ATARI7800fan Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 I have recently bought a Sega Nomad and will admit I like the sounds capabilities of it, though I grew up with a SNES I like how some of the music for cross-platform games sound on it. Music made with chip's just has a certain sounds to it that I find appealing, like Air Zonk for the PC engine, prefer the card music over the CD. I happen to like the sound of the Texas Instruments SN76489 and Yamaha YM2612. Those two chips together just seem to have a really nice sound. Maybe it is because they were used quit a bit back then. What are your opinions of the genesis sound capabilities and the chips that it used in general compared to later like the SNES. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisbid Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 I have recently bought a Sega Nomad and will admit I like the sounds capabilities of it, though I grew up with a SNES I like how some of the music for cross-platform games sound on it. Music made with chip's just has a certain sounds to it that I find appealing, like Air Zonk for the PC engine, prefer the card music over the CD. I happen to like the sound of the Texas Instruments SN76489 and Yamaha YM2612. Those two chips together just seem to have a really nice sound. Maybe it is because they were used quit a bit back then. What are your opinions of the genesis sound capabilities and the chips that it used in general compared to later like the SNES. youre right, the genesis was among the last consoles that played 'chip tunes' rather than samples or redbook audio. and chip tunes in general are more memorable than modern game music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PsychoKittyNet Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 The sounds on the SNES and Genny are two different beats, and I like them both for what they bring to the table. I find that the SNES sounds a bit clearer, but the Genesis has that distinct, rumbly sound that gives it away as an awesome Genesis tune. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheath Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 I find FM and PSG music with samples to sound "deeper" than pure sample based synth music for that generation. This includes chiptunes for Arcades, Sega CD and SNES that used samples instead of FM or PSG instruments. I haven't bothered to figure it out, but it just sounds like FM, and FM plus PSG has a higher frequency range than anything using samples did at the time. I can say something similar in regard to PSG versus FM though, as I have heard various soundtracks that I heard first on the NES or regular Master System with FM upgrade chips instead. Sometimes I prefer the "simpler" tracks to the more "advanced ones for the same reason that I prefer FM+PSG to sample based synth. It's just a preference though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koopa64 Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 The Genesis FM + PSG combo is one of the most under-appreciated sound systems in gaming history. That's all you need to know. I could elaborate, but I'm tired. Maybe I will later... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATARI7800fan Posted May 13, 2011 Author Share Posted May 13, 2011 The Genesis FM + PSG combo is one of the most under-appreciated sound systems in gaming history. That's all you need to know. I could elaborate, but I'm tired. Maybe I will later... That's how I feel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Algus Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 I dunno. Ecco the Dolphin's Sega CD ports and Sonic CD just have luscious music. Although there were plenty of carts that had pretty good music too. Speaking of the Genesis's sound, I know it's goofy but I really like the front stereo port on the original model. I actually run a wire from it to my TV for stereo sound instead of using a headset (err, only mono sound from the back port ???) but I think it was a nifty idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheath Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 I dunno. Ecco the Dolphin's Sega CD ports and Sonic CD just have luscious music. Although there were plenty of carts that had pretty good music too. Speaking of the Genesis's sound, I know it's goofy but I really like the front stereo port on the original model. I actually run a wire from it to my TV for stereo sound instead of using a headset (err, only mono sound from the back port ???) but I think it was a nifty idea. That from a Genesis 1 that says "High Definition Graphics" at the top, or using the headphone out through a Sega CD, is the only correct way to hear Genesis sound. Just say no to Genesis 2s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ApolloBoy Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 Just say no to Genesis 2s. Unless it's been modded with a CCAM... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightSprinter Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 Well, one of the things about the YM2612 in the Genesis was the fact not that many people were good at programming an FM synthesizer. When you had good programmers at the helm (Konami in Castlevania: Bloodlines as an example), the music could sound incredible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATARI7800fan Posted May 13, 2011 Author Share Posted May 13, 2011 Well, one of the things about the YM2612 in the Genesis was the fact not that many people were good at programming an FM synthesizer. When you had good programmers at the helm (Konami in Castlevania: Bloodlines as an example), the music could sound incredible. That is a excellent game, still need to add it to my collection though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blarginatorr Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 (edited) I listened once to a radio show where the former Digital Illusions composer Olof Gustafsson told about his work on a Genesis/MD title. The game was never released, but a demo can be seen here Link Anyways, he explained that making music for the MD was quite tedious. I had to find that radio recording again to listen to that part again. Here's a quote from Olof: "It was actually an Amiga 500, with we actually soldered lot of stuff on to the motherboard, and thru the joystick port it went into the Mega Drive. So I had like 4-bit communication with the MD thru the joystic port, which all the data was sent thru, so it was really slow. So if you wrote like 2 notes, youd have to wait for a while, to just let the MD know that you wrote them." Apparently the method and software Olof was using was aquired from Jesper Kydd, another well known computer game composer. Actually, why am I even writing this. If anyones interested on listening to that radio recording, then look here http://mp3.ziphoid.com/getshow/Boz_Slaygon_and_Ziphoid_-_Talent_Talks_20070322.mp3 Link Discussion about the MD starts around 2:07:00 Personally I agree on what it was earlier said, MD/Genny was lacking on good composers, so lot of MD titles were kinda "meh", becoming more of a mixture of burps and bonkly sounds than actually music. And yeah, CV: Bloodlines has one of the nicest MD soundtracks I know. Edited May 13, 2011 by Blarginatorr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATARI7800fan Posted May 13, 2011 Author Share Posted May 13, 2011 I listened once to a radio show where the former Digital Illusions composer Olof Gustafsson told about his work on a Genesis/MD title. The game was never released, but a demo can be seen here Link Anyways, he explained that making music for the MD was quite tedious. I had to find that radio recording again to listen to that part again. Here's a quote from Olof: "It was actually an Amiga 500, with we actually soldered lot of stuff on to the motherboard, and thru the joystick port it went into the Mega Drive. So I had like 4-bit communication with the MD thru the joystic port, which all the data was sent thru, so it was really slow. So if you wrote like 2 notes, youd have to wait for a while, to just let the MD know that you wrote them." Apparently the method and software Olof was using was aquired from Jesper Kydd, another well known computer game composer. Actually, why am I even writing this. If anyones interested on listening to that radio recording, then look here http://mp3.ziphoid.com/getshow/Boz_Slaygon_and_Ziphoid_-_Talent_Talks_20070322.mp3 Link Discussion about the MD starts around 2:07:00 Personally I agree on what it was earlier said, MD/Genny was lacking on good composers, so lot of MD titles were kinda "meh", becoming more of a mixture of burps and bonkly sounds than actually music. And yeah, CV: Bloodlines has one of the nicest MD soundtracks I know. Nice looking game, plus that is one of my favorite publishers from back then, too bad it was cancelled. Is there any chance of a rom for it anywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blarginatorr Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 Well, the fact that it got shown on Datastorm 2010, might've gotten people curious. So maybe with good luck it could end up on PSN/XBox Live/VC. It all hangs on licencing issues I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuplayer Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 Just say no to Genesis 2s. Unless it's been modded with a CCAM... What's a CCAM? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ApolloBoy Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 Just say no to Genesis 2s. Unless it's been modded with a CCAM... What's a CCAM? Crystal Clear Audio Mod. It's a modification created by TmEE on Sega-16 that improves the audio quality on certain Genesis models. I had my Genesis 2 modded by TmEE and it sounds incredible now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATARI7800fan Posted May 16, 2011 Author Share Posted May 16, 2011 bump. Also will the CCA mod work on a Sega Nomad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ApolloBoy Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 bump. Also will the CCA mod work on a Sega Nomad. It will work on any Genesis/Mega Drive system that doesn't have a discrete YM2612, so yes, it'll work on a Nomad. You'd really have to cram it in though, since the CCAM is a board has loads of caps and resistors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+thegoldenband Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 (edited) I don't think the Nomad needs a CCAM, though, does it? I seem to recall that most folks were pretty pleased with the quality of the Nomad's stock audio. Certainly mine sounds great, far cleaner than my Model 2, though there's some noise in the headphone jack that's induced by the screen's backlight (I think). Edited May 16, 2011 by thegoldenband Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEgamer Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Hmmm, I might have to give that CCAM mod a try on my system. Whenever I think of the Genesis's sound capabilities, I'm instantly reminded of Wiz n Liz. To me it has one of the best soundtracks I've ever heard out of the system. In fact, I played it mostly for the music http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFodsn1XAHk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic George 2K3 Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Well, the fact that it got shown on Datastorm 2010, might've gotten people curious. So maybe with good luck it could end up on PSN/XBox Live/VC. It all hangs on licencing issues I guess. Yeah, what's Sony waiting for? Judgment Day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEgamer Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Yeah, what's Sony waiting for? Judgment Day? Let's hope so, that way it'll be here by Saturday! May 21st Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tr3vor Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 To be Truthful, I don't like the Genesis's sound hardware. I like general chiptunes, like NES and SMS, but the genesis just sounds like some old sythisizer from typical 80's music. I hate that sound. I prefer rock music from then, but not synth crap. Makes it less memorable to me. The NES and SMS use different more distinct sounds that don't sound like 80's music clones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisbid Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 To be Truthful, I don't like the Genesis's sound hardware. I like general chiptunes, like NES and SMS, but the genesis just sounds like some old sythisizer from typical 80's music. I hate that sound. I prefer rock music from then, but not synth crap. Makes it less memorable to me. The NES and SMS use different more distinct sounds that don't sound like 80's music clones. you dont like the music from sonic the hedgehog or streets of rage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tr3vor Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 To be Truthful, I don't like the Genesis's sound hardware. I like general chiptunes, like NES and SMS, but the genesis just sounds like some old sythisizer from typical 80's music. I hate that sound. I prefer rock music from then, but not synth crap. Makes it less memorable to me. The NES and SMS use different more distinct sounds that don't sound like 80's music clones. you dont like the music from sonic the hedgehog or streets of rage? the tune is good, but the sound that the genesis makes is sorta annoying to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.