MoonSound

MoonSound is a high-quality 16-bit wave table and FM soundcard for MSX computers, based on the Yamaha OPL4 standard.

Moonsound cartridge

Specifications

• Yamaha OPL4 sound processor (YMF-278B-F)
• 100% OPL1/OPL2/OPL3 compatible (note: the MSX-Audio is also OPL1 compatible, so MSX-Audio software that doesn't use the MSX-Audio ADPCM part can be used on the MoonSound)
• OPL4 is an independent CPU with it's own memory so even a `slow' 3,5 MHz MSX computer is able to replay high quality samples with minimum of CPU power
• Wave table part: 24 PCM channels (stereo: adjustable in 16 steps for each channel; replay frequency up to 44.1kHz)
• Replay of 8-bit, 12-bit or 16-bit data
• 128kB SRAM for own samples, upgradable upto 2MB of SRAM
• FM synthesizer
  • 18 2-operator FM channels
  • 15 2-operator FM channels + 5 FM drums
  • 6 4-operator FM channels + 6 2-operator FM channels
  • 6 4-operator FM channels + 3 2-operator FM channels + 5 FM drums
• 2MB wave table ROM (Yamaha YRW-801) with (approx.) 330 samples, mostly 22kHz 12-bit
• Compatibility with the General MIDI standard (128 melody sounds and 47 percussion sounds)
• Socket (stereo mini jack) for stereo output

Different versions of the MoonSound were made. MoonSound V1.0 has 128kB SRAM and no socket for a 2nd SRAM IC. Also the output connector in this first series is on a different place; on top of the cartridge.

MoonSound V1.1 and V1.2 have 128kB SRAM (in a socket) and a socket for a 2nd SRAM IC. This can either be a 128kB SRAM chip (Part number: SONY CXK581000AP, Memory Capacity: 1M-bit, Function: (128k × 8-bit) LL, Access: 70 ns, Pins: 32, Package: DIP) or a 512kB SRAM chip (Part number: HITACHI HM628512LP-7, Memory Capacity: 4M-bit, Access: 70 ns, Pins: 32, Package: DIP). In this version the output connector is on the right side of the cartridge.

The MoonSound comes with a cable (mini jack to 2 × cinch; stereo) to connect it to a speaker. Also a black & white manual and the Moonblaster software is included.

Software

Various software is available for the MoonSound. The package comes with Moonblaster for Moonsound in an FM and a Wave version.

Moonblaster for MoonSound Wave V1.x

• Supports 24 wave channels
• MSX-DOS2 compatible (256kB RAM required)
• Harddisk installable
• Requires at least MSX2 with 128kB RAM and 128kB VRAM and SS floppy disk drive
• R800 compatible

Moonblaster for MoonSound FM V1.X

• Supports 18 2-operator FM channels or 6 4-operator FM channels + 6 2-operator FM channels + 6 wave channels
• MSX-DOS2 comaptible (256kB RAM required)
• Harddisk installable
• Requires at least MSX2 with 128kB RAM and 128kB VRAM and SS loppy disk drive
• R800 compatible

Both programs resemble Moonblaster V1.4 for MSX-Music/MSX-Audio.

MOD players

The MoonSound can play Amiga 4 channel MOD files. The following programs are able to replay .MOD files:

• MMP.COM - MoonSofts MOD player for MoonSound V1.11 (1995)
• NMP.COM - NOP's MOD player for MoonSound V1.0 (1995)
  • Requires 128kB RAM with DOS1 or 256kB RAM with DOS2
  • Harddisk installable
  • Mouse/Keyboard controlled
  • GUI
  • Many MOD Commands and options supported
• MPCOM8.COM - NOP's/Yobi's 8 channel MOD-player (NOP's replayer improved by Yobi)! For MSX-DOS(2).

MIDI players

The MoonSound can play MIDI data. You can capture MIDI data from a MIDI-in port and send it to the OPL4 which replays it. Programs that can do this:

• Midi2Opl4 - Version 0.6 - Date 01/22/97, made by Erik Maas. It uses the MIDI-interface of the Philips NMS-1205 Music Module. Plays data from MIDI-in port directly on MoonSound. Requirements:
  • MSX2 computer with 64kB RAM
  • 16kB VRAM
  • SS disk drive
  • MoonSound cartridge
  • Philips NMS-1205 (MSX-Audio cartridge)
  • MIDI cable.

• Meridian. Meridian now also has MoonSound support.

MWM and MFM players

The following MBWave replayers are available:

• wavedrv.lzh - Moonblaster Wave driver for MoonSound by Marcel Delorme 2001. The official MBWave replayer by the authors of MBWave. Replays files made in MBWAVE 0.92 until the newest version. There's also a DOS2 TSR version available.
• opl4repl.lzh - .MWM MBWAVE replayer V1.03c for MoonSound by Edwin v/d Heide 1997. Press [I] in the replayer to get the Info screen. Requirements and features:
  • MSX2 computer, 128kB RAM, 128kB VRAM and SS floppy disk drive
  • Works on Harddisk too after executing [MAP.COM] - [map.com]
  • Autoload of [.MWK] sample files
  • Possibility of disk change (re-read of the floppy disk)
  • Shuffle play
  • Adjustable fader
  • VU-meter
  • Real time status screen over all 24 wave channels (Nice feature!)