Uploaded October 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The Macintosh, the wonder computer of 1984, had no sound input. It's an understandable omission, as sound input wasn't a common feature to be built into computers at the time, and 128K of RAM would be a limiting factor (remember, you have to be able to load Mac OS and the sound recorder application in memory, too). But with the release of the 512K and Plus, and multimedia applications such as HyperCard, it was only a matter of time before users would want a way to record their own sounds.
Enter Farallon Computing. Their release of the MacRecorder Sound System in 1988 finally let users record their own sounds at a sampling rate of 22,256 Hz, using the serial port on their Macintosh.
Eventually, Apple would start adding audio input to Macintoshes, rendering the MacRecorder obsolete. But there's something about the nostalgia of using real hardware... if only for it's sometimes hard to find these days.
The TashRecorder is a compatible clone of the MacRecorder that works with original software. Thanks to a PCB group buy by @1BitFeverDreams, I have a set of PCBs to build one. So what am I waiting for?
Will I successfully build it? Will I find a compatible Mac in my collection for testing? Will I record some funny sounds with it? You'll have to watch to find out!
Links for following along:
TinkerDifferent: tinkerdifferent.com/threads/tashrecorder-a-farallon-macrecorder-compatible-clone.3632
GitHub: github.com/lampmerchant/tashrecorder
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... or simply do the YouTube things: Like/Dislike, Comment, Subscribe, Enable Notifications, and participate in the Chat. These things help the channel, too!
**
Read Computerized Start™, my Official Blog: jdmcs.net/myblog
Follow me on Instagram: jdmcs.net/myinstagram
Follow me on Twitter: jdmcs.net/mytwitter
The Macintosh, the wonder computer of 1984, had no sound input. It's an understandable omission, as sound input wasn't a common feature to be built into computers at the time, and 128K of RAM would be a limiting factor (remember, you have to be able to load Mac OS and the sound recorder application in memory, too). But with the release of the 512K and Plus, and multimedia applications such as HyperCard, it was only a matter of time before users would want a way to record their own sounds.
Enter Farallon Computing. Their release of the MacRecorder Sound System in 1988 finally let users record their own sounds at a sampling rate of 22,256 Hz, using the serial port on their Macintosh.
Eventually, Apple would start adding audio input to Macintoshes, rendering the MacRecorder obsolete. But there's something about the nostalgia of using real hardware... if only for it's sometimes hard to find these days.
The TashRecorder is a compatible clone of the MacRecorder that works with original software. Thanks to a PCB group buy by @1BitFeverDreams, I have a set of PCBs to build one. So what am I waiting for?
Will I successfully build it? Will I find a compatible Mac in my collection for testing? Will I record some funny sounds with it? You'll have to watch to find out!
Links for following along:
TinkerDifferent: tinkerdifferent.com/threads/tashrecorder-a-farallon-macrecorder-compatible-clone.3632
GitHub: github.com/lampmerchant/tashrecorder
*
Use discount code JUSTINTIME for for 5% off all Computerized Start™ merchandise at https://shop.jdmcs.com.
*
Ways to Support the Channel:
☕️ Tips or Support via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/jdmcs
🈷️ Support me on Patreon: patreon.com/jdmcs
📦 Amazon Wishlist: jdmcs.net/wishlist
... or simply do the YouTube things: Like/Dislike, Comment, Subscribe, Enable Notifications, and participate in the Chat. These things help the channel, too!
**
Read Computerized Start™, my Official Blog: jdmcs.net/myblog
Follow me on Instagram: jdmcs.net/myinstagram
Follow me on Twitter: jdmcs.net/mytwitter
![This Apple ][ Plus Clone Seems SUS... #vintagecomputing](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FYu2PFcMUts/mqdefault.jpg "This Apple ][ Plus Clone Seems SUS... #vintagecomputing
I have @adriansdigitalbasements Dead Test and a Character ROM installed, and something still seems SUS with the Apple ][ Plus clone motherboard I bought on eBay.")
![Its COMPUTER Week: Replacing All the Sockets in My MCA Apple ][+ Clone (Computerized Start™ Live)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FhiYmRam4-I/mqdefault.jpg "Its COMPUTER Week: Replacing All the Sockets in My MCA Apple ][+ Clone (Computerized Start™ Live)
Last time I had COMPUTER on the bench, I had trouble with the IC sockets that I had bought for the job. Specifically, those sockets have a tendency to let solder wick up into the contacts (especially when using extra flux), rendering the socket useless. I believe that is because some of those sockets dont have sealed bottoms.
COMPUTER has been waiting patiently for another day in the spotlight. That time is this week, as I now have a supply of name-brand sockets for COMPUTER. And the data sheets for all the sockets I bought specifically mention sealed bottom construction. Hopefully this means I can use extra flux when needed.
Will the name-brand sockets work as described, or will I get solder in the contacts? Will I cause even more trace damage? Will Clarus the Desoldering Station hold out? Youll have to watch to find out!
*
Use discount code JUSTINTIME for for 5% off all Computerized Start™ merchandise at https://shop.jdmcs.com.
*
Ways to Support the Channel:
☕️ Tips or Support via Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/jdmcs
🈷️ Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jdmcs
📦 Amazon Wishlist: https://jdmcs.net/wishlist
... or simply do the YouTube things: Like/Dislike, Comment, Subscribe, Enable Notifications, and participate in the Chat. These things help the channel, too!
**
Read Computerized Start™, my Official Blog: https://jdmcs.net/myblog
Follow me on Instagram: https://jdmcs.net/myinstagram
Follow me on Twitter: https://jdmcs.net/mytwitter")
![COMPUTER Mission: Possible... My MCA Apple ][+ Clone is Close to Working! (Computerized Start™ Live)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GS9Z20oby5Q/mqdefault.jpg "COMPUTER Mission: Possible... My MCA Apple ][+ Clone is Close to Working! (Computerized Start™ Live)
Last week, I finished installing new sockets into COMPUTER, my MCA Apple ][+ Clone, and then put all the logic chips back into place. I thought it would just power up, and it did, but it looked like the processor was not running code.
I put a modified Applesoft ROM Card into the system, which is hard-wired to boot Adrian Blacks memory test ROM, and the memory test did start to run. However, it would always crash soon thereafter. Seems like theres a problem in the memory section of the motherboard...
Thanks to having a second clone motherboard which is in working condition, I have a motherboard to test the RAM chips in to make sure they are all good. I can also check the chips responsible for addressing and accessing memory - one or more may be bad. But most importantly, this feels like Mission: Possible at this point!
Will COMPUTER boot? How many more bad chips will I add to the collection of bad chips from COMPUTER? Will I get to play a game? Youll have to watch to find out!
*
Use discount code JUSTINTIME for for 5% off all Computerized Start™ merchandise at https://shop.jdmcs.com.
*
Ways to Support the Channel:
☕️ Tips or Support via Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/jdmcs
🈷️ Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jdmcs
📦 Amazon Wishlist: https://jdmcs.net/wishlist
... or simply do the YouTube things: Like/Dislike, Comment, Subscribe, Enable Notifications, and participate in the Chat. These things help the channel, too!
**
Read Computerized Start™, my Official Blog: https://jdmcs.net/myblog
Follow me on Instagram: https://jdmcs.net/myinstagram
Follow me on Twitter: https://jdmcs.net/mytwitter")
