RE2-YM2151 - Project RE:birth 2nd Sound Card
RE2-YM2151 - Project RE:birth 2nd Sound Card
What is it?
Project RE-birth 2nd is the spiritual continuation of
In 2021, for unknown reasons, the Japanese closed the ym2203.com website, deleted all public schematics, and stopped the distribution of all peripheral hardware. Even with money in hand, it became impossible to purchase any SPFM motherboard or rebirth module. This was deeply frustrating for enthusiasts worldwide.
In the absence of original hardware, I forked almost all RE-birth music modules to truly revive this project. My mission: make FM music chips available to people all over the world — no internal meetings, no mystery stores, no hunger marketing, just long-term stock and fair play for everyone.
The RE2-YM2151 is a YM2151 (OPM) sound card designed for the SPFM series. The circuit is fully redesigned by myself and is compatible with the RE:birth bus. It can be used with SPFM Light, SPFM Lite, RESPFM, IAP-RESPFM and other compatible motherboards.
About the YM2151 Chip
The YM2151, also known as OPM (FM Operator Type-M), is one of Yamaha's most celebrated FM synthesis chips. It features 8 channels of 4-operator FM synthesis, delivering rich, complex timbres that defined the sound of arcade games and home computers throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s.
It was used in iconic hardware including the Sharp X68000, Yamaha DX series synthesizers, and countless arcade boards running Capcom and Konami titles. Owning a RE2-YM2151 means you can hear those legendary sounds in their authentic analog glory — not emulated, but driven by the real chip.
Key Features
- Authentic YM2151 (OPM) FM synthesis — 8 channels, 4 operators each
- Compatible with RE:birth bus standard
- Works with SPFM Light, SPFM Lite, RESPFM, IAP-RESPFM and more
- Classic NE5532 dual op-amp for excellent audio output quality
- Adjustable volume control on-board
- Excellent digital-to-analog isolation for clean, noise-free sound
- Standardized RE:birth module form factor
- Long-term stock — always available, no artificial scarcity
Compatible Mainboards
- SPFM Light
- SPFM Lite (2 slots)
- RESPFM
- IAP-RESPFM (4 slots)
- STM32-RESPFM (4 slots)
Why Did I Make It?
I referred to the ps98-YM2151 schematic and pictures of the original rebirth module, as well as the SPFM Tower schematic, to faithfully recreate this module. My dream is simple: to make SPFM and RE:birth modules available to everyone in the world — no gatekeeping, no mystery shops, fair play to all.
Thanks to the extensive experience accumulated in designing MegaMod and other RE:birth modules, this module was designed and validated within a week.
What Makes It Special?
The RE2-YM2151 features a clean, minimal appearance with the YM2151 chip logo and key parameters printed on the board. It uses the classic NE5532 universal dual operational amplifier, delivering adjustable volume, excellent sound quality, and solid digital-analog isolation — fully in the spirit of Project RE:birth.
The RE:birth module design philosophy pursues the ultimate in sound quality, standardized appearance, and thoughtful bus layout with proper ground plane isolation. This module honors that philosophy completely, making it both a functional audio tool and a piece of hardware worth studying — just like a textbook.