website/content/museum/yamaha-cx5m-music-computer.md

---
title: Yamaha CX5M Music Computer
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Home Computer
origins:
- Japan
years:
- '1984'
cpus:
- Zilog Z80
params:
  name: CX5M Music Computer
  company: /companies/yamaha
  company_name: Yamaha
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: CX5M Music Computer
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Yamaha
  - label: TYPE
    value: Home Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: Japan
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1984'
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: Microsoft Extended Basic (MSX Basic V1.0)
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: QWERTY Mechanical keyboard, 73 keys
  - label: CPU
    value: Zilog Z80
  - label: SPEED
    value: 3.58 MHz
  - label: RAM
    value: 32 kb (up to 64 kb)
  - label: VRAM
    value: 16 kb
  - label: ROM
    value: 32 kb BASIC/BIOS ( MSX BASIC V1.0)
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: |-
      Mode 0 : 40 x 24\
      Mode 1 : 32 x 24
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: |-
      Mode 2 : 256 x 192 with 16 colors (Hires mode)\
      Mode 3 : 64 x 48 with 16 colors (Multi colour mode)\
      32 sprites
  - label: COLORS
    value: '16'
  - label: SOUND
    value: |-
      General Instruments AY-3-8910 Programmable Sound Generator\
      3 channels, 8 octaves\
      \+ built-in SFG-01 Sound Module (FM sound generator, 4 operators, 8 algorithms, 8 note polyphony and 46 presets sounds)
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: |-
      Two cartridge slots (top & rear), printer connector, tape interface (DIN8), Sound output, Video composite output, Video RF output\
      Built-in synthesizer : Piano keyboard connector, MIDI out & in, Stereo audio output
  - label: OS
    value: MSX DOS
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: External PSU
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: |-
      SFG-05 sound module\
      Disk drive\
      Magnetic cards reader\
      Piano keyboards\
      and more...
  - label: PRICE
    value: Unknown
  tabs:
  - photos
  - adverts
  - hardware
  - software
  - emulators
  - links
  - docs
  photos:
  - title: INSIDE CX5M
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      In basic configuration (model pictured), the CX5M did not differ from a standard MSX computer. The main difference was the connector N°8, specific to Yamaha computers, which can receive a powerful sound synthesizer module. The CX5M was then transformed into a professional musical computer.

      **(1)** The ROM cartridge connector can receive standard MSX cartridges as well as Yamaha specific musical software cartridges.\
      **(2)** Two joystick connectors (Atari standard).\
      **(3)** Z80-A microprocessor running at 3.58 Mhz.\
      **(4)** Chips holding 48 KB RAM.\
      **(5)** TV aerial RF modulator.\
      **(6)** Video chipset compatible with MSX standard.\
      **(7)** ROM chip holding the Microsoft MSX Basic interpreter and system Input/Output routines.\
      **(8)** Yamaha synthetiser module connector. The module housing is located under the computer.\
      **(9)** Video card. The design features of this card may differ, depending on the country where the computer was sold.\
      **(10)** 15-pins parallel Centronics connector.\
      **(11)** high quality full stroke keyboard.
    image: null
  adverts:
  - title: US ADVERT, OCT 1985
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: null
  hardware:
  - title: THE CARD READER
    subtitle: ''
    text: This was used by passing magnetic scores through the card reader. The entire song was then stored into the computer, ready to be played or edited !
    image: null
  - title: CA-01
    subtitle: Single cartridge adapter
    text: This was undoubtly use to plug 2 cartridges in computers that had only 1 cartridge slot like the Yamaha YIS-503.
    image: null
  - title: PIANO KEYBOARD
    subtitle: ''
    text: This 3.5 octaves piano keyboard uses slightly smaller keys than a real piano keyboard, but its touch was appreciated. Controlled by the integrated software of the CX5M, it can be splited into two parts which can each memorize or play two different melodies with two ranges of sound. It can also be used in monophonic or polyphonic mode. In this mode, 8 notes can be played simultaneously.
    image: null
  - title: SYNTHETISER MODULE
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      From left to right:

      \- Musical keyboard connector\
      \- Midi In/Out DIN connectors\
      \- Left and right channels audio output
    image: null
  - title: NATIONAL CF-2131
    subtitle: 16 KB RAM expansion
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/hardware/national_cf2131_16k-cart.jpg
  - title: CASIO OR-216 - 16 KB RAM EXPANSION
    subtitle: Box
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/hardware/casio_or216_16kbramexpansion_box.jpg
  - title: PHILIPS RAM EXPANSION
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      RAM expansion and LOGO language cartridges.

      Thanks to Daniele from Italy
    image: /media/museum/hardware/philips_vg8020_cartridges_s1.jpg
  - title: MEGA RAM DISK 256
    subtitle: from DDX (Brazil)
    text: This is the famous Megaram cartridge made in Brzail, used to play all Konami cracked Megarom games.6401999243
    image: /media/museum/hardware/msx_megaram256-ddx_1.jpg
  - title: PANASONIC FS-IFA1 & FW-RSU1W
    subtitle: Scanner/Printer interface
    text: The FS-IFA1 is the printer/scanner interface (left on the picture) and the FW-RSU1W is the handheld scanner (right on the picture). These expansions are for MSX2 systems.
    image: /media/museum/hardware/msx_fs-ifa1_fw-rsu1w.jpg
  - title: SONY HBI-232
    subtitle: RS232c cartridge
    text: Used to connect serial printers.
    image: /media/museum/hardware/sony_msx_rs232c-cartridge.jpg
  - title: 'YAMAHA MOUSE #1'
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      This mouse was compatible with all MSX systems. It connects to the first Joystick port.

      Thanks to **www.zonadepruebas.com**
    image: /media/museum/hardware/yamaha_mouse_s2.jpg
  - title: 'YAMAHA MOUSE #2'
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      Brand new!

      Thanks to **www.zonadepruebas.com**
    image: /media/museum/hardware/yamaha_mouse_s1.jpg
  - title: PHILIPS VW0020
    subtitle: 80-col dot-matrix printer
    text: |-
      This printer was a rebadged version of the Seikosha GP-500.\
      It was a 80-column, 50 CPS model with a 7x5 dot matrix head.\
      Commodore and Atari used same hardware basis for their MPS-801 and 1029 printers.
    image: /media/museum/hardware/philips_vg8020_printervw0020_s1.jpg
  - title: SANYO PHC-DR II
    subtitle: Side
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/hardware/sanyo_phc-drii_side_1.jpg
  - title: SANYO PHC-DR II
    subtitle: Front
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/hardware/sanyo_phc-drii_front_1.jpg
  - title: SANYO DR-202
    subtitle: ''
    text: The ADSS system allowed to quickly search a specific program in a cassette tape and load it. Seach time for a C60 cassette was less than 1 minute.
    image: /media/museum/hardware/sanyo_phc28_dr202tapedrive_s1.jpg
  - title: NATIONAL RQ-8030
    subtitle: tape-recorder
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/hardware/national_tape_rq8030.jpg
  - title: BIT-CORDER
    subtitle: ''
    text: Cassete recorder dedicated to Hit-Bit MSX systems, though it could be used with any home computers.
    image: /media/museum/hardware/sony_hb201_bitcorder_1.jpg
  screenshots:
  - title: SOME CARTRIDGES
    subtitle: ''
    text: Some musical program carts sold by Yamaha for the YIS-503 & CX5M machines...
    image: null
  - title: PLAY CARD PROGRAM SCREENSHOT
    subtitle: ''
    text: This is the program sold with the card reader....
    image: null
  - title: THE PROGRAM BUILT-IN THE SFG-01
    subtitle: ''
    text: This is the program stored in the SFG-01 Sound Module and called by CALL MUSIC from the Basic prompt. It is used to play the voices offered by the synthesizer....
    image: null
  emulators:
  - title: fMSX for MS DOS Homepage
    url: http://www.komkon.org/~dekogel/fmsx.html
    platform: MS DOS
    text: ''
  - title: BlueMSX
    url: http://www.bluemsx.com/
    platform: Windows
    text: Excellent free MSX emulator
  - title: BrMSX
    url: http://www.lsi.usp.br/~ricardo/brmsx.htm
    platform: Windows
    text: A Bresilian MSX Emulator written in 100% assembler
  - title: CompuJunk's MSX Emulator
    url: http://ftp.castel.nl/msx/
    platform: Windows
    text: A MSX1 and MSX2 Emulator
  - title: RuMSX
    url: http://members.eunet.at/lexlechz/msx.html
    platform: Windows
    text: A MSX Emulator for Win95 and Win NT + Direct X
  - title: fMSX for MAC OS Homepage
    url: http://www.emulation.net/msx/index.html
    platform: Apple
    text: ''
  - title: fMSX official Homepage
    url: http://www.komkon.org/fms/fMSX
    platform: Multiplatform
    text: 'fMSX is a portable MSX emulator ported on : Amiga OS, Mac OS, MS DOS, OS/2, Sony Playstation, Risc OS, Towns OS, Unix / X, Win95 / NT, X68K.'
  - title: openMSX - The MSX emulator that aims for perfection.
    url: http://openmsx.sourceforge.net/
    platform: Multiplatform
    text: This new MSX emulator can reproduce, among many other MSX, MSX2and MSX2+ machines, both Panasonic Turbo-R models. Be sure to get the catapult frontend and the system roms from FUNET.
  links:
  - title: Baboo!
    url: http://www.baboo.net/baboo.shtml
    text: MSX dedicated Yahoo clone. Essential !
  - title: Buy the CX5M original manual here
    url: http://www.synthony.com/Products/manuals.html
    text: ''
  - title: CX5M FAQ
    url: http://home.online.no/~eiriklie/CX5MFAQ.html
    text: Very useful with some very technical infos
  - title: FILE-HUNTER.COM
    url: http://www.file-hunter.com/
    text: Excellent! All MSX emulators, sources and utilities!
  - title: FTP da MSXBr-L/MSX.Org.Br
    url: http://www.caetano.eng.br/msxsoft/
    text: Excellent brasilian software archive
  - title: MOAI TECH
    url: http://www.moai-tech.com/
    text: Spanish/English website with interesting content
  - title: MSX Hardware List
    url: http://www.faq.msxnet.org/hardware.html
    text: An impressive list of MSX hardware. The Bible !!!
  - title: MSX Ressource Center
    url: http://www.msx.org/
    text: Essential site !
  - title: Possi's Konami MSX Page
    url: http://dynamo.geol.msu.ru/MSX/
    text: Nice page dedicated to all Konami MSX games (roms, scans, mids, etc.)
  - title: The MSX Games Box
    url: http://www.msxgamesbox.com
    text: All about MSX gaming (games, covers.etc.). More Fun, Less Mhz!
  - title: The MSX Museum BOX
    url: http://www.msxmuseumbox.com
    text: More than 190 different MSX models in pictures.
  - title: The ultimate MSX Faq
    url: http://www.faq.msxnet.org
    text: Here, you can find near all hardware pieces related to MSX.
  - title: The Ultimate MSX FAQ
    url: http://www.faq.msxnet.org/msx1.html#CX5M
    text: They have a small section dedicated to the CX5M
  - title: Web Wiz CAPTCHA
    url: http://www.webwizcaptcha.com
    text: The MSX home computer system
  docs:
  - title: YAMAHA CX5M - USER'S MANUAL
    url: null
    cover: null
    text: |-
      **YAMAHA CX5M - USER'S MANUAL**\
      written by Nippon Gakki Co. LTD

       compiled/archived by Eric Buczynski / Olivier Boisseau\
       type of document : PDF\
       size : 4.1 MB\
       source : www.old-computers.com
  comments:
  - author: caleb wood
    date: Thursday 27th April 2017
    text: I have an old cx5m that I am refurbishing - however it''s missing a couple of function keys. Does anyone know where I can pick up parts?
  - author: blur2040 (USA)
    date: Friday 7th October 2016
    text: I used to own one of these a long time ago. Would love to have one again. If anyone has one, shoot me an email at blur2040@gmail.com
  - author: Al
    date: Friday 5th June 2015
    text: I have an untested but otherwise mint condition cx5m/msx keyboard for sale - £10
  - author: Andrew Mahon (uk)
    date: Monday 13rd October 2014
    text: Message for Danielle Patterson. I am interested in the Computer and Controller keyboard. Do you still have them and if so how much do you want for them?
  - author: andrew mahon (UK)
    date: Monday 13rd October 2014
    text: Message for John Parkinson, I would love the CX5 Computer. Do you still have it. I live near Manchester so I could pick this up. I would be happy to give you something for it as well
  - author: andrew mahon (UK)
    date: Monday 13rd October 2014
    text: Message for John Parkinson, I would love the CX5 Computer. Do you still have it. I live near Manchester so I could pick this up. I would be happy to give you something for it as well
  - author: andrew mahon (UK)
    date: Monday 13rd October 2014
    text: Message for John Parkinson, I would love the CX5 Computer. Do you still have it. I live near Manchester so I could pick this up. I would be happy to give you something for it as well
  - author: John Parkinson (UK)
    date: Monday 25th August 2014
    text: |-
      CX5M - free to good home!\
      I have a Yamaha CX5M music computer together with YK-01 (piano) keyboard and NP55140 power supply.\
      As far as I know these worked when I last used them (20 years ago). I have no way of testing them now as the monitor out is a phono out socket and I don''t have a means of hooking this up to a modern monitor.

      If anyone is interested in chancing the price of postage / or just collecting it (near Manchester, UK) - $ me a message on here.\
      John
  - author: Danielle Patterson
    date: Saturday 2nd March 2013
    text: i have the base computer and key board controller where could i sell it
  - author: Mac Rutan (Florida, USA)
    date: Wednesday 28th November 2012
    text: |-
      The CX5M was my first computer and it served it''s purpose well. I used the music composition software cart and also a DX7 librarian with it. I saved to data cassette tape until I added the floppy drive for $200. I also added the MIDI keyboard which at that time was limited to note on/off and velocity only.\
      It drew me into electronic music in such a way that I hope new technology like the Raspberry Pi will do for my children. I ended up gifting it to the Sound Department at Columbia College, Chicago in 1994. I wish I had it back now for my kids!
  - author: dah (england)
    date: Wednesday 21st March 2012
    text: I bought cx5m in 1985,recorded on 2 albums, few singles, played live at Atonal festival, Berlin 1986 using it. I loved it, especially the voice editing program.
  - author: Conrad Russo (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
    date: Wednesday 14th March 2012
    text: I have an upgraded version of this machine, the CX5M2/128. I have upgraded it to MSX2, which is a very simple procedure. It is the example of a "low end" MSX in my computer museum. The high end spot is filled by a Panasonic FS-A1ST MSX TurboR upgraded to 512k. I have to say that the MSX machines were quite impressive. I own many rare and unusual Japanese computers, but the TurboR holds a place in my heart, it has a charm to it that I can''t quite explain, but it''s a truly amazing system!
  - author: Mikael (Helsingborg/Sweden)
    date: Friday 9th December 2011
    text: '..... and the FB-01 sound module (a DX-7 in a box). It was more like a DX-9 in i box'
  - author: Mikael (Helsingborg/Sweden)
    date: Friday 9th December 2011
    text: '..... and the FB-01 sound module (a DX-7 in a box). It was more like a DX-9 in i box'
  - author: H.Jenner (NY/USA)
    date: Tuesday 10th May 2011
    text: I have used both MSX and this computer, but I Just wanted to share an observation. The model number is CX5M. The way the 5 is written on the system, it almost looks like as if it hints that it is an MSX system. M5X. The "C" at the end makes the whole thing look like as if it''s saying "MSX see?". Maybe this wasn''t the intention, but I couldn''t help but think of this model number this way.
  - author: H. Schieck (Frankfurt a.M., Germany)
    date: Monday 15th November 2010
    text: |-
      The technical info speaks of a built-in PSU, but my CX5M had a huge brick of an external PSU that connected to the computer using a custom connector with multiple pins for the different voltages.

      By the way: Early versions of the internal sound module had a MIDI-IN port that was unusable. Only later versions of the CX5M sound modules allowed to be controlled as MIDI slaves with an external master-keyboard or sequencer.
  - author: Bill Loguidice (Central New Jersey, USA)
    date: Wednesday 17th October 2007
    text: |-
      I believe you are correct, James. I have done extensive research on this and believe this to be the only MSX computer actually released in any notable quantity in the US, and in reality this was not marketed as a traditional computer anyway. Many sources claim that Spectravideo released the 728 here, but from all that I've found, this was not the case. I believe the expected MSX revolution never happened in the US because the Commodore 64 came to squeeze and dominate the low end market, causing the quick demise of most second-tier competitors.

      I personally own a CX5M with the improved MIDI capabilities. Right now, it's my only MSX 1 system, but I have a Japanese Sony MSX 2 system.
  - author: b.rice (france)
    date: Saturday 23rd September 2006
    text: there's à new version of the cx5m.... the cx5m II (with a best synthesis card)
  - author: James Tamer (Greater Pasadena, California, USA)
    date: Tuesday 21st March 2006
    text: Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this was the only MSX computer marketed in the United States. In theory, the Spectravideo was also available... but I sure never saw one.
  related:
  - /museum/canon-v-10
  - /museum/canon-v-20
  - /museum/canon-v-8
  - /museum/casio-mx-10-mx-101
  - /museum/casio-pv-16
  - /museum/casio-pv-7
  - /museum/epcom-sharp-hotbit-hb-8000
  - /museum/fujitsu-fm-x
  - /museum/general-paxon-pct-50
  - /museum/goldstar-fc-80-fc-200
  - /museum/gradiente-expert-plus
  - /museum/gradiente-expert-xp-800
  - /museum/hitachi-ah-200
  - /museum/hitachi-h1-h1e
  - /museum/hitachi-h2
  - /museum/mitsubishi-ml-f110-ml-f120
  - /museum/mitsubishi-ml-f48-ml-f80
  - /museum/mitsubishi-ml-fx1-fx2
  - /museum/mitsubishi-ml-g10
  - /museum/msx-1
  - /museum/national-cf-2000
  - /museum/national-cf-2700
  - /museum/national-cf-3000
  - /museum/national-fs-4000
  - /museum/national-fs-4500
  - /museum/olympia-phc-2
  - /museum/panasonic-cf-2700
  - /museum/philips-nms-801
  - /museum/philips-vg-8000-8010
  - /museum/philips-vg-8020
  - /museum/philips-vg-8235
  - /museum/pioneer-palcom-px-7
  - /museum/sanyo-mpc-100
  - /museum/sanyo-phc-28
  - /museum/sanyo-phc-30
  - /museum/sanyo-phc-33
  - /museum/sanyo-wavy-10-mpc-10
  - /museum/sanyo-wavy-23
  - /museum/sanyo-wavy-3
  - /museum/schneider-philips-mc-810
  - /museum/sony-hit-bit-10
  - /museum/sony-hit-bit-101
  - /museum/sony-hit-bit-20
  - /museum/sony-hit-bit-201
  - /museum/sony-hit-bit-501
  - /museum/sony-hit-bit-55
  - /museum/sony-hit-bit-75
  - /museum/spectravideo-svi-728
  - /museum/toshiba-hx-10-pasopia-iq
  - /museum/toshiba-hx-20-hx-21-pasopia-iq
  - /museum/toshiba-hx-52
  - /museum/victor-hc-6
  - /museum/yamaha-cx5
  - /museum/yamaha-sx-100
  - /museum/yamaha-yis-303
  - /museum/yamaha-yis-503-diabolik
  - /museum/yashica-yc-64
  - /museum/yeno-dpc-64
  - /museum/yeno-mx-64
  oc_id: 88
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230608024321/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=88
    date: '2023-06-08'
---

This Yamaha computer was specialised in music and sound production. In fact it was a classic [MSX 1](/museum/msx-1/), with a special Yamaha synthesizer built-in (SFG-01) and optional piano keyboard. It was clearly designed to be a computer for musicians.

You got 48 internal voices with a really suprising quality for that time. It was a real synthesizer (equivalent of the Yamaha DX-9 synth.), with which you could change or create your own sounds.

The CX5M was in fact the same computer as the [Yamaha YS-503](/museum/yamaha-yis-503-diabolik/), but it had the SFG-01 Sound Module and MIDI interface integrated.

---

**Malcolm Ramage** adds:\
The FM sound module in the CX5M was the synthesizer guts of Yamaha's FB-01 sound module and with a little utility, you could swap sounds between the CX5 and the FB-01.\
Yamaha also released the C1 music laptop, this was an IBM compatable laptop, with 4 inbuilt MIDI ports for musicians on the move. The only other laptops that had anything similar were the Atari STacy and the ST Book.

**John**'s memories:\
This was truly an innovative piece of equipment. Not only was it a DOS (MSX-DOS) computer, but it was just like having a DX-9 synth, if you had the YK-10/20 keyboard, which I, of course owned along with it.\
I composed so many songs, concertos, hymns, etc on it. I had quite a few of the ROM cartridges, the disk drive, the SERIAL printer, the YK-20 keyboard and the FB-01 sound module (a DX-7 in a box).\
You could edit all the sounds-EASILY! You could write and print music. You could write text documents. This thing was not only fast, but easy to program in BASIC. I wish I still had it. Someone should come up with something similar today....