Checking interest for DalSoRi version 2

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By Edevaldo

Master (154)

Edevaldo's picture

11-02-2017, 04:49

Version 1 feels more like a music module with OPL4 quality sounds (wave or FM). I think it would be a very interesting combination. Version 2 is also find very appealing. And as I'm looking also for a Moonsound compatible cartridge, it seems that I'll buy one of those DalSoRi 2 whatever version is developed. ;-)

By Parn

Paladin (833)

Parn's picture

11-02-2017, 09:10

JunSoft wrote:

I want to know there is any add-on board for OPL4 cartridge to use MSX-AUDIO BIOS v1.3.
If exists, what purpose for? Any software for that?

Thank you for keeping an eye on this thread and making yourself available to discuss improvements to your project. My two cents: I personally like the idea of having ADPCM support on an OPL4 cartridge, especially because MSX-Audio cartridges aren't easy (or inexpensive) to come by in my country. But I also believe it isn't worth the extra cost, if it can't be done with a cheaper FPGA.

About a BIOS add-on board, it doesn't exist yet... For now. I'm trying to help in making one, but due to unforeseen circumstances the project is delayed. I'm not a hardware person, though, and so far I just simulated the hardware and some of the software in OpenMSX, and it works fine. Rune Master II and Firehawk HDD sound just awesome with it. The main difference is that the music sounds much less noisy (instruments are synthesized in a higher resolution), which is very noticeable in the bass instruments. But really, everything sounds just nice.

sd_snatcher wrote:

As far as I recall, those who tested the FireHawk HDD being played in stereo in the OPL3 cartridge were very impressed.

JohnHassink wrote:

...but no footage of that on YouTube... sniff...

For the time being, I could demonstrate it with OpenMSX. If you want to see it in real hardware, I hope we can arrange it before the end of February. Smile

By Randam

Paragon (1431)

Randam's picture

11-02-2017, 09:54

I'm interested in the highest spec version what those might be when finalized. But a case for it would be very highly appreciated.

By Edevaldo

Master (154)

Edevaldo's picture

11-02-2017, 18:34

By the way, as MSX-Audio compatibility is the discussion... MIDI ports would be a good feature for version one, as a bigger cartridge is needed anyway.

By JunSoft

Resident (42)

JunSoft's picture

13-02-2017, 03:11

Thank you, all your advice is valuable to me.
As expected, there are various preferences and that's natural I think.

What I can tell you at this moment, is that I will make a DalSoRi v2 with following specifications:

OPL4 (YMF278B)
YRW801M sample ROM
4MB sample RAM (upgraded from v1)
128KB (or more) BIOS ROM (new from v1)
8KB (or more) BIOS RAM (new from v1)

Audio DAC, Headphone amplifier, 3.5" phone jack
Switch to disable BIOS ROM/RAM (new from v1)
Konami-size (fit into Overrich case)

This is good opportunity for people who doesn't have a DalSoRi v1 but has MSX-AUDIO.
Also for people who doesn't have a DalSoRi v1 and don't want any other functions.
You don't need to worry about the compatibility problem between v1 and v2.

I'll finish the development of DalSoRi v2 until the next month since it's not difficult.

Yeah, No ADPCM. Well, what for ones who want MSX-AUDIO functionality?
I think this needs more discussions. Exactly what parts of MSX-AUDIO functionalities are need, is not determined yet.
I also must determine the approach to implement the functions. So I need evaluation period more.

DalSoRi v2 will have following dedicated registers. That's based on the sd_snatcherer's suggestion but little bit different.

60xxH: flash memory banking register 0 (default: 0)
61xxH: flash memory banking register 1 (default: 1)
62xxH: flash memory banking register 2 (default: 2)
63xxH: flash memory banking register 3 (default: 3)
64xxH: SRAM memory banking register (default: 0)
[3:0] - SRAM segment
[7:4] - SRAM disable (1: disable)

67xxH: configuration register (default: 0)
[0] - enable FM I/O port map to C0H-C3H
[1] - disable FM I/O port map to C4H-C7H
[2] - reserved (must write 0)
[3] - reserved (must write 0)
[4] - enable flash memory write
[5] - enable 2MB sample RAM instead of YRW801M
[6] - reserved (must write 0)
[7] - reserved (must write 0)

If there is anything I missed, let me know.

Let's see what I can do with v2 in the next month. If I feel fun with it, I'll continue to develop v2.5 or v3.0 Smile
If almost all software use BIOS instead of I/O ports, can't the BIOS emulate ADPCM through OPL4 ?

Any question and suggestion is welcome always!

Jun

By msd

Paragon (1510)

msd's picture

13-02-2017, 04:53

I think almost all software using ADPCM don't use the ports. I don't even know there is one Japanese game that uses ADPCM. It has been used a lot in the Dutch demo scene (together with the Philips music module, which doesn't have a BIOS, so the all use direct I/O access). The only 'real' msx-audio device is the one from Panasonic, which doesn't even contain RAM for the ADPCM. So most if not all real msx-audio software will work without the ADPCM.

By msd

Paragon (1510)

msd's picture

13-02-2017, 05:32

Also for example the compile games even only use the bios the check if there is a msx-audio present. That's where the poke -54,35 comes in which destroys the extended bios call hook (also dos2 is partly killed). Some time ago I released some patches to change the msx-audio check in some compile games.

By JunSoft

Resident (42)

JunSoft's picture

13-02-2017, 05:33

So you mean the hardware emulation is mandatory for a lot of existing software to run correctly.
Then, what parts of MSX-AUDIO must be implemented to run that software.

ADPCM, PCM, I/O operation, keyboard I/O, ...

More feature, higher price. There must be a trade-off.

By Sebbeug

Champion (398)

Sebbeug's picture

13-02-2017, 09:24

Ok for me for this DalSoRi v2 (missed the v1)
You can add me to your customers list Wink

By sd_snatcher

Prophet (3646)

sd_snatcher's picture

13-02-2017, 20:36

msd wrote:

I The only 'real' msx-audio device is the one from Panasonic, which doesn't even contain RAM for the ADPCM. So most if not all real msx-audio software will work without the ADPCM.

Are you sure you're not mistaking the Panasonic FS-CA1 with the Toshiba HX-MU900? The FS-CA1 has 32KB of SampleRAM and can record/play ADPCM samples without restrictions. It's the Toshiba cartridge (*1) that lacks the SampleRAM.

*1: According to Takamichi, the Toshiba HX-MU900 was never released in Japan.

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