1. Take the SEGA controller and cut off the connector. Strip back the insulation.









10. Place the ten pin header in the board, so that each pin has its own vertical strip.













The Ninja

World Grand Prix

F-16 Fighter

Cartridge PCB Pinout





EPROM CART FUNCTION 1 2 CART: !W; EPROM: VPP 2 33 A12 3 32 A7 4 31 A6 5 30 A5 6 29 A4 7 28 A3 8 27 A2 9 26 A1 10 25 A0 11 24 D0 12 23 D1 13 22 D2 14 19,20,21 0V EPROM CART FUNCTION 28 1,35 5V 27 6 A14 26 7 A13 25 8 A8 24 9 A9 23 10 A11 22 11 CART: !M0-7; EPROM: !OE 21 12 A10 20 13 !CE 19 14 D7 18 15 D6 17 16 D5 16 17 D4 15 18 D3

This video demo demonstrates the SMSM with sample playback, amplitude modulation, bass mode, pitch bend and noise channel control using the SN76489 PSG sound chip.If you enjoy this post, please like my Facebook page or follow this blog for future SMSM updates.This post marks the release of the SEGA Master System MIDI Interface (SMSM) device, as well as the release of the SMSM v100 firmware.The code etc for this is open and free to use. Please do not commercialise this. It is not for making money. It is for making cool chiptune musics. I encourage you to build one of these. It is easy and shouldn't take long. I encourage you to hack the code and play and have fun with it.SMSM is an interface that takes MIDI data and controls the sound chip inside of the SEGA Master System in real time. The idea is to send MIDI data to the SEGA Master System using a MIDI sequencer or MIDI keyboard via the SMSM, which then sends the appropriate audio signal out of the console via its AV port or a direct output port.So for example, if a MIDI note C is sent to the SMSM, then the SEGA sound chip will play a tone with pitch of a C. The PSG SN76489 sound chip is supported as well as the FM YM2413 sound chip (which is found in Japanese models of SEGA Mater System).The aim of this post is to cover the simplest hardware setup that can be used to create an SMSM interface. This is achieved via a Arduino Serial setup. Other methods are possible too.The SMSM is made up of two parts:1) A microcontroller-based interface that takes MIDI data and connects to port 2 of the SEGA Master System and;2) A SEGA Master System cartridge running a custom programIn this blog post, the microcontroller-based interface is an Arduino UNO running as a USB Serial connection via a software MIDI to Serial layer. If that sounds confusing, simply read through this blog post and follow the instructions.It is important to note that the microcontroller-based interface could take other forms, such as a native USB MIDI device or a native 5-pin DIN MIDI device.If you would like me to send you a custom EPROM with the SEGA Master System software on it so that you can make your own cartridge, please email me at seb.tomczak@gmail.com. The EPROMs cost roughly AUD$7 or so (plus postage).• The SMSM interface is also compatible with the SEGA Game Gear. A tutorial can be found here • The post you are currently reading is for the Arduino Serial version. You can also use a traditional MIDI 5 pin DIN connection if you like, although this is slightly more complex from a hardware perspective. Please view this tutorial for more information.• The SMSM is PAL by default. If you are using an NTSC console, please view this simple modification tutorial.MIDI channels 1 - 4 are mapped to the SN76489. MIDI channels 5 - 14 are mapped to the YM2413. Most Western SEGA Master Systems feature only the SN76489. Japanese SEGA Master Systems feature both the SN76489 as well as the YM2413. It is possible to add a sound chip to a SEGA Master System console that is missing the YM2413, as seen in this thread The full MIDI mapping of SMSM firmware v100 can be found here: http://little-scale.com/SMSM/SMSM_100/SMSM_100_MIDI_Mapping.txt The code for the micrcocontroller-based interface can be downloaded here: http://little-scale.com/SMSM/SMSM_100/SMSM_100_Arduino_Serial.ino Note that this is the "Arduino Serial" version of the firmware, and requires a baud rate of 57600 and a Serial port connection on a host computer. The MIDI2Serial Max Patch or OS X application can be used to this end.The link between the Arduino and the SEGA Master System is via controller port two, as follows:The controller port connector should be a female connector, and the pins are as follows (looking at the connector from the front). You can splice a SEGA controller cable, or buy a DB9 connector from an electronics store.The ROM for the SEGA Master System can be downloaded here: http://little-scale.com/SMSM/SMSM_100/SMSM_100_ROM.sms . The source code for the ROM can be downloaded here: http://little-scale.com/SMSM/SMSM_100/SMSM_100_Source_Code_Z80.txt You can either make your own SEGA cartridge, or you can buy a SEGA flashcart (such as here ).If you want to make your own SEGA cartridge, you can either get a PCB made, or you can hack an old SEGA game (see below for a step-by-step).If you would like me to send you a custom EPROM with the SEGA Master System software on it so that you can make your own cartridge, please email me at seb.tomczak@gmail.com. The EPROMs cost roughly AUD$7 or so (plus postage).Parts needed:• SEGA controller (for cable splicing)• Arduino UNO or similar micrcontroller board• Small strip / vero board• 10 pin header (only 9 pins needed)• USB A to B cable• SEGA Master System• Home made SEGA Master system EPROM / EEPROM / Flash cartridge• OR SEGA Master System Flash cartridge• Breadboard, Breadboard jumpers• Soldering iron, Solder, Soldering helping hands, Solder cleaner, Wire stripppers, Multi-meter2. Strip back the insulation for each of the nine wire cores.3. Tin each of the wires by adding a small amount of solder to the stripper back core of each wire.4. Turn the multi-meter to measure resistance in ohms.5. Connect one probe to the 9-pin connector6. Connect the other probe to a wire, and test each wire and match each wire to a pin number.7. In this case, it was as above. Note the shape and pin numbering of the connector.8. Take a small strip / vero board9. Using some wire strippers, cut the board to size, so that at least ten vertical strips are available.11. Solder the pin header in place.12. Solder each of the wires to strip / vero board, so that pin 1 of the 9 pin connector is connected to pin 1 of the pin header, pin 2 to pin 2 of the header and so on.13. Get the breadboard.14. Get the Arduino board.15. Place the pin header to 9 pin connector board onto the breadboard vertically.16. Connect pin 1 of the 9 pin connector to digital pin 2 of the Arduino.17. Connect pin 2 of the 9 pin connector to digital pin 3 of the Arduino.18. Connect pin 7 of the 9 pin connector to digital pin 4 of the Arduino.19. Connect pin 8 of the 9 pin connector to the ground of the Arduino.20. Connect pin 3 of the 9 pin connector to Analog pin 0 of the Arduino.21. Connect pin 4 of the 9 pin connector to Analog pin 1 of the Arduino.22. Connect pin 6 of the 9 pin connector to Analog pin 2 of the Arduino.23. Connect pin 9 of the 9 pin connector to Analog pin 3 of the Arduino.24. Take SEGA Master System Cartridge running the SMSM 100 custom software ROM. Scroll down to see how you can make your own SEGA cartridge to use with SMSM.25. Turn on the SEGA Master System console. Connect the audio output of the console to your audio system. You should hear the standard SEGA startup sound.26. Connect the SMSM microcontroller-based interface to the controller 2 port of the SEGA Master System. Connect a USB cable from your host computer to the SMSM interface.27. Upload the SMSM firmware using the current Arduino IDE . You should hear the SMSM firmware v100 startup sound 28. Load the MIDI2Serial Max Patch or OS X application. Select the Arduino UNOas the Serial Out Device. Select 57600 as the Serial Baud Rate. Select a virtual MIDI path as the MIDI input device.29. Route the output of the SEGA Master System to the input of your sound card. Using your MIDI sequencing software, create four MIDI tracks. Route the first track to the virtual path, choosing channel 1. Route the second track to the virtual path, choosing channel 2. Route the third track to the virtual path, choosing channel 3. Route the fourth track to the virtual path, choosing channel 4. These will correspond to Pulse 1, Pulse 2, Pulse 3 and Noise of the SN76489 sound chip.30. Refer to the MIDI Mapping reference text file to find out more information regarding controllable functions. Download here: http://little-scale.com/SMSM/SMSM_100/SMSM_100_MIDI_Mapping.txt A Live demo track can be downloaded here: http://little-scale.com/SMSM/SMSM_100/SMSM_100_demo.alp A Live template can be downloaded here: http://little-scale.com/SMSM/SMSM_100/SMSM_100_template.alp If you would like me to send you a custom EPROM with the SEGA Master System software on it so that you can make your own cartridge, please email me at seb.tomczak@gmail.com. The EPROMs cost roughly AUD$7 or so (plus postage).These carts have been tested on a PAL SMS 1 and a PAL SMS 2.The good news is that the cartridges use a re-programmable EPROM, provided that you have the appropriate facilities (EPROM programmer and EPROM eraser).This tutorial would not have been possible without the Sega Master System cartridge port connector pinouts as found one Maxim's page: http://www.smspower.org/maxim/docs/pinouts.html . Maxim's webpage is an excellent resource for all things that are related to the Sega Master System, and I would like to thank him for the amount of effort and time he has put into creating it.After the step-by-step section, there is a pinout for the cartridge PCB. 1. You will need a 27C256 EPROM chip. In this tutorial, I use an ST Microelectronics 27C256B chip. If you are using your own EPROM programmer, ensure that the programmer is able to write to both the EPROM model and manufacturer type. This should be documented within the programming software that came with your programmer or with any relevant printed documentation. 2. You will need a Sega Master System cartridge. In particular, we are looking for a cartridge with a single chip on the board. This chip should be a wide-body chip with 28 pins. The printed circuit board that I have used so far is the model 171-5519. I have found the correct chip size and printed circuit board in AUS PAL versions ofand, all of which are fairly common. This tutorial should work with many other games as well. 3. You will need a 28 pin, wide body socket. However, I did not have any handy at the time and my local electronics shop had run out of stock. So, I used a 40 pin wide body socket instead. 4. Remove the two screws on the back of the cartridge. Inside you will find the cartridge circuit board. 5. Check that the board only has one chip on it, and that that chip is a 28 pin, wide body chip. There should also be a ceramic capacitor in the top left and an electrolytic capacitor on the right side of the board. 6. Carefully desolder the chip. I usually use a vaccum solder pump for this sort of thing, because it is quite quick but it is not always 100% reliable (ie. sometimes a point must be worked on more than once before enough solder is removed). Perhaps you feel more comfortable with desoldering braid. 7. Here you can see the front of the board with the missing chip. 8. You will need to cut off the bottom six legs of each side if you are using a 40 pin socket like me. 9. Here you can see the 40 pin socket with the 12 legs removed. 10. You may need to bend the ceramic capacitor in the top left hand corner to the left. 11. This way, the top of the socket has room to fit correctly in place. 12. If you are using a 40 pin socket like me, you may need to move the electrolytic capacitor in the middle right hand side of the board over a touch. 13. This way, the bottom of the socket has enough room to fit correctly in place. 14. Place the socket on to the front face of the board, so that the twelve legs that were cut off earlier are on the right hand side of the board (if you are using a 40 pin socket like me). The stubs of the cut off legs should not touch the surface of the circuit board (if you are using a 40 pin socket like me). 15. Here you can see the socket sitting in place from the back of the board. 16. Solder the socket into place. 17. If your EPROM has been used before, you will need to erase it. For my ST 27C256 EPROM, I set my erase timer to 10 minutes. The amount of time required to erase your particular EPROM might be different, depending on the manufacturer. 18. Program the EPROM with the (legal) ROM of your choice. In my case, I am programming a homebrew test program. I am using a TOP2007 general programmer, which is USB powered - quite convenient. However, I did have to install the latest software from their website in order to be able to program the 27C256 without errors. 19. Gently place the EPROM into its socket. You may need to gently change the angle of the pins, so that they align with the socket correctly. 20. Enjoy your cartridge. 21. You may also like to solder your EPROM onto the board directly, as shown above. If so, do so gently and make sure you apply the soldering iron to the legs of the EPROM for short amounts of time only. The disadvantage of using a soldered EPROM is that you can only really program it one time. 23. The advantage is that it can fit inside an old cartridge shell.If you are interested in the pinout of the IC socket compared to the Sega Master System port, then this photo can help you. The IC socket shares the same pins for both the front and the back (of course) but the edge connector that mates with the actual Sega Master System has two sides. The front side has the even numbers from 2 to 50 and the back side has the odd numbers from 1 to 49. This pinout is of course only relevant to boards that have a single, wide body 28 pin ROM chip on them to begin with.The front side is the one where the ROM chip faces upwards, and the face of the front points towards the front of the Sega Master System when inserted into the console.As one can see below, the pinouts of the socket on the PCB when compared to the SMS cartridge port in light of using a smaller size EPROM (i.e. 32KB) works out very nicely, and no changes or rewiring are required.