Hidden Sounds?
The original Famicom (Japanese Nintendo) consoles are superior in design compared to the American NES. One long forgotten feature is the extra sound channel, this extra channel was disconnected on US console and removed from US games. Castlevania 3 is a classic example. The original Japanese version has a much different theme song.With the development in modern SD card to NES adapters like PowerPak/EverDrive kits and Famicom game adapters it is possible to play Japaneses games on the NES & hear the lost sound channels.
 |
| Original Famicom |
Disclaimer: This mod requires basic soldering skills and understanding of electronics. Please do not perform this mod without the required skills. I will not be held responsible if you damage your NES. Follow these instructions at your own risk
Supply List:
To get expansion audio activated you only need to add a resistor inside your NES.
- Phillips Screwdriver Medium Sized
- Experimentation suggest using a resistor ranging from 24k up to 56k. Pick a range in the middle and test the sound. The sounds with PowerPaks, Everdrives vs Real Famicom carts can vary.
- Soldering Iron & Solder
If you need help dismantling a NES please view my tear-down article. Here.
The Mod area is located under the black cartridge loading tray.
Solder a resistor between pins 3 and 9 of the NES expansion connector. The resistor value can be changed to get different volume on that channel. This area is located on the top of the motherboard, near the infamous 72 pin connector.
Would 20ohm make the extra channel louder and 50ohm make it lower in volume?
ReplyDeletewhich end of the ohm range do you think is better?
Lower ohm = louder volume.
ReplyDeleteHope that helps. Thanks for stopping by!
So what is the result? Does adding the channel back actually affect any US games? Do the US games have an extra sound channel in their BGM that doesn't play until the hardware support is restored by this mod?
ReplyDeleteOnly works with Jap games or Everdrive
Delete"With the development in modern SD card to NES adapters like PowerPak/EverDrive kits and Famicom game adapters it is possible to play Japaneses games on the NES & hear the lost sound channels."
Hi I was wondering about when you said that this mod is compatible with the stereo mod, does this mean that even when the sound channels are activated they only work when the NES is in stereo? Or will this mod work without the stereo mod?
ReplyDeleteHi, I did this mod along with the stereo mod. I can hear slight bleedthrough of the VRC6 channels through my stereo output, but I can't hear the VRC6 output at all. (It does work via RF and Composite though so the mod did work). Because I'm using this as a recording thing, do you think it might be beneficial to just wire Pin 9 to its own audio jack? (I used 1/4" jacks instead of RCAs) .. I'll likely try it but wanted to get your insight. Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteYes this mod only works with the original Mono output. If doing stereo mods and this mod changes need to be made. Someday I will update this article. Basically you need to find the source for the expansion audio and solder that to one of the RCA jacks. The CPU pins do not output expansion sound.
DeleteRetro Fixes, MOSSJ32 has a point; you're acting unprofessionally by having thin skin over vulgar language. (Not everyone will agree with you about wanting to avoid profanity.) To make this worse, you pulled the "throwing tantrums" card, which isn't what professionals do.
DeleteMOSSJ32 has been erased from history. You never read the original post. I stand by my throwing tantrums remark because that is exactly what he was doing.
DeletePerhaps if he was called out more often he would learn some life lessons.
Simply put, I do not tolerate vulgar language here. It's my site and my choice. I want visitors to have a positive experience here and some of them are minors.
If you prefer vulgar language & "brat attacks" start a website and express yourself. I will not stop you.
I rigged up an NES deck so I could swap in various resistor levels and found that 24k was WAY too loud. Testing with Castlevania 3 on the EverDrive N8, the expansion audio was overpowering the internal audio channels at 24k. So I gradually stepped up in resistor level and found that 56k was the sweet spot as far as the EverDrive pipe-in goes. 47k was a hair too loud.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback. Was your Everdrive setup for HI or LO expansion audio?
DeleteIn your Youtube video demonstrating the expansion audio, you used a red pushbutton to toggle it on and off. How did you get that wired up in conjunction with this mod? Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteSimply have the switch wired to pin 3 and 9 (plus resistor) ON/OFF toggle will enable and disable the circuit.
DeleteI did this, now my nes is making a buzzing sound from hell, even after i removed the mod again :(
ReplyDeleteDouble check your work. Make sure all the pins are clean around 3 and 9. Remove any solder or flux and clean with rubbing alcohol.
DeleteGonna try to clean it, i also tapped the audio straight from the cpu, no buzzing sounds there so thats a good start
DeleteA good cleaning sorted it out, thanks!
DeleteWould this mod work with a PAL NES? (japanese games can be played on a PAL NES but will be slower, would be interesting to hear the additional channels even if it's slower though)
ReplyDeletehi, I been reading up on this post, I was wondering what is the wattage of the 47k ohm resistor, I also read somewhere else, if your using real Famicom carts, 94k ohm resistor might be better, any thoughts on this? thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know what resistor I should get for playing Famicom Disk System games using an NES to Famicom adapter?
ReplyDeleteI'm using the FDSStick, not the actual drive, if it makes a difference.
ReplyDeleteAlso, can electrical tape be used instead of soldering?
ReplyDeleteHeeeeeell no, Sorry I don't intend to be rude but no, no, no.
DeleteIf you can't solder = Do not mod.
You will have a very unreliable connection and risk shorting the system.
If you are using FDSStick disk via NES to Famicom converter it will not work. The existing adapter boards on the market do not allow expansion sound.
In the near future I will offer my own brand on game adapters. These will have audio enabled for special applications such as yours.
Could you answer my question, please?
DeleteLink was dead. I don't know. Just find a few cheap resistors. Give em a try.
DeleteMine isn't a brand name adapter, it's one from an NES Excitebike cart. Does the same situation apply?
ReplyDeleteok that would be a Famicom to NES converter. Same applies for that adapter. It needs to be modified for extra sound channels (plus the console). I have a few modded adapters in my store. I don't have guides for adapter mods (at this time)
ReplyDeleteSo if I buy your modded adapter, and then follow the steps in this article, will I have the expanded audio?
DeleteMy adapters allow expansion audio from Famicom Games. It should work with your Disc Emulator but I personally have not tested that device.
ReplyDeleteThough I don't understand how you are using Famicom Ram adapter with frontloader nes?
Sounds like a hot mess.
You are welcome to purchase an adapter. I have no idea if it will work with your setup.
Or I can try modding your current adapter. Though I am a busy guy and free time is limited.
If you take your toaster NES apart, you can fit the Ram adapter in the cartridge slot. But with a modded console (the region locking removed), a modded adapter (from your store), and following the steps here, it should work (forgetting about the FDSStick, and pretending I'm using an actual FDS), right?
ReplyDeletecould i use a 100k potentiometer instead of resistor?
ReplyDelete"could i use a 100k potentiometer instead of resistor?"
ReplyDeleteof course, I'd guess it would be best to get an "audio taper" one but any should work.
Hi
ReplyDeleteFriends not somebody help me I have a problem with any game that Nintendo I'll start blinking red lights on the device, I thank you help me
Hello, I tried this but zero results.
ReplyDeleteDo you know if this would still work after installing an NESRGB mod? I RGB modded a while ago and want to get some expansion audio with my everdrive.
ReplyDeleteI don't see any reason why it wouldn't.
Delete