15 Jun
2001
15 Jun
'01
4:19 a.m.
On 13 Jun 2001 4:38:45 +0100 Iggy Drougge
<optimus(a)canit.se> wrote:
For those of you who don't know, the CPC had an
AY-3-8910. The same chip
could be found on late Spectrum models and apparently also in the Research
Machines Nimbus. The Atari ST uses a Yamaha clone of the same chip, called
YM2149. I believe that the MSX uses such a chip, too.
I think MSX includes the AY-3-8910, yes. So does the
Vectrex vector-scan video game console (6809 CPU).
I built an AY-3-8910 interface for my trusty UK101 back in
about 1981. Bit of a strange bus, since it was designed to
work directly with a GE microcontroller.
Another question: The Sega Master System and the BBC
use an SN76489 sound
chip. Both the AY/YM chip and the SN one are "PSG" chips. That means that
they've got three square wave channels and a noise channel which may (at least
on the AY/YM) be mixed with the square channels. But are those chips related,
or are they just chips which happen to use the same techniques?
Unrelated, as far as I know.
Wasn't there an SN76488 sound chip that was analog, as
opposed to the digital SN76489? And has enyone ever seen
or used the Yamaha FM synthesis chip that was upward
compatible with the YM2149?
--
John Honniball
Email: John.Honniball(a)uwe.ac.uk
University of the West of England