Several chips are in use by our MSX or by its extensions. Some of them are really made for the MSX, others are chips being used elsewhere as well. One of the advantages of chips being used in other systems is that developers on other systems start all kinds of interesting projects which are practical for us too. A well known example is Vortex Tracker, enabling MSX composers to use the PSG capabilities to the max, yet it's not an MSX tool. Another example is the OPL4 chip, which was in use by musical keyboards in the 90's, be it with the extra DSP chip that was omitted in the Moonsound. With or without this DSP chip, a midifile made on one of these keyboards would sound identical on our Moonsound.
Australian musician Sebastian Tomczak has no connection with MSX, but has nonetheless made something that may appeal to MSX'ers. The YM2413 chip forms the heart of our FM-PAC/MSX-Music but is also present in the Sega Master System. Sebastian (also known as Little Scale) has turned his iPod into an external controller for that chip within his Sega Master System, by using a USB/MIDI cable. The display of the iPod shows a pattern based sequencer for the five drum sounds: bass drum, snare drum, tom, hi hat and cymbal.
Quite a few parameters can be changed. While the Sega in the YouTube video runs through an effects device, the idea is clear as a whistle. If only this development could go a little further, making sure it works on an MSX, then every MSX'er with an iPod, the right cable/interface and an MSX could use his FM-PAC in a way probably never done before!
Relevant link: YouTube - iPod controlling an YM2413
Comments (6)
By boblet
Master (187)
01-10-2009, 03:27
By dhau
Paragon (1570)
01-10-2009, 05:37
By wolf_
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02-10-2009, 21:17
By boblet
Master (187)
03-10-2009, 11:56
By Vampier
Prophet (2415)
03-10-2009, 17:43
By wolf_
Ambassador_ (10135)
03-10-2009, 22:06