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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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  • Location: Sydney, Australia
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SMS FM Sound Expansion Boards (available now)
Post Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:10 pm
Last edited by viletim on Mon Sep 30, 2013 10:27 pm; edited 10 times in total
UPDATE 1/10/13

The web page has moved to http://etim.net.au/smsfm/smsfm.html

UPDATE 16/1/13

Version 2.0 is now ready. I redesigned the board to make it more manufacturable. Also added region switching using Charles MacDonald's method. The enable switch has three positions FM, PSG, Japanese/FM (yes, I still use the same size switches). Compatibility is 100% - every game that has FM sound with work with this board when installed on a Sega Master System.

Current prices are listed on the website. You can order online with the Paypal 'buy' buttons or email orders[at]etim.net.au


UPDATE 29/8/09

Shiny new boards are available! I have 10 at the moment, and should make some more in a week or two. The new board fixes the problem with Time Soldiers and WBIII ( http://www.smspower.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=11784 ) and is slightly smaller. I'd say it doesn't require the plastic expansion slot cover to be removed anymore. Don't quote me on this though, I've managed to loose the bottom half of my SMS so can't verify for myself.

I had some complaints about the size of the FM enable switch... Unfortunately, the new switches are exactly the same size as the old ones (but in red). I had a choice between good quality big switches or garbage quality tiny ones.

I had to put the price up a bit... AU$60 for Aussies and AU$70 for everyone else. This price includes postage, online payment fees, everything.

I'm accepting for payment:
Paymate - Doesn't require signing up, just a credit card.
Paypal
Moneybookers
Within Australia normal payment methods are accepted (bank transfer, money order, etc).

Please contact me by email if you'd like to order one.


I also have a few leftovers which I've found hiding in disused crannies: 1 original plug in board, 1 original solder in board, 1 prototype of the new board. All with applicable fixes and good YM2413. Available for $10 less than above price.

Also, if anybody wants a new board without a socket (they are not at all easy to remove from the new boards), let me know now.

Please read the INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS before ordering.




---------------------------
smsfm3.jpg (27.89 KB)
smsfm3.jpg
presentation.jpg (66.02 KB)
presentation.jpg
presentation (1).jpg (63.57 KB)
presentation (1).jpg
SMSFM2.jpg (93.32 KB)
Version 2.0
SMSFM2.jpg

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Post Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:24 pm
I think you would be better off doing just the version for model 1 master system console that use the expansion connector. I think the people that only want to use a SMSII aren't likely to want to do lots of soldering. People who are really into Master System are highly likely to have a SMS1 already as they play card and 3D games, and its not like the model1 console is difficult or expensive to buy.

Is the board going to be exposed as in the picture, or are you going to be putting it in some kind of simple case? Even if you just put two holes in the board so people could fit it in an empty sms cartridge that would be better than nothing.
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Post Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:52 pm
playgeneration wrote
I think you would be better off doing just the version for model 1 master system console that use the expansion connector. I think the people that only want to use a SMSII aren't likely to want to do lots of soldering. People who are really into Master System are highly likely to have a SMS1 already as they play card and 3D games, and its not like the model1 console is difficult or expensive to buy.


I'm expecting the version with a connector will be the most popular but I'd like to have the other version available for people who'd like to take the challange of putting it into a SMS2. It's not really a problem, adding a connector to the board is much easier than removing one (as I intend to glue them on :)

playgeneration wrote
Is the board going to be exposed as in the picture, or are you going to be putting it in some kind of simple case? Even if you just put two holes in the board so people could fit it in an empty sms cartridge that would be better than nothing.


The board lives inside the expansion slot gap. You'd never know it was there.
smsfm4.jpg (59.3 KB)
smsfm4.jpg

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Post Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:20 pm
playgeneration wrote
I think you would be better off doing just the version for model 1 master system console that use the expansion connector. I think the people that only want to use a SMSII aren't likely to want to do lots of soldering. People who are really into Master System are highly likely to have a SMS1 already as they play card and 3D games, and its not like the model1 console is difficult or expensive to buy.


I disagree, I for example am a SMS nut, but I've never bought an original model for a few good reasons. I think they are butt ugly for one, after years of having the sexy curves of the SMS2 I have no real desire to get something that looks like a repackaged Atari. I'm more used to the SMS2 since they were more prevailent in my region, the first original SMS I ever saw was years after they stopped producing them at a lawn sale.

For anyone used to modding consoles soldering 20 wires is not going to be a big deal (x-box mods are a good example of that).
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Post Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 10:11 pm
I would most certainly purchase one viletim, I assume that you are located within Australia? I dont have a credit card so I would have to arrange a different method of payment.
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Post Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:35 am
If only my SMSII wasn't already a lantana of wires :(
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Post Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:08 am
Last edited by aqua_hedgehog on Sun Jan 13, 2008 2:49 am; edited 1 time in total
I have an SMS1 (I live in America]). The only times I get to use FM music (Got the SMS off eBay) is via emulator. Now, with the advent of your expansion thing, I can enjoy my games even more :P. Personally, I like the YM2143 synth better because it was on Genesis, which was like, my first games console. And because it sounds cool ;).
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Post Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:42 am
Great effort!
Wow, this is awesome news.
A while ago I almost bought a Japanese MS because of FM.
Now maybe I can get back into MS.
But at the mo I have huge debts.
I want a pimped ms. Either a MS1 with this mod and official wireless genesis controllers! Or use a MS2 WITH RGB MOD. even though the sms2 is smaller I prefer a SM1, looks way better.
Would it not be possible to get the parts and solder them together ourselves for cheaper?
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Post Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:10 pm
Yeah. I agree with you. But I got SMS1 not for it's looks, but because it was the only American release.
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Post Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 1:20 am
Jacko wrote
I would most certainly purchase one viletim, I assume that you are located within Australia? I dont have a credit card so I would have to arrange a different method of payment.


Yeah, I'm in Australia so direct deposit, etc is possible for locals. I don't have credit card either...

D wrote
Would it not be possible to get the parts and solder them together ourselves for cheaper?


You mean like a kit? It's mostly surface mount (some very fine pitch) and I don't have any component overlays for people to follow. This, and packaging all components so none are missing or damaged makes this more trouble that it's worth.
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Post Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 3:20 am
Great news!, will work in a tectoy sms1? it has the expansion slot.
Accept paypal? i'm from Argentina, Many thanks
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Post Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 10:52 pm
Will the kit include the Yamaha sound chip? if so i'm very interested on buying one :-D
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Post Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 11:52 pm
D wrote
Would it not be possible to get the parts and solder them together ourselves for cheaper?


I am not in favour with a kit, Viletim I know that wires will have to be soldered to the system, but can you make the solder points off the soundboard not run directly off components? (use a track to the pins) cause this will help minimising damage to components and could avoid lots of hasstles.
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Post Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 1:28 pm
aqua_hedgehog wrote
I have an SMS1 (I live in America]). The only times I get to use FM music (Got the SMS off eBay) is via emulator. Now, with the advent of your expansion thing, I can enjoy my games even more :P. Personally, I like the YM2143 synth better because it was on Genesis, which was like, my first games console. And because it sounds cool ;).


Not to get nit-picky, but the Genesis doesn't have a YM-2413 synth chip, it has a (more sophisticated) YM-2612.
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Post Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:47 pm
I for sure would get one or two for the sms1 :-)
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Post Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:57 pm
I'll take one of the sms1 version.
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Post Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:24 am
Estimated Prophet wrote
I'll take one of the sms1 version.


Yep SMS 1 for me as well
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Post Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 4:48 am
jot me down for an sms II version
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Kit
Post Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:22 pm
I would buy one for the sms1 but I find it a little expensive. I bet for the kit.
 
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Post Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 2:08 pm
Here's a quick currency conversion:

AU$60 = US$53.16 = CA$53.79 = £27.14 = €36.15

I'd get one if I didn't already have a Japanese SMS :)
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Post Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 7:33 pm
Maxim wrote
Here's a quick currency conversion:

AU$60 = US$53.16 = CA$53.79 = £27.14 = €36.15

I'd get one if I didn't already have a Japanese SMS :)
http://www.xe.com/ucc/
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Post Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:38 pm
http://www.google.com/search?q=60+australian+dollars+in+italian+money
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Post Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:51 pm
Now I didn't know about that. I always used the ucc converter. Google is getting better and better every day. Thanks for the tip.
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Post Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 9:02 am
See first post.
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Post Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 9:15 am
Order sent Viletim, install looks very simple.
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Post Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:36 am
ok, I could be wrong but ive noticed my SMS 1 is a little different to the instruction page. Have a look here.

Have I got an alternate SMS 1? If so could you point out a good location for solder points?

Feel free to take the pics for the museum as well :P

Thanks
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Post Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:47 pm
My board arrived today... Thanks Viletim
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Post Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 12:06 am
Paul Jensen wrote
aqua_hedgehog wrote
I have an SMS1 (I live in America]). The only times I get to use FM music (Got the SMS off eBay) is via emulator. Now, with the advent of your expansion thing, I can enjoy my games even more :P. Personally, I like the YM2143 synth better because it was on Genesis, which was like, my first games console. And because it sounds cool ;).


Not to get nit-picky, but the Genesis doesn't have a YM-2413 synth chip, it has a (more sophisticated) YM-2612.

Are they built from *similar* tech so I could use them on MS?
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Post Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 12:40 am
Jacko let me hear it through Skype.
It's effing awesome! I want one!

Too bad i'm broke (as in, not even a nail to scratch my behind)..
Viletim, how much do you have left at the moment?

-Steve
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Post Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:23 am
How long do you think you'll have these expansion boards in stock viletim? I'm thinking of getting am SMS1 but that won't be for a while.
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Post Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:27 am
ok I have installed it and it works.. This is so awesome.

Attached is an mp3 of a comparison
smsfm.mp3 (1.51 MB)
SMS FM Comparison

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Post Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:18 am
I'd grab one if it had an integrated Japanese cart adaptor. Be perfect if that was the case.
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Post Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 4:00 am
albino_vulpix wrote
How long do you think you'll have these expansion boards in stock viletim? I'm thinking of getting am SMS1 but that won't be for a while.


It looks like I'll have them for a while, I haven't sold many yet.

SwissCM wrote
I'd grab one if it had an integrated Japanese cart adaptor. Be perfect if that was the case.


Early on I considered incorporating a jap cart slot and a replacement BIOS rom. But I ditched those when I decided to make it fit into the small ammount of space available inside the master system rather than make it an external box.
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Post Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 4:01 am
Haven't seen mine yet but things tend to take an extra day or two to travel here. Will do some comparisons as well when I get the chance.
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Post Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 4:56 am
Note that my comparison was done through my PC and it sounds more faithful through my TV, the 2nd time you hear the title screen is the emulated FM. I forgot to point that out and realised it could have confused people.

Outrun sounds especially cool with it, wonder boy in monsterland kinda doesnt sound good, California Games is cool and WB3 doesnt work cause my system aint in Jap mode, another mod ill have to do.
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Post Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 11:01 am
Mine rocked up today, unfortunately I don't have any suitable wire for the connections at the moment but I'll pick some up in the morning.
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Post Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 10:27 am
Well several burnt fingers later I am happy to report the mod was installed sucessfully and works a charm. I don't have time to record a sample just now but later on I'll upload some, suffice to say it sounds awesome.
fmmod.jpg (273.42 KB)
PAL SMS II
fmmod.jpg

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Post Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 12:39 pm
djbass wrote
Well several burnt fingers later I am happy to report the mod was installed sucessfully and works a charm. I don't have time to record a sample just now but later on I'll upload some, suffice to say it sounds awesome.


My Goodness, me doing that would be a severe mess... (You should solder from the backside of the board, it's easier ;-) )
But it's still easier than installing a recent console mod-chip...
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Post Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 2:37 pm
I don't disagree, but unfortunately the shielding tends to get in the way of the wiring, not to mention it has relatively sharp edges that might bite into the insulation.

As promised some examples, don't have many FM games to try but I like what I've heard so far.
aztec psg.mp3 (853.41 KB)
Aztec Adventure (PSG)
aztec fm.mp3 (882.14 KB)
Aztec Adventure (FM)
double psg.mp3 (253.06 KB)
Double Dragon (PSG)
double fm.mp3 (243.5 KB)
Double Dragon (FM)
opaopa psg.mp3 (803.54 KB)
Opa Opa (PSG)
opaopa fm.mp3 (764.96 KB)
Opa Opa (FM)

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Post Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 12:08 am
djbass wrote
I don't disagree, but unfortunately the shielding tends to get in the way of the wiring, not to mention it has relatively sharp edges that might bite into the insulation.

As promised some examples, don't have many FM games to try but I like what I've heard so far.


aaahhh 50Hz FM goodness to my ears, hehe. For some strange reason I reckon it sounds better then mine :P
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Post Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 12:45 am
Actually I had wondered the same. The sample you uploaded seemed a little distorted/noisy.

Maybe the volume pot on the FM board needs adjustment.

What was the game you used anyway?
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Post Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 11:50 am
Will you make a Japanese cartridge adaptor and bios? I´m very intetested on them.
 
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Post Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:28 pm
I know you told us to not ask...but no Paypal? :(

I'll try to find another way...
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Post Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 8:35 am
djbass wrote
Actually I had wondered the same. The sample you uploaded seemed a little distorted/noisy.

Maybe the volume pot on the FM board needs adjustment.

What was the game you used anyway?


I know why it was distorted, when I recorded the SMS through my mixer I had the little gain button pressed thus it was overdriven on input although at the time it didnt show distortion as the levels into my soundcard were correct :P I later realised what I did wrong and havent been bothered to re-upload another example. My chip sounds fine :)
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Post Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 12:47 pm
PrOfUnD Darkness,

Don't worry, I'm going to tolerate payment via Paypal now. Everybody loves Paypal and to decline it is tantamount to demanding that payment must be made in the form of livestock or pieces of eight.
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Post Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:59 pm
Is it too late to mention I have a full canoe-load of beaver pelts I'm trying to unload? ^_^
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Post Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:47 pm
I'll definitely buy one for the MS 1....Thanks!
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Post Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 1:47 pm
Is there a list of FM supported games?

Should be getting mine soon!
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Post Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 2:04 pm
omp wrote
Is there a list of FM supported games?

Should be getting mine soon!


See the first post in this thread:
http://www.smspower.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8714

You can cross Time Soldiers off the list, its got a bug in the FM detection routine which prevents it from working (unless you patch it with a flash cart or something).
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Post Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 12:46 pm
viletim wrote
omp wrote
Is there a list of FM supported games?

Should be getting mine soon!


See the first post in this thread:
http://www.smspower.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8714

You can cross Time Soldiers off the list, its got a bug in the FM detection routine which prevents it from working (unless you patch it with a flash cart or something).


I cant get WB3 to work with it either viletim, also your $$$$ is on the way as well
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