Midi Enabled Votrax SC-02 Voice Synthesizer

Here's a Heatkit HV-2000 ISA Voice Synthesizer card which I midi enabled. This card features the Votrax SC-02 voice synthesizer chip. I wasn't satisfied with just making it speak so I decided to make it sing. Using an old Win98 computer I wrote a driver for the voice card and also for an old ISA Roland MPU-401 midi adapter I had kicking around. The app listens for midi notes, calculates the correct pitch for the Votrax card then the card speaks it out using either a predetermined word or I generate a random word by using the mod wheel.. In case anyone cares, it was written in C and x86 assembler using Borland Turbo C++ 3.0 which is now available as a free download.

This is still a work in progress as I don't have the filter implemented correctly. The SC02 has an analog filter built in which accepts 8-bit values however every time I try changing its value the sound turns into a low unusable rumble.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Votrax
• SC01
• SC-01A
• SSI-263
• Voice
• Synthesis
• Midi

[nrdesign1991]

Nice! How did you get the vortrax to change pitch?

[mikewolak]

I wrote a function that translates midi notes to the equivalent Votrax pitch ( inflection ) value. Then I update the inflection register on the chip before voicing the phoneme.

[tangofizz77]

Never mind the change voice

[mikewolak]

It first says "Votrax SC02 Midi Synthesizer , ready " then it says "Mike" then some random words.

[ALXXMaXX]

Sweet! I think you've really got something going there!

[sulinside]

*__*

[thevisualboy37]

Wow. This is funny AND incredible.

[TeamNES1]

If Max Headroom was a real humanoid robot, I bet this is what he would sound like.

[Membrane556]

Make it sing Daisy bell.

[EA78751]

Votrax had an edge on SP0256 I believe.

[Lachlant1984]

When you first start the program the sign on message reminds me of the old Blazie Braille'n'Speak portable talking computer for the blind.

[cookie123456789012]

Upload a video of it singing Jingle Bells!