Contents |
Description
Computer
The Yamaha computers were specifically targeted at music and sound production, and as such were regarded by many as non-standard MSX machines. However, they are in fact standard MSX1 computers and can be used as such.
The CX5MII is a Yamaha CX11 localised for the international market, but with more RAM and an additional ROM allowing to use the 80 column text mode.
The CX5MII is available in several models depending on the country of destination. The model version is marked only on the underside sticker. Almost all keyboards are QWERTY and include an accent key, but the version for France has an AZERTY layout. Only the CX5MIIE has a £ key. The variations are as follows:
| Product | Region | Video Out | Keyboard |
|---|---|---|---|
| CX5MIIA | AU, NZ | RF, RGB, Composite Audio and Video | QWERTY |
| CX5MIIB | IT | RF, RGB, Composite Audio and Video | QWERTY |
| CX5MIIC | CA | RF, Composite Audio and Video | QWERTY |
| CX5MIIE | UK | RF, RGB, Composite Audio and Video | QWERTY with £ key |
| CX5MIIF | FR | RGB | AZERTY |
| CX5MIIG | DE | RF, Composite Audio and Video | QWERTY |
| CX5MIIP | ES | RF, RGB, Composite Audio and Video | QWERTY |
| CX5MIIS | Scandinavia | RF, Composite Audio and Video | QWERTY |
| CX5MIIU | US | RF, Composite Audio and Video | QWERTY |
| Brand | Yamaha |
| Model | CX5MII or CX5MII/128 |
| Year | 1985 |
| Region | Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Scandinavia, Spain, United Kingdom, United States |
| Launch price | |
| RAM | 64kB (CX5MII) or 128kB (CX5MII/128) in slot 3-2 |
| VRAM | 16kB |
| Media | MSX cartridges, side slot modules |
| Video | Yamaha V9938 (MSX2 VDP!) |
| Audio | PSG (YM2149 integrated in MSX-Engine S3527), SFG-05, MIDI |
| Chipset | Yamaha S3527 |
| Keyboard layout | (France) AZERTY - (Other countries) QWERTY with variations |
| Extras | 60 pin module port, mini cartridge port, FM module SFG-05, YRM-502 FM Voicing Program II, internal RAM / VRAM expandable |
| Emulation | ROMs dumped and emulated for both types, but only two models. The mini-cartridge slot and module slot are handled like regular MSX cartridge slots. ROM dumps needed for the other versions. See this thread for details |
Applications
This computer was sold with a FM module SFG-05 plugged into side slot. From BASIC, the synthesizer can be launched with CALL MUSIC or _MUSIC.
It has also a mini cartridge YRM-502 FM Voicing Program II plugged into mini slot. From BASIC, this sound editor can be started with CALL FMV or _FMV. Contrary to the first version of this software, only available as cartridge (YRM-102), this second version has support for loading from/saving to disk.
When you are in the sound editor, you can go to the synthesizer by entering MU. To go back to the FM Voicing Program, you need to press ESC in the synthesizer firmware.
Pictures
Computer
SFG-05
YRM-502
Specifications
The CX5MII is a MSX1 with a Z80A from Sharp (LH0080A), a V9938 and an MSX-Engine S3527 from Yamaha. The CX5MII is available in two models. One with 64kB RAM and one with 128kB RAM, what's very rare on MSX1!
This model can be easily upgraded internally (except the CX5MIIG and CX5MIIS versions, respectively for the German and Scandinavian markets), because RAM and VRAM are each on separate boards with a connector, you just need to change the corresponding board.
Some machines don't have a separate VRAM board but you can change the VRAM on the mainboard.
The mini slot allows to add software.
Slot Map
| Slot 0 | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3-0 | Slot 3-1 | Slot 3-2 | Slot 3-3 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page C000h~FFFFh | Cartridge Slot 1 | Cartridge Slot 2 | Mini Cartridge Slot | 64 or 128kB Memory Mapper | Module Slot | |||||
| Page 8000h~BFFFh | ||||||||||
| Page 4000h~7FFFh | Main-ROM | Sub-ROM | ||||||||
| Page 0000h~3FFFh |
- The second part of the 16kB Sub-ROM used by openMSX is empty (value FFh), the active part is mapped from 4000~5FFFh and corresponds to a 8kB ROM
- By default the Mini-Cartridge slot contains a FM Voicing Program II cartridge (YRM-502) from 4000~7FFFh
- By default the Module Slot contains a SFG-05 module from 0000~7FFFh
Connections
- RGB output (not present on CX5MIIC, CX5MIIG, CX5MIIS and CX5MIIU)
- RF output (except on French model)
- Analog sound & Composite video
- Data Recorder connector
- Centronics compatible Parallel port for a printer
- 2 general connectors (Joysticks, Mouse, Paddle controllers, etc)
- 2 cartridge slots
- 1 module slot (left side, 60 pin connector)
- 1 mini cartridge slot
- Power plug for main power supply
Models
- CX5MIIA: Australian and New Zealand's market (RF = PAL-B on VHF 3/4ch)
- CX5MIIB: Italian market (RF = PAL-G on UHF 36ch)
- CX5MIIC: Canadian market (RF= NTSC on VHF 3/4ch)
- CX5MIIE: United Kingdom's market (RF = PAL-I on UHF 36ch)
- CX5MIIF: French market (only RGB output)
- CX5MIIG: German market (RF = PAL-G on UHF 36ch)
- CX5MIIP: Spanish market (RF = PAL-G on UHF 36ch)
- CX5MIIS: Scandinavian market (RF = PAL-G on UHF 36ch)
- CX5MIIU: United States market (RF = NTSC on VHF 3/4ch)
Links
- http://www.cx5m.net/ (Now the site is broken only some files still online), Archived version (2019 version, some files are missing), Another mirror (file-hunter.com)
- Yamaha CX5MII/128 Music Computer flyer
- CX5MII Owner's Manual
- CX5MII Service Manual
- Connectors
- CX5MII/128 Upgrade to MSX2