// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did the Professional Music Driver say? I'm in tune for a ride.
| Professional Music Driver | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Masahiro Kajihara (KAJA) |
| Release | Late 1980s |
| Platform | NEC PC-9801 |
| Type | Music driver, Music Macro Language compiler |
Professional Music Driver (PMD) is a music driver and Music Macro Language (MML) composition system developed for the NEC PC-9801 series of Japanese personal computers. It was created by Japanese programmer and composer Masahiro Kajihara, known by the handle KAJA, during the late 1980s.[1] [2]
PMD allows music to be written using a textual notation based on MML and compiled into compact data playable on PC-98 sound hardware.[3][1]
It became one of the most widely used music driver systems in the PC-98 ecosystem and was widely used in Japanese computer games during the late 1980s and early 1990s.[1]
Overview
[edit]Professional Music Driver consists of an MML compiler and a playback driver. Composers write music using a text-based macro language, which is compiled into binary music data that can be embedded in software and executed by the driver.[1][3]
The system was designed primarily for the Yamaha YM2608 (OPNA) sound chip, which was widely used in PC-98 sound boards.[1][3] PMD can control multiple FM synthesis channels and also supports ADPCM sample playback depending on hardware configuration.[3]
Because the compiled music data is compact and efficient, PMD was particularly suitable for computer games and other applications where memory capacity was limited.[1]
Features
[edit]Typical features of Professional Music Driver include:[3]
- Composition using Music Macro Language[3]
- Support for the Yamaha YM2608 FM synthesis chip[1][3]
- Multi-channel music playback[1][3]
- Macro definitions and reusable musical patterns[3]
- Instrument parameter control[3]
- Tempo and timing commands[3]
- ADPCM sample playback[3]
- FM channel 3 expansion through the #FM3Extend command[3]
- SSGPCM sample playback through the K/R rhythm channels[3]
- Compact compiled music data suitable for software distribution[1][3]
Development
[edit]PMD was created by Masahiro Kajihara (KAJA), who was active in the Japanese PC-98 programming and music community during the late 1980s.[1] At that time, software developers increasingly relied on music drivers to control FM synthesis sound hardware available for Japanese personal computers.[1]
Text-based music systems such as PMD enabled composers to create complex music using only textual notation without requiring external MIDI equipment.[1][3]
Use in PC-98 software
[edit]Masahiro Kajihara (KAJA) also used PMD in his own music-related work, including credited PMD dataling on the 1995 Princess Maker 2 arrangement CD.[4]
Variants of PMD were used in early PC-9801 entries of the Touhou Project series developed by ZUN.[5]
Composer Ryu Umemoto is also documented in connection with PMD-related work.[4]
Relationship to other music drivers
[edit]Professional Music Driver was one of several widely used music drivers developed for the PC-98 platform.[1] Other notable systems include:
- MUCOM88
- FMP
Together these systems formed the basis of music production for many PC-98 games before MIDI-based composition tools became widespread.[1]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Professional Music Driver (PMD)". Battle of the Bits Lyceum. Retrieved 2026-03-30.
- ↑ "PMD English Documentation". Pigu PMD Docs. Retrieved 2026-03-30.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "PMDMML_EN.MAN". Pigu PMD Docs. Retrieved 2026-03-30.
- 1 2 "Princess Maker 2". VGMdb. Retrieved 2026-03-30.
- ↑ "ReC98: The Touhou PC-98 Restoration Project". GitHub. Retrieved 2026-03-30.