I want to build OPL3 myself. How do I?

Start by growing silicon. You'll need it. Plenty of it.

Sounds like an interesting project. First I would start understanding the chip. There is a nice simulator:

Try the Java Applet, it has very many example sounds, e.g. from good old games like Day of the Tentacle :-)

How do you want to build the chip? I don't think you want to spend some $100,000 for an ASIC, but maybe $20 for a FPGA?

Sounds like you could use an FPGA and a bunch of DACs. Use table lookups and DDS technology.

We did something like that last year:

and it was a fair amount of work. It wouldn't be quite as bad at audio frequencies, but you'd still have to know a lot about all that "signals and systems" stuff.

John

What do you mean by "construct"? Do you mean build up using individual transistors? Good luck with that! Do you mean "re-create" using a different processor and associated circuitry (possibly using an FPGA or something)? Do-able, but will take years unless you have the background in advanced digital circuirty. This is not a casual science fair type exercise. Far be it from me to tell you it's impossible though. Start here:

I want to build it the same way it was built by Yamaha. The only difference is that my version of the OPL3 would be monoaural and similar to what one would get from inverting the phase of one stereo channel of the original stereo OPL3 synth and combining that channel with the other un-inverted stereo channel. This results in the mono of what initially sounded different in the L and R speakers when the signal was stereo.

I have an SB16 ISA card with the OPL3 synth. I just love the way it sounds after I process the FM audio in the aforementioned manner. There are two ways to do this:

1. Run the audio from the card into a voice-canceller or vocal- eliminator

OR

1. Record the audio from the OPL3 directly into a stereo wave file. Next, use some audio software to invert the phase of one stereo channel and then combine that channel with the other stereo channel by converting the file to mono. Same affect as using a vocal-eliminator.

I would like to do this "vocal elimination" from the start of the chip. I want to build the chip so it directly generates the signals that were not in-phase in the stereo channels of the original OPL3 chip.

From what you've described, may I suggest you try Audacity first. There are many plugins and modules for to generate effects.

y.sourceforge.net/

I'm thinking of building my version [i.e. "vocal eliminated"] of the OPL3 chip without the use of frail devices. I would like this OPL3 replica to fit all the following characteristics:

1. Does not need any soldering to build
2. Is easy to physically carry around
3. Can withstand temperatures extreme enough to destroy the original OPL3 chip
4. Can withstand physical stress [such as from accidental falls] without experiencing any damage
5. Does not contain or require the use of any hazardous material [such as UV light and chemicals] for construction or operation
6. Can withstand static electricity without being damaged to any extent
7. Can withstand -- but does not use -- amperages high-enough to instantly destroy the original OPL3 chip ithout being damaged to any extent
8. Can withstand -- but does not use -- voltages high-enough to instantly destroy the original OPL3 chip without being damaged to any extent
9. Can withstand -- but does not use -- wattages high-enough to instantly destroy the original OPL3 chip ithout being damaged to any extent
10. Can withstand square-waves [e.g. clipped waveforms], spike-waves, triangle-waves, and other sharp-edged signals intense enough to immediately obliterate the original OPL3 chip without being damaged to any extent
11. Can be submerged in water without being damaged to any extent [even while running]
12. Can withstand short-circuits without being damaged to any extent
13. Is small enough that it can be easily washed in the average household bathroom sink
14. Can be vigorously cleaned with water and dried with any towel without experiencing any damage.
15. Can be disassembled and reassembled without being damaged. This is in case #13 is not possible. If #13 cannot happen, then I can wash and dry each component after disassembly and then reassemble the OPL3 after all the parts are clean and dry.

Is it possible for me to build my custom-tailored OPL3 device given the state of today's technology? If not, what is the closest I can get?