SIDKick Pico by FRNTC

The SID-Kick Pico is  a cheap alternative to replace the 6581 or 8580 SID chip. Based on a Raspberry Pi Pico and the ReSID emulation, added with a load of extra features it really packs a punch.

First of all, this SIDKick Pico design is officially licensed from the creator. This is important because this ensures he is paid a royalty for each unit, which then supports him to develop further products. The PCBs reflect the Retro8bitshop.com name, which is an indication this is a fully licensed SIDKick. Even though the project is open source (you can find it at https://github.com/frntc/SIDKick-pico), reselling SIDKicks other than building a few for yourself and friends, is prohibited for commercial use. Unofficial SIDKicks will reflect this on the PCB as the public PCBWay project does not provide the Gerber files separately.

The features

• Emulates the 6581 and 8580.
• ReSid emulation with additional Digiboost option for the 8580.
• Stereo and FM options incl stereo spacing (requires additional clip on wiring, but provides auto address sensing).
• Basic model provides audio out via mainboard with no modifications required.
• Model with integrated DAC allows for external audio line-out connection but requires additional cable (not included).
• Built in configuration menu (SYS54301) and option to add additional programs.
• RGB Led on the Pico is enabled to react to the music.
• Available assembled or in kit form. The kit requires you to solder several pin headers to the Pi Pico and the SIDKick PCB and then join these together. Depending on what mainboard socket is used, some trimming of pin headers might be required.
• We already programmed the SIDKick with the latest firmware, and added some example games and demo to the Files list. You can easily flash your own firmware with your own programs. See the Github for details.

What model should I choose?

• If you only want to replace a (broken) SID, choose the standard SIDKick. It’s the cheapest version, plugs right in and works out of the box and routes audio to the modulator and video port like a normal SID would. If desired you can later on convert it to full stereo capability by adding a cheap external DAC pcb and add address headers/cables.
• If you want to go all out, with stereo, FM and externally routed audio, choose the SIDKick with integrated DAC. You need to attach a clip lead (2 are included with the DAC versions) to make additional addresses available (most stereo sids use $D420 which requires one clip lead attached to A5). An audio cable is not included since there are so many different ways of connecting the DAC output to your speakers, but you can find ready made cables that go from female pin headers to a female 3.5mm jack on Ebay or AliExpress for example. By default, the DAC version does NOT output any audio via the 8 pin DIN video port. You can short a solder jumper if you wish it to do so, but you will then also need to reflash the PI with the DAC_PWM firmware and audio quality might suffer a bit!
• When in doubt, please read the documentation available on the Github page before ordering:  https://github.com/frntc/SIDKick-pico