Getting Started with GIMIC

What can I do with GIMIC? Which parts do I need?

--- Here we'll answer these basic questions.

What is GIMIC?

The GIMIC is a modular chiptune sound generating system: It can be loaded with various sound chips that were employed in home computers and arcade games through the 80s and 90s.*1

By exchanging modules, it can emulate a range of chiptune sound systems. Currently, OPN3-L, OPNA, and OPM are available as sound chip modules.

gimic001.jpg

What is it good for?

At this point of development, the GIMIC can play S98 formatted FM control log files, which can be created by logging play data with a PC-88/PC-98/X1 emulator.

Additionally, each sound chip module has one or more data formats it can play without conversion:
The OPM Module can play MDX, the format used by the MXDRV FM sound driver for SHARP X68000;
The OPNA and OPN3-L Modules can play song files for PMD or FMP, FM sound drivers for NEC PC-88/PC-98.

You need a PC with an SD card reader to copy S98/MDX/PMD song files onto an SD card. The SD card can then be inserted to the GIMIC's SD card slot, through which GIMIC will read and play the files.

For future plan, we are considering to support direct control from PC of the sound chips loaded on GIMIC*2 and MIDI-controllability*3.

Things to Prepare Before Acquiring Your GIMIC

SD Card Reader and SD Card

As said above, the most basic way for the GIMIC to play song files is to read them out of an SD card.

Although the GIMIC has an SD card reader built in, a PC will NOT recognize it as a card reading device when connected to the GIMIC via USB.

Consequently you need an SD card reader that can be used with your PC, and an SD card to copy the files onto.

We recommend using cards with capacities from 2GB to 4GB. The GIMIC can handle SDHC cards with up to 8GB capacity.

USB Cable

Since the GIMIC draws power from an USB power source, you need an USB cable of type Standard-AB (which we don't include in our packages).

For reference, here is a link to ELECOM's USB cable specification page. See the pictures to make sure which type of connector you need.

Cables of this type are commonly included in packages of PC accessories or peripherals (e.g. printers), so you may have already one in stock.

Besides PCs, you can also use an USB to AC Adapter or a self-powered USB hub as the power source.

GIMIC Modules: Primary

To play any sound with the GIMIC, you need a motherboard and at least one sound chip module. Below are short descriptions of these primary modules.

GMC-MB1: Motherboard

GMC-MB1_PCB.jpg

The "heart and core" of the GIMIC, this motherboard is loaded with a 32bit/72MHz ARM Processor to control the sound chip modules.

It also has an SD card slot (to load S98/MDX/PMD data with) and a stereo mini-jack as the audio output.

Features:

GMC-OPN3L: OPN3-L Module

GMC-OPN3L_PCB.jpg

OPN3-L (YMF288) is the sound chip employed in NEC PC-9821 in its later years.

The chip is in some degree compatible with OPN (YM2203) and OPNA (YM2608), the sound chips of PC-6601SR, PC-8001mkIISR, PC-8801mkIISR (and the later models of the series), PC-9801 series, PC-9821 series, FUJITSU FM77AV series, SHARP MZ-2500 and so on. *4

Features:

GMC-OPNA: OPNA Module

GMC-OPNA_PWB.jpg

A module mounted with an OPNA (YM2608) sound chip mentioned above.

Just as SoundBoard II of PC-8801 series, this modules has a DRAM exclusively alloted for ADPCM synthesis, which makes possible an exact reproduction of PC-88 sounds.

It also has a variable FM/SSG mix balance, which can be utilized to emulate sound systems of both PC-88 and PC-98 (86 SoundBoard).

Features:

GMC-OPM: OPM Module

GMC-OPM_PCB.jpg

OPM (YM2151) is the FM sound chip of SHARP X1TurboZ and X68000, employed also in arcade game systems of 80s and 90s.*10

Features:

3MHz

CLK_3M.png

4MHz

CLK_4M.png

GMC-OPL3: OPL3 Module

GMC-OPL3_PWB.jpg

A module mounted with an OPL3 (YMF262-M) sound chip.

Features:

Connect one of these four sound chip modules to the motherboard, and your GIMIC is ready to play!

GIMIC Modules: Secondary

Here is a list of optional modules to expand and enhance your GIMIC.

GMC-OPT01: DAC Module for OPN3-L

GMC_OPT01_PCB.jpg

A DAC Module to be used with OPN3-L. Although the DAC unit on the OPN3-L module is tuned up for the optimal peformance, as an option we are offering this module with a Delta-Sigma DAC from Burr-Brown(TI) for even better results.

For comparison, here is a zip archive which includes two samples recorded through GMC-OPT01 and OPN3-L's native DAC respectively.

Note that you may need a somewhat Hi-Fi listening environment for the difference to be noticeable.

GMC-OPT02: Digital Output Module for OPN3-L

GMC-OPT02_PWB.jpg

This module enables direct digital output from OPN3-L. You can feed the signal into any external DAC of your choice and pursue the best end results.

Features:

The pictures below show the bit statistic while in 96kHz mode and playing no sound:

GMC-OPT02_DGChk.png
GMC-OPT02_ST.png

GMC-LCD: LCD Display

GMC-LCD.jpg

An LCD that shows song informations. Also, when playing MDX data, it visualizes the notes being played on each track in keyboard-styled view.

For further information about the visualizer, see our videos.

GMC-BOUT: Breakout Cable

GMC-BOUT.jpg

A breakout cable with 2 RCA line outs and 1 set of MIDI IO.

Since GIMIC does not support MIDI IO at this point, we are currently offering cables with line outs only, and that exclusively at exhibitions.

GMC-BPNL: Bottom Panel

GMC-BPNL.jpg

A PMMA panel identical to the top cover.

Since the GIMIC's motherboard is bare on the bottom side, touching the bottom with wet hands or putting it on a metal surface may cause a short-circuit. This bottom panel will protect the motherboard from such accidents.

Ten-key

You can connect a ten-key to the USB Standard-A port of the motherboard and use it as an external controller to play/pause and choose tracks.

We are not offering ten-keys themselves, so please acquire one (if necessary) through your preferred vendor.

Future Projects

We at the G.I.M.I.C. Project are planning further development, both hardware and software-wise. Some of the projects are listed below.

PCM Module

A PCM sound chip module equipped with an Altera's FPGA.

It will play various PCM formats (e.g. ADPCM of X68000, PCM sounds of PC-9821's 86 SoundBoard) with its powerful emulating ability.

OPLL Module

A sound chip module mounted with a YM2413B (a.k.a. OPLL), YAMAHA's FM LSI.

While as yet no software emulation of the OPLL has been wholly successful, this module will realize a faithful reproduction of its sounds by employing the authentic chip.

PSG Module

A sound chip module with YAMAHA's SSG LSI, YM2149F. We will make a special expansion to its processor register for a higher sound playing compatibility.

High-Spec Motherboard

A motherboad that can be loaded with multiple sound chip modules and control them simultaneously.

The GIMIC with this motherboard will be able to handle up to 4 sound chips at the same time.

Expanded Stand-Alone Playing Ability

Greater ability to process and play various data formats with GIMIC's own sound driver, independent of PCs.

Current firmware version can handle formats for MXDRV, PMD and FMP.

Control from PC

Controllability from a PC via USB, with which PC programs will be able to play the GIMIC as an external sound device.

Control with MIDI

Controllability from an external MIDI input, with which the GIMIC will be able to act as a hardware synthesizer.

Inter-GIMIC Syncability

Ability for chain-connected GIMICs to be synced to each other to form an ensemble.

Optimizations for Live DJ'ing

DJ-oriented features that will enhance live use, such as a CUE monitoring function.


*1 The currently available version of the motherboard can be mounted with only one sound chip module at a time. A variation with an ability to handle multiple sound chips simultaneously is currently under development.
*2 The feature will enable PC-88/PC-98/X1/X68000 emulators to use GIMIC as an external sound system, among other things.
*3 Which will give GIMIC an ability to act as a MIDI-controlled sound device like YAMAHA FB-01 or TX81Z.
*4 The compatibility is only partial. For example, OPN3-L has no ADPCM synthesis, which on the other hand OPNA does. Also, OPN3-L's FM/SSG mix balance is not changeable.
*5 Later models of PC-9821 employ YMF288 as the successor to 86 SoundBoard.
*6 While OPN/OPNA has individual outputs for FM and SSG, OPN3-L mixes both signals into one single output with fixed ratio.
*7 86 SoundBoard has an individual sound chip that processes PCM, apart from the FM chip.
*8 As of Jul. 2011.
*9 It works only in 7.9872MHz frequency with the current version of the firmware.
*10 OPP (YM2164) sound chip in YAMAHA FB-01, DX21, DX27, DX100 and KORG DS-8, 707 etc. is compatible OPM.
*11 We're working on a high-spec version of the motherboard, which will (besides being able to handle multiple sound chips at the same time) support X1's SSG. X68000's ADPCM and arcade games' PCM will be supported by the PCM module, likewise under development.
*12 With the current version of the firmware the clock rate is fixed to 4MHz.
*13 This feature will be supported in the future when playing S98 data. The clock data will be fixed to 4MHz when playing MDX files.
*14 Mounting OPP will not bring any change to the module's function.

トップ   新規 一覧 検索 最終更新   ヘルプ   最終更新のRSS