FS-CA1 manual and photos online

Hero (651)

08-10-2022, 17:36

Since the MSX-Audio BASIC manual became online, I could upload the entire FS-CA1 MSX-AUDIO manual online thanks to sd_snatcher. It is entirely Japanese and FS-CA1 is extremely difficult to obtain but I hope it helps.
Also, the closeup photos of FS-CA1 PCBs from all directions are here so please fell free to track the wiring, identify the resistor values etc.

It is good to know FS-CA1's MSX-AUDIO volume is much louder than the others like NMS1205 and the MSX-AUDIO:PSG volume ratio of the Japanese games eg Disc Stations is controlled accordingly, and that's why PSG volume is deafening if you increase the TV volume to hear MSX-AUDIO when playing a such game with NMS1205.

By sdsnatcher73

Enlighted (4284)

08-10-2022, 17:42

Cool, interesting the MEI engineers had the position for the Y8950 labeled as YM8950 (as most Yamaha FM chips had a YM designation). I wonder if it they made a mistake at MEI or if Yamaha changed the chip number late in the development cycle.

By Takamichi

Hero (651)

08-10-2022, 18:42

Where is/was YM8950 inscribed?? The chip on the PCB says Y8950 and manual page 195 says Y-8950.

By sdsnatcher73

Enlighted (4284)

08-10-2022, 19:00

On the reverse side of PCB where the Y8950 chip is installed (center of the chip location):

By raymond

Hero (653)

08-10-2022, 19:01

It is a great cartridge and yes, they are hard to get. I always wondered why there was so much empty space inside it. As it could be so much smaller which would make it easier to use.

By sd_snatcher

Prophet (3675)

08-10-2022, 22:58

Thanks Takamichi, for the much needed work to polish the scan of the manual. It has been 15 years since this was scanned.

I also would like to thank fractal2000, who lended us his manual on the Jaú2007 MSX meeting so we could scan it.