#menu(MenuBarEng)

* Getting Started with G.I.M.I.C [#c5743356]
(Some of the information on this Getting Started page is outdated. A major renewal on its way!)~
You can move around this Wiki from the menu on the left. Pages marked &color(red){(jp)}; are currently  only in Japanese.

'''What can I do with G.I.M.I.C? Which parts do I need?'''
~--- Here we'll answer these basic questions. ~

#contents

** What is G.I.M.I.C? [#z2251178]
The G.I.M.I.C is a modular chiptune sound generating system: It can be loaded with various modules with sound chips that were employed in home computers and arcade games through the 80s and 90s.((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.))~

By exchanging modules, it can emulate a range of chiptune sound systems. Currently, OPN3-L, OPNA, OPM, and OPL3 are available as sound chip modules. ~

The G.I.M.I.C sound modules come with their respective sound chips already mounted, so you don't have to look elsewhere (or "scavenge") for them!~

#ref(GMC-MB2.jpg)

** What is it good for? [#n8a64347]
At this point of development, the G.I.M.I.C 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. ~
G.I.M.I.C can be used either as a song file player, or as a hardware synthesizer.

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 G.I.M.I.C's SD card slot, through which G.I.M.I.C will read and play the files. ~
-As a song file player

For future plan, we are considering support for direct control from PC of the sound chips loaded on G.I.M.I.C((The feature will enable PC-88/PC-98/X1/X68000 emulators to use G.I.M.I.C as an external sound system, among other things.)) and MIDI-controllability((Which will give G.I.M.I.C an ability to act as a MIDI-controlled sound device like YAMAHA FB-01 or TX81Z.)).~
G.I.M.I.C can playback song files in a microSD card inserted to its card slot.
Below are the file formats that G.I.M.I.C can handle.

--VGM (.vgm)
--S98 (.s98)
--MXDRV (.mdx ; the format used by the MXDRV FM sound driver for SHARP X68000)
--PMD (.m, .m2, .mz ; the format used by the PMD FM sound driver for NEC PC-88/PC-98)
--FMP (.opi, .ovi, .ozi ; the format used by the FMP FM sound driver for NEC PC-98)

-As a hardware synthesizer

When connected to a PC through USB, G.I.M.I.C can be used as an external sound source by software emulators and song file players. This enables G.I.M.I.C to play songs in formats that it can't process on its own.

** Where can I get it? [#ya83cedc]

http://www.3-get.com online store ships our products overseas. [[Search G.I.M.I.C to see our products.:http://www.3-get.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=G.I.M.I.C]]~
The site is currently in Japanese, but they say they are working on English pages, so check back often!
Currently there are two online retailers that sell our products, but we're afraid neither has got an English UI. They seem to ship overseas too, but we suggest you ask them beforehand to make sure.

// 現在お店のページは日本語のみですが、英語版を作ってるらしいのでこまめにチェック!
BEEP: ~
https://thebase.in/inquiry/beep-theshop-jp ~
https://twitter.com/beep_shop

Kyoritsu: ~
https://eleshop.jp/shop/contact/contact.aspx

Please try searching G.I.M.I.C to see if they are stocked and to check out the prices. 

// The site… 以下は三月兎英語版が出来次第に削除。

* Things to Prepare Before Acquiring Your G.I.M.I.C [#q6f6dbae]

** SD Card Reader and SD Card [#v1c6aa5f]
As said above, the most basic way for the G.I.M.I.C to play song files is to read them out of an SD card.~
**USB Micro-B cable [#dd6420e9]
To connect G.I.M.I.C to your PC. G.I.M.I.C also draws power from USB.~
A low-quality cable may cause signal degradation or power loss, which in turn can lead to unexpected malfunctions.~
Use a cable that can fast-charge a smartphone to avoid such troubles.~

Although the G.I.M.I.C has an SD card reader built in, a PC will NOT recognize it as a card reading device when connected to the G.I.M.I.C via USB.~
For reference, below are the cables we employed during the development.~

Consequently you need an SD card reader that can be used with your PC, and an SD card to copy the files onto.~
Straight~
Motorola ECOMOTO : SKN6378A~

We recommend using cards with capacities from 2GB to 4GB. The G.I.M.I.C can handle SDHC cards with up to 8GB capacity. ~
Right angled~
Sony Ericsson : EC600L~

** USB Cable [#j705cbf2]
Since the G.I.M.I.C draws power from a USB power source, you need a USB cable of type Standard-AB (which we don't include in our packages). ~
'''Note that some cables shipped with smartphones or tablets are &color(red){"charge-only", i.e. unable to transfer data.};'''~
'''Make sure that your cable offers data transfer too.'''~

For reference, here is a link to [[ELECOM's USB cable:http://www2.elecom.co.jp/cable/usb/usb2-eco/]] specification page. See the pictures to make sure which type of connector you need.~
**A microSD card (if you use the "Standalone" G.I.M.I.C firmware) [#pddecfb0]
From which G.I.M.I.C reads song files.~
G.I.M.I.C can handle SD/SDHC cards with up to 8GB capacity (SDXC cards are unsupported).~

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.~
We have confirmed that UHS-I cards can be used, but they will function in compatibility mode, since G.I.M.I.C doesn't support UHS-104.~

Besides PCs, you can also use an [[USB to AC Adapter:http://www2.elecom.co.jp/avd/ipod/charger/ava-acu01/]] or a self-powered USB hub as the power source.~
For reference, below are the cards we employed during the development.~

SanDisk MobileUltra microSDHC UHS-I 8GB : SDSDQY-008G-J35A~
SanDisk Extreme Pro microSDHC UHS-I 8GB : SDSDQXP-008G-J35~

**An AC adaptor (for GMC-MB2PRO only; optional) [#y71e83ac]
Drawing power from an external supply, you can avail yourself of G.I.M.I.C's full potential.~
Use an AC adaptor with an output voltage of 5V, a currency of 1000mA (or above), connector type of EIAJ-02.~

''Do not use an AC adaptor with an output valtage exceeding 5.2V, as it can cause permanent damage to G.I.M.I.C.''~


For reference, below is the AC adaptor we employed during the development.~

AC adaptor for SONY PSP1000/2000/3000 series: PSP-100~

* G.I.M.I.C Modules: Primary [#w2f3d307]
To play any sound with the G.I.M.I.C, you need a motherboard and at least one sound chip module (Lite motherboard can be used without any sound chip modules). Below are short descriptions of these primary modules. Click the names to see detailed descriptions.~

** [[GMC-MB2: Motherboard>GMC-MB2 Description]] [#s998f3df]

The heart and core of the G.I.M.I.C, the motherboard controls the sound chip modules with its 32-bit, 72 MHz ARM processor. It's also equipped with a microSD card slot to read data from, and a 3.5mm stereo jack for audio output.~

//G.I.M.I.C motherboard comes in three editions:
//
//-''Lite (GMC-MB2LT)'' : a low cost, more easily affordable model~
//-''Standard (GMC-MB2STD)'' : for those who want basic functions of G.I.M.I.C~
//-''Professional (GMC-MB2PRO)'' : for those who seek higher sound quality and versatility~
//
//See the chart below for a detailed comparison.
//
//'''(The Lite Edition is not yet available; release scheduled in April 2014)'''~
//
//||LT|STD|PRO|
//|PCM|no|yes|yes|
//|Preamp|yes|yes|yes|
//|Sound Quality|good|very good|excellent|
//|MIDI|no|no|yes|
//|Parallel-out|no|no|yes(2 paths)|
//|DC In|no|no|yes|
//|USB hosting|no|no|yes|
//|Built-in FM chip|yes|no|no|

** [[GMC-OPN3L: OPN3-L Module>GMC-OPN3L Description]] [#hfae7047]

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. ((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.))~

** [[GMC-OPNA: OPNA Module>GMC-OPNA Description]] [#ccbb86a8]

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).~

** [[GMC-OPM: OPM Module>GMC-OPM Description]] [#td51d663]

OPM (YM2151) is the FM sound chip of SHARP X1TurboZ and X68000, employed also in arcade game systems of 80s and 90s.((OPP (YM2164) sound chip in YAMAHA FB-01, DX21, DX27, DX100 and KORG DS-8, 707 etc. is compatible OPM.))

** [[GMC-OPL3: OPL3 Module>GMC-OPL3 Description]] [#scafc161]

A module mounted with an OPL3 (YMF262-M) sound chip, the FM LSI used by Adlib GOLD 1000, Creative Sound Blaster Pro 2.0, VIBRA 16 and Sound Blaster 16. This module can be used to reproduce the sounds of IBM PC compatibles in their MS-DOS era.~


Connect one of these sound chip modules to the motherboard, and your G.I.M.I.C is ready to play! ~

* G.I.M.I.C Modules: Secondary [#rfdd5ff8]
Here is a list of optional modules to expand and enhance your G.I.M.I.C. ~

** [[GMC-OPT02: Digital Output Module for OPN3-L>GMC-OPT02 Description]] [#sf0936f5]

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.~

** Ten-key [#r49761c1]
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 [#w54ed0a1]
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 [#pa43f806]
//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 [#m3b8981f]
//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 [#q7420359]
//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 [#f1f91fcc]
A motherboad that can be loaded with multiple sound chip modules and control them simultaneously.~

The G.I.M.I.C with this motherboard will be able to handle up to 4 sound chips at the same time.~

** Control with MIDI [#r414b8bb]
Controllability from an external MIDI input, with which the G.I.M.I.C will be able to act as a hardware synthesizer.~

** Inter-G.I.M.I.C Syncability [#b813c845]
Ability for chain-connected G.I.M.I.Cs to be synced to each other to form an ensemble.~

** Optimizations for Live DJ'ing [#k01b5acf]
DJ-oriented features that will enhance live use, such as a CUE monitoring function.~


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