Master System:FM Audio Information: Difference between revisions

From ConsoleMods Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
 
(14 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Category:RetroRGB Migration WIP]]
[[File:SEGAFMSoundUnit.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The Sega Mark III FM Sound Unit; not pictured is the attached 5-pin DIN pigtail cable which connects to the Mark III's AV out]]


ApolloBoy
The Sega Mark III was a console launched in Japan in 1985 that was the initial version of the [[Master System:Master System Mods Wiki|Sega Master System]] hardware. It was essentially a heavily upgraded [[SG-1000:SG-1000 Mods Wiki|SG-1000]], featuring a new graphics chip and increased RAM. However, the Mark III still used a derivative of the Texas Instruments SN76489 PSG chip used in that earlier console, which was beginning to show its age by 1985. To rectify this, Sega released an audio expansion in 1987 known as the '''FM Sound Unit''', which connected to the Mark III's expansion port and mixed the console's audio signal via a 5-pin DIN cable. This expansion was based around a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_YM2413 Yamaha YM2413] FM synthesizer chip, which was also utilized in several arcade games, consumer-level music keyboards, teletext terminals and an MSX audio expansion. Though this chip massively expanded the Mark III's audio capabilities, it was not as sophisticated as the YM2612 later used in the [[Genesis: Genesis Mods Wiki|Sega Genesis/Mega Drive]] and was not fully programmable in terms of instrument patches. Sega would incorporate the FM Sound Unit into the Japanese release of the Sega Master System later in 1987, but did not release it outside of Japan nor did they incorporate the YM2413 into the Genesis/Mega Drive hardware.


[[File:SEGAFMSoundUnit.jpg]]
== Supported Games ==
 
= History =
 
The Sega Mark III was a console launched in Japan in 1985 that was the initial version of the [[Master System:Master System Mods Wiki|Sega Master System]] hardware. It was essentially a heavily upgraded [[SG-1000:SG-1000 Mods Wiki|SG-1000]], featuring a new graphics chip and increased RAM. However, the Mark III still used a derivative of the Texas Instruments SN76489 PSG chip used in that earlier console, which was beginning to show its age by 1985. To rectify this, Sega released an audio expansion in 1987 known as the '''FM Sound Unit''', which connected to the Mark III's expansion port and mixed the console's audio signal via a 5-pin DIN cable. This expansion was based around a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_YM2413 Yamaha YM2413] FM synthesizer chip, which was also utilized in several arcade games, consumer-level music keyboards and an MSX audio expansion. Though this chip massively expanded the Mark III's audio capabilities, it was not as sophisticated as the YM2612 later used in the [[Genesis: Genesis Mods Wiki|Sega Genesis/Mega Drive]] and was not fully programmable in terms of instrument patches.
 
 
= Supported Games =


A large number of games released from 1987 to 1989 feature FM audio capability, even on Western releases despite the FM Sound Unit never being released or featured in any hardware outside of Japan. This is because Sega used the same ROM file for these games across regions, so the FM audio code remained intact.
A large number of games released from 1987 to 1989 feature FM audio capability, even on Western releases despite the FM Sound Unit never being released or featured in any hardware outside of Japan. This is because Sega used the same ROM file for these games across regions, so the FM audio code remained intact.


 
=== Officially Supported ===
== Officially Supported ==
[[Image:Fmlogo.png|right|thumb|200px|In Japan, Sega used this logo on game boxes to show that the game supported the FM Sound Unit.]]
 
These are games which were released in Japan and explicitly advertised support for the FM Sound Unit. The international versions of these games also still retain FM support with a couple of exceptions.
These are games which were released in Japan and explicitly advertised support for the FM Sound Unit. The international versions of these games also still retain FM support with a couple of exceptions.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
| After Burner || Megumi Rescue
|-
| Alex Kidd BMX Trial || Miracle Warriors/Haja no Fuuin
|-
| Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars || Nekkyuu Koushien
|-
| Alien Syndrome || Out Run
|-
| Aztec Adventure/Nazca '88 || Parlour Games/Family Games
|-
| Blade Eagle 3-D ||  Penguin Land
|-
| Bomber Raid || Phantasy Star*
|-
|-
| After Burner || Golvellius: Valley of Doom || R-Type
| Captain Silver || Power Strike/Aleste
|-
|-
| Alex Kidd: BMX Trial || Great Golf/Masters Golf ||  
| Cyborg Hunter/Chouon Senshi Borgman || R-Type
|-
|-
| Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars || Hoshi o Sagashite... || Example
| Double Dragon || Shinobi
|-
|-
| Alien Syndrome || Kenseiden || Example
| Fantasy Zone II || Solomon no Kagi
|-
|-
| Aztec Adventure/Nazca '88 || Lord of the Sword || Example
| Fantasy Zone: The Maze/Opa Opa || Space Harrier 3-D
|-
|-
| Blade Eagle 3D || Maze Hunter 3-D/Maze Walker || Example
| Galactic Protector || SpellCaster/Kujaku Ou
|-
|-
| Bomber Raid || Megumi Rescue || Example
| Global Defense/SDI || Super Racing
|-
|-
| Captain Silver || Miracle Warriors || Example
| Golvellius: Valley of Doom || Tensai Bakabon
| -
| Cyborg Hunter/Chouon Senshi Borgman || Out Run || Example
|-
|-
| Double Dragon || Parlour Games/Family Games || Example
| Great Golf/Masters Golf || Thunder Blade
|-
|-
| Fantasy Zone II || Penguin Land || Example
| Hoshi wo Sagashite... || Wonder Boy in Monster Land/Super Wonder Boy Monster World
|-
|-
| Fantasy Zone: The Maze || Phantasy Star (JP only) || Example
| Kenseiden || Ys*
|-
|-
| Galactic Protector || Power Strike/Aleste ||  
| Lord of the Sword || Zaxxon 3-D
|-
| Maze Hunter 3-D/Maze Walker || Zillion II: The Tri Formation
|}
|}


<small><nowiki>*</nowiki>: Only the Japanese versions of these games featured FM audio; the international versions stripped out the FM audio code in order to make room for translated text during the localization process.</small>


=== Unofficial Support ===


**Supported Games:**
These are games which will support a detected FM Sound Unit, but this was not explicitly advertised as these games were released outside Japan where the FM audio hardware was unreleased. This is likely because these games used a common sound driver which supported both FM and PSG audio. A few of these games had Japanese releases planned, but these never went through due to Sega discontinuing the Mark III/Master System there early in 1989.


<table border="0" width="634" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><colgroup><col width="176"> <col width="249"> <col width="209"> </colgroup><tbody><tr><td width="176" height="20">After Burner</td><td width="249">Game Box Série Esportes Radicais</td><td width="209">R-Type</td></tr><tr><td height="20">Alex Kidd: BMX Trial</td><td>Game Box Série Lutas</td><td>Rampage</td></tr><tr><td height="20">Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars</td><td>Golvellius: Valley of Doom</td><td>Rastan</td></tr><tr><td height="20">Alien Syndrome</td><td>Great Golf</td><td>Rescue Mission</td></tr><tr><td height="20">Altered Beast</td><td>Hoshi o sagashite...</td><td>Scramble Spirits</td></tr><tr><td height="20">Aztec Adventure</td><td>Kenseiden</td><td>SDI: Strategic Defense Initiative</td></tr><tr><td height="20">Blade Eagle 3-D</td><td>Lord of the Sword</td><td>Shinobi</td></tr><tr><td height="20">Bomber Raid</td><td>Maze Hunter 3-D</td><td>Solomon's Key</td></tr><tr><td height="20">California Games</td><td>Megumi Rescue</td><td>Space Harrier 3-D</td></tr><tr><td height="20">Captain Silver</td><td>Miracle Warriors: Seal of the Dark Lord</td><td>SpellCaster</td></tr><tr><td height="20">Casino Games</td><td>Mônica no Castelo do Dragão</td><td>ThunderBlade</td></tr><tr><td height="20">Chōonsenshi Borgman</td><td>Out Run 3-D</td><td>Turma da Mônica em: O Resgate</td></tr><tr><td height="20">Cloud Master</td><td>OutRun</td><td>Ultima IV</td></tr><tr><td height="20">Double Dragon</td><td>Parlour Games</td><td>Wonder Boy in Monster Land</td></tr><tr><td height="20">Fantasy Zone II</td><td>Penguin Land</td><td>Ys: The Vanished Omens</td></tr><tr><td height="20">Fantasy Zone: The Maze</td><td>Phantasy Star</td><td>Zaxxon 3-D</td></tr><tr><td height="20">Galactic Protector</td><td>Poseidon Wars 3-D</td><td>Zillion 2: Tri Formation</td></tr><tr><td height="20">Galaxy Force</td><td>Power Strike</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
{| class="wikitable"
 
| Altered Beast
**Examples:**
|-
 
| California Games
\[iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KCFopaltnQQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""\]
|-
 
| Casino Games
**Play SMS Games with FM Sound**
|-
 
| Cloud Master
There are a few methods that allow you to play your SMS games on original hardware with FM sound.  Some require console modifications and others do not:
|-
 
| Galaxy Force
**Install an FM Sound chip into an SMS:**
|-
 
| Game Box Série Esportes Radicais
Tim Worthington sells an FM kit that you can install in your SMS.  Installation in an SMS 1 is pretty easy, as it can plug directly into the expansion port in back, requiring only a few wires to be soldered.  A full internal installation (required for an SMS 2) is also available, but a bit more complicated.  There have also been reports of people installing this kit into a Power Base Converter, or even a Genesis itself, but no instructions for that are available:  [http://etim.net.au/smsfm/smsfm.html http://etim.net.au/smsfm/smsfm.html]
|-
 
| Golfamania
**Original Carts on Original hardware:**
|-
| Mônica no Castelo do Dragão
|-
| Out Run 3-D
|-
| Poseidon Wars 3-D
|-
| Rampage
|-
| Rastan
|-
| Rescue Mission
|-
| Scramble Spirits
|-
| Shanghai
|-
| Summer Games
|-
| Tennis Ace
|-
| Time Soldiers
|-
| Turma da Mônica em: O Resgate (console must be Japanese)
|-
| Ultima IV
|-
| Vigilante
|-
| Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap (console must be Japanese)
|}


****Power Base FM**** The Power Base FM allows you to play all your FM Sound-compatible SMS games on a Genesis (or Mega Drive) without _any_ modification to your system. This will also work with SMS [romcarts.html ROM Carts], such as the Master Everdrive:  [https://stoneagegamer.com/powerbase-mini-fm.html?afmc=retrorgb https://stoneagegamer.com/powerbase-mini-fm.html?afmc=retrorgb]
== FM Audio on Real Hardware ==


**MK-2000** If you'd like to sue original SMS hardware, you can get a Japanese Master System model MK-2000 (not Mark III). The Japanese Master System had the FM sound chip, as well as the 3D glasses adapter and the rapid fire module built directly into the console!  The only problem is Japanese Master System cartridges are a different size than the ones released in the rest of the world, so you'll need an adapter to play SMS games on them. Luckily, there are a few available and I've tested these two:
There are several methods that allow you to play your SMS games on original hardware with FM sound.  Some require console modifications and others do not:


[http://www.aliexpress.com/item/SMS2SG1000-Sega-Master-System-U-S-Version-to-Sega-MARK-II-Japanese-Version-Adapter/1161566569.html?cn=null&PID=6149980&tp1=165i01b2tfexm&tracelog=null&src=ale&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aliexpress.com%2Fitem%2FSMS2SG1000-Sega-Master-System-U-S-Version-to-Sega-MARK-II-Japanese-Version-Adapter%2F1161566569.html&cv=11032041&af=cj_6149980&vd=30 **SMS2SG1000**] **Pro's:** Uses the top cartridge slot, so no modification needs to be made to the console; Just plug and play. **Con's:** The game cartridges look a little silly sticking that high up above the console. If you're using a Master Everdrive, it's recommended you use [https://cdn.retrorgb.com/images/assets/MasterEverdriveOSv7(Fat32 OSv7 with this adapter].zip).  As an FYI, after flashing to OSv7,the SD card needs to be re-formatted to FAT32.
=== Mark III with FM Sound Unit ===


[http://www.smspower.org/Shop/GenderAdapter **SMS Rear Adapter**] **Pro's:** Sits behind the unit, so your console always looks "clean". **Con's:** A small bit of plastic needs to be cut for it to fit properly & if you're using cartridges, it's a pain to go behind the unit each time to switch it out.  Also, there's some compatibility issues with some games and ROM carts.
One of the easier (albeit one of the most costly) options is to simply use an original Sega Mark III with the FM Sound Unit. However, this setup has a number of caveats, the chief of which is that the Mark III is incompatible with Western SMS cartridges due to their different shape and pinout. This can be remedied by acquiring a suitable cartridge adapter. These cartridge adapters are readily available from Aliexpress or eBay, but these leave the cartridge sticking up high from the console and can cause a faulty connection if accidentally bumped or touched. Another issue is that the FM Sound Unit does not pass through RGB so composite video is the only video output option for a stock setup. It is possible to modify the FM Sound Unit with an 8-pin DIN pigtail cable and swap the original 5-pin DIN jack with an 8-pin jack. But as with any physical modification, there is always the slight risk of accidental damage and considering the rarity of the FM unit, this is a modification best left to someone with experience.


If you're using an original Master Everdrive, it's recommended you use [https://cdn.retrorgb.com/images/assets/MasterEverdriveOSv6(Fat16 OSv6 with this adapter].zip).  As an FYI, after flashing to OSv6,the SD card needs to be re-formatted to FAT16.
Another issue is that the Mark III/FM Sound Unit combination does not mix together both FM and PSG audio. This is especially apparent with the [https://www.smspower.org/Hacks/SonicTheHedgehog-SMS-FM-Mod FM audio hack of ''Sonic the Hedgehog''] which uses the YM2413 for music and PSG for sound effects.


**Using a [romcarts.html ROM Cart] that supports FM Audio**
=== SMSFM Mod ===


There's a few ROM carts available for the Sega Genesis that use their FPGA chip inside to emulate the SMS' FM audio chip.  There's one ROM cart for the SMS that has the FM chip built in, but it requires a modification to your console and it's confusing to use.  Here's the choices:
Tim Worthington sells [[Master System:SMSFM|an FM kit]] that can be installed in an SMS console.  Installation in an original SMS is fairly simple, as it plugs directly into the rear expansion port, requiring only three wires to be soldered for the FM audio to be mixed with the internal PSG audio.  The kit can also be installed into a Master System II, either via wiring the kit directly into the motherboard or by using [https://www.consolesunleashed.com/product/sega-master-system-model-2-fm-sound-module-adapter/ a special adapter from Consoles Unleashed]. There have also been reports of people installing this kit into a Power Base Converter, or even a Genesis/Mega Drive itself, but no instructions for that are available. These methods also involve wiring the kit directly into the host console's motherboard.


Mega Everdrive Pro (includes Sega CD Support):  [http://bit.ly/megaedpro http://bit.ly/megaedpro] Mega SD (also includes Sega CD Support):  [https://bit.ly/terraonionmegasd https://bit.ly/terraonionmegasd] Mega Everdrive x7:  [https://stoneagegamer.com/flash/genesis/carts/mega-everdrive-x7/?afmc=retrorgb https://stoneagegamer.com/flash/genesis/carts/mega-everdrive-x7/?afmc=retrorgb]
=== Power Base Mini FM ===


The "Neo" ROM carts for both SMS and Genesis support FM audio:
The [https://stoneagegamer.com/powerbase-mini-fm.html Power Base Mini FM] is a cartridge converter designed by dB-Electronics for the Genesis/Mega Drive which provides backwards compatibility with SMS cartridges, complete with additional FM audio through an onboard YM2413. This will also work with SMS flash carts such as the Master Everdrive. Card games and the 3-D glasses adapter are not compatible due to the lack of a card slot.


**Genesis Version =** NEO Myth MD 3in1: [http://www.ic2005.com/shop/product.php?productid=33&cat=3&page=1 http://www.ic2005.com/shop/product.php?productid=33&cat=3&page=1]
=== Japanese SMS/MK-2000 ===


**SMS Version =** NEO SEGA MKiii: [http://www.ic2005.com/shop/product.php?productid=130&cat=3&page=1 http://www.ic2005.com/shop/product.php?productid=130&cat=3&page=1] Please note that the SMS version requires you to run the audio output of your SMS AV cable through it, for FM audio to be mixed in.  If you're using RGB, you can try to order (or make) a custom SCART cable with an RCA audio output and input.  Alternatively, you can use a Genesis RGB SCART cable that gets audio from the 3.5mm jack, then wire audio directly from the SMS' multi-out:  [http://www.retrorgb.com/smsaudioout.html http://www.retrorgb.com/smsaudioout.html]
Another option is the Japanese Sega Master System console (model number MK-2000), which has a YM2413, 3D glasses adapter and rapid fire module all built into the console itself. These were all separate add-ons for the Mark III.  However, like the Mark III, the Japanese SMS is not compatible with non-Japanese cartridges and will require a cartridge adapter for these games. These cartridge adapters are readily available from Aliexpress or eBay, but these leave the cartridge sticking up high from the console and can cause a faulty connection if accidentally bumped or touched.


While the NeoSD carts do work, I feel I need to warn you about a few things before proceeding:
Another solution for the JP SMS is the [http://www.smspower.org/Shop/GenderAdapter SMS Gender Adapter], which connects to the expansion port at the rear of the console. Though this provides a cleaner solution for playing Western cartridges, it does have some compatibility issues with certain games and flash carts.


Using the enhanced menu's is a must, as the stock menu's are terrible: **Genesis cart enhanced menu:** (1st post):  [http://www.neoflash.com/forum/index.php/topic,5880.0.html http://www.neoflash.com/forum/index.php/topic,5880.0.html] **SMS cart enhanced menu:** [http://www.neoflash.com/forum/index.php/topic,7199.0.html http://www.neoflash.com/forum/index.php/topic,7199.0.html]
=== Genesis/Mega Drive Flash Carts with FM Support ===


The Neo carts are _not_ plug-and-play like the Everdrives, they actually require software to read and write ROMs.  You can purchase an additional MicroSD card adapter, but it's expensive and you'll still need the software for initial setup (although after setup is complete, you can just read and write ROMs like a normal ROM cart):  [http://www.ic2005.com/shop/product.php?productid=33&cat=3&page=1 http://www.ic2005.com/shop/product.php?productid=33&cat=3&page=1]
Several Genesis/Mega Drive flash carts such as the Mega Everdrive Pro, Mega Everdrive x7 and Mega SD can provide FM audio through FPGA emulation of the YM2413, the output of which is then routed into the Genesis/Mega Drive. This is probably the most feasible solution for those who play Master System games via a Genesis/Mega Drive and want to experience FM audio on compatible games.


Support is pretty bad.  I had an issue with mine and it took over a month of exchanging emails with pictures and videos proving my issue before they agreed to a return.
<youtube>https://youtu.be/ayKxnrYCpPI</youtube>


**Comparison of the above methods:**
==== NEO Myth Cartridges ====


I have a few pretty outdated videos demonstrating the differences between the above choices.  I also included an audio analysis section on the Mega Everdrive Pro review, so here's links to all of those: [https://cdn.retrorgb.com/images/assets/MK-2000-FMKit-NeoSMS-NeoMD.wav http://www.retrorgb.com/files/MK-2000-FMKit-NeoSMS-NeoMD.wav]
In addition, there is another, much older flash cart known as the [http://www.ic2005.com/shop/product.php?productid=33&cat=3&page=1 NEO Myth MD 3in1] which, like the Power Base Mini FM, has an actual YM2413. The same company also produced [http://www.ic2005.com/shop/product.php?productid=130&cat=3&page=1 a Master System variant] that also features a real YM2413. Unlike the Genesis/Mega Drive cartridge, this requires the SMS's audio output to be mixed into the cartridge since the SMS does not have an audio input on its cartridge port. This is not unlike the original FM Sound Unit, which had a hardwired cable to mix in audio and pass through video from the attached console.


https://youtu.be/ayKxnrYCpPI
Unlike the Everdrive series and Mega SD, the NEO Myth carts are ''not'' "plug and play" and require additional software to read and write ROMs. A microSD card adapter is available, but is considerably expensive and still requires the software for initial setup (although after setup is complete, ROMs can be read and written to the SD card like a modern flash cart).


https://youtu.be/KZMwYVIsuAE
Due to their antiquated UI, need for additional software, limited capabilities compared to modern flash carts, and use of expensive flash modules, the NEO Myth cartridges are not recommended.


**Summary:**
Comparison of the above methods:


As with all solutions these days, I suggest using whatever is the best for your setup.  Some people will be fine playing original carts on their SMS and switching to a more advanced Genesis ROM cart for SMS sound.  Others will just use a MiSTer for special use cases like that.  And, of course, there are those of us hardware enthusiasts that will chase solutions on real hardware, for no reason other than we want to.  All are great choices :)
* An outdated video demonstrating the differences between the above choices. It also includes an audio analysis section on the Mega Everdrive Pro: [https://cdn.retrorgb.com/images/assets/MK-2000-FMKit-NeoSMS-NeoMD.wav http://www.retrorgb.com/files/MK-2000-FMKit-NeoSMS-NeoMD.wav]


 
== Media ==
{{#ev:youtube|https://youtu.be/KCFopaltnQQ}}


Please [sms.html click here to go back to the Master System page].  If you'd like info on mods for other systems, head to the [/systems.html Getting RGB From Each System page] or check out [/ the main page] for more retro-awesomeness.
[[Category:Master System]]

Latest revision as of 21:26, 14 October 2024

The Sega Mark III FM Sound Unit; not pictured is the attached 5-pin DIN pigtail cable which connects to the Mark III's AV out

The Sega Mark III was a console launched in Japan in 1985 that was the initial version of the Sega Master System hardware. It was essentially a heavily upgraded SG-1000, featuring a new graphics chip and increased RAM. However, the Mark III still used a derivative of the Texas Instruments SN76489 PSG chip used in that earlier console, which was beginning to show its age by 1985. To rectify this, Sega released an audio expansion in 1987 known as the FM Sound Unit, which connected to the Mark III's expansion port and mixed the console's audio signal via a 5-pin DIN cable. This expansion was based around a Yamaha YM2413 FM synthesizer chip, which was also utilized in several arcade games, consumer-level music keyboards, teletext terminals and an MSX audio expansion. Though this chip massively expanded the Mark III's audio capabilities, it was not as sophisticated as the YM2612 later used in the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive and was not fully programmable in terms of instrument patches. Sega would incorporate the FM Sound Unit into the Japanese release of the Sega Master System later in 1987, but did not release it outside of Japan nor did they incorporate the YM2413 into the Genesis/Mega Drive hardware.

Supported Games

A large number of games released from 1987 to 1989 feature FM audio capability, even on Western releases despite the FM Sound Unit never being released or featured in any hardware outside of Japan. This is because Sega used the same ROM file for these games across regions, so the FM audio code remained intact.

Officially Supported

In Japan, Sega used this logo on game boxes to show that the game supported the FM Sound Unit.

These are games which were released in Japan and explicitly advertised support for the FM Sound Unit. The international versions of these games also still retain FM support with a couple of exceptions.

After Burner Megumi Rescue
Alex Kidd BMX Trial Miracle Warriors/Haja no Fuuin
Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars Nekkyuu Koushien
Alien Syndrome Out Run
Aztec Adventure/Nazca '88 Parlour Games/Family Games
Blade Eagle 3-D Penguin Land
Bomber Raid Phantasy Star*
Captain Silver Power Strike/Aleste
Cyborg Hunter/Chouon Senshi Borgman R-Type
Double Dragon Shinobi
Fantasy Zone II Solomon no Kagi
Fantasy Zone: The Maze/Opa Opa Space Harrier 3-D
Galactic Protector SpellCaster/Kujaku Ou
Global Defense/SDI Super Racing
Golvellius: Valley of Doom Tensai Bakabon
Great Golf/Masters Golf Thunder Blade
Hoshi wo Sagashite... Wonder Boy in Monster Land/Super Wonder Boy Monster World
Kenseiden Ys*
Lord of the Sword Zaxxon 3-D
Maze Hunter 3-D/Maze Walker Zillion II: The Tri Formation

*: Only the Japanese versions of these games featured FM audio; the international versions stripped out the FM audio code in order to make room for translated text during the localization process.

Unofficial Support

These are games which will support a detected FM Sound Unit, but this was not explicitly advertised as these games were released outside Japan where the FM audio hardware was unreleased. This is likely because these games used a common sound driver which supported both FM and PSG audio. A few of these games had Japanese releases planned, but these never went through due to Sega discontinuing the Mark III/Master System there early in 1989.

Altered Beast
California Games
Casino Games
Cloud Master
Galaxy Force
Game Box Série Esportes Radicais
Golfamania
Mônica no Castelo do Dragão
Out Run 3-D
Poseidon Wars 3-D
Rampage
Rastan
Rescue Mission
Scramble Spirits
Shanghai
Summer Games
Tennis Ace
Time Soldiers
Turma da Mônica em: O Resgate (console must be Japanese)
Ultima IV
Vigilante
Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap (console must be Japanese)

FM Audio on Real Hardware

There are several methods that allow you to play your SMS games on original hardware with FM sound.  Some require console modifications and others do not:

Mark III with FM Sound Unit

One of the easier (albeit one of the most costly) options is to simply use an original Sega Mark III with the FM Sound Unit. However, this setup has a number of caveats, the chief of which is that the Mark III is incompatible with Western SMS cartridges due to their different shape and pinout. This can be remedied by acquiring a suitable cartridge adapter. These cartridge adapters are readily available from Aliexpress or eBay, but these leave the cartridge sticking up high from the console and can cause a faulty connection if accidentally bumped or touched. Another issue is that the FM Sound Unit does not pass through RGB so composite video is the only video output option for a stock setup. It is possible to modify the FM Sound Unit with an 8-pin DIN pigtail cable and swap the original 5-pin DIN jack with an 8-pin jack. But as with any physical modification, there is always the slight risk of accidental damage and considering the rarity of the FM unit, this is a modification best left to someone with experience.

Another issue is that the Mark III/FM Sound Unit combination does not mix together both FM and PSG audio. This is especially apparent with the FM audio hack of Sonic the Hedgehog which uses the YM2413 for music and PSG for sound effects.

SMSFM Mod

Tim Worthington sells an FM kit that can be installed in an SMS console.  Installation in an original SMS is fairly simple, as it plugs directly into the rear expansion port, requiring only three wires to be soldered for the FM audio to be mixed with the internal PSG audio.  The kit can also be installed into a Master System II, either via wiring the kit directly into the motherboard or by using a special adapter from Consoles Unleashed. There have also been reports of people installing this kit into a Power Base Converter, or even a Genesis/Mega Drive itself, but no instructions for that are available. These methods also involve wiring the kit directly into the host console's motherboard.

Power Base Mini FM

The Power Base Mini FM is a cartridge converter designed by dB-Electronics for the Genesis/Mega Drive which provides backwards compatibility with SMS cartridges, complete with additional FM audio through an onboard YM2413. This will also work with SMS flash carts such as the Master Everdrive. Card games and the 3-D glasses adapter are not compatible due to the lack of a card slot.

Japanese SMS/MK-2000

Another option is the Japanese Sega Master System console (model number MK-2000), which has a YM2413, 3D glasses adapter and rapid fire module all built into the console itself. These were all separate add-ons for the Mark III.  However, like the Mark III, the Japanese SMS is not compatible with non-Japanese cartridges and will require a cartridge adapter for these games. These cartridge adapters are readily available from Aliexpress or eBay, but these leave the cartridge sticking up high from the console and can cause a faulty connection if accidentally bumped or touched.

Another solution for the JP SMS is the SMS Gender Adapter, which connects to the expansion port at the rear of the console. Though this provides a cleaner solution for playing Western cartridges, it does have some compatibility issues with certain games and flash carts.

Genesis/Mega Drive Flash Carts with FM Support

Several Genesis/Mega Drive flash carts such as the Mega Everdrive Pro, Mega Everdrive x7 and Mega SD can provide FM audio through FPGA emulation of the YM2413, the output of which is then routed into the Genesis/Mega Drive. This is probably the most feasible solution for those who play Master System games via a Genesis/Mega Drive and want to experience FM audio on compatible games.

Load video
YouTube

NEO Myth Cartridges

In addition, there is another, much older flash cart known as the NEO Myth MD 3in1 which, like the Power Base Mini FM, has an actual YM2413. The same company also produced a Master System variant that also features a real YM2413. Unlike the Genesis/Mega Drive cartridge, this requires the SMS's audio output to be mixed into the cartridge since the SMS does not have an audio input on its cartridge port. This is not unlike the original FM Sound Unit, which had a hardwired cable to mix in audio and pass through video from the attached console.

Unlike the Everdrive series and Mega SD, the NEO Myth carts are not "plug and play" and require additional software to read and write ROMs. A microSD card adapter is available, but is considerably expensive and still requires the software for initial setup (although after setup is complete, ROMs can be read and written to the SD card like a modern flash cart).

Due to their antiquated UI, need for additional software, limited capabilities compared to modern flash carts, and use of expensive flash modules, the NEO Myth cartridges are not recommended.

Comparison of the above methods:

Media

Load video
YouTube
Retrieved from "https://consolemods.org/wiki/index.php?title=Master_System:FM_Audio_Information&oldid=50272"