#menu(MenuBarEng) *G.I.M.I.C 2nd Generation Motherboard [#p028d7cf] G.I.M.I.C's core - a motherboard that can be loaded with a sound chip module.~ #ref(GMC-MB2_PCB.jpg) #contents **Lineup [#q6be34a4] 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 [#wa0ae0bf] - ''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 [#gfbf9939] 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) [#a11d699f] '''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~ -Electrical properties~ --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)