just look at the past (Yamaha YM2151 + Yamaha YMZ280B)

video upload by Vivi The Pumpkin King

Fun video featuring the Yamaha YM2151 + Yamaha YMZ280B voice chips. Interstingly, you'll find previous posts mentioning the YM2151, but not the YMZ280B. This simply implies the YM2151 is more comonly used in DIY projects.

"The Yamaha YM2151, also known as OPM (FM Operator Type-M), is an 8-channel, 4-operator sound chip used for frequency modulation (FM) synthesis in 1980s arcade games, home computers, and synthesizers."

Key Features

Voices:

Plays up to 8 simultaneous sounds or channels.

Data Formats: Supports 4-bit ADPCM, 8-bit PCM, and 16-bit PCM waveform data.

Memory: Connects to up to 16 MB of external ROM or SRAM for storing sound data.

Output: Delivers stereo output with 4-bit/16-level panning for each individual voice.P

rocessors: Links with an external digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and can connect to a Yamaha YSS225 effects processor for extra channel processing."

"The Yamaha YMZ280B, also called PCMD8, is an 8-channel PCM and ADPCM sample-based sound chip made by Yamaha Corporation in the mid-to-late 1990s.

Key FeaturesChannels and Operators:

It supports 8 simultaneous channels of 8-note polyphony with 4 operators per channel.

Sound Generation: It includes built-in noise generators, LFOs for vibrato and amplitude modulation, and timer circuits.

Companion IC: It requires an external digital-to-analog converter (typically the Yamaha YM3012) to output stereo audio.

Common Uses

Arcade Machines: Atari's Marble Madness (1984) was the first arcade game to use the YM2151 for FM synthesis, leading to widespread adoption in arcade hardware.

Home Computers: It powered the sound boards in sharp computers like the Sharp X68000 and the Yamaha CX5M music computer.

Synthesizers: Yamaha utilized the chip in early budget keyboards and sound modules like the DX21, DX27, and DX100."

Kasser Synths DAFM ARCADE (Yamaha YM2151) & DAFM GENESIS (Yamaha YM2612

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

Demos in previous posts here.

ARCADE via this auction

"What is it?
Sound synthesis through Frequency Modulation (FM) allows to obtain unique sounds that defined a whole musical generation during the 80's and 90's. The model ARCADE uses the YM2151 Yamaha chip that was used in almost all the arcade machines in those years.

What makes it special?
The YM2151 has eight channels with four operators per channel. The operators can interact according to eight different algorithms. Attack-Decay-Sustain-Release (ADSR) envelopes, frequencies and low frequency oscillators (LFOs) can be modified to obtain the whole range of FM sounds.

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Kasser Synths Arcade YM2151 overview + Strymon NightSky

video by Floyd Steinberg

Kasser Synths also brought us the DAFM based on the YM2612 or YM3438 FM SEGA Genesis soundchip.

"Here's an overview of the Kasser Synths Arcade YM2151, the successor of the "Genesis YM3438" DIY synth with vastly superior sound quality and 8 voices of polyphony AND multitimbrality. This synth is based on the Yamaha 2151 integrated FM soundchip which was used in early 90s arcade cabinets (hence the name).
In this video, I take a brief look at the synth's features, create an evolving pad sound, pair it with a Strymon Nightsky pedal and last but not least create a short demo track making use of the machine's multitimbratility and polyphony.

Table of contents:

00:00 hello
00:43 hardware overview
02:48 loading and playing some sounds from sd card
03:04 creating an evolving pad sound: choosing an algorithm
03:39 velocity sensitivity on/off
03:51 setting up amplitude envelopes
05:20 lfo setup
06:12 saving the sound to sd card
06:30 adding superawesome reverb with nightsky
10:22 reverb demo (continued)
11:01 multitimbral demo track using an external sequencer
13:08 conclusion

Relevant links:
Kasser Synths Arcade: https://www.tindie.com/products/kasse...
Get 7% off on DistroKid with this link http://distrokid.com/vip/floyd"

Support: https://www.paypal.me/alexselck

オリジナル曲「RACING SPIRIT」YAMAHA CX11&FUJITSU FM77AV Version

NOZ MUSIC

Also see SEGA「SUPER HANG-ON」より「Winning Run」を「TX816」で作りました♪

Goolgish translation for the video description (original Japanese further below):

"RACING SPIRIT
Composition / Arrangement: NOZ
This song is inspired by a racing game.
Assuming that it can be used in SEGA's SUPER HANG-ON and OUT RUN, I finished the song for about 5 minutes.

This song was produced with the extended PLAY statement "EDPLAY" of FUJITSU FM77AV.
While playing the FM77AV's built-in OPN FM sound source YM2203, I play the YAMAHA CX11 FM sound source unit SFG-01 (YM2151) and YAMAHA RX21 connected to my own MIDI board via MIDI.
The CX11's SFG-01 has been converted into an FM sound module by TAINY SOUND MODULE, and the SFG-01's FM sound module YM2151 can be played with 8 multitimbrals.
The drum part uses YAMAHA RX21.
In other words, this song is played with YM2203 (3 FM sound sources & 3 PSG sound sources) + YM2151 (8 stereo FM sound sources) + PCM drum (9 tones).
For MIDI data, 11 parts of MIDI parts are transmitted from the MIDI board in the EDPLAY statement of FM77AV.
The remaining 5 parts are assigned to the FM77AV's built-in FM sound source YM2203's FM sound source 3 sounds and PSG sound source 2 sounds.
How long can you play 16 parts with the memory capacity of FM77AV? I made a test with the intention of exploring the limits.
As a result, I managed to complete the full chorus even though the memory was over.
The FM77AV can also be used as a 16-track MIDI sequencer by using the extended PLAY statement "EDPLAY", so it actually has great potential.
Those who like FM synthesis, those who like racing games, those who like SEGA, those who are interested in SYNTHWAVE, please listen ♪

TAINY SOUND MODULE
http://www.tiny-yarou.com/tsm.html

NOZ FM SYNTHESIZE
https://noz-music.amebaownd.com/ "

Original Japnese:

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SAAYM - A CMS GameBlaster clone with a YM2151 too!

Published on Dec 17, 2019 The 8-Bit Guy

via TexElec (note other cards are available)

"The SAAYM sound card is designed for any vintage PC with a standard 8- or 16-bit ISA slot. It has three separate sound chips on board: 2 Phillips SAA1099 programmable sound generators (PSG) and one Yamaha YM2151 FM synthesizer chip with its accompanying YM3012 stereo DAC. The card mixes all three stereo outputs through a high quality TL072 OPAMP and WIMA film capacitors for the best sound possible. The output is line level and uses a single stereo 1/8” or 3.5mm stereo headphone-style jack for output. Amplified stereo speakers with volume adjustments are required.

This card is a fully functional clone of the original GameBlaster or Creative Music System (CMS) card by Creative Labs. The original card used two SAA1099 ICs to generate sound. This card has the necessary circuitry to allow the CMS driver to load, as well as pass detection by games which probe for and support the CMS.

In addition to support for GameBlaster games in DOS, this card also supports playing back VGM files which support the YM2151. There is a great program for DOS called SBVGM which now supports the SAAYM card! Thanks so much to OPLx for assistance adding support for the SAAYM to SBVGM. For more information, please read the attached documentation."



Published on Nov 1, 2019 TexElec

Outrun soundtrack on Yamaha DX7 DEXED VST

Published on Sep 30, 2017 Woody Piano Shack

"Outrun soundtrack Passing Breeze as you've never heard it before! Remixed using Dexed VST plugin emulating the sound of the legendary 1983 Yamaha DX7 FM synthesizer.

The original arcade hardware also used a primitive form of Yamaha FM synthesis so this version has similar sounds but in much higher fidelity.

So enjoy once again the sound of the Yamaha DX7 electric piano and bass patches, put through a touch of TAL Chorus (an emulation of the Roland Juno-6 analog chorus).

Sega Out Run (アウトラン Auto Ran) arcade music was provided by Hiroshi Kawaguchi, who had previously composed soundtracks for other games designed by Suzuki, and who was part of Sega's official band at the time, the S.S.T. Band. Out Run was the first video arcade game that allowed the user to choose the background music. The soundtrack comprised both jazz music (similar in style to that of fusion band Casiopea) and Latin/Caribbean music (similar to Miami Sound Machine). In all, three selectable tracks were featured: Passing Breeze, Splash Wave and Magical Sound Shower. An additional track, Last Wave, played at the final score screen.

Here is some information about the sound chips used in the original arcade hardware, as you can see FM synthesis is used here too.

Sound CPU: Zilog Z80 @ 4 MHz (8/16‑bit instructions, 0.58 MIPS)
Sound chips: 2 chips, 24 channels, 24‑bit bus width
- FM synthesis chip: Yamaha YM2151 @ 4 MHz (8 FM channels, 8‑bit bus width)
- PCM sampling chip: SegaPCM 315‑5218 Sound Controller @ 4/16 MHz (stereo)"

Yuriko KEINO - gradually luxuriously (iYM2151 for iPad Demo song)

YouTube Published on Sep 15, 2012 by DETUNEltd

"Yuriko KEINO - gradually luxuriously (iYM2151 for iPad Demo song)
©2012 Yuriko KEINO

iYM2151 for iPad
iTunes Store
iYM2151 - DETUNE Ltd.

manual
http://www.detune.co.jp/iym2151.html

The world's first FM synthesis music workstation app,iYM2151.
80's game and computer sound is back!

YM2151, aka OPM is a single-chip FM synthesis implementation, an eight-channel four-operator sound chip. it was used in many 80's arcade games and home computers.iYM2151 is the The world's first FM synthesis music workstation app using YM2151 simulator engine for iApp.

[iYM2151 for iPad]
-uses YM2151 simulator engine for iApp
-4 operators per 8 Algorithms
-8 voices
-3 software LFOs
-max 99scenes (1scene with 64 steps)
-easy FM edit mode
-MML mode : programable huge FM parameters in every steps
-DUMP mode : realtime all FM operator parameters viewer
-song data file sharing and mail attachment
-good old days 80's design user interface

世界初、FM音源ミュージックワークステーションアプリ iYM2151。

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iYM2151 for iPad

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
YouTube Published on May 4, 2012 by DETUNEltd

Playlist:
iYM2151 for iPad Synth mode (easy edit)
iYM2151 for iPad Preset sounds
Shinji Hosoe - Digital jump out (iYM2151 for iPad Demo song)
Keishi Yonao - Eusion (iYM2151 for iPad Demo song)
Update: Four videos added to the playlist (start the video above and click the |> icon to skip vids):
iYM2151 for iPad Pro mode (synth edit)
iYM2151 for iPad Key mode
iYM2151 for iPad Seq mode
iYM2151 for iPad Adding Tie/Slur


"The world's first FM synthesis music workstation app,iYM2151.
80's game and computer sound is back!

YM2151, aka OPM is a single-chip FM synthesis implementation, an eight-channel four-operator sound chip. it was used in many 80's arcade games and home computers.iYM2151 is the The world's first FM synthesis music workstation app using YM2151 simulator engine for iApp.


[iYM2151 for iPad]
-uses YM2151 simulator engine for iApp
-4 operators per 8 Algorithms
-8 voices
-3 software LFOs
-max 99scenes (1scene with 64 steps)
-easy FM edit mode
-MML mode : programable huge FM parameters in every steps
-DUMP mode : realtime all FM operator parameters viewer
-song data file sharing and mail attachment
-good old days 80's design user interface"


And a mini demo review in Japanese from jetdaisuke:

iYM2151 iPad App Simulator of YAMAHA YM2151 FM Synthesizer

Published on May 4, 2012 by jetdaisuke