KempAY CPLD Joystick and Sound Card interface for ZX Spectrum

KempAY CPLD is a joystick interface and AY sound card for ZX Spectrum and compatible computers. AY chip included.

The interface simply plugs into the Spectrum's expansion port and has a through connector, so that you can use it with the DivIDE to store the AY music files (for example). You then need to connect some standard PC speakers to its sound out socket to hear the sound and adjust volume! Although the interface does not add the PLAY command to the ZX Spectrum (available on the 128K models), you can still use the interface utilising the standard OUT commands for the AY interface, or better still, use some of the software available on the internet to create, edit and play music files.

Most of the software utilities appear on Yerzmeyey's website and on the Project AY page along with some brilliant demos of the type of sounds which can be generated. Games address the AY chip directly and do not tend to be written in BASIC, so the lack of this extra command does not affect the usefulness of the interface. ZX Spectrum .tap files for use with the DivIDE or DivIDE Plus which show off the interfaces capabilities, through demonstrations for the ZX Spectrum appear on two websites - AY music demos and classic AY music demos.

You can find a list of available games for the ZX Spectrum 48K with AY Sound Interface here.

Features:

• AY / Yamaha sound generator  (Chip included) running at exact speed of 1,75 Mhz (new programmable frequency generator from EPSON (SG8002CA+ PHB)
• Stereo line output ( jack stereo).
• 2 joystick ports with ativity leds.
• Multifunction switch (RESET, JOY MODE for port 1).
• Fully passthrough - you can connect any device that uses ZX Edge connector.
• Autofire - fully compatible with typical AMIGA/ATARI/C64 josytsticks.
• Fully compatible with Kempston mouse and others.
• Build upon Atf1504 CPLD.
• Beeper sound at stereo ouput on both channels.
• ABC/ACB channels switch.

TACT Switch functions :

• Hardware RESET  - press and hold Fire1 or Fire2 and thess press switch.
• Sinclair2 MODE (ONLY FOR JOY port1) - to switch joystick port to SINCLAIR2 mode, move joystick and hold UP/DOWN and press tact switch.

  • Green led off.
  • Red led indicates joystick action with ON state; default OFF.
  • To switch back to KEMPSTON MODE - press only tact switch ( green led on, red led indicates joystick action  with ON state- default). 

• PROTEK MODE (ONLY FOR JOY port1) - to switch joystick port to PROTEK MODE mode, move joystick and hold LEFT /RIGHT and press tact switch.

  • Green led off.
  • Red led indicates joystick action with ON state; default OFF.
  • To switch back to KEMPSTON MODE - press only tact switch ( green led on, red led indicates joystick action  with ON state- default). 

WARNING: Joy port2 is always mapped to SINCLAIR 1 inteface, know from Zx128+2 (1,2,3,4,5 for left, right, up, down and fire).

Warrranty: 2 years. Instructions not included.