Sound System: Description of Yamaha OPL3 and OPL2 Chips (89877)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Sound System 1.0
  • Microsoft Windows Sound System 1.0a
  • Microsoft Windows Sound System 2.0
This article was previously published under Q89877

SUMMARY

The Yamaha OPL3 synthesis chip (YMF262) is backward-compatible with the Yamaha OPL2 synthesis chip (YM3812), the synthesis chip used in Adlib and Adlib-compatible boards. The OPL3 chip supports more complex waveforms, more voices, and stereo sound. It is also compatible with other sound cards.

MORE INFORMATION

Because the OPL3 has two modes, one of them being a compatibility mode at startup, the compatibility is only ensured after you have turned off and restarted your computer.

The OPL3's new features are:

  • More complex waveforms creating more complex timbres
  • More voices (up from 9 to 18)
  • Stereo voices (although a voice must be entirely on the left channel, right channel, or both)
Some MediaVision cards, Adlib-gold cards, and newer versions of the SoundBlaster Pro card use the OPL3. The OPL3 chip can be identified by looking for a surface mount chip with the label "YMF262" on the sound card.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/17/2003
Keywords:KB89877
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.