MSX-Audio
Philips NMS-1205: FM SOUND SYNTHESIZER * SOUND SAMPLER * MIDI INTERFACE
|
Philips NMS-1205 Music Module (most common
MSX-Audio in Europe)
|
What's an MSX-Audio?
MSX-Audio is an FM sound synthesizer module
which contains an OPL1-compatible chip made by Yamaha.
Are there different kinds
of MSX-Audio modules?
There are 3 MSX-Audio cartridges as far I know:
What are the exact specs of Philips NMS 1205 MSX-Audio Module?
- YM-8950 YAMAHA OPL1 FM sound synthesizer. Produced in 1984.
- 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 (max. sampling rate is 16kHz, then you can get a
maximum of 4.6 s of sampling)
- 2 * mono output (L)
- Volume adjuster (Sample volume)
- When external microphone or line is connected the internal microphone is automatically disabled
- Connector for the optional music keyboard (NMS-1160). The connector is equal to the one in the Toshiba HX-MU900 module, but the pins are arranged
differently. So, a Toshiba KBD (HX-MU901) will not work with
the NMS-1205 module and the other way). There also some Commodore
keyboard that can be connected to the Music Module
- ROM (for MSX1, built in) with
FirmWare (Music BOX). It would start up automatically when MSX
turned ON, unless the [ESC] key was held down under start up. The
ROM contains a music program,
but it is not needed to use the Music Module. The Red Devil decided to get rid
of the FirmWare and get built in the POWER BASIC for the GFX9000
graphic card. All kinds of 32kB ROMs can be built in, though.
- For the rest: see above.
Which software does support the MSX-Audio?
- Almost all software which contains music composed in SoundTracker,
Moonblaster or Oracle (or Super Music Editor (for more info see the MSX-Music section), Magic Music Module
Combi, etc.). All these editors supports the ADPCM sample unit of the Philips
NMS-1205 MSX-Audio. Some even support the keyboard. Only FAC Soundtracker
supports the keyboard of the Toshiba cartridge. A future version of Moonblaster
for Moonsound will too.
- If you are a lucky owner of a Toshiba HX-MU900 module then you can
get built in the ADPCM sample unit. Contact your local club or MSX-CLUB
WEST FRIESLAND in Holland, the address is as follows:
MSX-Club West-Friesland
Rondeelstraat 25
1628 KH Hoorn
The Netherlands
Phone: +0229
270618/Fax: +0229 270618
- 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 or by downloading
the Audio ROM(somehow put it in an EPROM or something... Or use
emulators(?))
- 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
- 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
Are there any MSX emulators which support MSX-Audio?
As far I know, only the CJS MSX2 emulator (for PC) does support the MSX-Audio now
Where can I buy an MSX-Audio cartridge?
Since the MSX-Audio isn't produced
anymore it can only be acquired 2nd hand. Contact your local MSX
club or put an advertisement in the MSX
newsgroup or in your local MSX-(disk)-magazine.
You can also buy a Moonsound
card, and make it emulate the MSX-Audio, but then there will occur
a problem when the software tries to access the ADPCM sampler.
Since the Moonsound hasn't
got any ADPCM sample unit, some
software may not work properly or even not work at all. To
purchase a Moonsound module contact Sunrise
(their homepage).
Back to the FAQ's index!