ZXM Sound Box
| ZXM Sound Box | |
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| Developer: | Timedata Ltd |
| Released: | 1983-0?-?? |
| Type: | External Device |
| Slot: | Edge connector |
| Platforms: | ZX81 •  |
The ZXM Sound Box is a peripheral for the Sinclair ZX81 and ZX Spectrum 8-bit home computers. It could be ordered from Essex, England for £29.95.
After plugging the plastic box in, you look at four speaker grilles and a volume control knob. On the right are an Atari joystick port and a 3.5 mm jack. Inside is an AY-3-8912 programmable sound generator. On the back is a passthrough to plug another ZX81 or Spectrum peripheral in.
The jack can be connected to either the Spectrum's MIC socket to play the "rather week 'beep'" on the ZXM's speaker, or an external amplifier to play the AY-3-8912 sound thereon instead.
Enclosed were a ZXM Demo Tape, and a 16-page manual dated May 1983. Altogether, they offer seven examples (train, discord, chiming, shot, American dream, laser, multi-bombs), and Super Sound Editor to create (not save) six sound effects. The manual states that they can go up to "approximately" 100000 Hz, which is likely determined more precisely by the different platforms and models.
The ZXM Sound Box (as well as the ZXS Speech Synthesiser) was advertised in computer magazines from June 1983 to January 1986, although ZX Computing April/May 1984 reported that Timedata was discontinuing both units, replying "No reason..." The hardware was possibly overshadowed by the slightly earlier Fuller Box.
Games
| Release | Game | Sample |
|---|---|---|
| 1986-1?-?? | Defcom (ZXS) | |
| 1987-1?-?? | Plum Duff (ZXS) | |
Picture Gallery
Manual (green and blurry) and ad.
Real.
ZXM Demo Tape.
Downloads
Emulation Status
No emulators and players are known to support the ZXM Sound Box, but on games that also support the Fuller Box or 3-Channel Sound Unit, the output is probably identical.
Links
- spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/1000471/Hardware/ZXM_Soundbox - Magazine references.
