boards.
http://www.solid-state-logic.com/resources/gallery/Matrix/Matrix_South_Beach_Studios_large.jpg
http://www.solid-state-logic.com/resources/gallery/c200/c200main/c200main6.jpg

Pshhh, silly 48 channel setups, 56 is the way to go! That way you get 8 channels for dedicated effects sends!

Take a look at what I get to work on every day!

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=7787&stc=1&d=1265739804)

Keyboard built in and everything!
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 09 February 2010, 12:34:46: Lucky bastard, that's an awesome studio. That's a sweet sound room, too. I like the acoustic treatment on the walls.
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: erricrice on Tue, 09 February 2010, 12:58:17: Quote from: itlnstln;157336
Lucky bastard, that's an awesome studio. That's a sweet sound room, too. I like the acoustic treatment on the walls.

Take a look (http://www.cleartrackproductions.com)!

We're still working on the website, but the studio is up and running!
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 09 February 2010, 13:00:53: That's sick. I would love to get back into the music scene again. That was a lot of fun.
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: lal on Tue, 09 February 2010, 13:03:54: Excuse me, are those pics all 3D renderings?
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: InSanCen on Tue, 09 February 2010, 13:04:58: How much would I be looking at to hire that out? (Not that I could or would, just curious).

In all honesty, the 16channels I have at the moment are overkill (One guitar hookup, one vocal). The rest are there if needed. Most of my stuff is done in the PC via an M-Audio Delta 1010 and Cubase/Abelton.

Still, it looks the business though. I would love to be let loose in there for a few hours.

Quote from: erricrice;157326
Pshhh, silly 48 channel setups, 56 is the way to go! That way you get 8 channels for dedicated effects sends!

Take a look at what I get to work on every day!

Show Image
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=7787&stc=1&d=1265739804)

Keyboard built in and everything!
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: erricrice on Tue, 09 February 2010, 13:13:42: Quote from: lal;157351
Excuse me, are those pics all 3D renderings?

The pics on the website, yes as of now, I'm in the process of uploading the new photos to the website.

The one I posted here, no that is a real photo, taken professionally.
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: erricrice on Tue, 09 February 2010, 13:25:38: Quote from: InSanCen;157353
How much would I be looking at to hire that out? (Not that I could or would, just curious).

In all honesty, the 16channels I have at the moment are overkill (One guitar hookup, one vocal). The rest are there if needed. Most of my stuff is done in the PC via an M-Audio Delta 1010 and Cubase/Abelton.

Still, it looks the business though. I would love to be let loose in there for a few hours.

The room rate(no engineer) is $100 /hr, and for the engineer, add $50 /hr.

For basic stuff, 16 channels IS overkill, but it's good that you have it so you have the room to move up if you want.

We're working with 48 channels of Digital to Analogue I/O with 3 Protools HD Cards. Kinda crazy.

And yes, I feel privileged as hell working with this setup. You can't make things sound bad, even if you tried lol.

Quote from: InSanCen;157353
...for a few hours.

A few hours is never enough...it's worse than keyboard addiction...
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 09 February 2010, 13:30:57: Quote
You can't make things sound bad, even if you tried lol.

Yes you can (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonas_Brothers).
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: erricrice on Tue, 09 February 2010, 13:35:08: Quote from: itlnstln;157357
Yes you can (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonas_Brothers).

AAAAHAHAHAHAHHA

I stand corrected!

But for the record, we have a special system set up so that when anyone like that comes within a mile of the building, it zaps them. It's kinda like a shock collar for dogs.....except it kills them....
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: Half-Saint on Tue, 09 February 2010, 13:46:23: Now that's clearly hijacking a thread :P
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: erricrice on Tue, 09 February 2010, 13:57:17: Quote from: Half-Saint;157359
Now that's clearly hijacking a thread :P

Yeah sorry man, I was going to say that. I will take my stuff to another thread.
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: In Stereo! on Tue, 09 February 2010, 15:04:22: Is there any available music that has been recorded in this studio?
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: InSanCen on Tue, 09 February 2010, 17:35:52: Quote from: erricrice;157356
The room rate(no engineer) is $100 /hr, and for the engineer, add $50 /hr.

Not bad at all. Working with my last band, we paid 150GBP/hr, and engineered it ourselves. and it was a hole compared to yours. Lovely old desk though, great sound but a ***** to use.
Quote from: erricrice;157356
For basic stuff, 16 channels IS overkill, but it's good that you have it so you have the room to move up if you want.

My Alesis
Picture (http://cachepe.zzounds.com/media/quality,85/brand,zzounds/MultiMix16USB20_large-b915fc12139146bc0845f82466c68b97.jpg)
Quite pathetic when you bring out guns like yours!
I used to have my 7 Synths hooked up to it as well (2 mono channels per synth, one Vocal on mono, one guitar on mono), but since I got the Delta 1010, it's just used if a few people come round to jam. That's not often, as my neighbours tend to get annoyed at anything being played.
Quote from: erricrice;157356
We're working with 48 channels of Digital to Analogue I/O with 3 Protools HD Cards. Kinda crazy.
And yes, I feel privileged as hell working with this setup. You can't make things sound bad, even if you tried lol.

There is no such thing as overkill. Despite what my missus says ("Why do you need 7 keyboards?").
Quote from: erricrice;157356
A few hours is never enough...it's worse than keyboard addiction...

True. It would take me at least a day to wrap my head round what that setup can do, let alone get a handle on the effects. The patch bay alone looks scary!
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: ch_123 on Tue, 09 February 2010, 17:38:32: Quote from: itlnstln;157357
Yes you can (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonas_Brothers).

I was tempted to outdo you by posting a tinyurl link to a Kesha video, but I don't hate you folks that much.
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: erricrice on Tue, 09 February 2010, 21:16:32: Quote from: In Stereo!;157369
Is there any available music that has been recorded in this studio?

We just started our first session yesterday, so not yet. We are working on a 15 song album project for about the first month or so.
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: Half-Saint on Thu, 18 February 2010, 04:59:19: To get back on topic.. anyone has any idea how to get this to work with a standard PS/2 PC? Could it be done without switching the whole board?

Cheers
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: InSanCen on Thu, 18 February 2010, 14:51:39: Quote from: Half-Saint;159086
To get back on topic.. anyone has any idea how to get this to work with a standard PS/2 PC? Could it be done without switching the whole board?

Cheers

Assuming it is using a proprietary interface (fairly likely), then you will need to trace the matrix and design a controller for it. If you *really* like the board, it may be worth it.
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: Half-Saint on Fri, 19 February 2010, 02:07:32: Bah, I'll see.. in case I decide to get rid of it, would anyone buy it for the switches/keycaps? It has blue Cherry switches...

Cheers
SainT
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: 42.tar.gz on Fri, 19 February 2010, 09:49:01: Quote from: Half-Saint;159313
in case I decide to get rid of it, would anyone buy it for the switches/keycaps? It has blue Cherry switches...

I'd be interested. :)
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: ricercar on Fri, 19 February 2010, 14:10:14: me! me! Oh wait. I'm too late and on the wrong side of the Atlantic.
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: Half-Saint on Fri, 26 February 2010, 02:03:26: Sold!
Title: SSL Keyboard DB9 help!
Post by: Half-Saint on Mon, 12 April 2010, 06:45:35: Now that I have a real Cherry MX1800 it occured to me that it would look really cool, if I swapped cases! Too late now :)