MSX-Audio

Philips NMS-1205 Music Module (most common MSX-Audio in Europe)

What's an 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.

The general characteristics of the chip:

• 9 channels of FM sound without drums or 6 channels of FM sound + FM drums.
• 8-bit ADPCM (Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation) sample unit. The maximum sampling rate is 16kHz, then you can get a maximum of 4.6 s of sampling when the standard 32kB of sample RAM is in the cartridge. It is easy to expand the amount of sample RAM to 256kB though.
• mono output.
• compared to the MSX-Music standard: all instuments can be used at any time; there is not that stupid limit that we all hated in the MSX-Music, allowing you to choose only one of the instruments marked with a "*" on the manual. No boring asterisks on the MSX-Audio, just fun. :)

Are there different kinds of MSX-Audio modules?

There are 3 MSX-Audio cartridges as far I know:

• Philips NMS-1205 Music Module
  • 32kB sampleRAM for the ADPCM unit
  • MIDI interface (in/out/thru)
  • connector for music keyboard (NMS-1160)
  • 2 tulp 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 tulp 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 tulp 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.

What software supports the MSX-Audio?

• 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. Contact your local club or MSX-CLUB West Friesland in the Netherlands, the address is as follows:
    MSX-Club West-Friesland
    Rondeelstraat 25
    1628 KH Hoorn
    The Netherlands
    Phone: +0229 270618/Fax: +0229 270618
    e-mail: :baskornalijnslijper@zonnet.nl
    
• 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

Are there any MSX emulators which support MSX-Audio?

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.

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; some software that uses only the OPL(1) part of the MSX-AUDIO will work with it. Software that tries to access the ADPCM sampler will not work, because the MoonSound hasn't got any ADPCM sample unit.

I have a Philips Music Module with the NMS-1160 keyboard. Can I use this keyboard as a MIDI keyboard on my PC?

No. The keyboard is merely a bunch of keys and resistors. All the MIDI stuff is inside the Philips Music Module. You can use an MSX with Music Module and keyboard as MIDI device though. You then need a program that reads the keyboard touches (no need to remind you that the keyboad is not touch/velocity sensitive!) via the Music Module and then sends the appropriate MIDI data through the Music Module's MIDI interface.