Raspberry Pi Pico ZX Spectrum Microdrive Hardware Emulator (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZX_Microdrive)

Hardware emulation of 8 microdrives for the ZX Spectrum only (no plans to adapt this for the QL). Main features are:

• Supports all 8 Microdrives from one device
• Supports downstream real h/w Microdrives if you replace the level shifter with Schottky diodes, see 2nd circuit diagram below or GitHub for details
• OLED screen with buttons to navigate the menu - includes load, save & format cartridges as well as other options (see menu section below). No additional toolkits, software or connections needed as all managed from the menu
• FAT32 & exFAT supported Micro SD cards up to a theoretical 256TB (I've tested 2GB, 4GB and a lowly 64GB which can easily fit every Spectrum game and program ever made multiple times)
• Reset button just in case (also makes it easier to flash the Pico)
• Buzzer in case you like a buzzing sound to "simulate" the drive motor
• Includes a version of my Z80onMDR tool (https://github.com/TomDDG/Z80onMDR_lite) to make it easy to load Z80 & SNA snapshots on the fly. Very useful as not many actual Microdrives cartridges released commercially.
• Can copy the contents of a TAP to a blank Virtual Microdrive Cartridge
• Fully powered from the Spectrum & boots instantly
• Unfortunately you do still need an IF1 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZX_Interface_1)

Load up the SD card with all your favourite games and programs and enjoy hours of nostalgia with the blistering 15kB/sec transfer rate. Yes you can now load a game in a few seconds!

Quick short off it in action https://youtube.com/shorts/1t1uLbgz_Y4?feature=share

For full details of the project including BoM please see the GitHub site

* 8th Nov 2024 - I've updated the PCB to v1.4 which enables the addition of filter capacitors around the Traco. These help filter voltage spikes if using with an original PSU and also pushing in and pulling out the barrel jack to switch on/off (rather than using a switch)

* 1st Nov 2023 - I've updated the PCB to v1.3 which adds the ability to use OLEDs with GND & VCC reversed. It also extends the PCB edge on one side so you are no longer able to incorrectly connect a ribbon cable where you should be using the correct connector block when joining to a real h/w Microdrive.

* 27th Jan 2023 - I've updated the PCB to v1.2 which is purely a cosmetic change from v1.1 with the removal of the BOB level shifter.