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OPL2LPT

Adlib OPL2 synthesizer sound on parallel port

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Get authentic adlib compatible sound on PC's without ISA slot : use the parallel port !
This board uses authentic yamaha FM chips. The hardware is available as kit or presoldered board. The following OPL2LPT Utilities are available as open source :
Adlipt : DOS TSR that emulates an adlib card, and controls the OPL2LPT over parallel port
Adpatch : Patching utility to patch games : make them support OPL2LPT without TSR
OPL2test : DOS test program, plays a tune on OPL2LPT (no drivers needed)

OPL2LPT is available as kit or presoldered board, here.

The soldering guide is available here

A video says more than a 1000 words... so ..

Here's a video by the 8 bit guy, it is a great introduction : 

It shows how to solder the kit, and how to use the driver and patcher for games.

Here's a video review by Lazy Game Reviews :

Here's a video review by Phil's computerlab, using the OPL2LPT on a core i7 :

  • 1 × 4.7nF cap
  • 5 × 10uF cap
  • 1 × Mini USB Connector
  • 2 × 330 ohm resistor
  • 2 × 470 ohm resistor

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View all 8 project logs

  • 1
    OPL2LPT soldering instructions

    OPL2LPT is an FM synthesizer board for parallel port. 

    The kit uses all 80’s style classic through hole components.

    No SMD soldering skills required

    After approx. 40 minutes of soldering pleasure, you should end up with this beauty : The OPL2LPT !

    Parts List :

    Component identification :

    Component placement 

    For LD1, C2,C3,C4,C5, C6, C9, C11 : take care to respect the polarity.
    The negative side is marked with - on the PCB.

    Soldering steps

    Starting from the blank PCB, gradually populate the board with components.

    At this stage you can already test if the 5V power works fine :  if there are no shorts , the green led should burn when you plug the board on an usb cable to your 5V power source. If this works, add the remaining  components.

    For the potentiometer, straighten the legs, and mount it as shown here :

    Now also place the Yamaha chips in the sockets. Make sure you insert them with the right orientation. If all went well, your board should look like this :

    Testing the board

    Plug your board in your DOS pc’s parallel port. Connect a 5V power source (this could be a battery pack, an usb port, a ps/2 to usb converter, …) to the board, using a mini USB cable.

    Also connect your speakers or headphones to the 3.5mm jack.

    Now using the test program ‘opl2test’, you should hear some music. Adjust the potentiometer until you hear a suitable volume.

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terrence vergauwen wrote 01/22/2021 at 05:15 point

Hi all, I purchased an OPL3LPT and connected it to an 1993 HP 200LX 2MB Palmtop PC running MS-DOS 5.0 and loaded up some of the 16bit demo games "adpatched", and also Planet X3, which has native OPLxLPT support, running on the little machine ;) here's some videos:
Planet X3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k56E4bNhNVU
Commander Keen 4 demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AULkiSM7Dco
Leisure Suit Larry 3 demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYJ6Ny4AXDM
Police Quest 2 demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW--zmcYdX0
Kings Quest 4 demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xFIFwM1cuU

Is'nt this nerd heaven ? ;) This is why I love the OPL2/3LPT so much, it can literally work with ANYTHING that has an LPT port ;)

  Are you sure? yes | no

serdef wrote 01/22/2021 at 06:25 point

Terrence, that is wonderful ! Thanks for the videos.

  Are you sure? yes | no

davedarko wrote 12/23/2017 at 19:15 point

Where's the LGR video? :)

  Are you sure? yes | no

serdef wrote 12/23/2017 at 19:31 point

It is the second video in project details :-)

  Are you sure? yes | no

davedarko wrote 12/23/2017 at 20:14 point

that's cheating, wasn't there when I asked :p was pleased to see your module on LGR and read in the comments you were very happy when you saw that he ordered one :)

  Are you sure? yes | no

serdef wrote 12/23/2017 at 21:48 point

:-)

  Are you sure? yes | no

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