Contents |
Description
Computer
The Yamaha computers were specifically targeted at music and sound production, and as such were regarded by many as non-standard MSX machines. However, they are in fact standard MSX computers and can be used as such.
The CX7M/128 was aimed at the Japanese market and features a Japanese keyboard. It is a full MSX2 while the corresponding Yamaha CX5MII machines for the international market are MSX1 with the MSX2 VDP.
The CX7M/128 has been localised
- for the Russian market - see Yamaha YIS-503IIIR - without the mini-slot
- for the Arabic countries - see Sakhr AX-350 and Sakhr AX-350II - without the mini-slot and the module slot
| Brand | Yamaha |
| Model | CX7M/128 |
| Year | 1985 |
| Region | Japan |
| Launch price | ¥128,000 |
| RAM | 128kB (in slot 3-2) |
| VRAM | 128kB |
| Media | MSX cartridges, side slot modules |
| Video | Yamaha V9938 |
| Audio | PSG (YM2149 integrated in MSX-Engine S3527), SFG, MIDI |
| Chipset | Yamaha S3527 |
| Keyboard layout | QWERTY/JP50on |
| Extras | Reset button, 60 pin module port, mini cartridge port, FM module SFG-05, YRM-502 FM Voicing Program II |
| Emulation | Emulated, but based on CX7/128 machine. Needs validation. See this thread for details |
Applications
This machine was sold with a FM module SFG-05 plugged into side slot. From BASIC, the synthesizer can be launched with CALL MUSIC or _MUSIC.
It has also a mini cartridge YRM-502 FM Voicing Program II. From BASIC, this sound editor can be started with CALL FMV or _FMV. Contrary to the first version of this software, only available as cartridge (YRM-102), this second version has support for loading from/saving to disk.
When you are in the sound editor, you can go to the synthesizer by entering MU. To go back to the FM Voicing Program, you need to press ESC in the synthesizer firmware.
Pictures
Computer
SFG-05
YRM-502
Specifications
The CX7M/128 is a MSX2 with a Z80A from Sharp (LH0080A) and an MSX-Engine S3527 from Yamaha.
This model can be easily upgraded internally because RAM and VRAM are on separate boards with a connector, you just need to change the corresponding board.
The mini slot allows to add software.
Slot Map
| Slot 0 | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3-0 | Slot 3-1 | Slot 3-2 | Slot 3-3 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page C000h~FFFFh | Cartridge Slot 1 | Cartridge Slot 2 | Mini Cartridge Slot | 128kB Memory Mapper | Module Slot | |||||
| Page 8000h~BFFFh | ||||||||||
| Page 4000h~7FFFh | Main-ROM | |||||||||
| Page 0000h~3FFFh | Sub-ROM |
- By default the Mini-Cartridge slot contains a FM Voicing Program II cartridge (YRM-502) from 4000-7FFF
- By default the Module Slot contains a SFG-05 module from 0000-7FFF
Connections
- RGB output
- RF output
- Analog sound & Composite video
- Data Recorder connector
- Centronics compatible Parallel port for a printer
- 2 general connectors (Joysticks, Mice, Paddle controllers, etc)
- 2 cartridge slots
- 1 module slot (left side, 60 pin connector)
- 1 mini cartridge slot
- Music keyboard connector (via SFG-05 module)
- MIDI IN/OUT (via SFG-05 module)
- Audio out stereo L/R (via SFG-05 module)
Links
- http://www.cx5m.net/ (Now the site is broken only some files still online), Archived version (2019 version, some files are missing), Another mirror (file-hunter.com)
- Yamaha CX7M/128 on Generation-MSX
- Info about the CX7M/128 (Japanese) - archived version