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MSX-Audio
MSX-Audio is a standard for FM sound synthesizer cartridges, which contain an OPL-compatible chip made by Yamaha, the Y8950. This chip is called the MSX-AUDIO. The FM sound generator in the MSX-AUDIO is compatible with the YM3526 (OPL, sometimes called OPL1), so any OPL software can be used with an MSX-Audio. The chip was produced in 1984.
Specifications
- 9 channels of FM sound without drums or 6 channels of FM sound + FM drums.
- 8-bit ADPCM (Advanced Differential Pulse Code Modulation) sample unit. The maximum sampling rate is 16kHz
- Mono output.
Compared to the MSX-Music standard, all instruments can be used at any time. There is no limit that allows only one software instrument at the same time.
MSX-Audio cartridges
There are 3 MSX-Audio cartridges.
Philips NMS-1205 Music Module
- 32kB sampleRAM for the ADPCM unit
- MIDI interface (in/out/thru)
- Connector for music keyboard (NMS-1160)
- 2 cinch mono Audio-out connectors
- builtin microphone (mono)
- External microphone connector (mono). When external microphone or line is connected the internal microphone is automatically disabled
- Volume adjuster (Sample volume)
- Audio-in connector (mono, tulp, to sample from a "line"-source)
- Built in software (Music-BOX, CALL MUSICBOX)
- Only sold in Europe
Toshiba HX-MU900 MSX Music System
- connector for Toshiba HX-MU901 Music Keyboard
- NO built-in sampleRAM (which can be changed, see below)
- 2 cinch mono Audio-out connectors
- 32kB Synthe Music Editor built in program (CALL SYNTHE)
- Sold in Japan (and a very small number in Europe)
Panasonic FS-CA1 MSX-Audio
- the original MSX-Audio cartridge, fully implementing the MSX-Audio standard
- connector for Toshiba HX-MU901 Music Keyboard
- 4kB SRAM buffer for playing ADPCM samples
- 64kB sampleROM with ADPCM demo samples
- 2 cinch mono Audio-out connectors
- 1 big jack plug (microphone in)
- 1 switch to turn off the internal software
- 32kB Synthe Music Editor built in program (CALL SYNTHE)
- 32kB MSX Audio BIOS/BASIC (FM-BASIC is a simplified version of it, but this original BIOS doesn't cost you any user RAM); try CALL AUDIO
- Only sold in Japan.
Remarks: The keyboard connector on the NMS-1205 is equal to the one in the Toshiba HX-MU900 module, but the pins are arranged differently. So, a Toshiba one (HX-MU901) will not work with the NMS-1205 module and vice versa. There is also some Commodore keyboard that can be connected to the Music Module, though. In the Netherlands quite some of those are around, adapted by PTC for use with the Philips Music Module The ROM in the NMS-1205 starts up automatically when the MSX turned ON, unless the [ESC] key was pressed at start up. The ROM contains a music program, but it is not needed to use the Music Module. You can replace the ROM with any other kind of 32kB ROM.
Software support
Almost all software which contains music composed in SoundTracker, Moonblaster or Oracle (or Super Music Editor, see the MSX-Music section) or Magic Music Module Combi, etc.). All these editors support the ADPCM sample unit of the Philips NMS-1205 Music Module. Some even support the keyboard. Only FAC Soundtracker supports the keyboard of the Toshiba cartridge. If you own a Toshiba HX-MU900 module then you can get built in the ADPCM sample unit.
Other software which makes use of the ADPCM sampler. E.g. Trax Player by NOP (a program to play songs (samples) directly from disk, while loading). Very nice piece of software! You can find some songs recorded with TraxPlayer in FuNet FTP archive Most of the Disc Stations by Compile
Supports mainly the Panasonic MSX-Audio and since the Philips Module doesn't contain an Audio BASIC ROM the Compile software assumes there is no MSX-Audio present. But it can be fixed by typing POKE -54,35:POKE&HF346,1:_SYSTEM before you put a disk in the drive. Some of the MSX2/2+ disk games by Compile (look above what to do if you don't have a Panasonic MSX-Audio module): Golvellius II Gorby's Pipeline Rune Master II Actually, probably all Compile software that supports FM-PAC also supports MSX Audio Software which requires the 256kB of sample RAM. E.g. the demo Unknown Reality by NOP Contact MSX-Club West-Friesland or other local hardware people for an upgrade kit
Emulator support
The old CJS MSX2 emulator was the first one to support MSX-Audio. Later, more came. However, in 2001 Mitsutaka Okazaki wrote an Y8950 emulation engine, which is used in the newest MSX emulators. Fore more information, the MSX emulator section.
Modifications
On the Philips NMS-1205 Music Module replace R41 with a 27K resistor to increase the output volume to the same level as an FM-PAC. This comes in handy when playing Moonblaster stereo songs.