It definately should work when there are no cables connected. That's how I've been using it.

If I put headphones in mine in the "bottom" connector (basically the "wrong one to use for that" ), it disables tv output and gives mono sound through my headphones.
With the top connector it gives stereo fm-pac output through the headphones and you can still hear it through the tv.

This is because the bottom connector is meant to mix the psg with the fm-pac. (note: with bottom connector I mean the lowest one when the cartridge is standing upright).

From your problem description, it almost sounds like this connector "thinks" it's in use.
However, the sound through my headphones seems to have a normal volume as well. I don't think the MSX itself has any influence on it even if it has an incorrect sound balance internally - my 8250 had, and I added a variable transistor outside the case so I can change that on the fly, and changing it doesn't change the volume going through the headphones.

I'm not entirely sure, but I'm afraid it's indeed the fm-pak that isn't working correctly.... maybe you should have a look inside....

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Hi Yum! Unfortunately the PAK came without cables (although I have the jack to 2 RCA cable), manual, etc ... Nevertheless, it appears that it should work without the cables, just mixing PSG and FM through the TV speaker. Do you remember the PAK not working unless all cables were connected ? Thanks for your help

I don't know if it did work without the cables. I only used it with the cables because that gave the desired stereo effect. But I don't know if it's logical that you hear the sound through your MSX. A music module and Moonsound can't be heard either through the normal audio output. A SCC on the other side, is another story. But I recommend buying a jack/RCA plug and try what I wrote. It is the way the FM Stereo Pak was designed.

It works without cables, Yum. I actually tested a few things just 5 minutes ago. Without cables it's just like a normal fm-pac (minus the s-ram and with a different internal program).
That is, assuming all our fm stereo pak's are based on the same design - afaik they are.

Just for completeness sake, my FM PAK is the MSX Club Gouda one, based on the Checkmark design.

Like I said in my previous post, I've never tested it without cables. But if it works with you, something must be wrong with the PAC. So... I can't help

My PAK seems to be the original checkmark as it does not carry any identification of Club Gouda or West Friensland, etc... And I agree with Samor, the problem is in the PAK. I think it is evident, now that you have confirmed that the output should sound at a normal volume when headphones are plugged in the top connector. Even when I plug the headphones in the botton connector I don't hear nothing. And I have tried with a pair of self amplified PC speakers with no success. My only hope here is to ask for a refund. If the seller refuses, then I will inspect the inners of the PAK, but I don't see myself able to repair it .

Thanks anyway to all of you

I don't have a FMPAK anymore, but I had it in the past. I think through one of the pins of the cart sends the sound to the MSX2, maybe the contacts are dirty. I mean, the software detects that the cart is plugged but the sound is not emitted, that could explain that not even PSG sound goes through MSX?

If SCC is working definitely your FMPAK cart has a problem. But I am not a HW specialist, maybe Hans or others could help you more here.

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My PAK seems to be the original checkmark as it does not carry any identification of Club Gouda or West Friensland, etc... And I agree with Samor, the problem is in the PAK. I think it is evident, now that you have confirmed that the output should sound at a normal volume when headphones are plugged in the top connector. Even when I plug the headphones in the botton connector I don't hear nothing. And I have tried with a pair of self amplified PC speakers with no success. My only hope here is to ask for a refund. If the seller refuses, then I will inspect the inners of the PAK, but I don't see myself able to repair it . Thanks anyway to all of you

were you specifically looking for a Stereo version, or just an fm-pac in general? Just wondering...

I was looking for an fm-pac with fm-basic and of course fm sound. The stereo is a nice plus, but I can live without it.

Like Saeba said, have you tried cleaning the cartridge pins? Furthermore, I have an FMPAK as well which I used with a 8245, which I don't have anymore...I didn't have any problems using them together. I find it strange that the MSX-MUSIC sound IS being outputted through the side connectors, but not through the MSX.

I have FM-PAK, and it does indeed works great through standard MSX audio output, albeit this way you don't get the "stereo" out of it. I think drums are on the left and other channels are on the right, if you use the phono-jack output.

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However, if I plug a headphone on the PAK output I hear the FM sound (at a extremely low volume, i think it is a non amplified output). Maybe is something wrong in the cartridge ?

Although I do not have an FM-PAK, I do have a collection of other sound cartridges and all of them deliver normal line level output on their connectors. If you plug a headphone in the PAK, you should get a normal sound level, maybe even a bit loud. It seems to me that the amplifier circuit in your FM-PAK is broken

Hey !!

You might want to contact repair bas (Bas Kornalijnslijper).
I think he could repair the fmpac for you.

Good luck man !!!

Thanks for your comments. I have cleaned the contacts with no success. The output level on the jack is so low that you get nothing when it is connected to an amplifier (may be is filtered as a noise). Summing up, the cartridge is wrong. In the meantime I have received the MegaflashRom SCC and it works perfect with SCC sound, thus the computer is OK. I will try to return the cartridge.

Hi, the seller has agreed to refund the money paid for the FM-PAK. So, I'm in the market for a working FM-PAC, or FM-PAK, or FM STEREO PAK ! Thanks again for all your helpful comments.