Greetings Mechanical Music Digest,  I started to lay out a board for
the MIDster because I am giving up my perforator (started but not
finished) and wanted to get it working with hardware and software.

Since the perforator has multiple punch capability, I decided to write
my own software instead.  I am making it compatible with existing
parallel port interface boards.  There are many available and the cost
to buy one will be less than having the boards made and purchasing the
components.

I do not remember the details of the MIDster right now but I would
be surprised if it couldn't be easily interfaced with a ready-made
parallel port board.  http://pmdx.com/ makes a few boards.  The 122 is
what I will be using.  I recommend looking at this before rolling one's
own.

One thing that I do remember is that only one version of the MIDster
punch outputs step and direction signals for the motors.  I don't
remember which of the status, control and data bits are used.  There
might be a conflict with the PMDX board if all the data bits are used
for the stepper as there may not be appropriate bits for the punch
control.

Best regards,
Spencer Chase
http://www.spencerserolls.com/