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View topic - SMS FM Sound Expansion Boards (available now)

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  • Joined: 24 Sep 2006
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Post Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 1:21 pm
APBoy wrote
Would it be possible at all to install this in a Genesis/Mega Drive or Power Base Converter? I'd love to hear my SMS games in FM sound without having to drag out my Japanese SMS.


Yes, in both cases. Though you would have to mount some connectors for audio pass through if you were to put it in the Power Base Converter. Two games, Time Soldiers and Wonder Boy III, require a real Master System for FM sound.

On the production front: The bare PCBs arrived from the fabricator today. Tomorrow I start stuffing boards. Expect them to be available before the month's end
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Post Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 6:09 pm
viletim wrote
APBoy wrote
Would it be possible at all to install this in a Genesis/Mega Drive or Power Base Converter? I'd love to hear my SMS games in FM sound without having to drag out my Japanese SMS.


Yes, in both cases. Though you would have to mount some connectors for audio pass through if you were to put it in the Power Base Converter. Two games, Time Soldiers and Wonder Boy III, require a real Master System for FM sound.


Awesome. How would I go about installing it in a Genesis/MD, and would this affect Genesis/MD games?
 
  • Joined: 24 Sep 2006
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Post Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 6:28 am
APBoy wrote

Awesome. How would I go about installing it in a Genesis/MD, and would this affect Genesis/MD games?


It should just be a matter of soldering it to the data bus using the master-mega adaptor pinouts for guidance. I believe forum member TmEE is working on doing this at the moment.

FIRST POST UPDATED
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  • Joined: 24 Sep 2006
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YM2413 FM for Megadrive and Game Gear
Post Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 9:04 am
I've wired up an FM board to both the Game Gear and the Megadrive and can say with certainty that it works on both systems.

Neither system will generate a !KBSEL or receive a JOYKILL. Two games require the JOYKILL signal for FM detection, Wonder Boy III and Time Soldiers. No FM sound without a software patch for those two, unfortunately. !KBSEL is easy enough to generate from other signals on the bus. I've attached a circuit diagram below.

It's actually possible to install a board into a power base converter without any connection to the console itself. There are a couple of audio inputs provided in the cartridge slot. If you want to use these make sure you test the audio quality first - my MD2 distorts the audio considerably.

If you are hooking the board up to a converter, either the Power Base Converter or the Master Gear, make sure all relevant pins are connected. Both of my converters are non-official and the silly designers have forgotten to connect the !IORQ signal. Also, in my PBC the !RESET (!RST) line was connected to Vcc which didn't help much.


For Megadrive with Power Base Converter

SMS pin: | 2   | 4   | 14  | 16  | 18  | 20  | 22  | 24  | 26  | 32  |
Mega pin:| B28 | B16 | A19 | A25 | A29 | A01 | A26 | A20 | A15 | A03 |
SMS sgnl:| !WR | !RD | D7  | D5  | D3  | GND | D2  | D0  | A1  | A7  |

SMS pin: | 38  | 46  | 15  | 17  | 19  | 23  | 25  | 27  | 31  | 33  |
Mega pin:| B07 | B02 | A22 | A28 | A18 | A23 | A17 | A13 | A05 | A02 |
SMS sgnl:|!IORQ| !RST| D6  | D4  | GND | D1  | A0  | A2  | A6  | VCC |

B01 = left audio input, B03 = right audio input

kbsel.png (5.07 KB)
kbsel.png

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  • Joined: 31 Dec 2009
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Re: YM2413 FM for Megadrive and Game Gear
Post Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 7:21 pm
viletim wrote


It's actually possible to install a board into a power base converter without any connection to the console itself. There are a couple of audio inputs provided in the cartridge slot. If you want to use these make sure you test the audio quality first - my MD2 distorts the audio considerably.



If I put a FM chip in my Power Base Converter...

Can I shut the FM off if I don't want to use it with some games that have an optional FM soundtrack? I'd still like to have the choice.
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Post Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 4:08 pm
EricSC,

My FM boards come with a toggle switch to select between FM and PSG sound. It's not pictured but it plugs into the two pin header.
 
  • Joined: 11 Mar 2010
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any questions
Post Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 10:06 pm
The FM board its posible to enable/disable during the game? (i think yes but i want to corfirm it) . I see on this web a schematic from "Leonard Silva de Oliveira" . Your circuit its diferent of this or its the same one?
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  • Joined: 25 Jul 2007
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Post Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 1:43 am
You can disable it mid game yes, but since detection is done at bootup you just end up with no sound at all.
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  • Joined: 29 Dec 2007
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Post Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 4:27 pm
Hi guys,
Viletim, do you still have FM sound boards in stock?
I sent you a email yesterday :)

Thanks
Maxxfarras
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  • Joined: 05 Sep 2010
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Post Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 3:52 pm
I would like to have this FM Chip work with the Everdrive MD Flash Cart as it supports Master System games.

Is there any more documentation on adding this expansion board to the MD?

I'm decent enough with soldering but would love to see some images of the mod to help me out.
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Post Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 6:38 am
Kingbuzzo wrote
I would like to have this FM Chip work with the Everdrive MD Flash Cart as it supports Master System games.

Is there any more documentation on adding this expansion board to the MD?


Yes, just look six posts up.

I don't know exactly how the Everdrive Cartridge so I cannot guarentee compatibility. From what I can see it should work.
 
  • Joined: 04 Oct 2010
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Post Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 6:04 pm
I have 2 questions

- The fm module is again disponible?

- I looking for 2 or 3 YM2413 were can I found that?

Thank you in advance.
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  • Joined: 24 Sep 2006
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Post Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 2:53 pm
galine wrote
- The fm module is again disponible?


Where did I put that dictionary....ah. Yes, I still have some FM boards available. Please contact me by email or PM if you'd like to order one.

galine wrote

- I looking for 2 or 3 YM2413 were can I found that?


I can supply the YM2413 by itself too.
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  • Joined: 04 Oct 2010
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SMS FM Sound Expansion Boards (available now)
Post Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 3:07 pm
sorry for my poor english but I dont know why I wrote disponible at the same aviailable.
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Post Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2010 3:18 am
Tim, Do you still have any left? Has the price changed?
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Post Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 4:00 pm
Tighe,

No, I've been out of stock for a couple of months. I should have some more available in the not so distant future though... The price is still the same.


I've fixed the broken links in the first post.
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  • Joined: 23 Nov 2010
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Post Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 5:29 pm
viletim wrote
Tighe,

No, I've been out of stock for a couple of months. I should have some more available in the not so distant future though... The price is still the same.


I've fixed the broken links in the first post.


Thanks I will continue to watch this post! I still want to hook one of these to a N64:

http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/Mini-PCI-Modules-convert-DVI-to-TTL-and-TTL-...
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  • Joined: 03 Dec 2010
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Post Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 2:55 am
viletim wrote
Tighe,

No, I've been out of stock for a couple of months. I should have some more available in the not so distant future though... The price is still the same.


I've fixed the broken links in the first post.


Hi Tim,

I'd like one of the boards as well please. I'd like to try modifying them for stereo output; I have a YM2413 chip here for experimentation purposes but I've never got round to building a circuit for it...

Richard
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  • Joined: 24 Sep 2006
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Post Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 1:09 pm
To the few people who are waiting for boards,

I'm missing one key ingredient for FM boards: solder paste.

I can't buy suitable paste locally and the tub I ordered from China a few weeks ago hasn't turned up yet. Even if it does arrive now, four weeks out of the fridge will have likely spoiled it. I'll wait until start of the new year before I order some more.
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Post Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 1:22 pm
viletim wrote
I've wired up an FM board to both the Game Gear and the Megadrive and can say with certainty that it works on both systems.

Neither system will generate a !KBSEL or receive a JOYKILL. Two games require the JOYKILL signal for FM detection, Wonder Boy III and Time Soldiers. No FM sound without a software patch for those two, unfortunately. !KBSEL is easy enough to generate from other signals on the bus. I've attached a circuit diagram below.

It's actually possible to install a board into a power base converter without any connection to the console itself. There are a couple of audio inputs provided in the cartridge slot. If you want to use these make sure you test the audio quality first - my MD2 distorts the audio considerably.

If you are hooking the board up to a converter, either the Power Base Converter or the Master Gear, make sure all relevant pins are connected. Both of my converters are non-official and the silly designers have forgotten to connect the !IORQ signal. Also, in my PBC the !RESET (!RST) line was connected to Vcc which didn't help much.


For Megadrive with Power Base Converter

SMS pin: | 2   | 4   | 14  | 16  | 18  | 20  | 22  | 24  | 26  | 32  |
Mega pin:| B28 | B16 | A19 | A25 | A29 | A01 | A26 | A20 | A15 | A03 |
SMS sgnl:| !WR | !RD | D7  | D5  | D3  | GND | D2  | D0  | A1  | A7  |

SMS pin: | 38  | 46  | 15  | 17  | 19  | 23  | 25  | 27  | 31  | 33  |
Mega pin:| B07 | B02 | A22 | A28 | A18 | A23 | A17 | A13 | A05 | A02 |
SMS sgnl:|!IORQ| !RST| D6  | D4  | GND | D1  | A0  | A2  | A6  | VCC |

B01 = left audio input, B03 = right audio input

This is excellent,it saves me from trying to find a mega adapter
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  • Joined: 03 Jul 2009
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Post Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 11:34 am
Hi Viletim, do you have any boards left? I need another board because I broke the one I had before by "accident".
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  • Joined: 20 Dec 2010
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SMS Sound Board
Post Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 10:26 pm
Am I too late? I'd like a FM board too!
How many of you guys have actually soldered these boards onto a Sega Master System?
How hard was it? Did anyone also install the region switch? From reading these forums I understand that you will need to switch to the Japanese region in order for some of the FM games to use their FM music.

I'd also like to say hello! I'm new to the forum and I'm loving what I see so far.
Check out the image below to inspect my SMS worthiness :P



Link Source - My Sega Collection
pic876448_md.jpg (70.28 KB)
pic876448_md.jpg

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Help?
Post Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 5:38 am
Hey guys,
I'm hoping someone can help me out on installing this. I have an NTSC sms board and am a little confused about where to put the shield. I'm not too great with this stuff and don't really understand where it goes. I do know where to put the white and red wires though.

I'll attach a picture of my board as well.

Please help :)
Cheers!
ntscsms.jpg (155.73 KB)
ntscsms.jpg

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Post Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 9:48 am
The shield is a ground wire. Can go anywhere where there is ground.
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Post Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 8:10 am
could I solder it to the metal shielding that surrounds the rf ?
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Post Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 11:47 am
That would be fine.
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Post Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 8:57 pm
With the advent of the Master Everdrive flashcart, I'm definitely interested in snagging one of these whenever they become available again. I've actually made an appointment with a friend to teach me how to solder, with this project in mind. :)
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Post Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 11:04 am
I have some boards available now. Please send me an email to order - eviltim `at' optusnet.com.au
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Post Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 10:02 am
viletim wrote
I have some boards available now. Please send me an email to order - eviltim `at' optusnet.com.au


Awesome, I've mailed you, viletim. :)
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Post Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 11:10 pm
The board arrived today viletim, cheers!

Sounds amazing, and I converted the SMS to 60Hz while I had it stripped down.

Here are a few pics, it's a standard PAL VA3 so nothing unusual, forgive the low quality. :)

I've just hardwired it to 60Hz and left FM jumpered on permanently for now, I'll fit switches and do the region mod when I have more time.

EDIT: Almost forgot, I can confirm that the board fits without having to snap off the plastic protector inside the expansion slot. Useful to know if you're wondering if it can be left in place for that straight-from-the-factory look. :)
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Post Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 9:11 pm
I finally was able to try out my Master System with FM sound this weekend (my games had been in storage). It's very cool to play some of my old favorites with new, better sound. Great work, Tim.
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FM Sound Board Install Guide
Post Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 9:22 pm
What Install Guides or instructions have people been using to solder their FM Sound Boards into their SMS?
I've seen several images but I'd like to know which people thought were the most helpful.

I just received my FM Sound Board and I'm going to borrow a soldering iron from a friend. Next step... how the heck to actually do it!

TIA!
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Post Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2011 11:27 am
TheSegaDude wrote
What Install Guides or instructions have people been using to solder their FM Sound Boards into their SMS?
I've seen several images but I'd like to know which people thought were the most helpful.

I just received my FM Sound Board and I'm going to borrow a soldering iron from a friend. Next step... how the heck to actually do it!

TIA!


I used Tim's install guide:

http://members.iinet.net.au/~stinkyfist/reviletim/smsfm/smsfm.html

It only took 5 minutes. :)
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Post Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 10:13 pm
Do i need to region mod my model 1 US SMS to play Wonder Boy 3 with FM sound ??
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Post Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 7:43 am
chinitosoccer wrote
Do i need to region mod my model 1 US SMS to play Wonder Boy 3 with FM sound ??


I just got mine! Works great! Easy install too.
I didn't even have to pop off the little piece from inside the expansion cover.
And yes you have to region mod to play WB3 in FM sound.

Thanks for your hard work viletim!
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FM+PSG
Post Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 9:14 am
About the FM chip, are there any examples at all other than the SMS JP Bios using both PSG and FM for music?
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Post Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 9:59 am
chinitosoccer wrote
Do i need to region mod my model 1 US SMS to play Wonder Boy 3 with FM sound ??


You may find this thread helpful.
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Post Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 2:58 pm
Alianger wrote
About the FM chip, are there any examples at all other than the SMS JP Bios using both PSG and FM for music?


I don't know of any others. The original FM sound unit for the Mark III didn't have a real audio mixing circuit, unlike the JP Master System and my FM board. That may be the reason.
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Post Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 4:11 pm
Hi, are these boards still avaliable ? Thanks in advance !
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Post Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 4:12 pm
Some games use the PSG for samples (voices) and the FM chip for music but the BIOS is the only one I know of that uses both for music. Due to the way samples work, music is halted (silenced) before they play. Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars is the first example that comes to mind.
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Post Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 7:27 am
mightyjaym wrote
Hi, are these boards still avaliable ? Thanks in advance !


I'm out of stock at the moment. I will send you a message when I have some available.
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Post Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 5:32 pm
I would like to buy one thing, it is possible now?
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Post Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 3:30 pm
shitter wrote
I would like to buy one thing, it is possible now?


It is. I have just finished testing the latest batch. I'll respond to your PM (as well as notify the others who have been waiting) tomorrow.
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Post Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 5:32 pm
which there will be improvements? I would like more details
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Post Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 2:53 pm
shitter wrote
which there will be improvements? I would like more details

I don't quite understand your question.

If you are asking what the difference is between the old version 1.0 and the new 1.1 then it's a matter of compatibility with a couple of games. See the first paragraph of the first post of this thread.
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Post Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 3:53 pm
sorry
i thought it would be a new revision
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Post Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 12:08 am
Hello Everyone!!

I just joined a little bit ago and that FM sound Expansion Board sounds pretty cool. I would like to buy if they are still available!

Thanks!
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Post Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 7:13 pm
The board arrived last week viletim, thanks!
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Post Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 12:54 am
I am looking at tims instructions. I haven't recieved my SMS yet, but I have to assume it will be the NTSC SMS, since I doubt it will be an original 1986 version.
I bought it off amazon.com.

Here are the instructions from Tims site:
"NTSC SMS
Remove C37, white wire to +ve, red wire to -ve. There's a ground plane around the base of the capacitor so just scrape off a bit of the green stuff and solder the shield to that. The heatsink on the voltage regulator many need to be removed for access (remember to put it back!).
Note that the diagram below is incorrect, the white/red indicators are swapped around."

When he says remove C37, is he refering to the black battery looking thing with a white center? How should I go about removing that? Use the soldering gun on the legs of the C37 thing?

Once that is removed (I assume) will there be a label under it for +ve and -ve?

What is meant by scraping off the green stuff? The silicone motherboard? And under it is a place I can solder the ground wire?


What is the voltage regulator he is refering to that I might need to remove for access? Is that the C37 battery looking thing mentioned at the begining?

When he says remember to put it back, does he mean the voltage regulator or the C37 battery looking thing. Or are those the same thing?

Thanks!

I hope my questions make sense!

*EDIT 2*

Thanks
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Post Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 1:54 am
I have my FM unit in storage so I can't make a video for you. But, it's extremely easy to do. This is probably one of the most basic mods you could do to your SMS. Tim designed it to be pretty foolproof. You basically remove the capacitor and then solder the two wires in it's place. If you don't have sound on repowering then it was the wrong spot or the wires are soldered in reverse. No big deal.
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