Yamaha YM2149

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Yamaha YM2149 PSG, as used in the Atari ST, TT, and Falcon computers

The YM2149 is a 3-voice PSG (programmable sound generator), used in the Atari ST, TT, and Falcon computers for the generation of sound. Designed and placed in Atari computers primarily with the intention of enabling the generation of tones, "bleeps", and synthesized music, the chip was soon used by resourceful programmers to play digital samples for music and sound effects in ST applications, games, and demos.

Manufactured by Yamaha in the 1980's and 1990's, the YM2149 is an 8-bit chip capable of producing distinct 4096 tones. It was used in a number of consoles, arcade machines, and computers in the 1980's, including the Commodore 64 and Apple ii series of computers

Programming and technical

  • For detailed specifications and programming information, see the Yamaha YM2149 Manual
  • Antic programmming guide
  • Modifications and replacements - is software compatible with more advanced YM21xx?? There are FIY projects to upgrade to the newer chip

Emulators

  • ST Sound plugin for playing YM files in web browsers and winamp
  • Java applet YM emulator by Equinox
  • There are quite a few more more...


External links