Audio

CD Audio Output

BlueSCSI can play the audio tracks from CD-ROM images (mixed-mode CDs and Red Book audio CDs) out to a real audio output. This needs an external DAC board, a firmware build that supports audio.

There are two paths depending on your board:

• BlueSCSI v2 (Pico based) uses an external S/PDIF adapter board wired to the Pico.
• BlueSCSI Ultra uses the Ultra Audio Board, which only works with Ultra.

BlueSCSI Ultra/Ultra Wide

BlueSCSI Ultra & Ultra Wide uses the dedicated Ultra Audio Board for I2S audio output. This board only works with Ultra and is not compatible with the Pico based BlueSCSI v2. Audio support is included in the Ultra build.

The audio connectors point the same direction as the SCSI connector:

BlueSCSI v2 (S/PDIF)

Note

This will work on any BlueSCSI rev even if it doesn't have a Qwiic connector, see wiring below.

Note

With v2 you can use either Audio OR Front Panel at the same time, not both. Upgrade to Ultra if you need both.

What you need

• A BlueSCSI v2 with a Pico 1/1W or Pico 2/2W module.
• The S/PDIF Qwiic adapter board available from most distributors.
  • Or wire up your own S/PDIF DAC.
• The Audio SPDIF firmware build for your Pico (see below).
• A S/PDIF capable amplifier or DAC.

0. The board

Input A

Use these connectors with the BlueSCSI Desktop 50 Pin hardware, version 2023.09a or later (including 2023.10a). Get a QWIIC cable and hook up to the port labeled QWIIC on your BlueSCSI.

Input B

Use these header pins with most other BlueSCSI hardware versions (including Desktop, PowerBook, DB25, and C50 - but not the Ultra series). You'll need to hook up the header pins to the correct points on your BlueSCSI as noted below.

Audio Out

• 3.5mm jack
• Standard CDROM
• Sound card

Power

Power is provided over the Inputs.

Warning

The Audio Out may look like a power connector, but it is not.

1. Flash the Audio SPDIF firmware

The standard Universal firmware does not output audio. Flash the matching Audio SPDIF build for your hardware:

Your Hardware	Firmware File
Pico 1/1W + DAC for SPDIF audio	BlueSCSI_Pico1_Audio_SPDIF_*.uf2 / .bin
Pico 2/2W + DAC for SPDIF audio	BlueSCSI_Pico2_Audio_SPDIF_*.uf2 / .bin

See Updating Firmware for how to flash.

NOTE: Use the Audio SPDIF firmware only when you have the DAC connected. It disables I2C support, which is used for OLED displays and Qwiic accessories.

2. Wire the S/PDIF adapter board

For BlueSCSI Desktop 50 Pin versions 2023.09a or later, just use a QWIIC cable.

The following is only necessary when using Input B as your audio source.

Make the following three connections between the BlueSCSI and the S/PDIF adapter board:

S/PDIF adapter board	BlueSCSI
S/PDIF In	Pico GPIO 17 (SCL) (S/PDIF output pin)
GND (one or both)	Any ground pin
+5V	VBUS on the Pico