Difference between revisions of "MHT Speech Synthesizer"

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MHT Speech Synthesizer aka Sintetizador de voz (MHT Ingenieros)
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MHT Speech Synthesizer aka Sintetizador de voz ([[MHT Ingenieros]])
  
 
== Technical ==
 
== Technical ==
  
Probably uses a [[SP0256]](-AL2?) chip.  
+
It uses a [[SP0256]](-AL2?) chip.  
* The '''I/O addresses are unknown.'''
+
* The I/O address is &FBE0. (only A10,A7,A6,A5 and A4 are decoded)
 
* The '''clock frequency is unknown''' (as shown on the photo, it uses an oscillator, ie. NOT the 4MHz signal on the expansion port).
 
* The '''clock frequency is unknown''' (as shown on the photo, it uses an oscillator, ie. NOT the 4MHz signal on the expansion port).
  
Port '''????'''h READ:
+
Port FBE0h READ:
   bit'''?'''   Status 1 (0=Speech Busy, 1=Ready/Halted)  (SBY Pin, Speech Busy)
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   bit 6   Status 1 (0=Speech Busy, 1=Ready/Halted)  (SBY Pin, Speech Busy)
   bit'''?'''  Status 2 (0=Ready to Receive Data, 1=Busy) (/LRQ Pin, Load Request)
+
   bit 7,D5-D0 Not used (garbage, probably usually highz)
  bit'''?-?''' Not used (garbage, probably usually highz)
+
Port FBE0h WRITE:
Port '''????'''h WRITE:
+
   bit7-6 Ignored
   bit7-6 Reserved (should be be zero, though SP0256 Pins10-11 are GNDed)
+
 
   bit5-0 Allophone number              ;data can be send when Status.Bit'''?'''=0
 
   bit5-0 Allophone number              ;data can be send when Status.Bit'''?'''=0
  
Line 21: Line 20:
 
* [[SP0256 Pin-Outs]]
 
* [[SP0256 Pin-Outs]]
  
== Supported software ==
+
Now, thanks to Jose Leandro, the hardware specialist of the spectrum, with his famous page :
  
* No (known) software?
+
http://trastero.speccy.org/cosas/JL/JL.htm
 +
 
 +
We can know more about this hardware.
  
 
== Pictures ==
 
== Pictures ==
  
 
<gallery caption="MHT Speech">
 
<gallery caption="MHT Speech">
File:MHT-sintetizdor_de_voz-001.jpg
+
 
File:MHT-sintetizdor_de_voz-003.jpg
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File:MHT-sintetizdor_de_voz-001.jpg|Outside
File:MHT-sintetizdor_de_voz-004.jpg
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File:MHT-sintetizdor_de_voz-003.jpg|Inside
File:MHT-sintetizdor_de_voz-007.jpg
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File:MHT-sintetizdor_de_voz-004.jpg|Component Side
 +
File:MHT-sintetizdor_de_voz-007.jpg|Solder Side
 +
 
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
The part numbers on the chips seem to be scratched-off (or covered by paint, or is it just old glue, from the sticker?). The "GI" logo on the large chip implies that it is the popular General Instrument [[SP0256]] speech chip, probably the standard -AL2 version (the ending L2 may be still visible? not sure there - on the photo it vanishes under the pot axis). The clock frequency of the oscillator isn't visible (from the perspective from where the photos were taken).
+
<gallery caption="MHT Speech Synthesizer Layout, thanks to Jose Leandro">
 +
 
 +
File:MHT Speech Synthesizer - interface_delante.jpg|Top
 +
File:MHT Speech Synthesizer - interface_detras.jpg|Bottom
 +
File:MHT Speech Synthesizer - cara_componentes.jpg|Components
 +
File:MHT Speech Synthesizer - cara_pistas.jpg|Tracks
 +
File:MHT Speech Synthesizer - PCB Front.png|PCB Back
 +
File:MHT Speech Synthesizer - PCB Back.png|PCB Front
 +
File:MHT Speech Synthesizer - PCB Chips.png|PCB Chips
 +
File:MHT Speech Synthesizer - PCB Complete.png|PCB Complete
 +
File:MHT Speech Synthesizer - componentes.png|Components
 +
File:MHT Speech Synthesizer - pistas.png|Tracks
 +
File:MHT Speech Synthesizer - Layout.png|Layout
 +
 
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
The part numbers on the chips seem to be scratched-off (or covered by paint, or is it just old glue from stickers?).
 +
 
 +
The "GI" logo on the large chip implies that it is the popular General Instrument [[SP0256]] speech chip, probably the standard -AL2 version (the ending L2 may be still visible? not sure there - on the photo it vanishes under the pot axis).
 +
 
 +
The clock frequency of the oscillator isn't visible (from the perspective from where the photos were taken).
 +
 
 
The GNDed pins somewhat confirm that it is a SP0256 (Pin1=Supply GND, Pin10,11=A8,A9, ie. only 6bit allophone numbers used).
 
The GNDed pins somewhat confirm that it is a SP0256 (Pin1=Supply GND, Pin10,11=A8,A9, ie. only 6bit allophone numbers used).
  
== Other Pictures ==
+
'''Caution''' - There are two files, [[:Image:MHT-sintetizdor_de_voz-005.jpg]] and [[:Image:MHT-sintetizdor_de_voz-008.jpg]] circulated in internet.
 +
 
 +
Despite of their filesnames, they do NOT show a MHT speech synthesizer - please do not add these files to this page!
 +
 
 +
The hardware shown on those pics is an [[ARA Video Digitizer]], nothing to do with MHT Speech.
 +
 
 +
== Software Covertape ==
 +
 
 +
<gallery caption="Software Covertape">
 +
 
 +
Image:Software del Sintetizador de Voz (MHT) Front Covertape.jpg|Front Covertape
 +
Image:Software del Sintetizador de Voz (MHT) Back Covertape.jpg|Back Covertape
 +
Image:Software del Sintetizador de Voz (MHT) Tape - Side B.jpg|Tape - Side B
 +
Image:Software del Sintetizador de Voz (MHT) Tape - Side A.jpg|Tape - Side A
  
<gallery caption="Probably NOT another version of the MHT Speech Synthesizer?">
 
File:MHT-sintetizdor_de_voz-005.jpg
 
File:MHT-sintetizdor_de_voz-008.jpg
 
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
Not sure where these photos come from, why they are here, and if they do actually show a speech synthesizer. There isn't much visible, the upper board contains an enormous amount of logic chips (no idea what for). The lower board contains even more logic chips (strange), and two big chips, which might be ROM, or RAM, or maybe a speech chip...? '''Despite of their filenames, these pictures probably do NOT show a speech synthesizer.''' Though with the 3.5mm socket, it may be some kind of audio output or audio input device...?
+
== Downloads ==
 +
 
 +
* [[Media:Software of Sintetizador de voz (MHT Ingenieros).zip|Software of Sintetizador de voz (MHT Ingenieros).zip]] (CDT for Emulators)
 +
* [[Media:MHT Speech Synthesizer (Eagle).zip|MHT Speech Synthesizer (Eagle).zip]] (MHT Speech Synthesizer files for Eagle)
 +
* [[Media:Sp0256-al2-reversed-bit-order.zip|SP0256-AL2 ROM]] ('''caution''' - the bytes in the file are in reversed bit-order, ie. the "Target" values are unreversed, all other opcodes and parameters are reversed)
 +
 
 +
== Other CPC Speech Synthesizers ==
 +
 
 +
* [[Amstrad SSA-1 Speech Synthesizer]] ([[SP0256]] based)
 +
* [[Dk'tronics Speech Synthesizer]] ([[SP0256]] based)
 +
* [[TMPI speech synthetizer]] ([[MEA8000]] based)
 +
* [[Software Speech Synthesizers]] (Software based)
 +
 
 +
== Weblinks  ==
 +
 
 +
* [http://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&num=10936 ''MHT Speech Synthesizer'' from CPC-Power]
 +
* [https://cpcrulez.fr/hardware-audio-synthetiseur_vocal-MHT-sintetizdor_de_voz.htm ''MHT Speech Synthesizer'' from CPCrulez]
 +
* [http://hardware.speccy.org/temp/Amstrad-SintetizadorMHT.html  ''MHT Speech Synthesizer'' from hardware.speccy.org]
 +
 
 +
[[Category:Music and sound]] [[Category:Peripherals]]

Latest revision as of 10:18, 17 September 2020

MHT Speech Synthesizer aka Sintetizador de voz (MHT Ingenieros)

Technical

It uses a SP0256(-AL2?) chip.

  • The I/O address is &FBE0. (only A10,A7,A6,A5 and A4 are decoded)
  • The clock frequency is unknown (as shown on the photo, it uses an oscillator, ie. NOT the 4MHz signal on the expansion port).

Port FBE0h READ:

 bit 6   Status 1 (0=Speech Busy, 1=Ready/Halted)   (SBY Pin, Speech Busy)
 bit 7,D5-D0 Not used (garbage, probably usually highz)

Port FBE0h WRITE:

 bit7-6 Ignored
 bit5-0 Allophone number               ;data can be send when Status.Bit?=0

Now, thanks to Jose Leandro, the hardware specialist of the spectrum, with his famous page :

http://trastero.speccy.org/cosas/JL/JL.htm

We can know more about this hardware.

Pictures

The part numbers on the chips seem to be scratched-off (or covered by paint, or is it just old glue from stickers?).

The "GI" logo on the large chip implies that it is the popular General Instrument SP0256 speech chip, probably the standard -AL2 version (the ending L2 may be still visible? not sure there - on the photo it vanishes under the pot axis).

The clock frequency of the oscillator isn't visible (from the perspective from where the photos were taken).

The GNDed pins somewhat confirm that it is a SP0256 (Pin1=Supply GND, Pin10,11=A8,A9, ie. only 6bit allophone numbers used).

Caution - There are two files, Image:MHT-sintetizdor_de_voz-005.jpg and Image:MHT-sintetizdor_de_voz-008.jpg circulated in internet.

Despite of their filesnames, they do NOT show a MHT speech synthesizer - please do not add these files to this page!

The hardware shown on those pics is an ARA Video Digitizer, nothing to do with MHT Speech.

Software Covertape

Downloads

Other CPC Speech Synthesizers

Weblinks