SP0256-012

Overview

The speech processor is the General Instrument SP0256-012. Like the SP0256-AL2, it contains both a speech engine and a factory-programmed internal ROM, but the ROM contents differ. The 012 pattern is Mattel’s resident vocabulary, often called RESROM, rather than the AL2 set of isolated allophones. Its number words and common game phrases provide reusable building blocks. The familiar “Mattel Electronics Presents” announcement is one example. Its 16-kilobit capacity is 2 KB; it is not a 16 KB recording store.

Cartridge speech and the SPB640

Intellivoice has two speech-data paths. A game can select an utterance in the SP0256-012’s internal ROM, or send its own encoded speech through the SPB640 buffer/interface chip. That buffer connects the console cartridge bus to the speech processor and contains a 640-bit FIFO—80 bytes of temporary storage—which delivers cartridge data serially.

A different ROM pattern from AL2

This is a custom speech program, not a separate synthesis technology. The suffix identifies the built-in contents. Substituting an AL2 chip would supply different sounds for selections that the games expect to be Mattel phrases. The internal mask ROM is fixed at manufacture, and the module does not translate arbitrary written text into speech.

Machines using this chip

Mattel Electronics

Intellivoice

Mattel’s Intellivision speech module pairs an SP0256-012 with cartridge-fed voices, turning game warnings, instructions, and characters into speech.

Explore Intellivoice

V-Tech

VTech Learning-Window Voice Cartridge

A Learning-Window speech expansion board with an SP0256 processor and 16 KB SPR128A-047 serial speech ROM.

Explore VTech Learning-Window Voice Cartridge