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I want to build OPL3 myself. How do I?

G

Green Xenon1

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Joined
Jan 15, 2010
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28
Hi:

I would like to construct my version of the OPL3 FM synth chip for myself. I want to build each and every element of the chip on my own so I know I'm getting what I want. How do I do this?


Thanks,

Green Xenon
 
Green Xenon1 said:
Hi:

I would like to construct my version of the OPL3 FM synth chip for myself. I want to build each and every element of the chip on my own so I know I'm getting what I want. How do I do this?


Thanks,

Green Xenon
Click to expand...

The OPL3 is a quite complicated IC, and you will have some problems just building one if you don't know anythong about how semiconductors work. Building an OPL(1) would problably be possible using discreete TTL logic (due to it using only sine-waves), but it'll be a waste of time since it will for sure cost more than the chip itself.
 
You may want to take an alternate approach and simply emulate the chip using a suitably fast (e.g. ARM) microprocessor. As a starting point, you may want to investigate Jarek Burczinsky's Java YMF262 emulator. His original emulation used a 500MHz AMD K6-2 system to run, so it's certainly doable.
 
per said:
The OPL3 is a quite complicated IC, and you will have some problems just building one if you don't know anythong about how semiconductors work. Building an OPL(1) would problably be possible using discreete TTL logic (due to it using only sine-waves), but it'll be a waste of time since it will for sure cost more than the chip itself.
Click to expand...

I want to build it the same way it was built by Yamaha. The only difference is that my version of the OPL3 would be monoaural and similar to what one would get from inverting the phase of one stereo channel of the original stereo OPL3 synth and combining that channel with the other un-inverted stereo channel. This results in the mono of what initially sounded different in the L and R speakers when the signal was stereo.

I have an SB16 ISA card with the OPL3 synth. I just love the way it sounds after I process the FM audio in the aforementioned manner. There are two ways to do this:

1. Run the audio from the card into a voice-canceller or vocal-eliminator

OR

2. Record the audio from the OPL3 directly into a stereo wave file. Next, use some audio software to invert the phase of one stereo channel and then combine that channel with the other stereo channel by converting the file to mono. Same affect as using a vocal-eliminator.

I would like to do this "vocal elimination" from the start of the chip. I want to build the chip so it directly generates the signals that were not in-phase in the stereo channels of the original OPL3 chip.
 
Chuck(G) said:
You may want to take an alternate approach and simply emulate the chip using a suitably fast (e.g. ARM) microprocessor. As a starting point, you may want to investigate Jarek Burczinsky's Java YMF262 emulator. His original emulation used a 500MHz AMD K6-2 system to run, so it's certainly doable.
Click to expand...

I prefer not to use any emulation at all.
 
Green Xenon1 said:
I want to build something very similar to the YMF262 chip. However, I want it with the aforementioned differences.
Click to expand...

It's possible to fabricate IC's privately, but you really need a lot of special equipment and experience in order to do that.

First of all you will need to know how intergrated cirquits work, and how IC's are designed. Then you will need to know how to convert the design to masks which will be used in making the IC's.

To actually make IC's, you will first of all need a column or waffle of pure silicon crystall. Then you will need a dust-free envroniment, UV-lamps, and a lot of chemicals to prepare and process the waffles.

The process is very prone to failure, and it will not work if just about any small detail goes wrong. It is therefore not common that private people make their own ICs. Of course if you have the right contacts, you may be able to make the schematics and then get somebody to make them for you. This may be very expensive, but you would then be sure you got what you designed.
 
I do believe he doesn't necessarily mean as an IC - you can always replicate functionality with breadboards and discrete parts.. it just might get gigantic and ridiculous, expensive, etc..
 
Raven said:
I do believe he doesn't necessarily mean as an IC - you can always replicate functionality with breadboards and discrete parts.. it just might get gigantic and ridiculous, expensive, etc..
Click to expand...

Good point. I'm thinking of building my version [i.e. "vocal eliminated"] of the OPL3 chip without the use of frail devices. I would like this OPL3 replica to fit all the following characteristics:

1. Does not need any soldering to build

2. Is easy to physically carry around

3. Can withstand temperatures extreme enough to destroy the original OPL3 chip

4. Can withstand physical stress [such as from accidental falls] without experiencing any damage

5. Does not require the use of any hazardous material [such as UV light and chemicals] to construct

6. Can withstand static electricity without being damaged to any extent

7. Can withstand -- but does not use -- amperages high-enough to instantly destroy the original OPL3 chip ithout being damaged to any extent

8. Can withstand -- but does not use -- voltages high-enough to instantly destroy the original OPL3 chip without being damaged to any extent

9. Can withstand -- but does not use -- wattages high-enough to instantly destroy the original OPL3 chip ithout being damaged to any extent

10. Can withstand square-waves [e.g. clipped waveforms], spike-waves, triangle-waves, and other sharp-edged signals intense enough to immediately obliterate the original OPL3 chip without being damaged to any extent

11. Can be submerged in water without being damaged to any extent [even while running]

12. Can withstand short-circuits without being damaged to any extent

13. Is small enough that it can be easily washed in the average household bathroom sink

14. Can be vigorously cleaned with water and dried with any towel without experiencing any damage.

15. Can be disassembled and reassembled without being damaged. This is in case #13 is not possible. If #13 cannot happen, then I can wash and dry each component after disassembly and then reassemble the OPL3 after all the parts are clean and dry.

Is is possible for me to build my custom-tailored OPL3 device given the state of today technology? If not, what is the closest I can get?


Thanks
 
Green Xenon1 said:
... Is it possible for me to build my custom-tailored OPL3 device given the state of today technology?...
Click to expand...
Absolutely! In fact, although they're not custom-tailored, the briefs I'm presently wearing would meet all your criteria and have actually been tested with regard to items # 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 14, and especially # 12 and their ability to withstand exposure to hazardous gases.
 
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