hi Steve,

thanx for the reply.

so:
as far as i can tell, connection-wise, there should be 4 pins connecting the PIC and the chipcorder.

from the PIC: RB4/5/6/7 (pins # 10-13).
from the ISD: SS, SCLK, MOSI, MISO (pins # 1,2,3, 28).

could you (or anyone else) verify that from your knowledge or experience?

also, the non-programmer that i am, I want to use JAL to do the coding. I've used it sporadically before, but never with the microcontroller AND a sound chip. would anyone have suggestions/shortcuts/no-no's before i sink in?

thanks again, and try to stay in high places :-O
eyal.