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Other Discussions => General Gaming => Topic started by: VenomMacbeth on 06/23/2013, 03:35 PM

Title: Sega MD Z80 question
Post by: VenomMacbeth on 06/23/2013, 03:35 PM
How many sound channels are there on the Genesis/MD's Z80?  Just the Z80, not the YM2612. I'm writing some music & wanna make sure I'm not cheating.

Here's the song I'm working on:

http://soundcloud.com/cerulean42/run-away-preview

I used 4 different square tones, like those produced by the Z80, but with the way I wrote the song, it would probably translate more to 5 or 6 channels on actual hardware.
Title: Re: Sega MD Z80 question
Post by: esteban on 06/23/2013, 05:13 PM
Nice  :pcgs:
Title: Re: Sega MD Z80 question
Post by: ccovell on 06/23/2013, 07:19 PM
The Z80 doesn't have any sound channels.  None in the SMS and none in the MD/Gen.

If you use the sound functions in the Gen's 315-xxxx VDP, you get 3 square waves + 1 noise channel.

(here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Instruments_SN76489 )
Title: Re: Sega MD Z80 question
Post by: VenomMacbeth on 06/23/2013, 08:10 PM
Quote from: ccovell on 06/23/2013, 07:19 PMThe Z80 doesn't have any sound channels.  None in the SMS and none in the MD/Gen.

If you use the sound functions in the Gen's 315-xxxx VDP, you get 3 square waves + 1 noise channel.

(here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Instruments_SN76489 )
Ohhhhh that's right.  I forgot.  You totally answered my question, though.  Thanks!  Did the Genesis have access to any other additional square waves, or was everything else strictly FM?
Title: Re: Sega MD Z80 question
Post by: Tatsujin on 06/23/2013, 08:38 PM
IIRC it had 6 stereo FM, 3 PSG and 1 Noise channel = 10 Channels in total.
Title: Re: Sega MD Z80 question
Post by: ApolloBoy on 06/24/2013, 05:24 PM
One of the FM channels can also be configured as a PCM channel for digitized sound effects.
Title: Re: Sega MD Z80 question
Post by: Tatsujin on 06/24/2013, 06:56 PM
Ah yeah, the MDs weakness. Only one speech sample at once.