Looking for: Yamaha SCA-01

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By madscient

Master (193)

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30-11-2015, 00:48

SCA-01 is known as RS-232C interface adapter, it's almost correct.
However, originally, it was made as a CAPTAIN terminal adaptor, so it contained also FM sound generator and terminal software.

I want to know what kind of FM sound generator was included in it.
Likely it was OPL or OPL2, since SCA-01 was released at 1986.

https://twitter.com/madscient/status/558678793301131265/photo/1

Is there anyone who knows that?

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By Grauw

Ascended (10699)

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30-11-2015, 01:15

Curious! More likely it was the YM2151 OPM since that’s the sound chip Yamaha used in its SFG-01, SFG-05 and a few less common other related side slot modules. If you find it let us know!

By NYYRIKKI

Enlighted (6016)

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30-11-2015, 01:26

If this cartridge is meant for turning normal MSX2 in to NTT CAPTAIN, then I think there must be MSX-MUSIC inside.

By madscient

Master (193)

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30-11-2015, 02:21

@NYYRIKKI
MSX-MUSIC was released at 1988, and OPLL was at 1987, both are later than SCA-01.
So I think those were not there at that time.

Possibility of MSX-AUDIO which was also specified for CAPTAIN, will be excluded due to the implementation size.

By madscient

Master (193)

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30-11-2015, 02:47

I guess the combination of LSI in SCA-01 was very similar to SFG-01.
Ie, OPL/OPL2(instead of OPM), YM3014(instead of YM3012), MKS(or simple UART), and program roms.
Then, I think it has fit in Yamaha Side Slot module.

By madscient

Master (193)

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30-11-2015, 05:55

@Grauw:
CAPTAIN spec required 5 rhythm sound and 6 melody sound polyphony, OPM couldn't comply with that.
Therefore, I think almost there is no possibility of OPM.

By madscient

Master (193)

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30-11-2015, 06:39

FYI: Translation of the picture I shown in the beginning:
(Right column)
SCA-01 MSX CAPTAIN adapter unit ... 40,000JPY
MD-01 CAPTAIN modem ... 98,000JPY

You can use CAPTAIN system service by adding SCA-01 and MD-01 on your YIS604/128.
The terminal complies CAPTAIN home terminal spec "Rank 2", that supports encoded text and picture, and bitmapped picture.
Also includes non-volatile memory which can be registered up to 32 service No. and index No.
Additionally, includes melody functionality which can play the sound info, with FM sound generator (CAPTAIN spec).
Downloaded info can be printed out, and saved on FD.

By madscient

Master (193)

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30-11-2015, 06:51

Suspected possibilities are, OPL, OPL2, OPLL(early type?), or other unknown chip.
As I said above, it's likely OPL or OPL2, but I want to make sure.

I have never seen real SCA-01 even in Japan, so it might be so hard to find.
But I hope someone will find it somewhere, sometime...

By Piter Punk

Master (228)

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30-11-2015, 07:05

@madscient

I have some CAPTAIN terminals of different models here. They are from 1986, 1987 (x2) and 1988; the one from 1986 didn't have any sound output (i could re-open it later to take a better look, but it doesn't have sound output connectors). The other three uses YM2413 as sound source.

By Grauw

Ascended (10699)

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30-11-2015, 10:18

Very interesting! I wonder what I/O port they use, or maybe memory-mapped I/O? I don’t imagine these comply to the MSX-MUSIC standard...?

By Piter Punk

Master (228)

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30-11-2015, 15:09

Grauw wrote:

Very interesting! I wonder what I/O port they use, or maybe memory-mapped I/O? I don’t imagine these comply to the MSX-MUSIC standard...?

Those CAPTAIN terminals that I have aren't MSX machines. So, your imagination was right about MSX-MUSIC compatibility.

Talking about SCA-1, if third party companies had released products with the YM2413 in 1987, I guess the Yamaha designers could have access to this IC before and release something using it in 1986

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