Is the Genesis sound chips one of the best matches for music

[ATARI800XLfan]

I know this might be a Sega section question but I was wondering what are general people's opinions of the Genesis sound capabilities. I personally think it is one of the best pre CD/sampled sound designs out there. It is very unique and easy to tell when you are listening to Genesis music, do other share this opinion or am I just nuts?

[Xeogred]

There is a Sega specific forum here, I'm sure it'll get moved.

The Genesis FM chip is either extremely awesome or horrible to me, it's very hit or miss and quite dependable on how well the composers handle it a little moreso than other sound chips perhaps. There's some ports of games that sound completely butchered compared to their SNES counterparts, but in some rare instances that extra gritty sound is actually used well and can make a game top the SNES's sound, like the original Earthworm Jim to me might be a good example of this. I absolutely love the sound of it on the Genesis.

For an example of a track that makes me want to vomit or gives me a headache though, look no further than Sonic 3's Carnival Night theme:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHwHiymSojk

There's definitely more out there, but when the Genesis FM sound was masterfully used to its fullest, there's absolutely no way the SNES could replicate it:
Shinobi 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjaW4ZYzVHI
TFIV - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhi_bK1bH4U
TFIII - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZpGeehryl4

There's even some instances though where I think the NES outdoes the Genesis sound, Like Mega Man Wily Wars... the music is godawful to me, haha.

Anyways, not to turn this into a big vs thread or anything but yeah, when the Genesis FM chip is used well it turns out incredible and it's very distinct as you said. I think it kind of has a weird "nostalgic" touch to it moreso than other sound chips, even if I might prefer other ones overall.

Last but not least Tim Follin should've done more on the Genesis, holy crap:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqyEbu8cmMg

[fvgazi]

Streets of Rage 2 - Some of my favorite Genesis music.


*edit* that TFIV song is RIDICULOUS!!! Just from a technical standpoint... making that wave sound like a distorted guitar must have taken some time to figure out. Creating unique instruments for chiptunes can be annoying.

[Xeogred]

*edit* that TFIV song is RIDICULOUS!!! Just from a technical standpoint... making that wave sound like a distorted guitar must have taken some time to figure out. Creating unique instruments for chiptunes can be annoying.

Technosoft knew what they were doing when it came to music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCDc38hdikk

[ATARI800XLfan]

There is a Sega specific forum here, I'm sure it'll get moved.

The Genesis FM chip is either extremely awesome or horrible to me, it's very hit or miss and quite dependable on how well the composers handle it a little moreso than other sound chips perhaps. There's some ports of games that sound completely butchered compared to their SNES counterparts, but in some rare instances that extra gritty sound is actually used well and can make a game top the SNES's sound, like the original Earthworm Jim to me might be a good example of this. I absolutely love the sound of it on the Genesis.

For an example of a track that makes me want to vomit or gives me a headache though, look no further than Sonic 3's Carnival Night theme:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHwHiymSojk

There's definitely more out there, but when the Genesis FM sound was masterfully used to its fullest, there's absolutely no way the SNES could replicate it:
Shinobi 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjaW4ZYzVHI
TFIV - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhi_bK1bH4U
TFIII - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZpGeehryl4

There's even some instances though where I think the NES outdoes the Genesis sound, Like Mega Man Wily Wars... the music is godawful to me, haha.

Anyways, not to turn this into a big vs thread or anything but yeah, when the Genesis FM chip is used well it turns out incredible and it's very distinct as you said. I think it kind of has a weird "nostalgic" touch to it moreso than other sound chips, even if I might prefer other ones overall.

Last but not least Tim Follin should've done more on the Genesis, holy crap:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqyEbu8cmMg

Your right, Tim Follin is a genius when it comes to music.

[DinnerX]

I think the Genesis sound very harsh. But that's a good thing. If I could get a guitar that sounded like it I'd...learn to play the guitar.

[CFFJR]

I love Genesis music. As you said, its very unique, and it just sounds so damn good to me.

It can be very...crunchy. Xeogred's TF4 link is a perfect example. I love that.

Edit: A couple of great songs from Rocket Knight Adventures:

Stage 5-1

Stage 6

Boss Theme

[ATARI800XLfan]

is there really that much of a sound quality difference between the early model 1 Genesis's and the later models? I currently have a model 2 and am wondering if it would be worth buying a model 1.

[Niode]

The Yamaha YM2612 is a very versatile cheap. I am currently in the process of making my own synthesiser that uses the best of the 8bit and 16-bit sound processing chips. It will be the ultimate chip-tune synth, and I can't wait for it to be finished.

[ATARI800XLfan]

The Yamaha YM2612 is a very versatile cheap. I am currently in the process of making my own synthesiser that uses the best of the 8bit and 16-bit sound processing chips. It will be the ultimate chip-tune synth, and I can't wait for it to be finished.

can't wait to hear what it sounds like.