Difference between revisions of "Music Machine"

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[[Image:Rammusicmashine.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The Ram Music Machine]]  
 
[[Image:Rammusicmashine.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The Ram Music Machine]]  
  
−
A digital sound sampling and playback device. The Music Machine was built by a British Company called [[Ram Electronics|Ram Electronics]].
+
== Description ==
  
−
The Amstrad CPC version was almost identical to the the ZX Spectrum version, only difference was the address decoding logic.  
+
A digital sound sampling and playback device. The Music Machine was designed by Flare Technology and manufactured by [[Ram Electronics|RAM Electronics]].
 +
 
 +
The Amstrad CPC version is almost identical to the the ZX Spectrum version, only difference was the address decoding logic.  
  
 
The Music Machine came with a simple microphone. Recording quality could be improved by using a better(and more expensive) microphone. It came with its own sound sampling software and a sequencer.  
 
The Music Machine came with a simple microphone. Recording quality could be improved by using a better(and more expensive) microphone. It came with its own sound sampling software and a sequencer.  
Line 9: Line 11:
 
No known emulator supports the Music Machine. There was a club advertised through the magazine Sinclare User which sent out a computer tape twice a year full of interesting software developed for the Ram Music Machine. This was contributed to by the members and included thing such as a 128k sampler, fsk syncing mods to the original software and many useful midi tools to name but a few.<br>
 
No known emulator supports the Music Machine. There was a club advertised through the magazine Sinclare User which sent out a computer tape twice a year full of interesting software developed for the Ram Music Machine. This was contributed to by the members and included thing such as a 128k sampler, fsk syncing mods to the original software and many useful midi tools to name but a few.<br>
  
−
The Music Machine was never used for producing sound effects in [[:Category:Demos|Demos]].  
+
The Music Machine was never used for producing sound effects in [[:Category:Demos|Demos]].
 +
 
 +
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.  
  
 
== Technical Specifications  ==
 
== Technical Specifications  ==
Line 15: Line 23:
 
Information from the manual:  
 
Information from the manual:  
  
−
The Music Machine incoporates two Ferranti devices for digital-to-analogue (DAC) and analogue-tod-digital (A to D) conversion. The part numbers are ZN429E8 and ZN449 respectively. The circuit also include a Motorola [[6850 ACIA chip]] (Asynchronous Communications Interface Adapter) for handling the MIDI channel, two anti-alias filters (one for input and one for output), a discrete microphone amplifier and a headphone amplifier. The clock signal for the ACIA and the ZN449 is provided by a ceramic oscillator.  
+
The Music Machine incoporates two Ferranti devices for digital-to-analogue (DAC) and analogue-to-digital (ADC) conversion. The part numbers are ZN429E8 and ZN449 respectively. The circuit also include a Motorola [[6850 ACIA chip]] (Asynchronous Communications Interface Adapter) for handling the [[MIDI]] channel, two anti-alias filters (one for input and one for output), a discrete microphone amplifier and a headphone amplifier. The clock signal for the ACIA and the ZN449 is provided by a ceramic oscillator.  
  
−
The incomming signal from the microphone amplifier is sampled to an 8-bit resolution at a rate of 19.444 thoudsand samples per second. This yields an analogue bandwidth of approximately 9.5KHz which is in fact the cutoff frequency of the filters.  
+
The incoming signal from the microphone amplifier is sampled to an 8-bit resolution at a rate of 19.444 thousand samples per second. This yields an analogue bandwidth of approximately 9.5kHz which is in fact the cutoff frequency of the filters.
 +
 
 +
The clock signal for the ACIA is '''unknown'''. As said above it is based one the same oscillator as used for the ZN449, however, the oscillator is probably ''whatever'' MHz (?) divided by ''whatever'' (?), and its unknown if the ACIA and ZN449 clocks are using the same divider (ie. the ZN449 samples at 19.444kHz, but the ACIA may, or may not, use another frequency).
 +
 
 +
The Music Machine uses NMI interrupt, but it is not clear exactly what it uses it for.
  
 
All of the devices on The Music Machine data bus are accessible to the Amstrad within its I/O space. ACIA transactions must use 16-bit IO instructions; the converters are accesible via 8-bit IO instructions.  
 
All of the devices on The Music Machine data bus are accessible to the Amstrad within its I/O space. ACIA transactions must use 16-bit IO instructions; the converters are accesible via 8-bit IO instructions.  
  
−
{|
+
{|{{Prettytable|width: 700px; font-size: 2em;}}
 +
| ''Port''||''Direction''||''Name''||''Description''
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''I/O MapPortMeaning''
+
| F8E8h || Write Only || INTERUPT_SEL
−
|
+
| Writing 01 to this port disables internal Amstrad interrupts and replaces the IRQ signal from ACIA. Writing 00 restores normality. ''(Unclear how this works exactly - the description sounds as if uses an [[External Interrupt]] (rather than a [[NMI]]), and as if it does somehow disable the CPC's internal 300Hz interrupt?)''
−
|
+
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ADC START
+
| F8ECh || Write only|| ACIA_Control
−
| &amp;F8F8
+
| See [[6850 ACIA chip]] for details
−
| Reading or writing to this port will start analogue to digital conversion
+
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ADC READ
+
| F8EDh || Write only || ACIA_Data_write
−
| &amp;F8F4(Read only)
+
| See [[6850 ACIA chip]] for details
−
| The contents of the A-to-D can be read via this port. Note that the A-to-D must have been startet at least 20uS before this port can be read
+
 
|-
 
|-
−
| DAC WRITE
+
| F8EEh || Read only || ACIA_Status
−
| &amp;F8F0(Write only)
+
| See [[6850 ACIA chip]] for details
−
| Data can written to the DAC via this port
+
 
|-
 
|-
−
| INTERUPT SEL
+
| F8EFh || Read only || ACIA_Data_read
−
| &amp;F8E8(Write only)
+
| See [[6850 ACIA chip]] for details
−
| Writing 01 to this port disables internal Amstrad interrupts and replaces the IRQ signal from ACIA. Writing 00 restores normality.
+
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ACIA Status
+
| F8F0h || Write only || DAC_WRITE
−
| &amp;F8EE(Read only)
+
| Data can written to the DAC via this port
−
| Se Motorola datasheet
+
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ACIA Data read
+
| F8F4h || Read only || ADC_READ
−
| &amp;F8EF(Read only)
+
| The contents of the A-to-D can be read via this port. Note that the A-to-D must have been startet at least 20uS before this port can be read
−
| Se Motorola datasheet
+
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ACIA Control
+
| F8F8h || Strobe || ADC_START
−
| &amp;F8EC(Write only)
+
| Reading or writing to this port will start analogue to digital conversion
−
| Se Motorola datasheet
+
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ACIA Data write
 
−
| &amp;F8ED(Write only)
 
−
| Se Motorola datasheet
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
Line 63: Line 65:
  
 
<gallery> caption="The Music Machine">
 
<gallery> caption="The Music Machine">
 +
 +
Image:MusicMachine boxed.JPG| the unit in its box
 
Image:Music machine 1.jpg|
 
Image:Music machine 1.jpg|
−
Image:Music machine 2.jpg|Edge connector missing
+
Image:Music machine 2.jpg|missing female connector (?)
 
Image:Music machine back.jpg|Backside
 
Image:Music machine back.jpg|Backside
−
Image:Music machine inside 1.jpg|PCB
 
−
Image:Music Machine - inside 1.JPG|Inside 1
 
−
Image:Music Machine - inside 2.JPG|Inside 2
 
 
Image:Music machine microphone 1.jpg|The microphone
 
Image:Music machine microphone 1.jpg|The microphone
 
Image:Music machine microphone 2.jpg|The microphone
 
Image:Music machine microphone 2.jpg|The microphone
 +
Image:Rammusicmashine.jpg|With female connector
  
−
</gallery>  
+
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
<gallery caption="The Music Machine Layout, thanks to Jose Leandro">
 +
 
 +
File:Music Machine - Delante.jpg|The Music Machine - Front
 +
File:Music Machine - Detras.jpg|The Music Machine - Back
 +
File:Music Machine - Conectores.jpg|The Music Machine - Connectors
 +
File:Music Machine - Sin Tapa.jpg|The Music Machine - Without Top
 +
File:Music Machine - PCB Componentes.jpg|The Music Machine - PCB Components
 +
File:Music Machine - PCB Pistas.jpg|The Music Machine - PCB Tracks
 +
File:Music Machine - PCB Front.png|The Music Machine - PCB Front
 +
File:Music Machine - PCB Back.png|The Music Machine - PCB Back
 +
File:Music Machine - Layout.jpg|The Music Machine - Layout
 +
 
 +
</gallery>
  
 
== Tape  ==
 
== Tape  ==
Line 82: Line 98:
  
 
</gallery>  
 
</gallery>  
−
 
−
== Manual  ==
 
−
 
−
[[Media:Music_Machine_Manual.pdf|Music Machine Manual]] (pdf)
 
  
 
== Reviews  ==
 
== Reviews  ==
  
−
[[Amstradbladet 1987, Issue 9|Amstradbladet 1987, Issue 9]] (Page 22, In Danish)  
+
* [[Amstradbladet]] (1987, Issue 9, [[Media:Amstrad Bladet8709022.jpg|Page 22]], and [[Media:Amstrad Bladet8709023.jpg|Page 23]]) (Danish)
 +
* [[Amstrad Computer User]] (March 1987, [[Media:Amstrad Computer User8703 064.jpg|Page 64]], [[Media:Amstrad Computer User8703 065.jpg|Page 65]], and [[Media:Amstrad Computer User8703 066.jpg|Page 66]])
 +
* Review in  [[Ε.Π.Τ.Α / Η Ελληνική πλευρά του Amstrad (Greek Side Of Amstrad)]]:
 +
<gallery caption="Review in Greek Side of Amstrad n.6 (May 1987)">
 +
Image:MusicMachine GSOA p1.jpg
 +
Image:MusicMachine GSOA p2.jpg
 +
Image:MusicMachine GSOA p3.jpg
 +
</gallery>
  
−
== Other similar devices  ==
+
== Advertisements ==
  
−
[[Digiblaster|Digiblaster]] (Playback) (DIY)
+
[[image:MusicMachine ACU ad 1987.jpg|thumb|none]]
  
−
[[Amdrum|Amdrum]] (Playback)
+
== Datasheets ==
  
−
[[EMR MIDI Interface|EMR MIDI Interface]] (Midi)
+
* [[Media:MC1458.pdf|Datasheet for MC1458]] {{EN}} {{PDF}}
 +
* [[Media:MC 6850.pdf|Datasheet for MC6850]] {{EN}} {{PDF}}
 +
* [[Media:A6850.pdf|Datasheet for ACIA 6850]] {{EN}} {{PDF}}
 +
* [[Media:1983 Ferranti Data Converters.pdf|Datasheet for Ferranti Data Converters]] {{EN}} {{PDF}}
 +
* [[Media:ZN448.pdf|Datasheet for Ferranti ZN448/ZN449]] {{EN}} {{PDF}}
  
−
== Weblinks ==
+
== Manual ==
  
 +
* [[Media:Music_Machine_Manual.pdf|Music Machine (RAM Electronics) Manual]] {{EN}} {{PDF}}
  
−
[http://www.compeng.dit.ie/staff/tscarff/6800/6850acia/6850.htm Information about the Motorola 6850 ACIA]
+
== Download  ==
  
−
[http://www.microhobby.com/200903/hard/ram_music_machine.htm Spanish site about the Music Machine]  
+
* [[Media:Music Machine (tape).zip|Music Machine (Tape).zip]] (CDT for Emulators & Exemple on MP3)
 +
* [[Media:Music Machine (Eagle).zip|Music Machine (Eagle).zip]] (Music Machine files for Eagle)
  
−
[http://www.worldofspectrum.org/hardware/feat17.html Advert for the Music Machine]
+
== Weblinks  ==
−
 
+
−
[http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Keyboard%2FSynth/product/RAM/Music+Machine/10/1 Review]
+
−
 
+
−
[http://www.wacci.org.uk/magazine/136/136_10.html Data transfer via ][[MIDI|MIDI]][http://www.wacci.org.uk/magazine/136/136_10.html ]
+
−
 
+
−
== Datasheets ==
+
−
 
+
−
 
+
−
[[Media:A6850.pdf|Datasheet for ACIA 6850]] (pdf)
+
  
−
[[Media:ZN448.pdf|Datasheet for Ferranti ZN448/ZN449]] (pdf)
+
* [http://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&num=4329 ''Music Machine'' from CPC-Power]
 +
* [http://cpcrulez.fr/hardware-audio-music_machine.htm ''Music Machine'' from CPCrulez]
 +
* [http://hardware.speccy.org/temp/Amstrad-MusicMachine.html  ''Music Machine'' from hardware.speccy.org]
 +
* [http://www.microhobby.com/200903/hard/ram_music_machine.htm ''Music Machine'' from www.microhobby.com]
 +
* [http://www.worldofspectrum.org/hardware/feat17.html Advert for the Music Machine]
 +
* [http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Keyboard%2FSynth/product/RAM/Music+Machine/10/1 Review]  
 +
* [http://www.wacci.org.uk/magazine/136/136_10.html Data transfer via MIDI]
 +
* [http://www.compeng.dit.ie/staff/tscarff/6800/6850acia/6850.htm Information about the Motorola 6850 ACIA]
  
−
[[Category:Hardware]] [[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:Music_and_sound]] [[Category:Manual]]
+
[[Category:Serial interfaces]] [[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:Music_and_sound]] [[Category:Manual]]

Latest revision as of 06:55, 11 September 2020

The Ram Music Machine

Description

A digital sound sampling and playback device. The Music Machine was designed by Flare Technology and manufactured by RAM Electronics.

The Amstrad CPC version is almost identical to the the ZX Spectrum version, only difference was the address decoding logic.

The Music Machine came with a simple microphone. Recording quality could be improved by using a better(and more expensive) microphone. It came with its own sound sampling software and a sequencer.

No known emulator supports the Music Machine. There was a club advertised through the magazine Sinclare User which sent out a computer tape twice a year full of interesting software developed for the Ram Music Machine. This was contributed to by the members and included thing such as a 128k sampler, fsk syncing mods to the original software and many useful midi tools to name but a few.

The Music Machine was never used for producing sound effects in Demos.

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.

Technical Specifications

Information from the manual:

The Music Machine incoporates two Ferranti devices for digital-to-analogue (DAC) and analogue-to-digital (ADC) conversion. The part numbers are ZN429E8 and ZN449 respectively. The circuit also include a Motorola 6850 ACIA chip (Asynchronous Communications Interface Adapter) for handling the MIDI channel, two anti-alias filters (one for input and one for output), a discrete microphone amplifier and a headphone amplifier. The clock signal for the ACIA and the ZN449 is provided by a ceramic oscillator.

The incoming signal from the microphone amplifier is sampled to an 8-bit resolution at a rate of 19.444 thousand samples per second. This yields an analogue bandwidth of approximately 9.5kHz which is in fact the cutoff frequency of the filters.

The clock signal for the ACIA is unknown. As said above it is based one the same oscillator as used for the ZN449, however, the oscillator is probably whatever MHz (?) divided by whatever (?), and its unknown if the ACIA and ZN449 clocks are using the same divider (ie. the ZN449 samples at 19.444kHz, but the ACIA may, or may not, use another frequency).

The Music Machine uses NMI interrupt, but it is not clear exactly what it uses it for.

All of the devices on The Music Machine data bus are accessible to the Amstrad within its I/O space. ACIA transactions must use 16-bit IO instructions; the converters are accesible via 8-bit IO instructions.

Port Direction Name Description
F8E8h Write Only INTERUPT_SEL Writing 01 to this port disables internal Amstrad interrupts and replaces the IRQ signal from ACIA. Writing 00 restores normality. (Unclear how this works exactly - the description sounds as if uses an External Interrupt (rather than a NMI), and as if it does somehow disable the CPC's internal 300Hz interrupt?)
F8ECh Write only ACIA_Control See 6850 ACIA chip for details
F8EDh Write only ACIA_Data_write See 6850 ACIA chip for details
F8EEh Read only ACIA_Status See 6850 ACIA chip for details
F8EFh Read only ACIA_Data_read See 6850 ACIA chip for details
F8F0h Write only DAC_WRITE Data can written to the DAC via this port
F8F4h Read only ADC_READ The contents of the A-to-D can be read via this port. Note that the A-to-D must have been startet at least 20uS before this port can be read
F8F8h Strobe ADC_START Reading or writing to this port will start analogue to digital conversion

Pictures

  • the unit in its box

  • Music machine 1.jpg

  • missing female connector (?)

  • Backside

  • The microphone

  • The microphone

  • With female connector

  • The Music Machine Layout, thanks to Jose Leandro

  • The Music Machine - Front

  • The Music Machine - Back

  • The Music Machine - Connectors

  • The Music Machine - Without Top

  • The Music Machine - PCB Components

  • The Music Machine - PCB Tracks

  • The Music Machine - PCB Front

  • The Music Machine - PCB Back

  • The Music Machine - Layout

Tape

  • Music Machine Tape side B

  • Music Machine Tape side A

Reviews

  • Review in Greek Side of Amstrad n.6 (May 1987)
  • MusicMachine GSOA p1.jpg
  • MusicMachine GSOA p2.jpg
  • MusicMachine GSOA p3.jpg

Advertisements

MusicMachine ACU ad 1987.jpg

Datasheets

Manual

Download

Weblinks

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