Galaga enhancement pack sounds...

DP Louie

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I just installed one of the Galaga enhancement packs from MikesArcade.com so that I could keep the high scores saved. I immediately noticed that there was no "coin up" sound, and the other sounds are different as well... difficult to describe, but I would say the sounds are now more high pitched, with less bass, if that makes sense. Anyone else notice this? Is there any way to fix it?
 
Okay, I think the missing "coin up" sounds had something to do with the fast/slow fire option - I set the dip switches so that it starts in slow, and now the coin up sound is back. I'm still noticing that all the sounds seem a little different though...
 
Surely someone else with this kit has noticed this... or am I being too anal? This really annoys me, the sounds are not accurate. I feel like I'm playing the C64 version. I have a rapid fire chip on the board, could that be causing this? I don't understand why the sounds would be affected at all, but I'm not a programmer. Could I possibly have a defective enhancement kit? If I can't resolve this, I'll probably have to pull it out and sell it, it bothers me that much.
 
I have no experience with this kit. Getting higher pitched sounds is usually a timing difference. Did the kit have a crystal on it? It might have something to do with the fast fire option if it changes some element of the games execution.

If the kit does have a crystal, compare it to the one on the main PCB. The frequency on the kit is likely higher and causing the pitch shift in the sounds. Not sure if it is normal for the kit, or just a mistake in the kits production.
 
I have the kit that Arcadeshop sells..not sure if its the same or not. I dont remember noticing any difference in the sounds..but it was 5/6 years ago when I put my kit in.....
 
The kit itself also has rapid fire mode... maybe the two are conflicting? I had the kit at one time and didn't notice a change in sound.
 
The kit itself also has rapid fire mode... maybe the two are conflicting? I had the kit at one time and didn't notice a change in sound.

I'm hoping this is it... I emailed Mikes, and they told me to remove the rapid fire chip as well. The only problem is I don't have the standard chip, so I'll have to get one burned and see if that fixes the problem. I'll post back with my findings.
 
Just wanted to update this... Mike's suggested that I remove the kit and reinstall, and also to remove the rapid fire chip and put in the standard fire chip. Well, I didn't have a standard fire chip, so I ordered one from Mike's for 23 bucks shipped (!). Well, did I feel stupid when I went to change out the rapid fire chip and realized that it had already been replaced with a chip from the enhancement kit! I realize that I should have known about this myself, but I certainly think that Mike's should have pointed it out before I wasted $23 on a chip I don't need. The sounds are better now, but still not right, and the coin up sound comes and goes. If I take the kit out, everything returns to normal. I've found that if I change the dip switch settings on the pcb, that seems to have an effect on the sounds. Live and learn, I guess.
 
Since you don't need the chip, it sure would be nice if you could return it.

At prices like that, I would expect that convenience.
 
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