Description
Explore the world of mid 80s music synthesis sound chips – Yamaha’s YM2413 OPLL (FM synthesis) as used in the MSX-MUSIC standard.
What is it?
This is a kit based around the YM2413 OPLL (FM synthesis) sound chip, and designed to be compatible with the MSX-MUSIC standard. Add the amazing advanced music generation of Yamaha’s OPLL (FM synthesis) YM2413 chip to your RC2014 build, and propel your ears into the new era of 80’s sounds.
The OPLL was especially made for the MSX system. It provides 9 channels of FM sound without drums or 6 channels FM sound with 5 FM drums.
The OPLL was also used in Sega Mark III and the Japanese Sega Master System, as well as in arcade machines by SNK and Alpha Denshi, and in a range of Yamaha keyboards.
The chip supports one user-defined instrument and fifteen read-only hard-coded instrument profiles (violin, guitar, piano, flute, clarinet, oboe, trumpet, organ, horn, synthesizer, harpsichord, vibraphone, synthesizer bass, acoustic bass and electric guitar). The IC can operate either as nine channels of melodic instruments or six melodic channels and five hard-coded percussion instruments (high hat, top cymbal, and tom tom, snare and bass drums).
When paired with the RC2014/RCBus MSX modules and the Stegosaur ROM Slot 3-1 Module, your system will have the ability to run many MSX music tracker applications or compatible games. (Without the ROM Module, you can still use a patched version of VGMPLAY.COM to play vgm and vgz files).
When installed in a conventional RomWBW based RC2014/RCBus system, using the patched version of vgmplay, you can additional vgm music files for the YM2143 chip.
Key features
- Yamaha’s YM2413 OPLL (FM synthesis) music chip
- Pseudo stereo output with the Melody (MO) and Rhythm (RO) outputs spread across the left and right channels
- 3.5mm stereo socket to mix in the audio from the MSX Game module
Key difference with Yellow MSX RGB
| Description | Yellow MSX Version | Green Stegosaur Version |
|---|---|---|
| Audio Output | Mono signal via stereo 3.5mm connector | Melody (MO) and Rhythm (RO) outputs spread across the left and right channels |
| Passthrough input | mono only via 2 pin header | stereo mix via 3.5mm socket |
| Audio Quality | Lower top frequency | Brighter sound, with a higher top frequency roll-off and reduced digital noise |
| MSX Support | On board MSX-MUSIC ROM | Requires additional ROM Card for full MSX Support |
| Clock Source | On board clock | Requires external clock source, supplied via RC2014/RCBus’s CLK1 or CLK2 lane* |
| PCB Height | 8.0 cm | 5.5 cm |
| Colour | Yellow | Green |
* Unlike the Yellow MSX Music module, this module will not work unless you configure your system’s clock generator to produce an appropriate clock signal. The RC2014 Dual Clock Module, or similar can be configured to output a ~3.6Mhz clock onto the 2nd Clock lane. In MSX configuration it is expected that CLK1 will be set to the standard 3.6Mhz frequency.
What’s included?
This base kit includes the usual main components (PCB, capacitors, IC sockets, connectors, and the ICs)
A tested YM2413 can be optionally included or you can source your own.
The optional short 3.5mm audio cable is supplied to connect to the MSX Game Modules’s output and passthrough and mix with the Music module.
What else do I need?
This module can work in a standard RC2014/RCBus RomWBW bootable system, or a MSX configured bootable system.
You need an external powered speaker to hear the audio. It is recommended to use stereo speakers to enjoy the stereo mix.
The connecting 3.5mm cable must be the 3 pole stereo type.
Product Details
For full product description, construction notes and other help – please see the main guide page at: https://www.dinoboards.com.au/stegosaur/music/
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