MMC5 Audio
Nintendo MMC5 Audio
Overview
The Nintendo MMC5 is a multifunction cartridge enhancement chip developed by Nintendo for the Famicom. In addition to memory management, the MMC5 provides additional audio capabilities that expand the sound hardware of the standard Famicom.
The MMC5 adds two pulse-wave channels to the console's built-in audio hardware. These channels are closely related to the Famicom's existing pulse generators, making the MMC5 particularly interesting for composers working within the limitations of the NES sound architecture.
Technical characteristics
- Manufacturer: Nintendo
- Type: Programmable pulse-wave audio
- Additional channels: 2 pulse channels
- Waveform: Variable-duty pulse
- Envelope: Hardware volume control
- System: Nintendo Famicom / NES cartridges
Two additional pulse channels
The MMC5 adds two pulse generators to the five audio channels already present in the Famicom APU. Each channel provides programmable frequency, volume and duty cycle.
The additional voices can therefore be used for melody, harmony, bass or rhythmic material, considerably increasing the amount of simultaneous tonal information available to a composer.
Pulse synthesis
Like the standard NES pulse channels, the MMC5 generates square or pulse waves with selectable duty cycles. The different pulse widths can be used to create contrasting timbres while keeping the very characteristic sound of the Famicom.
Tracker relevance
The MMC5 is highly relevant to tracker music because its two channels can be treated as two additional monophonic tracker voices. Notes, pitch changes, volume commands and duty-cycle changes can be sequenced to create melodies and accompaniment.
Modern NES trackers and music tools can emulate the MMC5 expansion hardware, allowing composers to create music using the expanded channel count.
Historical importance
The MMC5 demonstrates how Nintendo used cartridge hardware to extend the capabilities of the Famicom. The chip is best known for its memory-management functions, but its additional audio channels also make it one of the notable expansion sound systems of the platform.
Related soundchips
- NES APU
- Konami VRC6
- Konami VRC7
- Namco 163
- Sunsoft 5B
Further reading
In a nutshell
- Name: MMC5 Audio
- Manufacturer: Nintendo
- Family: MMC5
- Type: PSG
- Year: 1988
- Channels: 2
- Synthesis: Pulse
- Sample support: 0
- Description: Two additional pulse channels provided by Nintendo MMC5 cartridge hardware.
- Aliases: MMC5
- Computer:
- Console: Nintendo Famicom
- Arcade:
- Official Name: MMC5 Audio