Adding Audio-in to a IIci?

[Bolkonskij]

Hey there,

the kids and me are having a great time with the IIci. (to which we upgraded from our age-old family LC)

The only thing we're missing is the audio-in capability of the LC. The kids could easily spend an hour on the LC just recording their voices, making funny sounds, recording jokes etc ... (don't know how it was for you, but I recall spending ours recording stuff with my then brand-new tape recorder.... oh well, the 80s ...)  :-D

Anyway, I have a free nubus slot on the IIci. I was wondering if there ever was a Nubus card that would suit my need? I do not need a card for audiophiles with 8 connectors (would feel like a waste), in fact I just need a simple audio-in jack that would allow me to use the LC's spermium micro again. Was there ever anything released ?

Any suggestions?

 

[Mr SN]

Any suggestions?

Well I thought the IIci had audio in, turns out it doesn't, I forgot that the LC had that over the IIcis.  I think the best way back then was not through a NUBUS card but to use the serial port. 

 

[Daniël]

Well I thought the IIci had audio in, turns out it doesn't, I forgot that the LC had that over the IIcis.  I think the best way back then was not through a NUBUS card but to use the serial port. 

Of the II series, it was the IIsi that introduced sound input. It is said that's precisely what the "si" in IIsi stands for, but I've also heard people claim it stands for "sleek, integrated video", or as a reference to the LC Elsie codename, so take that as you will.

I've not heard about a serial port microphone interface, but if it does exist, that would indeed be the best option. Pretty much all NuBus audio cards are serious Digital Audio Workstation cards, that probably still command more money than one would like to spend for simple sound input capability.

 

[Mr SN]

I do recall during that era there were people who recorded using the serial port.  I found the software, I cannot for the life of me remember what the hardware (microphone to serial) part looked like.  

https://www.macintoshrepository.org/2623-macrecorder-hypersound-soundedit-

 

[Mr SN]

Of the II series, it was the IIsi that introduced sound input. It is said that's precisely what the "si" in IIsi stands for, but I've also heard people claim it stands for "sleek, integrated video", or as a reference to the LC Elsie codename, so take that as you will.

Good trivia!

 

[Daniël]

I do recall during that era there were people who recorded using the serial port.  I found the software, I cannot for the life of me remember what the hardware (microphone to serial) part looked like.  

https://www.macintoshrepository.org/2623-macrecorder-hypersound-soundedit-

Ah, not surprised it's by Farallon, they knew a thing or two about the Mac serial port, judging from their work on the PhoneNET adapters. Apparently, this is what it'd go with, the Farallon MacRecorder:

 

[Mr SN]

Ah, not surprised it's by Farallon, they knew a thing or two about the Mac serial port, judging from their work on the PhoneNET adapters. Apparently, this is what it'd go with, the Farallon HyperSound:

I do now recall that device, now that I see the picture.  And, agree, no surprise it is from Farallon. 

 

[markyb86]

The mac garden page for "macrecorder-hypersound-soundedit" has a link to an hqx file with instructions to build your own adapter. I'm at work at the moment or I could open the file and get the schematic for here.

 

[Crutch]

Yes. The MacRecorder will do the trick. I used to do this with an Impulse (formerly MacNifty) Audio Digitizer which is equally good but wasn’t as popular, but will work with a 512k Mac too! There is one for sale right now on eBay. 

 

[Bolkonskij]

Thanks everyone for the answers! Had never heard of the Farallon MacRecorder but that would be exactly the kind of solution I'm looking for. Suppose finding one today (+ in Germany, where I'm located) is like winning the lottery :-D  will set up an ebay search for it anyway, so thanks again!

@markyb86 - interesting. I'm not much of a hardware tinkerer, but maybe I can get someone to build one for me.

@Crutch - checked for the Impulse Music Audio Digitizer on ebay. wow... 80 dollars. Ouch. Way too much for some fun with a microphone.

 

[History_SE30_Dude]

I've tried opening the instructions to make one with several different versions of MacDraw II and can't get it to open. Anyone else have any luck? This is from the download on Macintosh Garden.

 

[Bolle]

The schematics and parts place files are MacDraw documents and the two others - Manual and README - should be MacWrite files.

Both types open fine in MacDraw II respectively MacWrite II.

After looking at the parts you need including the PCBs that have to be re-made the 80$ eBay digitizer doesn't sound like a bad deal at all.

 

[Crutch]

@Crutch - checked for the Impulse Music Audio Digitizer on ebay. wow... 80 dollars. Ouch. Way too much for some fun with a microphone.

I looked at that listing a while back and the seller immediately sent me a lower offer. There’s a Make an Offer option — I expect he or she would negotiate.