MegaTap Interface

4 PSX pads with one LPT

updated 04/06/99

04/06/99

Moved the Megatap Interface here. I have added connection info for the memory card slots. Hopefully this will be supported by Lars Ole Dybdal's PSX Game Edit... I'll have to ask him.

I have also modified the PSU section, as it would seem that memory cards expect a 3v5 supply and will therefore not enjoy 5v too much... also the 9v rail is really supposed to be 7v6 so that's changed too... probably means you'll want to fit the psu inside the Megatap case now and just leave the DC input socket inside the DB25 shell - which is what I'll do if I ever get round to updating my interface.

Finally, a note for those of you who for some reason are trying to build 5 pad interfaces, the ATT wire of the 5th pad should go to the next data pin of the parallel port, D6 - pin 8... and if you felt like it you could really go over the top & add a sixth pad, with its ATT hooked up to D7 - pin 9. DpadPro won't support it at the moment though, AFAIK.

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12/04/99
MegaTap Interface... 4 PSX pads with one LPT

Just prior to embarking on the N64 interface project I bought myself a second PSX dual-shock pad, so's I could indulge in some dual-player force-feedback gaming. The extension cable I had was not wired for Dual-Shock power, so I bought a MultiTap adapter and gutted it (I had no idea how the PSX talked to the MultiTap, and I don't think the interface works with pads in "analog mode", so the electronics were of no use to me).

Before I started re-wiring it, I realised that an opportunity had been missed with the DpadPro dual controller circuit, as it would have been relatively easy to add support for up to 5 pads through the same LPT. One quick email to Earle later, I had a new copy of DpadPro with support for all the pads I wanted.

The circuit below is not for the beginner (so don't mail me about it!), as it's got a lot of wires - if you feel brave, why not try it - it works for me. You will have to check the "MegaTap" box on the Advanced panel of DPadPro. Thanks again Earle!

I recommend fitting capacitors (22uF, 25V) as shown in the photo, soldered directly on to the pins of the sockets inside the "MegaTap". I have not drawn them in the schematic to avoid confusion.

This circuit needs more power than the LPT can supply on it's own so you'll need a proper power supply. I fitted the circuit below inside the DB25 hood... no honestly, I did!

The two regulators were superglued on top of each other front-to-front, so's to take up less room. Pinout of the regulators is shown in the other pic. The funny couple of rectangles on the LHS of the schematic are supposed to represent a 2.1mm DC power socket, center-pin negative. I don't think I fitted the capacitor (22uF, 25V) as there was no room, but it's a good idea...

zoom in

For more info on the PSX pad & memory-card interface, try this comprehensive document.