G.I.M.I.C 2nd Generation Motherboard †
G.I.M.I.C's core - a motherboard that can be loaded with a sound chip module.
Lineup †
G.I.M.I.C motherboard comes in three editions. Choose the one that most fits your needs.
- Lite : a low cost, more easily affordable model (Not available yet; release scheduled in April 2014)
- Standard : for those who want basic functions of G.I.M.I.C
- Professional : for those who seek higher sound quality and versatility
See the comparison chart below for further information.
Features †
- Built-in Preamp
A preamp with a low noise characteristic is used so as to minimize sound degradation.
- Carefully selected components
We made no compromise in abundantly using carefully selected, excellent grade components.
The analog circuitry has undergone repeated trial productions and critical listening, all the while retuned and refined to bring out the sound chips' potential to the maximum.
- Spacial case available (not included)
Specially redesigned version of Abee cubic NE02 is available for the encasement of GMC-MB2.
- LT: Onboard FM sound chip
Lite edition is equipped with an onboard FM sound chip, so that it can be used without sound chip modules.
Of course, you can still install the G.I.M.I.C sound chip modules just as in Standard or Pro editions.
- STD/PRO: Support for PCM
Standard and Pro motherboard can play PCM without the aid of a sound chip module.
We used an audio codec of a high grade that is made use of in market production audio equipment,
to realize a sound with a sharpness that blends in modern audio environments.
(Firmware to enable this feature is currently under development; upgrade will be available for download as soon as it is implemented)
- STD/PRO: Better pop-up noise suppression
Standard and Pro motherboard are equipped with a circuit for the specific purpose of pop-up noise suppression.
(Pro motherboard has a pair of noise suppression circuits: one for the output from motherboard's 3.5mm jack, another for the output through the Breakout port)
- STD/PRO: Headphone amplifier
The analog circuitry has (apart from the codec) a driver amplifier for headphones.
This enables high impedance headphones like Sennheiser HD800 to work properly,
at the same time improving S/N ratio to make the sound even clearer.
- STD/PRO: 4-layer circuit board
We used a high-end 4-layer circuit board not commonly seen in indie hardware, to allow G.I.M.I.C to work in its full potential.
- PRO: ability to work on both USB bus power and on external power supply
While all the three editions run on USB bus power, Pro edition can be fed its power also from an AC adaptor.
When thus running on external power supply, Pro motherboard activates its function to cut off noise originating in the USB circuit, vastly increasing the S/N ratio.
- PRO: Breakout port (not included)
ALVA BF-BOCMKH breakout cable can be connected to open up additional connections, namely:
Line I/O (unbalanced), MIDI I/O, and a 6.5mm stereo output.
- PRO: USB hosting
Pro motherboard is equipped with a USB standard-A port, through which G.I.M.I.C can be connected to external USB devices, such as ten-keys.
Comparison chart †
The Professional edition is a model that aims at a higher sound quality with less noise.
Compared to those in STD, the components in PRO motherboard are higher in quality and almost twice in number.
The Lite motherboard on the other hand, while lacking the ability to play PCM, has an unique feature of a built-in FM sound chip, which enables it to be used without installing any sound chip modules, making this edition highly affordable.
| 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 |
Technical Specifications (PRO) †
Specifications are subject to change without prior notice
- Dimensions (W x H x D)
- 4.0" x 4.0" x 1.3" (102 mm x 102 mm x 35 mm) with a sound chip module installed
- Weight
- c. 2.3 oz. (65 g) not including the weight of set screws / harnesses
- Power supply
- USB bus power, or 5V AC adaptor with a minimum of 1000mA current
Using an AC adaptor with a voltage exceeding 5.2V can cause damage to the hardware.
(We recommend using an AC adaptor shipped with audio equipment, e.g. AC-E5212 , PSP-100)
- Power consumption
- c. 2.5W (variable depending on the type of the module installed)
- Connectors
- External Power IN
EIAJ #2 DC jack (center positive)
- USB
USB device hosting: USB(A)X1
Connection with PC: microUSB(B)x1
- Audio OUT
3.5mm stereo-mini jack
- Breakout
D-SUB15P(HD)x1
Connected to ALVA BF-BOCMKH, the breakout port enables the connections below
- Line OUT x 4 (2 stereo paths; parallel out, or output through the preamplifier)
RCA jack (unbalanced)
- MIDI INx1 OUTx1
5-pin DIN jack
- Headphone out (mutually exclusive with the 3.5mm jack listed above)
6.3mm TRS jack, unbalanced (stereo)
- PCM
- Wave Memory size: 2MB
- Supported formats: PCM, ADPCM (stereo / mono)
- Sampling rates: 8-192 kHz
- Bit depth: 4-24bit
- Included items
- Motherboard
- Cable to connect a module (HOST I/F, ANALOG)
- Connection connector for external power supply
- Set screws
- DAC
- Resolution: 16bit, 24bit
- Sampling rates: 32 kHz to 192 kHz
- Dynamic range: 108dBA @ 48 kHz
- Preamplifier / Headphone amplifier
- Frequency response: 20 Hz to 50 kHz (+0, -0.5 dB)
- Maximum Power Output: 130 mW + 130 mW (THD+N=1%)
- THD+N: 0.009% @ 1 kHz / 16Ω load
- S/N: 94 dB (JIS-A)