# External Connectors of the CPC and CPC+

# Printer Port

CPC (edge)

Connector Type: 34 way 0.1" (2.54mm) P.C.B. edge

German CPC/Schneider CPC

Connector Type: 34-way Centronics female

Pin | Function | Input/Output
--- | --- | ---
1 | /STROBE | Output
2 | D0 | Output
3 | D1 | Output
4 | D2 | Output
5 | D3 | Output
6 | D4 | Output
7 | D5 | Output
8 | D6 | Output
9 | GND | -
10 | N.C. | -
11 | BUSY | Input
12 | N.C. | -
13 | N.C. | -
14 | GND | -
15 | N.C. | -
16 | N.C. | -
17 | N.C. | -
18 | N.C. | -
19 | GND | -
20 | GND | -
21 | GND | -
22 | GND | -
23 | GND | -
24 | GND | -
25 | GND | -
26 | GND | -
27 | GND | -
28 | GND | -
29 | N.C. | -
30 | N.C. | -
31 | N.C. | -
32 | N.C. | -
33 | GND | -
34 | N.C. | -
35 | N.C. | -

CPC+

Connector Type: 25-way D-type female

Pin | Function | Input/Output
--- | --- | ---
1 | /STROBE | Output
2 | D0 | Output
3 | D1 | Output
4 | D2 | Output
5 | D3 | Output
6 | D4 | Output
7 | D5 | Output
8 | D6 | Output
9 | D7 | Output
10 | N.C. | -
11 | BUSY | Input
12 | N.C. | -
13 | N.C. | -
14 | N.C. | -
15 | N.C. | -
16 | +5v | -
17 | GND | -
18 | GND | -
19 | GND | -
20 | GND | -
21 | GND | -
22 | GND | -
23 | GND | -
24 | GND | -
25 | GND | -

Notes

- BUSY is connected to bit 6 of PPI port B.
- CPC can only send 6-bit data. D7 is GND.
- On CPC+, bit 3 of CRTC register 12 (MA10) defines the state of D7.
- The printer port is accessed using a I/O write and A12="0". The table below shows the correspondance between data written and signal:

  Bit | Signal
  --- | ---
  7 | /STROBE
  6 | D6
  5 | D5
  4 | D4
  3 | D3
  2 | D2
  1 | D1
  0 | D0

- /STROBE is inverted by the CPC/CPC+ hardware. When Bit 7 is written as "0", /STROBE will be "1". When bit 7 is written as "0", /STROBE will be "1".

## Aux Socket (CPC+ only)

Connector Type: six contacts, six position FCC68 telephone socket

Pin | Function | Input/Output
--- | --- | ---
1 | +5v | -
2 | Common | -
3 | L.pen | Input
4 | Fire 2 | Input
5 | Fire 1 | Input
6 | Gnd | -

Notes:

- This connector is used to connect a light-pen or light-gun to the CPC+
- L.Pen is the same as the L.PEN signal at the expansion connector

# Digital Joystick Connector (CPC)

Connector type: 9-pin D-Type male.

Pin | Function | Input/Output
--- | --- | ---
1 | Up | Input
2 | Down | Input
3 | Left | Input
4 | Right | Input
5 | Fire 3 | Input
6 | Fire 2 | Input
7 | Fire 1 | Input
8 | Common 1 | -
9 | Common 2 | -

Notes:

- Common 1 and Common 2 can't be accessed through software. Common 1 is used to select Joystick 1 and Common 2 is used to select Joystick 2.
- Two joysticks can be connected to this single port if a joystick splitter lead is used. Common 1 and Common 2 are used to select the joystick and the state of the selected joystick (directions and fire button states) is available at connections 1-7.
- As far as I know the signals are read-only.
- It is possible to use this port as a general purpose input port.
- The joystick port is connected to the keyboard matrix and can be read in the same way as reading the keyboard.

# Analogue joystick connectors

Connector type: 15-pin D-type female.

Pin | Function
--- | ---
1 | Gnd
2 | Fire 1
3 | X1
4 | Com 1
5 | +5v
6 | Y1
7 | Fire 2
8 | Gnd
9 | Gnd
10 | Fire 1
11 | X2
12 | Com 2
13 | Y2
14 | Fire 2
15 | Gnd

# Stereo Sound connector

Connector Type: 3.5mm stereo socket

The sound channels (A,B and C) from the AY-3-8912 IC are mixed to produce two audio channels which are available at the stereo socket.

The channels are mixed as follows:

Channel | Audio Output Channel
--- | ---
A | Left Only
B | Left & Right
C | Right Only

# Monitor Connector

CPC

Connector type: 6-pin DIN female.

Pin | Function | Input/Output
--- | --- | ---
1 | Red | Output
2 | Green | Output
3 | Blue | Output
4 | Composite Sync | Output
5 | Gnd | -
6 | Luminance | Output

PLUS

Connector type: 8-pin DIN female.

Pin | Function | Input/Output
--- | --- | ---
1 | Composite Sync | Output
2 | Green | Output
3 | Luminance | Output
4 | Red | Output
5 | Blue | Output
6 | Left Audio Channel | Output
7 | Right Audio Channel | Output
8 | Gnd | -

Note:

- Red, Green and Blue are analogue outputs
- Composite Sync is generated from Horizontal and Vertical Sync signals
- Luminance is a signal
- Red, Green, Blue, Composite Sync and Gnd are the only signals required for a colour display. (e.g. Amstrad CTM640 and CTM644 monitors)
- Luminance, Composite Sync and Gnd are the only signals required for a black/white or green-screen display. (e.g. Amstrad GT64 and GT65 monitors).
- Left and Right Audio channel are the same as the signals available on the CPC Stereo connector.

# Cassette recorder connector

This connector is available on the CPC464, CPC664, CPC6128 and 464 plus.

Connector type: 5-pin DIN female.

Pin | Function | Input/Output
--- | --- | ---
1 | Remote | Output (note 3 & 4)
2 | Gnd | -
3 | Remote | Output (note 3 & 4)
4 | Data In | Input (note 3 & 4)
5 | Data Out | Output (note 3 & 4)

Notes:

- The "Remote" signal is used to control the cassette player motor.
- The signals can be accessed through software:
  - "Remote" is connected to bit 4 of PPI port C.
  - "Data In" is connected to bit 7 of PPI port B.
  - "Data Out" is connected to bit 5 of PPI port C.
- On the CPC it is possible to use "Remote", "Data In" and "Data Out" as general purpose input/output signals through clever programming of the PPI.
- On the CPC+, which does not have a true PPI, "Remote" and "Data Out" can only be used for output, and "Data In" can only be used as input. (TO BE CONFIRMED!)

# Expansion Connector

CPC

Connector Type: 50-way 0.1" (2.54mm) edge

German CPC/Schneider CPC

Connector Type: 50-way Centronics female

CPC+

Connector Type: 50-way Centronics female

Pin Number | Pin Signal | Input/Output
--- | --- | ---
1 | Sound | Output
2 | Gnd | -
| 3 | A15 | Output
4 | A14 | Output
5 | A13 | Output
6 | A12 | Output
7 | A11 | Output
8 | A10 | Output
9 | A9 | Output
10 | A8 | Output
11 | A7 | Output
12 | A6 | Output
13 | A5 | Output
14 | A4 | Output
15 | A3 | Output
16 | A2 | Output
17 | A1 | Output
18 | A0 | Output
19 | D7 | Input/Output
20 | D6 | Input/Output
21 | D5 | Input/Output
22 | D4 | Input/Output
23 | D3 | Input/Output
24 | D2 | Input/Output
25 | D1 | Input/Output
26 | D0 | Input/Output
27 | +5v | -
28 | /MREQ | Output
29 | /M1 | Output
30 | /RFSH | Output
31 | /IORQ | Output
32 | /RD | Output
33 | /WR | Output
34 | /HALT | Output
35 | /INT | Input
36 | /NMI | Input
37 | /BUSRQ | Input
38 | /BUSAK | Output
39 | /WAIT (READY) | Input
40 | /BUS RESET | Input
41 | /RESET | Input
42 | /ROMEN | Output
43 | ROMDIS | Input
44 | /RAMRD | Output
45 | RAMDIS | Input
46 | CURSOR | Output
47 | L.PEN | Input
48 | /EXP | Input (note 1)
49 | Gnd | -
50 | φ (4Mhz clock) | -

Notes:

- This signal can be re-programmed as a input by using the PPI

# Disc Drive 2 Connector (CPC664/6128/CPC6128+)

CPC

Connector Type: 34-way 0.1" (2.54mm) edge connector

German CPC/Schneider CPC

Connector Type: 34-way Centronics socket (female)

Pin | Function | Input/Output
--- | --- | ---
1 | READY | Input
2 | GND | -
3 | SIDE SELECT | Output
4 | GND | -
5 | READ DATA | Input
6 | GND | -
7 | WRITE PROTECT | Input
8 | GND | -
9 | TRACK 0 | Input
10 | GND | -
11 | WRITE GATE | Output
12 | GND | -
13 | WRITE DATA | Output
14 | GND | -
15 | STEP | Output
16 | GND | -
17 | DIRECTION SELECT | Output
18 | GND | -
19 | MOTOR ON | Output
20 | GND | -
21 | N.C. | -
22 | GND | -
23 | DRIVE SELECT 1 | Output
24 | GND | -
25 | DRIVE SELECT 0 | Output
26 | GND | -
27 | INDEX | Input
28 | GND | -
29 | N.C. | -
30 | GND | -
31 | N.C. | -
32 | GND | -
33 | N.C. | -
34 | GND | -

CPC+

Connector Type: 36-way Centronics female

Pin | Function | Input/Output
--- | --- | ---
1 | N.C. | -
2 | GND | -
3 | N.C. | -
4 | GND | -
5 | N.C. | -
6 | GND | -
7 | INDEX | -
8 | GND | -
9 | N.C. | -
10 | GND | -
11 | DRIVE 1 SELECT | Output
12 | GND | -
13 | N.C. | -
14 | GND | -
15 | MOTOR ON | Output
16 | GND | -
17 | DIRECTION STEP | Output
18 | GND | -
19 | STEP | Output
20 | GND | -
21 | WRITE DATA | Output
22 | GND | -
23 | WRITE GATE | Output
24 | GND | -
25 | TRACK 0 | Input
26 | GND | -
27 | WRITE PROTECT | Input
28 | GND | -
29 | READ DATA | Input
30 | GND | -
31 | SIDE 1 SELECT | Output
32 | GND | -
33 | READY | Input
34 | GND | -
35 | N.C. | -
36 | GND | -