err.. it's not more powerful than a c64, no.
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france
Powerfull as a c64 ? Ok you like your sn76489, but listen to this :
https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=PBjJb7xgxD0
Definitely no, the c64 has a filter which sound really cool. ok there is one more channel on the dn76489... but It is not as powerfull....
gg soundchip
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_I … ts_SN76489
c64 sound chip
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOS_Technology_SID
Last edited by yoyz2k (Feb 4, 2017 8:14 pm)
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There's probably more to be found in it though, as the guy said there's not much development going on around it, whereas the c64 is in almost constant R&D.
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4mat wrote:
err.. it's not more powerful than a c64, no.
1. Each square channel can be modified to produce a smoother PWM phasing effect than a SID chip.
2. You can also do wavetable modulation with the right programming.
3. There is a 4th channel that produces the noise which can do a melodic 6.15% PWM noise.
4. GameGear varition can do hard panning stereo for all 4 channels.
5. Each square channel can output 4-bit PCM, or be combined to output a louder PCM sound at any sample rate (beyond 44KHz) which is theoretically only limited by how much RAM and data is in the system and cartridge.
IF the SN76489 is not more powerful than the SID, then they are neck and neck. Like comparing Sega Genesis power to the SNES. Genesis technically is slightly faster in overall horsepower, but there are some things the SNES is able to do more easily, and vice versa.
Example, SID can do HP/LP Cutoff and Resonance filtering.
However, the SN76489 can do stereo, and has a 4th dedicated channel that can do white noise and melodic PWM wave, even though pitch control of channel 3 square is sacrificed.
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yoyz2k wrote:
Powerfull as a c64 ? Ok you like your sn76489, but listen to this :
https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=PBjJb7xgxD0Definitely no, the c64 has a filter which sound really cool. ok there is one more channel on the dn76489... but It is not as powerfull....
gg soundchip
Number one, I like the SID chip, and I know it's powerful. I have nothing against it.
Number two, that Wikipedia article has very basic information. It ONLY scratches the surface of what the Game Gear soundchip can really do. There's better sources out there, and a VSTi that faithfully emulates the SN76489 using the Hblank video refresh oscillation in order to modulate the Pulse Width of all 3 square channels more smoothly than a SID. Check it out:
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One final note:
To say that a chip is "not as powerful" is a sorry excuse for why nobody wants to mess with it. Unfortunately, it's a common excuse based on ignorance.
The truth is that more people had a Gameboy back in its primetime, and not as many people even had a chance to play Gamegear, and even less so the SMS. Most SMS/GG games used only the basic features of the chip, and not even the melodic noise portion. People do not realize what it can and can't do.
Also, a good musician can make good and powerful music out of anything. Even if limited to 3 square channels and monotonal white noise. Become a good composer, and you will make the SN76489 chip incredibly powerful.
Has anybody bothered listening to the music that Tomy has produced with it?!?
https://tomy.bandcamp.com/album/psg-series-3
https://tomy.bandcamp.com/track/dive-bo … ine-ver2-2
Keep in mind that you could add stereo to all that music through a Game Gear.
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marcb0t wrote:
The truth is that more people had a Gameboy back in its primetime, and not as many people even had a chance to play Gamegear, and even less so the SMS. Most SMS/GG games used only the basic features of the chip, and not even the melodic noise portion. People do not realize what it can and can't do.
Also, a good musician can make good and powerful music out of anything. Even if limited to 3 square channels and monotonal white noise. Become a good composer, and you will make the SN76489 chip incredibly powerful.
[.
Technical discussions aside, I would have to agree with this. I am in my mid 30s and didn't know anybody growing up with a SMS. GG and Genesis/Medadrives were everywhere though. As a newcomer to the chip music way of production, the game gear seemed like it would be the next 'go to' platform. Pokemon drives gameboy prices up, while game gear prices are dirt cheap. Perfect ingredient for hobbiest/musicians.
All in all, I am more enlightened on the subject. Thank you gentlemen 
Last edited by 4ormal (Feb 7, 2017 4:26 pm)
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4ormal wrote:
Technical discussions aside, I would have to agree with this. I am in my mid 30s and didn't know anybody growing up with a SMS. GG and Genesis/Medadrives were everywhere though. As a newcomer to the chip music way of production, the game gear seemed like it would be the next 'go to' platform. Pokemon drives gameboy prices up, while game gear prices are dirt cheap. Perfect ingredient for hobbiest/musicians.
All in all, I am more enlightened on the subject. Thank you gentlemen
Well, I'm glad some of us could be helpful. Actually, SMS/GG music is a great place to start with basic chiptune composition. It'll break you in to the concept of limitations, and working around them with composition.
However, Gameboy and NES are also good. I'm not dissing on those. I started with NES myself.
If you are looking for a good chiptune tracker, Deflemask is the way to go. You'll be able to program for NES/Gameboy/SMS/GG/MegaDrive/TurboGrafx/SID/YM2151.
It's up to you, where you want to start. There is no "right" or "wrong" chip set to start with, really. I just don't like people doggin' on SMS/GG and making uneducated claims about it's capabilities. That kind of talk keeps Gamegear trackers from becoming a "thing", and stifles the pursuit of creativity. I used to own a Game Gear back in the 90's, and there were many great soundtracks with that old chip that I enjoyed. "Sonic Triple Trouble" soundtrack was a work of art, for instance: