Retro Surround Sound?!

[TrekMD]

Looks like some folks in Germany have been making mods of retro consoles to allow for stereo surround sound!  Mods have been made for the Atari consoles (2600, 7800, and 5200), Atari home computers, and Coleco Vision with a mod for the Intellivision on it's way. Here is a description that has been posted about the mods:

For the 2nd game consoles 3 and Generation offered surround and stereo reconstruction called audio mods. Why just for this generation of game consoles? The first generation has no sound output and thus is ultimately no real sound experience significantly, all subsequent generations have already stereo from the factory on or put within the games on too many different sources of noise and constant background music, so the sound enhancement no longer so clearly falls into the weight . Ultimately, it is a bill that needs to Kosten-/Nutzen make any retro fan with itself. The audio mod adds value to the existing mono signal and change it from the sound volume, sound range and frequency response. As a result, the tone sounds fuller and more voluminous, it sounds like in the arcade. Retro feeling its best! This video demonstrates on the basis of Atari 2600jr the audio output of such a conversion. The console used has to activate on the back of a switch to the sound processor as desired. This conversion is available both as an internal board as well as an external device which easily switch between the audio output of the console and the audio input is plugged into the TV. conclusion, if knew the game room and a fan of retro consoles and hardware is in this conversion does not come by.Even boring games so far seem to be interesting and make you want more. Thus excludes so many old console or home computer again with the latest technology appliances. There is no special software required. Conversion is for many other devices such as Coleco Vision, Intellivision, Commodore and Atari 8-bit computer series, Atari 7800 and 5200 available. Priced he is hardly conventional video mods, it is often installed at a small cost on the same board.

More info will be posted here:  www.retro-modding.de.  Here is a video showing what was accomplished with the 2600:

[align=center:10ukf2i6]Atari 2600 PAL Audio Prozessor Mod (Demonstration)[/align:10ukf2i6]

[TL]

WOW! This is amazing 

I can't believe how good Defender II sounds especially!

[TrekMD]

Agreed!  When I heard that I couldn't believe I was listening to a 2600 game!

[retromod]

the website retro-modding.de will be online next year. It offers technical background information for console and homecomputer mods. Including B2B and B2C information (for example WEEE and legal information for modders, where to order etc.).

The stereo/surround mod is known as "Audio Mod". It is part of a PCB including an AV-Mod as well. but there is also a standalone PCB for older mods. Currently only complete console are offered at ebay and hopefully in the future by dedicated shops in each country. If someone in your country is willing to exclusively offer consoles with that mod leave me a message.

Consoles with built in Audio mod allow to switch off the mod by it's channel-select switch. So you'll get old audio output if disabled. Connecting the modded console to a surround hifi system increases the experience, several customers were still blown away by the audio experience ;-). Nevertheless no external surround system is required for the mod, a standard TV with two audio channels is sufficient to get the new experience.

If you want to buy such a system get in contact. I will also do customer specific mods including pause mod, power led and other goodies, it is less expensive getting the whole package ;-). Cost is very low and depend on the console. Currently supported devices: Atari 2600 (any flavour), Atari 7800, Atari XEGS, Coleco Vision, Intellivision (will be released on january).

Coming soon: RGB Mod and USB Mod for input devices.

[retromod]

Final Coleco Vision mod including Stereo Surround Sound output and an AV/Composite mod has been completed.
Check out retro-modding.de for more background info and available mods for your beloved retro system. Site will be online soon. Watch out for upcoming coleco audio mod demo video on youtube.

[zapiy]

What an awesome idea, sounds amazing..

[retromod]

Coleco demo video uploaded on youtube. Search for "coleco audio mod"

[zapiy]

Simply brilliant.

Coleco Vision PAL Audio Prozessor Mod (Demonstration)

[TrekMD]

Agreed!

[retromod]

Thanks. Currently in last phase of intellivision stereo surround mod testing. So new video will be released next days.

[zapiy]

Are you doing all this on your own?

[retromod]

Well it will be available soon for all people interested in. Currently in discussion with some companies who may offer it on different sales channels. So i have more time for new development work...

[retromod]

Intellivision Demo video uploaded... it sounds great. The external voice box is supported, too. the voice output within "Spartians" now provides the feeling to be within a cylon base star ;-)

The following systems are now fully supported for Stereo/Surround (each of them have their own demo video on youtube)

- Atari 2600jr, Woodgrain, Darth Vader
- Atari 7800
- Atari XEGS
- Coleco Vision
- Intellivision

[retromod]

In the effort to make it perfect I currently prepare a small series of about 25-50 Atari 2600 machines with special paintings offered as "Stormtrooper" (white) and "Droid" (red/blue) edition. an audio amp with internal speakers is in discussion, so you hear sound from the device AND from TV set - in stereo/surround of course.  Which may increase the sound experience to it's best. Additional mods: blue/red power led in the power switch, pause key on the back.

the painting looks great and will be based on a darth vader console.

be prepared to see some offers on local dealers/ebay within next months.

[zapiy]

Nice work fella..