YM21xx-YM39xx numerical classification (original) (raw)

YAMAHA YM chips numerical classification

YM21xx - YM39xx

Yamaha has developed tons of sound chips, and they often bother chip researchers since many different lines get snarled up in close numbers. So I tried to ravel them on the following chart.

* Numbers before YM21280 were also used for home keyboards etc. But line-up and functions are almost unknown. So I started from YM21xx series. Some of you might have noticed that YM chips change directional character in every 100 (or 200) unit. Here're my complements:

YM21xx numbers could be called the basic models of Yamaha's one-chip synthesizers from squarewave synthesizer to rhythm machine. However, YM21280, the core of DX-7, doesn't work independently yet. It needs YM21290 as the envelope generator. This set is the direct ancestor of one-chip FM synthesizers commencing with YM2151.

YM2149 is known as the modified version of General Instruments AY-3-8910. It looks strange that a clone chip appeared in YM21xx range filled with original chips. In 1983, Yamaha played primary role at MSX standard development. And I guess Yamaha wanted to develop entire sound part of MSX by their hands since they advocate that developing and producing best devices by themselves is their policy for providing better sound making. In fact YM2148, YM2149 and YM2151 first appeared on their MSX computers and a sound expansion called SFG-01. Incidentally, I guess MKS is short for "MIDI interface and Key Scanner."

YM2151 is Yamaha's first single chip FM synth, was implemented not only to Yamaha's FM synth keyboards such as DX-21 (1985), DX-27, DX-100 but also to arcade games/home computers. In 1984 Atari acquired legal right to use it as their arcade components. (on the contrary, Yamaha didn't allow Atari to use it for home computers.) Their "Marble Madness" is known as the first video game using YM2151, then Sega, Namco and Konami followed.

YM2164 is almost identical to YM2151. Perhaps the only improvement is multi-timbre MIDI input support. YM2164 first appeared on the SFG-05 (an advanced version of the SFG-01 which added MIDI input) and later used for the FB-01 which was designed as a standalone MIDI module version of the SFG-05. It was also provided to Korg and they used it for the DS-8 (1987) and the 707 (1988).

YM2154 was made for RX-15, so perhaps it's a PCM sound chip for rhythm samples.

YM2163 is for toy keyboards such as Testron CL-60910.

YM2198 used in YP-40 is perhaps FM synth chip for Clavinova series.

YM24xx

Here you can find advanced/cut-down variations from YM21xx range. Most of them appeared during 1986-1987. YM2409 and YM2412 were used for Yamaha's first sampler called TX16W. YM2409 generates sample sound from the wave memory, and YM2412 filters it digitally.

YM2413 is the cheapest FM synth chip among YM family which has been used for the FM Sound Unit of the Sega Mark III (1987) at first. This is the last YM 4 digits sound chip which is still on stream.

YM2414 found in TX-81Z (1986) and V-2 (1987, also known as DX-11) can be regarded as a progressive edition of OPM. YM2151 uses sinewave as an only basic waveform. But YM2414 allows you to select 8 different waveforms.

YM2420 used in SHS-10 shoulder keyboard is a chip quite similar to YM2413. It has six tone channels + some rhythm channels.

YM34xx

Numerically YM34xx is located immediately after YM30xx. But maybe it's far later series.

YM3413, perhaps a type of sound effector chip, is found in PSR-330 portable keyboard (1997).

YM3414 is in CD players such as CDP QUATTRO II (1988).

YM3424 is in CLP (Clavinova) series, might work as a part of piano sound generator.

YM3433 is two-channel 8x over-sampling digital filter.

DIR of YM3436 means Digital format Interface Reciever.

DIT of YM3437 means Digital audio Interface Transmitter.

YM3438 and YM3439 seem CMOS revisions of OPN2 and SSG. So YM34xx range might have focused on CMOS process. YM3438 is known as a sound chip of Sega System 18/32 (1989) and FM Towns II (1991). Also YM3439 is known as a sound chip of Atari Falcon030 (1993).

YM38xx

YM38xx expanded into wide range, so I cannot find any directional characters.

I guess that MCS of YM3802 means MIDI Contol System. It appeared at least in 1986, and is found on MIDI interface cards for X68000 etc.

YM3804 and YM3807 are found in SPX90II, a multi sound effector released in 1987.

YM3806 is in PSR-70 portable keyboard (1987) featuring eight FM tone channels + some rhythm channels. According to

YM3812 is an advanced version of YM3526 which allows you to select 4 basic waveforms. In 1986 it first appeared on arcade games, and later adopted to the famous Adlib sound card. Some sources state that there was a compatible chip called YM3814. But I cannot find farther informations.

Hex125, Kayama and Stiletto.