Lena Torres
The Commodore 64, also known as the C64, is an 8-bit home computer introduced in 1982 by Commodore International. It has been recognized as the best-selling desktop computer model of all time, with an estimated 12.5 to 17 million units sold. The C64 was highly successful due to its superior visuals and audio capabilities, made possible by its custom chip for waveform generation. While the C64 did not initially have built-in FM radio functionality, users could add this feature through third-party modules and cartridges, such as the FM-YAM cartridge and the Shareware Plus FM Radio Kit. These devices provided FM sound capabilities and allowed users to tune into FM radio stations, enhancing the audio experience of the C64 beyond its original specifications.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sound | FM |
| Brand | Commodore |
| Model | C64, also known as Commodore 64 |
| Type | 8-bit home computer |
| Year of release | 1982 |
| RAM | 64 kilobytes (65,536 bytes) |
| Market share in the US | 30% to 40% |
| Number of units sold per year | 2 million |
| Number of software titles | 10,000 |
| Brand recognition in 2011 | 87% |
| FM-YAM cartridge | Adds 9 FM sound channels |
| FM Radio module | Plugs into the User Port at the back of the C64 |
| FM Radio module price | ~5 Euros |
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What You'll Learn
FM-YAM cartridge adds 9 FM sound channels
The FM-YAM cartridge is a lightweight FM implementation for the C64. It adds nine FM sound channels to the Commodore 64 (C64). It is a Commodore SFX Sound Expander-compatible cartridge that fits almost any standard C64 cartridge case. It has audio in and out mini-jacks.
The FM-YAM cartridge is comparable to adding an AdLib sound card to the C64. It comes in a 3D-printed red case, although other colours are available. It can be used in a slot expander with other cartridges, such as the X-Pander 3 with a 1541 Ultimate II and Datel MIDI interface.
The cartridge enables the output of the internal SID chip to be mixed with the YM3812 audio generated by the FM-YAM. This allows for SID+FM music, with up to 12 channels to work with, or 13 if adding a digi channel to the SID output.
The FM-YAM cartridge is available to order or pre-order from Xentax. The approximate price is 38 euros, excluding shipment costs of 6.20 euros. Xentax manufactures FM-YAMs on demand, and batches and prices vary according to demand.
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FM Radio module plugs into the User Port
The FM Radio module is a fun and useful addition to the Commodore 64. It plugs into the User Port at the back of the device and allows you to listen to the radio on your C64. The module is compatible with both the C64 and C128.
The FM Radio module comes with a real-time clock (RTC) module, a small telescopic aerial, a program disk, a battery for the RTC, fittings, and instruction sheets. The board has sockets for stereo audio output, aerial input, and a 6-pin female socket header for the RTC. The RTC module is powered by a 3V Lithium CR2032 battery.
To set up the FM Radio module, you need to plug it into the C64's user port and attach speakers and the aerial. Once powered on, you need to load the supplied software to get it working. The supplied floppy disk contains various programs for both the C64 and C128. The "fmradio-64.prg" program is required to get the radio working.
The FM Radio module has a simple and functional user interface that displays all the necessary information. It shows the current date and time, the tuned channel, volume level, and signal strength. It also allows you to store channels as presets and name them. As the C64 FM Radio is digital, tuning into stations is easy. You can initiate an automatic channel scan or fine-tune a station manually. The presets are saved to disk when you quit the program, and you can quickly access them by pressing the corresponding number on the keyboard or using the cursor keys.
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SID+FM music has 12 channels
The FM-YAM cartridge for the Commodore 64 adds 9 channels of FM synthesis sound to the system. When used in combination with the on-board SID, it provides a total of 12 channels. This is achieved by mixing the SID output from the C64 with the YM3812 audio generated by the FM-YAM.
The FM-YAM cartridge is a reproduction of the Sound Expander system, which was first introduced in the early 1980s. It is a lightweight implementation that adds FM sound capabilities to the C64. The cartridge features an audio-in mini-jack and an audio-out mini-jack, allowing users to output sound through headphones or speakers.
The FM-YAM is designed to fit into a standard C64 cartridge case and can be used in a slot expander with other cartridges. It utilizes either a YM-3812 or YM-3526 FM chip and does not feature the original cartridge pass-through.
The development of the FM-YAM cartridge is a collaborative effort between the XeNTaX C64 group, Lotus Electronics ApS, and Sombetzki's Hub C64. As of the information available, they were working on prototypes and expecting to build around 100 units in the first batch.
Additionally, there is another product called ARM2SID, which is a powerful SID solution that can also provide up to 12 music channels when used with the SFX Sound Expander (OPL FM synthesis like FM-YAM). ARM2SID offers different variants, including one socket, two sockets, and two sockets for Ultimate64, catering to various installation needs for C64/C128 computers.
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C64's custom chip for waveform generation
The Commodore 64 (C64) was a low-end computer that dominated the market for most of the later years of the 1980s. The C64 had superior visuals and audio compared to systems without custom hardware. This was due to its custom chip for waveform generation and support for multicolor sprites.
The SID (Sound Interface Device) chip was developed by Bob Yannes of MOS Technology. The chip's distinctive sound is easily recognized and was ahead of its time. The SID chip combines analogue and digital circuitry, which cannot be emulated with 100% fidelity even today. The Commodore 64 and Commodore 128 used the 6581 chip, while the Commodore 64-II and Commodore 128DCR (metal case) used the newer 8580 chip.
There are two versions of the SID chip: the 6581 and the 8580. The main difference between them is the supply voltage; the 6581 requires 12 volts, while the 8580 requires 9 volts. The 8580 can mix all available waveforms on each channel, whereas the 6581 can only mix waveforms in a limited fashion. The 6581 sound quality is slightly crisper, but the 8580 offers greater versatility.
The C64 also had an FM radio module that plugged into the User Port at the back of the device. This module allowed users to listen to FM radio stations through the C64. The module included a real-time clock (RTC) module, a telescopic aerial, a program disk, a battery, fittings, and instruction sheets. The audio output was through a standard 3.5mm jack, allowing users to connect headphones or powered speakers.
Additionally, there was an FM-YAM cartridge available for the C64 that added FM sound capability. This cartridge provided nine channels of FM sound and was comparable to adding an AdLib sound card. The FM-YAM cartridge is based on the SFX Sound Expander by Commodore but is less bulky and fits almost any standard C64 cartridge case. It has audio input and output mini-jacks, and its main purpose is to enable the output of the internal SID chip to be mixed with the YM3812 audio generated by the FM-YAM.
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C64's inadequate Commodore BASIC 2.0
BASIC 2.0, also known as CBM BASIC, is the operating system of the Commodore 64. It is a modified version of the BASIC programming language, originally licensed from Microsoft in 1977. While BASIC 2.0 was popular, it has been criticised for its simplicity and lack of structure.
The Commodore 64's onboard programming language, BASIC, was based on the 1970s Microsoft BASIC standard. However, it lacked many simple facilities, requiring users to PEEK and POKE memory locations to perform operations. This has led to criticisms of the language for being "crappy" and "inadequate".
There have been several approaches to fixing the issues with Commodore BASIC 2.0, including extending or replacing it entirely. One method is to use an extended BASIC package, which prefixes each extended command with a character not usually used in BASIC commands, such as an @ symbol or an exclamation mark. Another approach is to rewrite the error vector to point to new code, though this requires knowledge of the system that most users may not possess.
Some users have opted to replace Commodore BASIC 2.0 with alternative BASICs, such as Simons' BASIC or Laser BASIC. These replacements offer the advantage of not requiring special character prefixes for their commands. However, Simons' BASIC retains the Commodore abbreviations, while Laser BASIC does not.
Another option for users seeking to enhance their Commodore 64 experience is to utilise the FM-YAM cartridge, which adds FM sound capabilities to the system. This cartridge provides nine channels of FM sound, comparable to adding an AdLib sound card. It is compatible with the C64 and fits into a standard cartridge case, with audio input and output mini-jacks.
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Frequently asked questions
The C64, or Commodore 64, did not have built-in FM sound. However, there are a few ways to add FM sound to the C64.
You can add FM sound to your C64 by purchasing an FM Radio module kit. The module plugs into the User Port at the back of your C64. You can also purchase an FM-YAM cartridge, which adds 9 FM sound channels to your C64.
You can buy an RDA5807-based FM Radio module kit from eBay or SharewarePlus.
You can buy an FM-YAM cartridge from Xentax.
