The X65 YMF825 sound test video by Tomasz Sterna offers a glimpse into the hardware progress behind the ambitious X65 project. Hosted on the official X65 Zone website, the project aims to create a modern 65816-based system compatible with classic 8-bit computing concepts while extending them with advanced capabilities.
In this short demo, the WDC 65816 CPU interacts directly with the Yamaha YMF825 chip, a compact SD-1–based synthesizer known for its clean digital sound output. The test program verifies proper memory mapping of the YMF825 into the CPU’s address space, confirming that register access and data flow behave as intended.
Hardware Integration and Audio Output
The demonstration focuses on the CPU reading and writing to the YMF825 registers, effectively driving the sound generation process in real time. While the tone produced is a simple test pattern, it serves as a strong proof of functional integration between the 65816 processor and the Yamaha audio chip.
The X65 YMF825 sound test also shows the stability and accuracy of the data handling, which is essential for reliable future audio routines. It’s a milestone that brings the X65 project one step closer to a fully functional platform capable of modern synthesis on 8-bit-style hardware.
Enthusiasts can follow the project’s ongoing updates and hardware documentation on x65.zone, where Tomasz continues refining both the hardware and software layers of this impressive retro-inspired system.
