If you've been following this column, you've probably heard the term "ProSound mod" thrown about a few times.  Just so that we're all on the same page, let's describe what the ProSound Mod is.  As well as describing the mod, check out a series of ProSound tutorials brought to you buy lameboy (after the link) so that you can mod your own DMG.

First, let's describe what a ProSound mod is.  The Game Boy has two audio ouputs - the speaker and the headphone jack.  Obviously you're not going to mic your Game Boy speaker (hmm, I think I just gave myself an idea) and the headphone jack isn't going to provide the best signal in world.  This is where the mod comes in, adding a patch- or instrument- or whatever-you-want-to-call-it-cable input.  This is the type of input you'd find on a guitar, mixer, Firewire interface, or any other piece of professional audio gear, allowing for easier compatibility.  Now rather than killing your signal by adding converters and the like, you can just plug right into your mixer.  The mod also boosts the signal, making it a bit louder, which is a good thing, since the original Game Boy is pretty quiet.

The ProSound mod is usually added to the DMG model of the Game Boy (the original), but it isn't uncommon to come across a Game Boy Color equipped with the mod.  This is due to the fact that the audio output for the Color sucks.  First of all, it has very little bass.  When creating chiptunes, you don't have a whole lot to work with, compared to a synth or software like Logic or Live, so having the fullest range of frequency possible is key.  The ProSound mod adds to the bass frequencies in a noticeable way.  Also, the circuitry on the Color's mainboard is a mess.  Extra doohickeys get in the way and garble up the audio signal.  By bypassing said doohickeys, the ProSound mod clears up the signal like a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (which you should not use to buff out scratches on your Game Boy's screen!)

That's pretty much it - it's a little mod, but it goes a long way.  Here are those tutorials I promised.

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