The USBSID-Pico Features Two SIDs and Multiple Inputs at the 2026 Retrocomputing Competition. [LouD]’s USBSID-Pico project pairs a duo of the C64’s legendary MOS SID sound chips with a Raspberry Pi Pico, connecting vintage chips to modern hardware, and those who wish can also set up the project with a hardware SID alternative. The control options are listed as follows: – USB (CDC/WebUSB/WebSerial) – MIDI – ASID (a protocol that carries SID register data over MIDI)
Although cycle-accurate emulation is possible with the RP2040, some argue that the real chip’s imperfections produce a distinctive timbre that emulators lack. The project holds Open Source Hardware certification. It particularly fits the retro-modern category in the ongoing retrocomputing competition. If PAL/NTSC differences are not taken into account, sounds can end up out of tune. The MOS 6581 has not been manufactured for decades, but modern alternatives are available.
Why it matters
The fact that the MOS 6581 has not been manufactured for decades means that the remaining original chips are steadily dwindling; bridge projects like this one extend the lifespan of the chips for the community that keeps C64 music and the chiptune scene alive. The fact that the project can be set up with the real chip or with a modern hardware SID alternative instead of emulation gives users a choice in the debate over whether emulators can capture the distinctive timbre. The open source hardware certification shows that the design can be manufactured and further developed by others. The fact that the PAL/NTSC difference can lead to tuning problems, meanwhile, reminds those who take up the project that they need to heed regional standards. Its place in the competition shows that retro-modern hardware combinations remain a vibrant field in hobbyist communities.
Background
Pico is not a new name in the FikirPilot archive: we published a story featuring this name in the last 90 days; that article is dated September 25, 2026.