Genesis/Mega Drive first model SFX recordings

ICEknight · Sep 8, 2008

I've just gone through some of the special effects used in Sonic 1 and 2, and noticed that many of them sound quite different than they do in emulators. Not that their pitch is any different, but there's just some stuff that doesn't happen in any emu I've tried.

Here's the two "recording sessions" I did:
Sonic 1 sounds
Sonic 2 sounds (with sound bug, see edit)

All of them are being played from the sound test, more than once in case they didn't register correctly. I've noticed that some of them wouldn't sound exactly the same each time they're played, and most have small high-pitched beeps at the end or inbetween (always in the same exact places) which go unnoticed when there's some music playing in the background. Also, emulators usually cut many of these sounds earlier than they should, for some reason (check Sonic 2's sound #59 at 0:47, for comparison).

These were recorded from a PAL, first model Mega Drive 1 (with the modem expansion port in the back). I was wondering if other people could please record some sounds directly from their model 1 systems (NTSC or PAL), for comparison. If you don't have a system with the modem port, please specify what kind of hardware you're using. This could hopefully help when improving audio emulation in any emus that are being worked on.

By the way, my sound recording device starts muffling the audio after some time, for some reason. Sorry if that's reflected in any of the files above.

EDIT: Those Sonic 2 sounds had been played after the Emerald jingle, and are showing a sound bug. Here's the clean sound effects.

Flygon · Sep 9, 2008

Can I suggest someone recording this oddity using a Mega Drive 2 with the modified amp? Apparently it has better quality than early model Mega Drives.

ICEknight · Sep 9, 2008

I've noticed that those sound oddities only happen after playing the Emerald sound, the silence that keeps being played must interfere with them for some reason.

Anyway, some of those still seem to play for a bit longer time than in emulators.

EIDT: Here's the same sounds, without having played the Emerald sound before them. They sound much cleaner, indeed, but some of them still seem to play for a bit longer than in emulators.

Chibisteven · Sep 10, 2008

Ummm. Could be the motherboard revision of Megadrive as they sound different. Though alot Sonic games have artifacts in their sound.

Sappharad · Sep 10, 2008

ICEknight said:

Anyway, some of those still seem to play for a bit longer time than in emulators.
Click to expand...

Are you sure it's not just because you recorded it on a PAL machine and you're used to everything being slower?

I suppose I could make some recordings from my NTSC Nomad for comparison if this really bothers you. (It's the only thing I've got with a headphone jack.)

ICEknight · Sep 10, 2008

sonicblur said:

ICEknight said:

Anyway, some of those still seem to play for a bit longer time than in emulators.
Click to expand...

Are you sure it's not just because you recorded it on a PAL machine and you're used to everything being slower?
Click to expand...

I was comparing them with an emulator set to PAL, and some at least seemed to take longer to fade out.

I suppose I could make some recordings from my NTSC Nomad for comparison if this really bothers you. (It's the only thing I've got with a headphone jack.)
Click to expand...

The Nomad has a completely different motherboard, so it's quite possible that it will sound different. It would be nice for comparison, thanks.

For recording clean sounds in Sonic 2, first play sound #79 (fadeout). For recording them with the sound bug (just to check if it's the same for all models), play sound #1D first.

Sappharad · Sep 11, 2008

ICEknight said:

The Nomad has a completely different motherboard, so it's quite possible that it will sound different. It would be nice for comparison, thanks.
Click to expand...

Sonic 2 sounds 0x20 through 0x3F
http://www.mediafire.com/?ytgbdsmvygw

If you look at the waveform, there's a little bit of noise constantly in the background when it's silent. It may be the cable I used for the recording, not sure.

Chibisteven · Sep 11, 2008

The Genesis produces alot of noise... In fact there's it's own noise channel often used for percussion instruments like high-hats in alot of games. But that's beside the point.

I discovered a real sound bug in Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles (works with them both attached), works on every model of the Sega Genesis even emulators, I've tested it on. Start a stage sound any, prefarable 0F or 0A and go to E1 or E5 and press C rapidly for a minute. Do it right and the song comes back until you stop pressing C.

muteKi · Sep 11, 2008

I'm pretty sure that's a sign error.

AeonicB · Sep 11, 2008

I have a model 1 Genesis. I can try recording something off mine. =/

ICEknight · Sep 11, 2008

Oh, sure, please do! Is it the model with the modem port? Not sure if that makes a difference, but just in case.

Thanks for those samples, Sonicblur. If you can, please try getting a sample of sound #59, which seems to have the most noticeable differences.

Tom41 · Sep 21, 2008

After reading this topic, I decided to try it for myself. I don't have any good way of recording sound from my MD systems at the moment, but I did listen carefully - in particular to two sound effects ("Hit by spike" and "Title Screen Star")

Both on my MD2, and on my MD1 (no modem port), I heard the anomalies you describe - but only after playing the Chaos Emerald sound. I tried playing a different music track (Game Over) to stop the BGM, and there was no noise at the end of the sound effect, although there was a small click as the sound effect cut off.

I even tried switching my MD2 to 60hz mode, and the anomalies still occur - they just don't last quite as long probably due to the fact that the CPU is running faster.

Nemesis · Sep 23, 2008

There are a lot of changes being made to YM2612 emulation right now in a number of emulators. I'd suggest you try the latest beta of Regen from here and see if it sounds closer.

AeonicB · Sep 24, 2008

I'm almost ready to set up my Genesis (Model 1). I just need a controller (hahahah they're lost in my sister's old room.)

I do have a copy of Sonic 2, and with luck, I should be able to find my copy of Sonic 1.

I also know someone who has a Sega CD/ Genesis unit (that thingie).

EDITED TO ADD: It has EXT/ RF/ CH 3/4 (switch for channels)/ AV/ Adaptor ports on the back, and Phones (Fr headphones)/ Controlelr 1/ 2 on the front. Is EXT the modem, or just a VGA hookup?

ICEknight · Sep 25, 2008

Neko Kit Su said:

EDITED TO ADD: It has EXT/ RF/ CH 3/4 (switch for channels)/ AV/ Adaptor ports on the back, and Phones (Fr headphones)/ Controlelr 1/ 2 on the front. Is EXT the modem, or just a VGA hookup?
Click to expand...

Yes, that's the modem port.

AeonicB · Sep 26, 2008

Okay, keeping an eye out for my remote. :P

Gregster · Oct 5, 2008

Possibly relevant -- Model 1 Sega Genesis with the words HIGH DEFINITION GRAPHICS printed on the "cartridge dome" have superior sound to the Model 2 Sega Genesis. Model 1's without those words are "Model 2's in a Model 1 shell."

Here is a direct sound comparison of the two models (scroll to bottom) http://arcade.ym2149.com/megadrive/

Source: Project 2612

ICEknight · Oct 5, 2008

Hmm very interesting, thanks for the link.

RamiroR · Oct 5, 2008

mm.. I would record from my genesis 3 clone xD, I really want to show you how ugly sounds. :P

Tom41 · Oct 6, 2008

Someone ought to try this on the Wii Virtual Console and Xbox Live Arcade versions of the Sonic games; see how accurate the emulation is. I won't be able to check though, unless someone wants to give me 3200 Wii Points for free

I've made a point not to buy any games on VC that I've already got on the original system or on a compilation.

If you have one of the very first Model 1 MDs, try using Sonic 1 debug and place a load of sprites in the same spot. Eventually you'll see lines of the foreground disappearing, letting the background scroll layer show through. The very first MD1s have a VDP bug where it will interfere with the foreground scroll layers, and you'll see an entire line of background showing through. Later MD1s and the MD2 have this fixed; the disappearing lines will only affect the sprite layer.
Just a quick way to check if you have the earliest MD1 or not

Genesis/Mega Drive first model SFX recordings

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