I just finished coding a very primitive, yet 6-channel polyphonic sequencer/performance tool for the Sega Genesis that takes advantage of the microtonal capabilities of the YM2612. I basically started out breadboarding Arduino projects with the YM2612 a while back and from there took a semi-recent and bare minimum crash course in 68000 assembly and the Genesis hardware to do this. I flashed it to my old Tototek flash cart and got it to work on my Model 1 but not on my Nomad unfortunately.

and not forgetting, using a waveform sample and shortening it will change the pitch. also change the wave though...

PITA isnt black n white dude

theres a needle in your butt once and then theres a dagger in your butt every time you want to enter a note

Man, this thread has turned into a treasure trove of useful information. Thanks everyone

haha I mean one could argue we're already in PITA music making with using trackers/programming. Plus anything other than equal temperament is probably going to require more work across all mediums since typically in this day in age it involves manipulating equally tempered instruments/programs or inventing/programming your own instruments.

Or even better**, You can directly address the pitch register with MML (ppMCK) using

@n<value>,<length>

Or you can use the y command to write to any address you wish.

y <address>,<value>

**may not be better depending on who you ask

EDIT: I almost forgot. Theres also the D command which is a simple detune used like this.

A D-1c D-2c D-3c D-4c D-5c D-6c 

This illustrates a downward slope in pitch starting from c and dropping 6 register values.

seems like it would be easier to do this in the instrument but its still going to be a massive PITA and writing music shouldnt be a massive PITA...

massage the tracker too?

Protracker stores its note data as period values, i.e. the notes aren't necessarily strictly tuned to a table of pitches. One could probably just massage a protracker module into slightly different pitch conventions like just intonation, but it's going to be kind of hard to compose with a completely different set of pitches than those you'll end up hearing in after conversion.

i have been using onputer.

You can use detune commands in Fami, I think. Usually used for doubling a non-detuned lead for that chorusy mega man lead vibe but you could probably get something more in depth with the time put in.

I am doing a little ditty with cymantic frequencies. it is touching.

It's hardly the best way, but if I want to achieve this effect I just do a really quick portamento at the beginning of a note. For a small enough shift it's mostly unnoticeable.

open modplug tracker has scala support just built right in if you want to do it the easy way

PR8 has coarse and fine tuning per drum.

Any song examples of this? It sounds interesting.

Edit: Just heard that .it song by sandneil. It's weird but kinda interesting.