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For original MSX hardware, the simplest route is usually the computer’s audio output: connect the MSX’s DIN, RCA, SCART, or 3.5 mm audio output to powered speakers, an amplifier, or a computer line input. SCC and similar cartridges generate analog sound that returns through cartridge-slot pin 49, SOUNDIN; the MSX then mixes it with its internal audio. Whether that cartridge sound reaches the output—and how loud it is—depends on the specific MSX model and its audio circuit.
What connection should I use?
Use the MSX’s audio output for listening or recording; do not try to take computer-ready audio directly from the cartridge connector. On a compatible machine, the MSX combines cartridge sound arriving on SOUNDIN with its internal sound and sends the mix to an audio output.
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The connector varies by machine. Many MSX computers provide audio through a DIN-6 socket, while other setups may use RCA, SCART, or a 3.5 mm jack. Check the manual or model-specific pinout before choosing a cable: a plug that physically fits is not proof that its pins carry the signal you need.
| Goal | Signal path | What to connect |
|---|---|---|
| Listen on speakers | MSX audio output → speaker or amplifier input | A cable or adapter matched to the MSX output and destination input |
| Listen on headphones | MSX audio output → headphone amplifier → headphones | Use a suitable headphone amplifier if the MSX output is not a headphone output |
| Monitor or record on a computer | MSX audio output → line input | A computer line-in, or a USB audio interface or USB sound card with stereo line input |
| Record openMSX emulation | openMSX audio capture → WAV file | Use Tools → Capture → Audio/Video with Audio selected, or the console command soundlog start |
How does cartridge audio get into the MSX mix?
An SCC or similar sound cartridge creates an analog signal inside the cartridge. That signal is returned to the computer on slot pin 49, labeled SOUNDIN. The MSX motherboard then feeds SOUNDIN into its audio mixer along with the built-in PSG and, on some machines, other internal sound sources. The final mixed signal is what appears at the machine’s audio connector.
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This explains why a cartridge connector is not a USB-style audio output. The slot carries the cartridge’s sound signal as part of the MSX’s internal analog path; it does not provide a universal digital stream that a computer can decode. Taking audio from the MSX output preserves the machine’s own mixing behavior and lets you hear internal PSG together with cartridge audio when the model supports it.
There is no single MSX-wide guarantee that SOUNDIN is wired into the mixer. The slot reference identifies machines where pin 49 is not connected, including the Casio PV-7, Hitachi MB-H1, Victor HC-30, Yamaha SX-100, and Korean MSX machines. Other computers have the pin connected but still may not pass SCC audio correctly. Always verify the exact model rather than relying on a generic MSX pinout.
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Connect the MSX’s audio output to powered speakers, an amplifier, a monitor or TV audio input, or headphones through an appropriate headphone amplifier. Match both ends of the cable to the actual connectors on your MSX and listening equipment.
Using a DIN-6 audio output
The Ultimate MSX FAQ maps audio left or mono to DIN-6 pin 4 and audio right to pin 6. Its example RCA wiring uses the audio pin and ground on pin 3, and notes that the MSX output is mono even when two RCA plugs are used. Confirm the wiring for your particular machine before connecting a homemade or unfamiliar cable; DIN connector pin assignments can be easy to misread when viewed from the plug rather than the socket.
When making or checking a cable, identify the connector’s viewing orientation first. A diagram showing the socket from the front is not necessarily the same as a diagram showing the solder side of a plug. A wiring error can send signal to the wrong contact or leave the ground disconnected. If you are not certain which pins are audio and ground, use a tested model-specific cable instead of guessing.
Connecting a mono output to stereo equipment
A two-plug RCA lead or stereo-shaped cable does not make a mono MSX source stereo. If your machine provides mono audio and your speakers have separate left and right inputs, use an appropriate mono-to-stereo adapter or feed the mono signal to both inputs. Do not join left and right outputs with an improvised cable: use an adapter designed for the connection.
If only one channel is connected, the sound may play from one speaker or appear to lose level when a recording program expects two channels. Duplicating the mono signal to left and right is useful for monitoring and recording, but both channels will contain the same information. It cannot restore stereo separation that the MSX did not generate.
Using a 3.5 mm output
Some modern MSX hardware, including FLASHJACKS, documents a 3.5 mm jack that can be used as a headphone or line output. That is a product-specific example, not a guarantee that every MSX has the same jack or level. Check the hardware documentation and connect it to a compatible input.
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A jack described as line output should normally feed powered speakers, an amplifier, or a line input. A jack intended for headphones may need an amplifier or may have a different output level. Start with the receiving equipment turned down, then raise the MSX level gradually. The published MSX connector information does not define one universal voltage or volume setting for every model.
How do I send MSX audio to a computer?
Connect the MSX’s analog audio output to a computer line input, then select that input in the operating system and recording application. If the computer has no line-in, use a USB audio interface or USB sound card with a stereo line input.
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- Find the MSX output. Identify the audio connector and pinout for your exact computer. Use its audio output—not the cartridge slot’s SOUNDIN connection—as the recording source.
- Choose the correct cable. Match the MSX output to the computer’s line input or interface input. Use a mono-to-stereo adapter where needed if the MSX output is mono and you want the signal on both recording channels.
- Select the input. In the operating system’s sound settings, choose the line input or USB interface. Then select the same device as the recording application’s input.
- Set levels conservatively. Start with low MSX volume and interface gain, then raise them until the sound is clear. Monitor with headphones or speakers and keep the recording below clipping. The documented MSX connectors do not establish one universal level setting for every model.
- Make a short test recording. Play a passage with both quiet and loud parts, listen back, and adjust the input gain if the recording is distorted or too faint. Record the full performance only after the test sounds clean.
A computer microphone input is not a substitute for a proper line input in every setup: inputs may differ in channel count and level handling. Prefer a line input where available, or a USB interface explicitly equipped with stereo line input. Avoid turning up gain aggressively to compensate for a very quiet SCC signal before checking whether the MSX actually passes cartridge audio.
Monitoring while recording
Monitor from the interface or computer with headphones or powered speakers, not by repeatedly plugging and unplugging the MSX. Keep the MSX and interface output levels low while making the first connection. Raise one control at a time so you can tell whether distortion comes from the MSX output, the interface input, or the software mixer.
A clean test should include silence, a quiet musical phrase, and the loudest section you expect to record. If the waveform is clipped, reduce the interface input gain first. If it is clean but very small, confirm that the input is set to line rather than microphone and then increase gain in small steps. A low level caused by missing SOUNDIN cannot be fixed with gain; it requires checking the cartridge, model compatibility, and audio route.
Can I record MSX cartridge music without original hardware?
Yes. For openMSX emulation, the manual documents an audio capture function that writes a WAV file, so you do not need to route the emulator through a physical MSX audio output.
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- In openMSX, choose Tools → Capture → Audio/Video and select Audio.
- Alternatively, open the console and enter
soundlog startto begin writing a WAV recording. - Enter
soundlog stopwhen the passage is finished.
This is a separate path from recording an original cartridge on physical hardware. An emulator’s capture function records the emulated audio; a physical MSX must first produce audio at its output and then feed a computer input or recording device.
Use the emulation route when you need a direct WAV file and do not require the electrical behavior of a particular MSX motherboard. Use original hardware when the model’s mixer, analog character, or cartridge implementation is part of what you want to document. Do not compare a captured emulator level with a physical recording without accounting for the physical machine’s output circuit and gain settings.
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Why is SCC audio missing or too quiet?
The cartridge’s sound chip converts its output to analog and sends it through cartridge-slot pin 49, SOUNDIN. The MSX’s mixing circuit determines whether that signal is connected and how it balances against the machine’s PSG and other audio, so the same cartridge can sound different on different MSX models.
The MSX slot reference identifies models where SOUNDIN is not connected, including the Casio PV-7, Hitachi MB-H1, Victor HC-30, Yamaha SX-100, and Korean MSX machines. It also notes that some machines with the pin connected still do not pass SCC audio. A pinout alone therefore cannot confirm that a specific computer will produce audible cartridge sound.
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- Power off before handling the cartridge. Switch off the MSX before inserting or removing an SCC cartridge.
- Clean the contacts. Dirty cartridge contacts can interfere with operation; handle and clean them appropriately before testing again.
- Confirm the cartridge produces audio. Check that it is an SCC/SCC-I or another sound cartridge that actually generates sound, rather than assuming every cartridge has an audio source.
- Verify SOUNDIN for the exact model. Check whether the computer connects slot pin 49 to its mixer, and whether that model is known to pass SCC audio. Do not assume all MSX computers share the same circuit.
- Check the audio route and controls. Confirm the MSX output is connected to the correct speaker or recording input. If the hardware has a cartridge-volume control or mixer, check its setting.
- Compare the cartridge with internal audio. If PSG is clear but SCC is faint, the issue may be the model’s mixing balance rather than the cable. Adjust available mixer controls or use an external mixer where appropriate.
The SCC reference notes that loudness depends on the computer’s mixing circuit. Avoid adding a resistor or capacitor modification without the schematic for the exact model: mixing circuits differ, and a change that suits one machine may not suit another.
Distinguish a routing fault from a level mismatch
If the MSX’s normal PSG music is audible but the cartridge contributes nothing, first establish whether the cartridge is running and generating sound. Then test the same cartridge on a machine known to pass SOUNDIN, if one is available. If it works there, the original computer’s slot-to-mixer path is the likely limitation. If the cartridge is audible but quiet, the signal is probably reaching the mixer and needs level adjustment rather than a new cable.
Listen for changes when the cartridge’s own volume control, the MSX mixer, or an external mixer is adjusted. If controls have no effect, confirm that the control applies to the source you are using; a cartridge output connector may carry only the cartridge-generated chips, while the MSX output may carry the combined mix.
Why do some cartridges need a separate audio cable?
Not every cartridge’s sound reaches the MSX audio output through the same route. The MSX Virtualizer service manual explains that some cartridges generate sound through a dedicated line in the slot, while others require a cable connection; it directs users to the EAR output or RCA Audio Out to hear cartridge sound.
The PlaySoniq user manual describes another routing distinction: sound generated by PlaySoniq is sent both to the MSX and to the PlaySoniq audio connector, while MSX PSG/MSX-MUSIC is not sent to PlaySoniq. To hear both sources together, mix the PlaySoniq output with the MSX audio output. Connecting only the PlaySoniq output may therefore omit the computer’s own audio.
These examples matter when troubleshooting: an apparent “missing SCC” problem may be a machine compatibility issue, a mixer setting, or a separate-output routing issue. Identify which device generates each sound source and where that device sends it before changing cables.
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When do I need a mixer or a modern cartridge audio output?
A direct cable is usually the simplest choice when the MSX already passes the cartridge audio and its internal mix sounds balanced. A mixer becomes useful when different sound sources come from separate outputs or when the cartridge and internal audio need independent level adjustment.
MSX Virtualizer documentation lists cartridge sources including PSG, DAC, SCC, OPLL, OPL2, OPL3, and OPL4, and describes cartridge-volume control and EAR or RCA Audio Out routing. The MSX Sound Enhancer reference similarly describes independent volume sliders for PSG, OPLL, and external cartridge sources, as well as an optional external power supply intended to reduce noise. These are relevant options for balancing multiple sound sources, not prerequisites for connecting an ordinary MSX audio output to speakers.
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Which setup should I choose?
Choose based on whether you are using original hardware or emulation, and whether you want to listen or make a recording. The main hardware-specific decision is whether your MSX passes cartridge audio through SOUNDIN and provides a usable audio output.
| Setup | Best for | Main requirement | Likely complication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original MSX → powered speakers | Listening with the fewest devices | A compatible cable from the MSX audio output to the speaker input | Mono output may need to feed both stereo inputs; cartridge audio depends on the MSX mixer and SOUNDIN connection |
| Original MSX → computer line input | Monitoring or recording physical hardware | A line input or USB interface/sound card with stereo line input | Input selection, gain adjustment, and model-dependent cartridge routing |
| Original MSX plus external mixer | Combining separate cartridge and MSX outputs or adjusting their balance | Outputs for each source and suitable mixer inputs | Each device’s audio route must be identified; one output may not contain every source |
| openMSX audio capture | Recording emulated sound to a WAV file | openMSX audio capture controls or its console | This captures emulation, not sound from a physical cartridge or MSX |
For a basic listening setup, budget for one correctly wired MSX cable and an existing powered speaker or amplifier. For computer recording, add a USB audio interface or USB sound card when the computer lacks line-in. A mixer and a modern multi-chip cartridge are optional purchases for separate-source control, not mandatory parts of the basic route. Specialist MSX retailers may stock SCC-compatible cartridges, model-specific cables, or sound-enhancer hardware; check current compatibility and availability for the exact machine.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should I check before buying or making a cable?
Confirm the connector and signal path at both ends before choosing a cable. Cable shape alone does not establish compatibility, and a stereo cable cannot turn a mono source into stereo.
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- Look up the audio output for the exact MSX model, including connector type and pin assignments.
- Check whether the destination expects line-level audio, headphones, or another input type.
- Determine whether the MSX output is mono or stereo and whether the adapter should feed one or both destination channels.
- If the goal is SCC or other cartridge audio, verify that the computer passes SOUNDIN or that the cartridge has its own documented output route.
- For a computer without line-in, choose a USB interface or sound card that explicitly has stereo line input.
- Confirm whether a separate cartridge output omits PSG or MSX-MUSIC and therefore must be mixed with the MSX output.
- Keep the MSX powered off while inserting or removing cartridges, and test an unfamiliar cable at low volume.
Because MSX models use different audio circuits, there is no single cable or volume setting guaranteed to solve every cartridge-audio problem. The reliable sequence is to verify the model’s output and cartridge path, make the correct connection, then set levels while monitoring for clipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an HDMI cable to get MSX cartridge sound on my computer?
The documented physical route is from the MSX’s analog audio output to an analog line input or audio interface. An HDMI connection is not established as a universal MSX audio path; use it only if your specific video adapter documents that it also carries the MSX audio you need.
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Will a DIN-to-RCA cable make my MSX sound stereo?
No. The DIN-6 wiring described by the Ultimate MSX FAQ can provide mono audio even when it is carried on two RCA plugs. A suitable adapter can place that mono signal on both left and right inputs, but it does not create separate stereo channels.
Can I connect a cartridge’s separate audio output directly to speakers?
That depends on the cartridge and its documented output. For example, PlaySoniq provides an audio connector, but its output does not include the MSX PSG/MSX-MUSIC; combine that output with the MSX audio if you want to hear both.
Why does the same SCC cartridge sound different on two MSX computers?
The computers can use different mixing circuits, which changes the SCC level relative to internal PSG audio. Some models also do not connect SOUNDIN or fail to pass SCC audio even when the slot pin is connected.
What if my MSX has no line-in on the computer I want to record with?
Use a USB audio interface or USB sound card with a stereo line input. Connect the MSX’s analog output to that device, select it in the operating system and recording software, and set gain while monitoring for clipping.
Can I record only the SCC chip and exclude PSG?
Normally the MSX audio output is the machine’s mix, so it may contain PSG and cartridge audio together. A separate cartridge output or a modern cartridge mixer can provide more independent control, but the exact sources available depend on that hardware.
Why is my recording only on the left or right channel?
Many MSX outputs are mono. Use an appropriate mono-to-stereo adapter or route the mono signal to both interface channels. Two RCA plugs do not prove that the source contains separate left and right audio.
Is a microphone input suitable for MSX audio?
A microphone input may use different level and channel handling from a line input. Prefer a computer line-in or a USB interface explicitly equipped with stereo line input, and avoid excessive gain.
Do I need a mixer for an ordinary SCC cartridge?
Not usually. If the MSX passes SOUNDIN and its output has a satisfactory balance, connect that output directly to speakers or a line input. Use a mixer when cartridge and MSX audio emerge from separate connectors or need independent level adjustment.
How do I capture openMSX audio?
Choose Tools → Capture → Audio/Video and select Audio, or enter soundlog start in the console. Finish with soundlog stop; openMSX writes a WAV recording.
The Bottom Line
Route original MSX cartridge audio from the machine’s documented analog output, not directly from the cartridge slot. Verify that the exact MSX model passes SOUNDIN, use the correct DIN, RCA, SCART, or 3.5 mm cable, duplicate mono to both channels when needed, and set line-input gain conservatively. If the model cannot mix the cartridge signal, use a documented cartridge output and an external mixer; for emulation, openMSX can capture directly to WAV.
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