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View topic - Gender Adapter mass produced - Sign up for unheard FM music!

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Gender Adapter mass produced - Sign up for unheard FM music!
Post Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 7:24 pm
Last edited by Bock on Sun Nov 23, 2014 6:01 pm; edited 42 times in total
I'm working on mass producing solid gender adapters for the Master System.
This gender adapter permit to plug a cartridge on the expansion port, back of the Master System. The console needs to be opened (5 standard screws) to plug the adapter. There's no risk to you or your console to open it.

It is particularly useful to play US/European/Brasilian games on a Japanese Master System. The purpose? Japanese Master System contains an YM-2413 FM sound chipset not present in other Master System. Using the adapter and a cartridge supporting the FM sound chipset, you can hear music unheard on your regular SMS!

Certain games never released in Japan supports the FM chipset, meaning that only with such setup you can hear FM tunes composed 15+ years ago and unheard to both Japanese and US/European/Brasilian audience:

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

All of the games above, plugged into the back of Japanese Master System using the gender adapter will get you FM tunes playing. I repeat, none of those games was released in Japan, so apart from individual hackers or people using dedicated adapters/hardware, those FM tunes are unheard in your living room.

List of other cartridges supporting the FM chipset, but this time those also released in Japan:

After Burner
Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars
Alien Syndrome
Aztec Adventure
Blade Eagle 3-D
Bomber Raid
Captain Silver
Cyborg Hunter
Double Dragon
Fantasy Zone II
Fantasy Zone: The Maze
Global Defense
Golvellius - Valley of Doom
Great Golf
Kenseiden
Lord of The Sword
Maze Hunter 3-D
Miracle Warriors - Seal of The Dark Lord
Out Run
Parlour Games
Penguin Land
Power Strike
R-Type
Shinobi
Space Harrier 3-D
SpellCaster
Thunder Blade
Wonder Boy in Monster Land
Zaxxon 3-D
Zillion II - The Tri Formation

Those are not uninteresting to play using the english cartridges, because
1. The japanese version may be too difficult/expensive to obtain (eg: Bomber Raid).
2. For text based games such as Miracle Warriors or SpellCaster you can get FM music along with english text, which a Japanese cartridge won't provide.

Other use for various hacking/dumping purpose includes being able to plug 2 cartridges on the same time - on any Master System, or to plug a RAM/Flash cartridge in export format (such as Tototek's SMSPro32) on your Japanese SMS.

Question: If I ordered production, would you buy one or more of those adapters?

Minimal order quantity is 250 adapters. I am ready to make the investment if I can secure a decent number of preorders. I don't expect to sell 250 now. I don't mind selling 100 now and keeping the rest to part in the following years, but I need to secure around 100 purchases.

Price shall be: 15 Euros shipped worldwide.
OR LESS. If I can reach an higher amount of preorder, thus minimizing my risk, I will drop the price accordingly. The price could be dropped down in the 10-15 Euros range, but it is unlikely.

*EDIT* Final price is : 14 Euros, shipped worldwide. (2014 price)
BUY YOUR GENDER ADAPTER NOW!
http://www.smspower.org/GenderAdapter

Please answer with comments/questions, or a message saying "I will buy XXX units of this adapter" to commit a preorder. I expect anyone who post such message to fullfill the purchase promise.

I realize it is risky business for me, but I've been so starving for such properly constructed adapter since years that I feel it can be of use and appreciation to other SMS fans. The adapter is solid contrary to most homemade adapters done with heavy pain (ask Mike Cukan who soldered one for me! I shall be thanksful forever for this effort) so it should last a while and not get damaged easily when pulling it.

Hurry up before there's none left! (or none produced!).

Preorders, total 55
*EDIT*
Pre-orders left to be paid/shipped:
Youltar - 2
Chris Covell - 2
Psychofox - 1
Adol - 5
Wheela - 3
Peekb - 1
EvilWays - 2
ServiceGames - 2
NES-a-holic - 2
diRtee.th - 1
Wiseduck - 1
Primergy - 1
idrougge - 1
Shinju - 1
timofonic - 2
saturndual32 - 1
PrOfUnD Darkness - 1
Manest - 1
Aztec Adventure - Ruins (PSG).mp3 (963.23 KB)
Aztec Adventure 'Ruins' tune, playing with regular PSG sound
Aztec Adventure - Ruins (FM).mp3 (1.2 MB)
Aztec Adventure 'Ruins' tune, playing with FM sound

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Post Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 8:04 pm
Hey bock, I thought about this after you talked to me.
I would finally definitely buy one BUT if it has got a nice sexy sms-like box.
I wouldn't mind paying more to get a nice package. Rarest "official" sms accessory ever :)
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Post Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 8:06 pm
Kenneth: I won't have time or funds to produce a decent package, but if someone can design a flyer/manual to goes with it I could do nice color printing.
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Post Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 8:17 pm
I will buy two --- even if I never get a Japanese SMS, I can't pass up the oppurtunity to own the first ever official SMSPower accessory.

I don't care if there's a box and I wouldn't think it would be worth the expense or extra time. At most, just get some generic white boxes and get some stickers made to slap on the side, but I'd be happy if the only packaging it came with was some bubble wrap and the shipping box.

So what will the adaptor look like?
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Post Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 8:27 pm
Count me in for one.
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Post Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 8:45 pm
Put me in for 2.
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Post Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 8:47 pm
I don't understand what it is but i'll have 2 aswell
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Post Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 9:09 pm
james costello wrote
I don't understand what it is but i'll have 2 aswell

Geez! I would not want you to be deceived or anything. I'll provide more explanation if needed. Guys I appreciate your support and I hope that it can serve its purpose someday in the future if not immediately.
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Post Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 9:40 pm
I definitly want one, i dont have the skills to make one myself, and now i dont have to!
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Post Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 9:42 pm
Sign me up for one Bock! :D
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Post Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 9:55 pm
I half understand it. So it's only for use with a jap sms? Provide a pic it might help me :)
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Post Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 10:04 pm
Last edited by Bock on Tue May 30, 2006 10:09 pm; edited 1 time in total
james costello wrote
I half understand it. So it's only for use with a jap sms? Provide a pic it might help me :)

It *works* on all kind of Sega Master System 1 (Europe, US, Brasil), but apart from certain very specific technical needs it will only be *useful* on a Japanese Master System. So no, if you don't have and don't plan to obtain a Japanese Master System someday (to play games with FM music) it won't be of any use for you.
Except for weird collecting purpose.
Except if you plan to use it to copy original cartridges to a writable cartridge.
For most use it is to play non Japanese games on Japanese system and enjoy FM music.

I will provide picture of the prototype adapter shortly.
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Post Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 10:08 pm
james costello wrote
I half understand it. So it's only for use with a jap sms? Provide a pic it might help me :)


It's an adaptor to use US/Euro/Brazillian (we'll call these 'export') SMS games on a Japanese SMS. However, instead of plugging them into the cartr idge slot on the Japanese SMS, it plugs into the expansion slot on the rear of the console. I don't know if Bock can provide a picture as these haven't been produced yet, but I imagine it's a connector for plugging in an SMS cartridge, with a ribbon cable extending from the cartridge connector to the expansion slot in the back of the SMS.

The reason you would want to do this is that many export games were programmed to play FM music if they detected the FM chip, but no non-Japanese SMS's were ever released with an FM chip. So by plugging them into a Japanese SMS, you can play many export games with FM music.


There are some possible uses for using these adaptors with a nonJapanese SMS1 but they'd primarily be for hackers.
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Post Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 10:12 pm
Heliophobe wrote
I imagine it's a connector for plugging in an SMS cartridge, with a ribbon cable extending from the cartridge connector to the expansion slot in the back of the SMS.


It is not a ribbon cable, it is an actual solid board.
The reason is that the two homemade ribbon cable based adapters I got in the past eventually died out of repeated cartridge pulling, and soldering them back is not trivial. This one should last. But just in case it doesn't you should all buy 2 of them ;)
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Post Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 2:45 am
Sign me up for 2 please! My homemade adaptor is looking stretched...
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Post Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 9:01 am
I'm definitely interested in one Bock
 
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Post Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 11:43 am
I'll take 2 as well. I think you'll need wider advertising to get up to 100, though, unless some online shop is willing to buy a bunch for stock; I'd have thought there'd be something of a market for them in Japan.
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Post Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 12:38 pm
Great idea ! I am ready to buy 2 adapters.
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Post Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 5:44 pm
I'll take 5!!
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Pictures
Post Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 6:05 pm
Here are some pictures.
You can put the upper part of the SMS case back but it will stay ~2mm above it's usual position. See the gap in second picture. The case plastic can be cut a bit if you want to close the system and screw it back.
sms_gender_adapter-01.jpg (44.06 KB)
SMS Gender Adapter shown plugged
sms_gender_adapter-01.jpg
sms_gender_adapter-02.jpg (47.02 KB)
SMS Gender Adapter, case closed
sms_gender_adapter-02.jpg

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Post Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 6:52 pm
Even though I probably never will get a Japanese Master System ( would be nice to hear those FM songs though =) I will buy an adapter so I can do some test program that can run from the expansion port.
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Post Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 7:20 pm
Count me in for at least one.
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Post Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 7:38 pm
I'll take 3 then cheers.
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Post Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 8:31 pm
I'll buy one of them.
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Post Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 8:41 pm
Count me in for 1.
 
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Post Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 9:40 pm
Bock,

Please count me in for 2.

Thanks.

--
Eric R. Quinn
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Post Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 2:10 pm
Count me in for 2.
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Post Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 4:53 pm
How come games not released in Japan also support FM Sound? How/why were they programmed to include it when non Jap Master Systems don't have this chip. Were they developed on a Japanese MS and then converted onto Standard carts?
 
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Post Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 4:57 pm
Johnny wrote
How come games not released in Japan also support FM Sound? How/why were they programmed to include it when non Jap Master Systems don't have this chip. Were they developed on a Japanese MS and then converted onto Standard carts?

Most of those games were developped in Japan by Japanese teams. At the time of development, maybe they thought that the game would be also released in Japan. Or maybe they were told that the FM Unit would be sold in other countries, who knows what Sega had in mind back then?
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Post Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 6:08 pm
Johnny wrote
How come games not released in Japan also support FM Sound? How/why were they programmed to include it when non Jap Master Systems don't have this chip. Were they developed on a Japanese MS and then converted onto Standard carts?


My guess would be that the games were developed before it was decided for certain that the US SMS would not get the FM chip. Perhaps if the SMS had sold better, we might have gotten a 'deluxe' Master System with the FM chip, or an FM addon for the SMS 1 (if that's even possible).



I think we're going to run out of SMSPower forum regulars before we can book 100 preorders. Maybe a front page news post might attract some prospective buyers who check the front page from time to time but don't read the forum.
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Post Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 6:26 pm
Well the Sega MS over here in the UK trounced on the poor old Nes and was the biggest selling console at one time. I think they must have developed certain games thinking the games may be released in Japan aswell.

I wouldn't have thought Sega would have bothered modifying and marketing the FM Unit so it could be plugged into non Jap Master Systems. I also don't think they would have been any demand at the time, especially with the Mega Drive boosting better sound and graphics already out.

It's good they included it in certain games and by using Bock's device, we will now have a way of unlocking music never heard out of Japan!
 
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Post Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 6:48 pm
Johnny wrote
It's good they included it in certain games and by using Bock's device, we will now have a way of unlocking music never heard out of Japan!


And in some cases, music that was never heard in Japan. (except through emulators, of course)

I've never seriously looked and now I'm curious just how one would find a Japanese SMS. I suppose that's a topic for another thread, though.
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Post Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 10:12 pm
Bock - am I right in thinking that this would also be OK with an original-style Gam*Boy?
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Post Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 10:16 pm
anagrama wrote
Bock - am I right in thinking that this would also be OK with an original-style Gam*Boy?

Haven't tested but I suppose so, considering how it is supposed to be just like a Japanese SMS. If you can see the expansion port looking like on the picture above it should work.
(Again, only on Master System 1 style Gam*Boy, not on the ones modeled after Master System 2).
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Post Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 10:18 pm
Ah well, you can consider me a guinea pig ;)
I'll double-check the internals when I get a chance - I'd imagine it's fine unless the on-board AC unit somehow gets in the way...
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Post Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 11:12 pm
Count me in for 1
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Post Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 5:50 am
VERY NICE!!!

Count me in for 1 too.
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Post Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 2:31 pm
Count me in for 2 please Bock.
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Post Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2006 5:34 pm
Bock wrote
Minimal order quantity is 250 adapters. I am ready to make the investment if I can secure a decent number of preorders. I don't expect to sell 250 now. I don't mind selling 100 now and keeping the rest to part in the following years, but I need to secure around 100 purchases.


Have you thought of producing PCB's only? PCB Pool at http://www.pcbpool.com will provide single board prototypes and small quantities too at reasonable rates. The site is available in English (UK & US), French and German. I am in no way affiliated with this company - I've just used their products in the past.

Alternatively you could make the gerber files available for anyone to have one produced.

Regards
Marty
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Post Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 11:13 am
Hi

This sounds very promising and cool. I´ll take one.

Andy
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Post Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 12:07 pm
I thought Mecha already let you do this. Play games using the simed FM chip thingy. ?:)
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Post Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 12:13 pm
furanku wrote
I thought Mecha already let you do this. Play games using the simed FM chip thingy. ?:)

You mean MEKA ?
Yes you can do that on an emulator, not on a real system.
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...
Post Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:05 pm
Certainly, I'll buy one unit.
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Post Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 9:24 pm
i will buy 1, i already have a jap sms and buy this just based on hearing FM for wbIII alone, also was there no way to make the converter like
_
 |_

that way it could come out the bottom thru the actual hatch? or is it too much? i guess it would involve breaking out that little piece of plastic which some may not want to do.
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Post Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 9:57 pm
Skillionaire wrote
i will buy 1, i already have a jap sms and buy this just based on hearing FM for wbIII alone, also was there no way to make the converter like
_
 |_

that way it could come out the bottom thru the actual hatch? or is it too much? i guess it would involve breaking out that little piece of plastic which some may not want to do.

It was considered (actually still considered) but it would increase production cost.
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Alternate, non straight version
Post Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 2:14 pm
Actually it can be done at same cost!
I think such version is preferrable, you can properly close the console with it. I will investigate and test it.
SMS_diagonal2.jpg (7.98 KB)
SMS_diagonal2.jpg

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sign me up for three
Post Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 1:16 pm
Hey Bock,

I'll purchase (like, with money) three of these. Sorry I'm slow!!

Mike
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Re: sign me up for three
Post Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 3:50 pm
Mike Cukan wrote
Hey Bock,

I'll purchase (like, with money) three of these. Sorry I'm slow!!

Mike


Like, with what else? Candy?

Maybe SMS games, but i don't think Bock needs those anymore ;)
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Post Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 2:55 am
I'll take one as well. You never know when one could come in handy.
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Post Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 2:29 pm
Thanks guys, I'm ordering production shortly.

Mike Cukan get his adapters for free :P
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