FM-Pack cartridge for my MSX2 Philips NMS8280

Master (156)

17-06-2021, 12:28

good morning, I am going to buy an FM-PACK cartridge to improve game sound in my Philips NMS8280 MSX2. Which one do you recommend? I know that the Carnivore2 cartridge comes with the fm-pack module, does it work well with games or better take a specific cartridge? thank you

By Robosoft

Expert (115)

17-06-2021, 13:50

The Carnivore2 is a well built All in One cartridge with its own audio output.
Works with every game and gives a nice balanced PSG/FM/SCC sound.
I use it in my Turbo-R because of the terrible internal audio output.

By Grauw

Ascended (10821)

17-06-2021, 13:57

Hi andallaco,

Both Carnivore2 or a dedicated FM-PAC or MSX-MUSIC cartridge will work equally well with games.

The main difference is that the Carnivore2 is an FPGA emulation while the FM-PAC and MSX-MUSIC cartridges use the original Yamaha chip. This means that the FM-PAC will sound perhaps slightly more authentic for those with extremely discerning ears. But from what I heard the Carnivore2 has a very good, clean and clear audio output that you don’t get on the FM-PAC.

The other difference is the cost, a new MSX-MUSIC clone cartridge will cost around € 40, while an original FM-PAC or a Carnivore2 both will cost around € 120. Of course for that price the Carnivore2 offers many additional useful functions.

By JGM

Master (145)

17-06-2021, 15:27

An original FM-PAC will not sound very clean on a nms 8280, on a 8250 it is even worse.
So A fm-pac clone with a seperate audio output is the way to go for a 8280 if you ask me.
You can modify a nms 8280 so it will sound decent, but it requires some effort.

https://download.file-hunter.com/Technical/Hans%20Otten/Soun...

it's in dutch, but maybe it is a bit helpfull.

By andallaco

Master (156)

17-06-2021, 15:34

which FM-pack with audio output do you recommend? for Konami games need SCC, another standard to the FM-pack ?? thank you

By meits

Scribe (6577)

17-06-2021, 15:56

andallaco wrote:

which FM-pack with audio output do you recommend?

Any. First you find.

By andallaco

Master (156)

17-06-2021, 16:34

so are they all the same? Do they all have stereo output? Does Carnivore2 have audio output?

By djh1697

Paragon (1736)

17-06-2021, 16:55

andallaco wrote:

so are they all the same? Do they all have stereo output? Does Carnivore2 have audio output?

Some do, and some don't! Best to check with the seller, the one I have has the holes on the board, but no socket! The 8bits4ever does not https://www.8bits4ever.net/product-page/carnivore2

By Grauw

Ascended (10821)

17-06-2021, 17:10

djh1697 wrote:

andallaco wrote:

so are they all the same? Do they all have stereo output? Does Carnivore2 have audio output?

Some do, and some don't! Best to check with the seller, the one I have has the holes on the board, but no socket! The 8bits4ever does not https://www.8bits4ever.net/product-page/carnivore2

In the tech specs it says “Stereo audio output jack (3.5mm)”, and the fifth picture shows it, so the Carnivore2 produced by 8bits4ever does.

By andallaco

Master (156)

17-06-2021, 17:34

unfortunately the 8bit4ever Carnivore2 is no longer available for some time! so, if I buy a C2 with audio output jack it solves every audio problem of my nms8280, as well as to function as MFR ?? thank you

By meits

Scribe (6577)

17-06-2021, 17:40

andallaco wrote:

so are they all the same? Do they all have stereo output? Does Carnivore2 have audio output?

One can be louder, one can be softer. It also depends on the computer you connect it to. Everything always differs a bit, but not enough to let you pick one over the other. It's not like we can choose a lot nowadays.

andallaco wrote:

If you use the audio output of the cartridge, you will not suffer the mixer problems of the computers.