Master System:SMSFM: Difference between revisions

From ConsoleMods Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
 
(7 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 3: Line 3:
== Description ==
== Description ==


In Japan, the Sega Mark III (the original guise of the Master System) received an FM Sound Unit accessory, which contained a Yamaha YM2413 FM synthesizer chip that added enhanced audio to games which were compatible with it. The FM Sound Unit was also built into the [[Master System:Master System Model Differences#Master System (MK-2000, Japan) (1987-1988)|Japanese version of the international Master System]]. However, Sega never added the YM2413 to any SMS hardware outside of Japan or even to the later Genesis/Mega Drive, meaning that these games would be stuck with PSG audio on non-Japanese hardware.
In Japan, the Sega Mark III (the original guise of the Master System) received an FM Sound Unit accessory, which contained a Yamaha YM2413 FM synthesizer chip that added enhanced audio to games which were compatible with it. The FM Sound Unit was also built into the [[Master System:Master System Model Differences#Master System (MK-2000, Japan) (1987-1988)|Japanese version of the international Master System]]. However, Sega never added the YM2413 to any SMS hardware outside of Japan or even to the later Genesis/Mega Drive, meaning that these games would be stuck with PSG audio on non-Japanese and 16-bit hardware.


The SMSFM board changes that and allows for FM sound to be heard on non-Japanese hardware for the first time. It is largely based on the FM Sound Unit, but has some additional features. Beginning with the 2.0 revision introduced in 2013, the SMSFM board also has the ability to change the host console's region between English and Japanese, necessary for FM sound on ''Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap'' to function. The SMSFM board can also be turned off if one prefers PSG audio for certain games, and for games which do not function if they detect an FM unit (i.e. '''Wanted''', '''Walter Payton Football''')
The SMSFM board changes that and allows for FM sound to be heard on non-Japanese hardware for the first time. It is largely based on the FM Sound Unit, but has some additional features. Beginning with the 2.0 revision introduced in 2013, the SMSFM board also has the ability to change the host console's region between English and Japanese, necessary for FM sound on ''Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap'' to function. The SMSFM board can also be turned off if one prefers PSG audio for certain games, and for games which do not function if they detect an FM unit (i.e. ''Wanted'', ''Walter Payton Football'').
 
SMSFM boards up to and including version 2.2 used variations of the Yamaha YM2413, with the 1.x boards using a through-hole YM2413 and the 2.x boards using the SMD YM2413B-F. As of 2024, the SMSFM uses the UM3567, a mostly compatible clone of the YM2413 which uses a different chip package.<ref>https://www.msxpro.com/fm.html</ref> This change was implemented with version 3.0.


== Materials and Tools Required ==
== Materials and Tools Required ==
Line 21: Line 23:


=== Model 1 ===
=== Model 1 ===
See the [http://etim.net.au/smsfm/smsfm.html official written documentation].
See [[Master System:Model 1 SMS SMSFM Installation|this guide]] or the [http://etim.net.au/smsfm/smsfm.html official written documentation].


=== Sega Master System II ===
=== Sega Master System II ===
See the [http://etim.net.au/smsfm/smsfm.html official written documentation].
See [[Master System:SMS II SMSFM Installation|this guide]] or the [http://etim.net.au/smsfm/smsfm.html official written documentation].


=== TecToy Master System/Master System II ===
=== TecToy Master System/Master System II ===
See the [http://etim.net.au/smsfm/smsfm.html official written documentation].
See [[Master System:Model 1 SMS SMSFM Installation#TecToy Master System and Master System II|this guide]] or the [http://etim.net.au/smsfm/smsfm.html official written documentation].


=== TecToy Master System III Compact ===
=== TecToy Master System III Compact ===
Line 33: Line 35:


=== Sega Mark III ===
=== Sega Mark III ===
<nowiki>*</nowiki>To be written*
See [[Master System:Mark III SMSFM Installation|this guide]] for further information.


=== Genesis/Mega Drive ===
=== Genesis/Mega Drive ===
Line 43: Line 45:
* [https://www.smspower.org/forums/10470-FMSoundUpgrade SMS Power thread showing initial development of the SMSFM]
* [https://www.smspower.org/forums/10470-FMSoundUpgrade SMS Power thread showing initial development of the SMSFM]
* [https://www.smspower.org/forums/10841-SMSFMSoundExpansionBoardsAvailableNow Original SMS Power thread]
* [https://www.smspower.org/forums/10841-SMSFMSoundExpansionBoardsAvailableNow Original SMS Power thread]
== References ==


[[Category:Master System]]
[[Category:Master System]]
[[Category:Audio Mods]]

Latest revision as of 18:55, 10 July 2024

The Sega Master System FM Expansion Board, or SMSFM for short, is a modification board designed by Tim Worthington which adds FM audio capability to a western Master System console.

Description

In Japan, the Sega Mark III (the original guise of the Master System) received an FM Sound Unit accessory, which contained a Yamaha YM2413 FM synthesizer chip that added enhanced audio to games which were compatible with it. The FM Sound Unit was also built into the Japanese version of the international Master System. However, Sega never added the YM2413 to any SMS hardware outside of Japan or even to the later Genesis/Mega Drive, meaning that these games would be stuck with PSG audio on non-Japanese and 16-bit hardware.

The SMSFM board changes that and allows for FM sound to be heard on non-Japanese hardware for the first time. It is largely based on the FM Sound Unit, but has some additional features. Beginning with the 2.0 revision introduced in 2013, the SMSFM board also has the ability to change the host console's region between English and Japanese, necessary for FM sound on Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap to function. The SMSFM board can also be turned off if one prefers PSG audio for certain games, and for games which do not function if they detect an FM unit (i.e. Wanted, Walter Payton Football).

SMSFM boards up to and including version 2.2 used variations of the Yamaha YM2413, with the 1.x boards using a through-hole YM2413 and the 2.x boards using the SMD YM2413B-F. As of 2024, the SMSFM uses the UM3567, a mostly compatible clone of the YM2413 which uses a different chip package.[1] This change was implemented with version 3.0.

Materials and Tools Required

  • JIS/Phillips head screwdriver
  • Soldering iron
  • Desoldering braid or desoldering gun
  • Leaded solder
  • Flux (not required but recommended)
  • Wire
  • Wire cutters and stripper
  • Flush cutters
  • Drill with step bits

Installation

Model 1

See this guide or the official written documentation.

Sega Master System II

See this guide or the official written documentation.

TecToy Master System/Master System II

See this guide or the official written documentation.

TecToy Master System III Compact

*To be written*

Sega Mark III

See this guide for further information.

Genesis/Mega Drive

*To be written*

Links

References