# MSM5232 > sound chip by Oki Electric Industry **Wikidata**: [Q125761197](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q125761197) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/msm5232 ## Summary The MSM5232 is a programmable sound generator (PSG) and integrated circuit manufactured by Oki Electric Industry. Originally published in 1980, the chip functions as a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) and was utilized in early electronic synthesizers, arcade games, and teletext systems. It is notably recognized for its role in the audio hardware of the Korg Poly-800 and classic arcade titles such as *The Legend of Kage*. ## Key Facts - **Manufacturer:** Oki Electric Industry. - **Publication Date:** 1980. - **Classification:** Integrated circuit and programmable sound generator (sound chip). - **Function:** Serves as a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) and synthesizer component. - **Notable Applications:** Used in the Korg Poly-800 synthesizer, the arcade games *The Legend of Kage* and *The Fairyland Story*, and in teletext systems (specifically JTES). - **Developers:** Associated development entities include Oki Electric Industry, Korg, and Nippon Television. - **Alternate Names:** Also known as M5232, MSM5232RS, OKI MSM5232, and 沖電気 MSM5232. - **Class Hierarchy:** Subclass of programmable sound generator and integrated circuit; associated with the General Instrument AY-3-8910 class. ## FAQs ### Q: What is the primary function of the MSM5232? A: The MSM5232 is a programmable sound generator that creates audio signals. It is specifically used as a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) within electronic hardware. ### Q: Which commercial products used the MSM5232? A: The chip was used in the Korg Poly-800 synthesizer. It was also implemented in the arcade games *The Legend of Kage* and *The Fairyland Story*, as well as in JTES teletext systems. ### Q: Who developed and manufactured the MSM5232? A: The chip was manufactured by Oki Electric Industry. Development references also cite involvement or association with Korg and Nippon Television. ## Why It Matters The MSM5232 holds a distinct place in the history of electronic audio technology as a bridge between integrated circuits and practical sound generation. Released in 1980 by Oki Electric Industry, it provided a compact solution for generating complex waveforms during a pivotal era for both consumer electronics and arcade gaming. Its design as a programmable sound generator allowed hardware engineers to implement customizable audio capabilities without requiring bulky discrete components. The chip is significant for its versatility across different industries. In the musical instrument sector, it powered the Korg Poly-800, a synthesizer that utilized the MSM5232 as a digitally controlled oscillator to manage tuning and sound generation economically. In the gaming world, it provided the soundtrack for iconic titles like *The Legend of Kage*, helping to define the "Taito Sound" of the early 1980s arcade era. Additionally, its application in teletext systems (JTES) demonstrates its utility beyond entertainment, serving as a reliable component in information broadcasting hardware. This cross-industry adoption highlights the MSM5232's reliability and the effectiveness of Oki Electric's design in the early digital age. ## Notable For - **Versatile Application:** Distinguished by its use in three distinct fields: musical instruments (synthesizers), arcade gaming, and broadcast teletext. - **Synthesizer Integration:** Notable for serving as a Digitally Controlled Oscillator (DCO) in the Korg Poly-800, a key instrument in 1980s music technology. - **Gaming Heritage:** Recognized as the sound source for seminal arcade games, contributing to the early development of video game audio. - **Early PSG Design:** Stands as an early example of a Programmable Sound Generator (PSG) class integrated circuit released in 1980. ## Body ### Technical Classification The MSM5232 is an integrated circuit (IC) formed on semiconductor material. It falls under the classification of a **programmable sound generator (PSG)**, a type of sound chip that generates audio signals constructed from one or more basic waveforms. It is categorized as a subclass of the **General Instrument AY-3-8910**, a widely used standard in sound chips. In addition to sound generation, the entity is defined as a **model series**. ### Development and Manufacturing The chip was developed and manufactured by **Oki Electric Industry**. Historical data regarding its development also lists **Korg** and **Nippon Television** as entities involved in its history, suggesting a collaborative or client-specific application process for its various uses. The official publication date for the MSM5232 is **1980**. ### Applications and Usage The MSM5232 was adopted for several specific high-profile uses: * **Musical Instruments:** It was a core component in the **Korg Poly-800** synthesizer. In this context, it functioned as a **digitally controlled oscillator (DCO)**, a critical element for sound generation and pitch stability. * **Arcade Gaming:** The chip generated audio for arcade hardware, specifically powering the soundtracks for **The Legend of Kage** and **The Fairyland Story**. * **Broadcasting:** The chip had a specialized use in **teletext** systems, specifically applied to a part identified as **JTES**. ### Aliases and Identifiers The MSM5232 is known by several aliases in technical documentation and databases: * M5232 * MSM5232RS * OKI MSM5232 * 沖電気 MSM5232 ## References 1. [タイトーサウンドかく発祥せり。「スペースインベーダー インヴィンシブルコレクション」発売を記念し亀井道行氏＆今村善雄氏にインタビュー. 4Gamer.net. 2020](https://www.4gamer.net/games/464/G046469/20200324041/) 2. [Fumio Mieda, The Father Of The Korg MS-20 - Attack Magazine](https://www.attackmagazine.com/features/interview/fumio-mieda-the-father-of-the-korg-ms-20/)