Relive the fun of early computer game music with an authentic 8-bit chiptune synthesizer, which you can control over MIDI from the comfort of any modern DAW software.
This simple circuit uses an Arduino to drive an AY-3-8910 programmable sound generator chip (or one of its many clones) to recreate that 1980’s sound. Unlike the many designs that need specialised software to edit music, this looks like a standard USB MIDI device. The synthesizer has a clever algorithm which tries to keep the most musically-relevant notes playing; in many cases you can throw un-edited MIDI files straight at it and the tune comes right out. Total cost should be about £20.
Step 1: Things You’ll Need
The full parts list for this, as you see in the pictures, is as follows:
- Sparkfun Pro Micro clone (5V, 16MHz option). I used this one on Amazon.
- Yamaha YM2149F PSG chip. I got mine from eBay.
- 2 x 100nF ceramic capacitors
- 1 each of 75R, 1K and 100K resistors (1/4 watt rating is fine).
- 4.7nF ceramic disc capacitor
- 1uF electrolytic capacitor (voltage rating > 5V).
- 40 pin 0.6″ DIP IC socket
- 2 x 12 way 0.1″ headers (this one from CPC)
- Prototyping board, 3″ by 2″ approx. I bought a bulk pack of these, again on Amazon.
- PCB mount phono socket
- Miniature solid-core wire (like this).
You will also need a soldering iron, solder, wire cutters, pliers, and a wire stripper.
Step 2: Alternative Parts
Alternative programmable sound generator chips
The YM2149 I used is a clone of the original General Instruments AY-3-8910 IC. (The first prototype used an AY-3-8910 I bought from eBay, but it turned out the white noise generator wasn’t working. Sad face). You can use either for this project without any changes.
General Instruments also made AY-3-8912 and AY-3-8913 variants, which was the same silicon inside smaller packages, without some extra I/O pins. These pins aren’t needed for any audio purposes, and this project doesn’t use them. You can use an AY-3-8912 or -8913, just follow the pinouts shown above.
Alternative Arduinos
The “Pro Micro” I used is a copy of Sparkfun’s Pro Micro board. If you’re not confident with Arduino code it’s best to stick with this; if you’re happy to adapt the design, you’ll need the following specifications
- ATmega 16u4 or 32u4 device (needed to act as a USB MIDI device; the ATmega 168 or 328 can’t do this).
- 5V operation (the AY-3-8910 runs at 5V), and 16MHz clock speed.
- At least 13 digital I/O lines.
- Port pin PB5 must be connected (it’s used to generate a 1MHz clock signal). On the Pro Micro this is used as the D9 I/O pin.
The Arduino Leonardo and Micro boards both fit the bill, although I haven’t tried them.
Other components
The resistors and capacitors used here aren’t particularly special. Any parts of (approximately) the right value should work.
Step 3: Laying Out the Circuit Board
To build the circuit, it’s best to start by positioning the sockets, then add the resistors and capacitors. We’ll cover wiring these together in the next step.
Using the picture above as a guide, position the 40-pin IC socket, turn the board over and just solder in two opposite corner pins first. If the socket isn’t then lying flat against the board, it’s easy to fix by resoldering one or other pin. When it’s OK, solder the rest.
Position the two 12-pin sockets, then insert the Arduino into them to hold them vertical and steady during soldering. Again, soldering two pins at each end first will allow a check before final soldering.
For the audio output socket, I used a small drill to enlarge the PCB holes, as the mounting tags are rather large.
Read more: Arduino MIDI Chiptune Synthesizer
