Quazar
@samcoupe.com
Website: www.samcoupe.com
32yrs+ Developing for the British 8-bit SAM Coupé computer, doing what I can to keep this fantastic system alive with new hardware, software, repairs and 'SAM Revival' magazine!
(Also makes some peripherals for other systems.)
32yrs+ Developing for the British 8-bit SAM Coupé computer, doing what I can to keep this fantastic system alive with new hardware, software, repairs and 'SAM Revival' magazine!
(Also makes some peripherals for other systems.)
And I've also the little Commodore style PCB available as a pin badge! (Plus SAM Coupe and 16K/48K ZX Spectrum badges, and SAM Coupe keyrings too!)
Easy ordering with UK postage ->
www.samcoupe.com/quickshop.htm
Easy ordering with UK postage ->
www.samcoupe.com/quickshop.htm
December 26, 2025 at 8:58 PM
And I've also the little Commodore style PCB available as a pin badge! (Plus SAM Coupe and 16K/48K ZX Spectrum badges, and SAM Coupe keyrings too!)
Easy ordering with UK postage ->
www.samcoupe.com/quickshop.htm
Easy ordering with UK postage ->
www.samcoupe.com/quickshop.htm
🧵... And here's the first look at the updated v1.3 version of my SID Soundchip Interface for RC2014 and compatibles (inc. #SAMCoupe and #ZXSpectrum via RC Bus Interfaces!)
Just cosmetic change so it has a little PCB of a #C64 on the interface, to match the style of my SAA1099P Soundchip Interface!
Just cosmetic change so it has a little PCB of a #C64 on the interface, to match the style of my SAA1099P Soundchip Interface!
December 26, 2025 at 8:53 PM
🧵... And here's the first look at the updated v1.3 version of my SID Soundchip Interface for RC2014 and compatibles (inc. #SAMCoupe and #ZXSpectrum via RC Bus Interfaces!)
Just cosmetic change so it has a little PCB of a #C64 on the interface, to match the style of my SAA1099P Soundchip Interface!
Just cosmetic change so it has a little PCB of a #C64 on the interface, to match the style of my SAA1099P Soundchip Interface!
The two other styles of PCB pin badges: #Commodore and #SAMCoupe, plus the two styles of gold plated SAM Coupe PCB keyrings!
www.samcoupe.com/quickshop.htm
www.samcoupe.com/quickshop.htm
December 12, 2025 at 12:30 PM
The two other styles of PCB pin badges: #Commodore and #SAMCoupe, plus the two styles of gold plated SAM Coupe PCB keyrings!
www.samcoupe.com/quickshop.htm
www.samcoupe.com/quickshop.htm
Back in stock! 16K/48K ZX Spectrum style printed circuit board pin badges! All helps put a couple quid in the development kitty for new #retrocomputing stuff! www.samcoupe.com/quickshop.htm
(Badges also available in SAM Coupe and Commodore 64/16/VIC-20 styles too!)
#zxspectrum #samcoupe #commodore
(Badges also available in SAM Coupe and Commodore 64/16/VIC-20 styles too!)
#zxspectrum #samcoupe #commodore
December 12, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Back in stock! 16K/48K ZX Spectrum style printed circuit board pin badges! All helps put a couple quid in the development kitty for new #retrocomputing stuff! www.samcoupe.com/quickshop.htm
(Badges also available in SAM Coupe and Commodore 64/16/VIC-20 styles too!)
#zxspectrum #samcoupe #commodore
(Badges also available in SAM Coupe and Commodore 64/16/VIC-20 styles too!)
#zxspectrum #samcoupe #commodore
Graph / Squared paper was great fun as a kid drawing graphics for my #ZXSpectrum!
December 9, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Graph / Squared paper was great fun as a kid drawing graphics for my #ZXSpectrum!
On the ZX Spectrum the AY sits directly on the data bus, no latches or flip flops. For a Z80 bus, it's generally fine for at least 8MHz.
Other CPU buses then timings may be unsuitable, like how I had to latch data and have a slow trigger pulse for my SID Interfaces on Z80 systems.
Other CPU buses then timings may be unsuitable, like how I had to latch data and have a slow trigger pulse for my SID Interfaces on Z80 systems.
December 8, 2025 at 10:15 AM
On the ZX Spectrum the AY sits directly on the data bus, no latches or flip flops. For a Z80 bus, it's generally fine for at least 8MHz.
Other CPU buses then timings may be unsuitable, like how I had to latch data and have a slow trigger pulse for my SID Interfaces on Z80 systems.
Other CPU buses then timings may be unsuitable, like how I had to latch data and have a slow trigger pulse for my SID Interfaces on Z80 systems.
Thanks for the mention! The hardware I make for #RC2014 and compatibles is a mere fraction of the #retrocomputing stuff I do. My main work is for the #SAMCoupe computer (British Z80 based #8bit micro released in December 1989). 32+ years developing hardware, software and magazines.
www.samcoupe.com
www.samcoupe.com
December 7, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Thanks for the mention! The hardware I make for #RC2014 and compatibles is a mere fraction of the #retrocomputing stuff I do. My main work is for the #SAMCoupe computer (British Z80 based #8bit micro released in December 1989). 32+ years developing hardware, software and magazines.
www.samcoupe.com
www.samcoupe.com
Pssst... if you want more pages of SAM Coupe stuff to read, take a look at 'SAM Revival' magazine! Issue 9 onwards feature coverdisks of SAM software too! (Audio CD with issue 11 instead as it's a 'Sound on SAM' special).
www.samcoupe.com
www.samcoupe.com/quickshop.htm
www.samcoupe.com
www.samcoupe.com/quickshop.htm
December 5, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Pssst... if you want more pages of SAM Coupe stuff to read, take a look at 'SAM Revival' magazine! Issue 9 onwards feature coverdisks of SAM software too! (Audio CD with issue 11 instead as it's a 'Sound on SAM' special).
www.samcoupe.com
www.samcoupe.com/quickshop.htm
www.samcoupe.com
www.samcoupe.com/quickshop.htm
SAM City... 1 page of SAM Coupe news + reviews, plus 4 pages of SAMCo adverts/news. A nice read. SU also drops two mentions of Lemmings for SAM, it was one of the worst kept secrets but wasn't officially announced for another 18 months or so. We got both Lemmings and Oh No More Lemmings. #samcoupe
December 5, 2025 at 8:47 PM
SAM City... 1 page of SAM Coupe news + reviews, plus 4 pages of SAMCo adverts/news. A nice read. SU also drops two mentions of Lemmings for SAM, it was one of the worst kept secrets but wasn't officially announced for another 18 months or so. We got both Lemmings and Oh No More Lemmings. #samcoupe
I started with BASIC on the #ZXSpectrum 48K in May 1983, upgraded to a + case when the membrane failed. Then a +2 at launch in 1986. Moved to the #SAMCoupe in 1993, fab micro with a brilliant BASIC built in. And there I've stayed, still developing for it. Everything I do: www.samcoupe.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:45 PM
I started with BASIC on the #ZXSpectrum 48K in May 1983, upgraded to a + case when the membrane failed. Then a +2 at launch in 1986. Moved to the #SAMCoupe in 1993, fab micro with a brilliant BASIC built in. And there I've stayed, still developing for it. Everything I do: www.samcoupe.com
More community links to people's fab projects have been added to my site for the interfaces (below) that I make for #RC2014 & compatible systems.
2014.samcoupe.com
- ZX True Tone (ZXTT)
- SAA1099P Soundchip Interface
- ZX-RC and SAM-RC Bus Interfaces
- SID Soundchip Interface
- Graphic OLED
2014.samcoupe.com
- ZX True Tone (ZXTT)
- SAA1099P Soundchip Interface
- ZX-RC and SAM-RC Bus Interfaces
- SID Soundchip Interface
- Graphic OLED
December 5, 2025 at 11:56 AM
More community links to people's fab projects have been added to my site for the interfaces (below) that I make for #RC2014 & compatible systems.
2014.samcoupe.com
- ZX True Tone (ZXTT)
- SAA1099P Soundchip Interface
- ZX-RC and SAM-RC Bus Interfaces
- SID Soundchip Interface
- Graphic OLED
2014.samcoupe.com
- ZX True Tone (ZXTT)
- SAA1099P Soundchip Interface
- ZX-RC and SAM-RC Bus Interfaces
- SID Soundchip Interface
- Graphic OLED
Who else stared longingly at Programmers Wanted adverts in magazines or on cassette inlays in the 1980s? Always a dream back then to code games. As a kid with a ZX Spectrum I only tinkered with BASIC and game maker utilities, fearing that machine code would be impossible to learn.
#gamedev #indiedev
#gamedev #indiedev
December 5, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Bad press in SU for the Sinclair Interface 2 upon launch, but in recent times I became very interested in the ROM cartridge format and produced a cartridge that can hold 16 ROM images, which comes preflashed with two games and the ROM version of AGD.
My #zxspectrum hardware -> zx.samcoupe.com
My #zxspectrum hardware -> zx.samcoupe.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Bad press in SU for the Sinclair Interface 2 upon launch, but in recent times I became very interested in the ROM cartridge format and produced a cartridge that can hold 16 ROM images, which comes preflashed with two games and the ROM version of AGD.
My #zxspectrum hardware -> zx.samcoupe.com
My #zxspectrum hardware -> zx.samcoupe.com
The SAM Coupe has a great keyboard, 72 keys including function/number pad. As membranes fail I released full mechanical keyboards to give the ultimate replacement with a choice of keyswitch types. I also produced a 'Prototype Tribute' keyboard to give your #SAMCoupe a unique look. www.samcoupe.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:53 PM
The SAM Coupe has a great keyboard, 72 keys including function/number pad. As membranes fail I released full mechanical keyboards to give the ultimate replacement with a choice of keyswitch types. I also produced a 'Prototype Tribute' keyboard to give your #SAMCoupe a unique look. www.samcoupe.com
(1/2) A crap week or two has taken me away from the fun of #retrodev. I wasn't about to give any Black Friday offers so today & tomorrow (30th/1st) just drop me a message if you're after any of my products and I'll look to perhaps do free postage, throw in a freebie or knock a couple quid off.
...
...
November 30, 2025 at 9:28 AM
(1/2) A crap week or two has taken me away from the fun of #retrodev. I wasn't about to give any Black Friday offers so today & tomorrow (30th/1st) just drop me a message if you're after any of my products and I'll look to perhaps do free postage, throw in a freebie or knock a couple quid off.
...
...
We did have an officially licensed 'Manic Miner' on the SAM Coupe, which came out in late 1991 and was expanded to feature 60 caverns.
[Since 2004 MM features on the cover disk with SAM Revival 9 with permission of the copyright holders/designers of the SAM version.]
[Since 2004 MM features on the cover disk with SAM Revival 9 with permission of the copyright holders/designers of the SAM version.]
November 20, 2025 at 12:24 PM
We did have an officially licensed 'Manic Miner' on the SAM Coupe, which came out in late 1991 and was expanded to feature 60 caverns.
[Since 2004 MM features on the cover disk with SAM Revival 9 with permission of the copyright holders/designers of the SAM version.]
[Since 2004 MM features on the cover disk with SAM Revival 9 with permission of the copyright holders/designers of the SAM version.]
Cool to see your VIC-20 game map there! I've often thought about porting some of my games to other platforms, with Money Bags being the ideal candidate for the VIC-20, as I'd also be able to get it to run via the cartridge interface I released to use VIC carts under emulation on SAM.
November 20, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Cool to see your VIC-20 game map there! I've often thought about porting some of my games to other platforms, with Money Bags being the ideal candidate for the VIC-20, as I'd also be able to get it to run via the cartridge interface I released to use VIC carts under emulation on SAM.
Amazing stuff, so much detail! How far did you get with the game?
I've only drawn one proper map on paper, before moving to designing solely on computer for the sequels. The deisgn sketch for 'Money Bags' which I coded for the SAM Coupe in 1996...
I've only drawn one proper map on paper, before moving to designing solely on computer for the sequels. The deisgn sketch for 'Money Bags' which I coded for the SAM Coupe in 1996...
November 20, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Amazing stuff, so much detail! How far did you get with the game?
I've only drawn one proper map on paper, before moving to designing solely on computer for the sequels. The deisgn sketch for 'Money Bags' which I coded for the SAM Coupe in 1996...
I've only drawn one proper map on paper, before moving to designing solely on computer for the sequels. The deisgn sketch for 'Money Bags' which I coded for the SAM Coupe in 1996...
Yeap, V1.2 upgrade for 1.1 and 1.0 Trinities will double the SD card read/write speeds. It's available for £16.99 + postage + return of original chip.
🌐 www.samcoupe.com/quickshop.htm
🌐 www.samcoupe.com/quickshop.htm
November 16, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Yeap, V1.2 upgrade for 1.1 and 1.0 Trinities will double the SD card read/write speeds. It's available for £16.99 + postage + return of original chip.
🌐 www.samcoupe.com/quickshop.htm
🌐 www.samcoupe.com/quickshop.htm
Looks like @flatduckrecords.co.uk is enjoying the Retro Computer Festival 2025 in Cambridge. How many attempts to get your high score? 😜 Gutted I wasn't able to attend this year.
Re: SAM Coupe badge he's wearing, grab that and other computer styled designs here... www.samcoupe.com/quickshop.htm 😉
Re: SAM Coupe badge he's wearing, grab that and other computer styled designs here... www.samcoupe.com/quickshop.htm 😉
November 16, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Looks like @flatduckrecords.co.uk is enjoying the Retro Computer Festival 2025 in Cambridge. How many attempts to get your high score? 😜 Gutted I wasn't able to attend this year.
Re: SAM Coupe badge he's wearing, grab that and other computer styled designs here... www.samcoupe.com/quickshop.htm 😉
Re: SAM Coupe badge he's wearing, grab that and other computer styled designs here... www.samcoupe.com/quickshop.htm 😉
I'm having a bit of a clear out with a few auctions up on eBay...
A #ZXSpectrum 48K issue 3 motherboard (comp vid modded):
- www.ebay.co.uk/itm/11687566...
Interface 2 for ZX Spectrum:
- www.ebay.co.uk/itm/11687567...
Some #SAMCoupe literature/manuals:
- www.ebay.co.uk/itm/11687562...
A #ZXSpectrum 48K issue 3 motherboard (comp vid modded):
- www.ebay.co.uk/itm/11687566...
Interface 2 for ZX Spectrum:
- www.ebay.co.uk/itm/11687567...
Some #SAMCoupe literature/manuals:
- www.ebay.co.uk/itm/11687562...
November 12, 2025 at 7:52 PM
I'm having a bit of a clear out with a few auctions up on eBay...
A #ZXSpectrum 48K issue 3 motherboard (comp vid modded):
- www.ebay.co.uk/itm/11687566...
Interface 2 for ZX Spectrum:
- www.ebay.co.uk/itm/11687567...
Some #SAMCoupe literature/manuals:
- www.ebay.co.uk/itm/11687562...
A #ZXSpectrum 48K issue 3 motherboard (comp vid modded):
- www.ebay.co.uk/itm/11687566...
Interface 2 for ZX Spectrum:
- www.ebay.co.uk/itm/11687567...
Some #SAMCoupe literature/manuals:
- www.ebay.co.uk/itm/11687562...
the Centre for Computing History, Cambridge looks in detail at Sound on the SAM, with an audio CD exploring everything.
My SAA1099P Soundchip Interface, for RC2014 and compatible hardware, brings the SAM's soundchip to other Z80 based platforms. Will be fun to see what people can do with it!
My SAA1099P Soundchip Interface, for RC2014 and compatible hardware, brings the SAM's soundchip to other Z80 based platforms. Will be fun to see what people can do with it!
![Quazar Surround soundcard for the SAM Coupe - latest edition [2024]. First released back in 1995 giving the SAM multichannel digital audio in surround.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6kdn5pfeg2fyhsjofq6oi26c/bafkreie6tg35wnsgdxmmtxumxsreluuhvj5l7lgvtbq7s3mdkxo3mhryla@jpeg)
November 12, 2025 at 6:37 PM
the Centre for Computing History, Cambridge looks in detail at Sound on the SAM, with an audio CD exploring everything.
My SAA1099P Soundchip Interface, for RC2014 and compatible hardware, brings the SAM's soundchip to other Z80 based platforms. Will be fun to see what people can do with it!
My SAA1099P Soundchip Interface, for RC2014 and compatible hardware, brings the SAM's soundchip to other Z80 based platforms. Will be fun to see what people can do with it!
Fun to see more SAA1099P soundchip tinkering by @flatduckrecords.co.uk, converting an example from the #SAMCoupe manual to the #ZXSpectrum.
Interfaces in use on his speccy:
- SAA1099P Interface for RC2014+compatibles
- ZX-RC Bus Interface
Info/Buy: 2014.samcoupe.com
[2 SAA in stock at the mo!]
Interfaces in use on his speccy:
- SAA1099P Interface for RC2014+compatibles
- ZX-RC Bus Interface
Info/Buy: 2014.samcoupe.com
[2 SAA in stock at the mo!]
November 11, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Fun to see more SAA1099P soundchip tinkering by @flatduckrecords.co.uk, converting an example from the #SAMCoupe manual to the #ZXSpectrum.
Interfaces in use on his speccy:
- SAA1099P Interface for RC2014+compatibles
- ZX-RC Bus Interface
Info/Buy: 2014.samcoupe.com
[2 SAA in stock at the mo!]
Interfaces in use on his speccy:
- SAA1099P Interface for RC2014+compatibles
- ZX-RC Bus Interface
Info/Buy: 2014.samcoupe.com
[2 SAA in stock at the mo!]
In October 2020 I released an adapter to use the 8580 SID Soundchip in place of the 6581 SID. Useful to use the other type of SID in your Commodore 64 'breadbin', or with my SID interfaces for Z80 systems (for SAM Coupe and RC2014). Info / Buy: 8580.samcoupe.com
#commodore #c64 #soundchip #chiptune
#commodore #c64 #soundchip #chiptune
November 11, 2025 at 5:04 PM
In October 2020 I released an adapter to use the 8580 SID Soundchip in place of the 6581 SID. Useful to use the other type of SID in your Commodore 64 'breadbin', or with my SID interfaces for Z80 systems (for SAM Coupe and RC2014). Info / Buy: 8580.samcoupe.com
#commodore #c64 #soundchip #chiptune
#commodore #c64 #soundchip #chiptune
(4/5) With the theme of this years Festival being #Gaming it would have been great to be there to talk about all my #GameDev on the SAM Coupe computer.
If you're curious to read about the SAM Coupe, perhaps try an issue of 'SAM Revival' magazine...
www.samcoupe.com/quickshop.htm
If you're curious to read about the SAM Coupe, perhaps try an issue of 'SAM Revival' magazine...
www.samcoupe.com/quickshop.htm
November 11, 2025 at 10:51 AM
(4/5) With the theme of this years Festival being #Gaming it would have been great to be there to talk about all my #GameDev on the SAM Coupe computer.
If you're curious to read about the SAM Coupe, perhaps try an issue of 'SAM Revival' magazine...
www.samcoupe.com/quickshop.htm
If you're curious to read about the SAM Coupe, perhaps try an issue of 'SAM Revival' magazine...
www.samcoupe.com/quickshop.htm