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SNES vs Genesis Sound
- Thread starter Beerman462
- Start date
On the topic of video game music demakes (modern to 8bit), nothing can beat this. And guess what? It'd work on real hardware too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJsWEY6PGVQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJsWEY6PGVQ
The MEgadrive was better where it counted.
Multiplats were always better on Megadrive. FIFA is the brand it is today because of that Megadrive original. The SNES version was fucking laughable. Even with it's "better sound".
Who gives a fuck about sound if a game looks and plays like shit?
Multiplats were always better on Megadrive. FIFA is the brand it is today because of that Megadrive original. The SNES version was fucking laughable. Even with it's "better sound".
Who gives a fuck about sound if a game looks and plays like shit?
Personally I prefer SNES sound for its variety. But it can definitely sound a little muddy even in best of cases.
Genesis synth is too tinny for my tastes, but super clean.
I didn't read the whole thread, so I don't know if any of them has been posted before. But here are couple favorites from SNES.
Treasure Hunter G, Unirally/Uniracers, Terranigma. Love all of them so much.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XuEFaYkmpw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taGT6zQzaRQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeKAB1V4zTE
Genesis synth is too tinny for my tastes, but super clean.
I didn't read the whole thread, so I don't know if any of them has been posted before. But here are couple favorites from SNES.
Treasure Hunter G, Unirally/Uniracers, Terranigma. Love all of them so much.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XuEFaYkmpw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taGT6zQzaRQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeKAB1V4zTE
Yeah that 32x, just awful.
And that track's only using the 32x's sound hardware for the drums, it was capable of quite a bit more that hardly anyone ever touched.
radios shipping overview
Member
Guys, I'm going to post a comparison of music from one crossplatform game that will prove definitively one platform's ultimate supremacy over the other.
Really though, there's a lot of good posts in this thread, and then there's a lot of drive-by posts by SNES fans. The way that console has been enshrined and mythologized is a bit gross.
Really though, there's a lot of good posts in this thread, and then there's a lot of drive-by posts by SNES fans. The way that console has been enshrined and mythologized is a bit gross.
Sixfortyfive
He who pursues two rabbits gets two rabbits.
Qualitypost, relevant to thread.
Wonko_C
Member
Are there any examples of this? I never knew until recently and this makes me regret selling my model 1 Genesis (Back in the day I sold it and my SNES to save some money for my Nintendo 64). To this day I'm still convinced that this victory tune, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNdbrYGQHfY sounded like it had some orchestra hits in it when I listened to it on my Genesis back when I was a kid, or maybe I heard a different rendition on another system? (And I also remember Shadow Dancer's stage 1 music sounded different and better than on any emulator)
It's also really amazing how eerily close to the arcade versions could music get in some games:
Genesis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTIMtglsOxQ
Arcade
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQfPILFYihc
And sometimes they sounded even better than the arcade version, like Ghouls 'N Ghosts and Strider.
Strider (Genesis):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVLNoGTMTdY
Strider (Arcade)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DU6gfeg8Fc
Ghouls 'N Ghosts (Genesis):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVHXD0UGqzA
Ghouls 'N Ghosts (Arcade):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzC4EwRGmDA
bishopcruz
Member
Here's a comparison between the different Genesis sound models.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiu8wDLV_9g
Again, that's probably because they used very similar sound hardware, thus they were easy ports.
I now want to play this game.
SatelliteOfLove
Member
I was looking for a segueway into this because fuck yeah Koshiro!
Yeah, he's going off the original Yamaha chip, but alot of the software is highly customized with a ton of plug-ins for extra sounds (a Genny strength). In this track, the three percussion plug-ins give it extra oomph to complement that surprisingly orchestral and epic composition wrought by one Mr. Koshiro from sounds most identified with electronica, house, and cyberpunk for a high-fantasy swords and sorcery showdown. It's also used for soothing, verdant jaunts as well
that end in bloody game overs.
Ok, good to know you're wrong in every thread you are in.
Not sure how to respond when I agree Phantasy Star II has the greatest soundtrack
in the series and one of the best of all time, yet you say the battle music is the worst track in the game. I feel so conflicted. Rise and Fall is amazing. All the battle music in that game is.
While yes there are speedy games on the SNES, throwing tons of sprites at the system tended to make it chug. That and the Genesis had a stronger stable to speedy action games and shooters than the SNES. Guardian Heroes would have made that system bag for mercy.
As far as chip output though, emulation and crappy Geneses definitely hurt the Sega camp more than they do the SNES one. A Genesis could sound so very different depending on the model, and a LOT of people have the one that came with Sonic, and that one was ASS.
Yeah, I had an original '89 vintage model, so it sounded fantastic thruout that generation. Was a shame about that chip change; it was one of the console's greatest strength.
radios shipping overview
Member
Overall I don't find the comparison to be very meaningful, because there are so many factors at play. But people will project their schoolyard grudges onto anything, so whatever. It is interesting (to me) just to compare different renditions of the same tracks to see differences in approaches and see who was best at taking advantage of the hardware in either case.
The SNES version of Ys III really ended up with a B-team arranger, while the Genny version is absolutely sparkling.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zELxNH-2EqA (Gen)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sSDK_Y0zIs (SNES)
Square and Tri-Ace's SNES work was in a class of its own, and I think people tend to extrapolate that to the whole platform.
Likewise, the stuff in Camelot's games was in its own league:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d0k4TB2IZM Shining Force II
Here's Samurai Shodown, Haohmaru's stage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R87RD2T6lXI (Gen)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R87RD2T6lXI (SNES)
Two completely different takes on the theme, but both with minimal instrumentation. The SNES version adds more ambience and is pretty literal about instrument choices, because that's what the hardware's good at, but the Genny version really cuts loose with wild tempo changes in a way the SNES version doesn't.
Bloodlines had some semi-hidden remixes of tunes from Castlevania IV, so we get to compare directly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwUd3RclPUc Simon's Theme (Gen)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sX3fjpkFwk Simon's Theme (SNES)
Obviously, once again, the SNES version is better at ambience and realistic instrument sounds. It has a really fantastic bass guitar sample, too. But the Genny version has some really nice, bell-like FM instruments and some decent string instruments for the system.
The SNES version of Ys III really ended up with a B-team arranger, while the Genny version is absolutely sparkling.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zELxNH-2EqA (Gen)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sSDK_Y0zIs (SNES)
Square and Tri-Ace's SNES work was in a class of its own, and I think people tend to extrapolate that to the whole platform.
Likewise, the stuff in Camelot's games was in its own league:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d0k4TB2IZM Shining Force II
Here's Samurai Shodown, Haohmaru's stage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R87RD2T6lXI (Gen)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R87RD2T6lXI (SNES)
Two completely different takes on the theme, but both with minimal instrumentation. The SNES version adds more ambience and is pretty literal about instrument choices, because that's what the hardware's good at, but the Genny version really cuts loose with wild tempo changes in a way the SNES version doesn't.
Bloodlines had some semi-hidden remixes of tunes from Castlevania IV, so we get to compare directly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwUd3RclPUc Simon's Theme (Gen)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sX3fjpkFwk Simon's Theme (SNES)
Obviously, once again, the SNES version is better at ambience and realistic instrument sounds. It has a really fantastic bass guitar sample, too. But the Genny version has some really nice, bell-like FM instruments and some decent string instruments for the system.
The 32X had better days:
Cosmic Carnage - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kEMYfFXB2I
Virtua Fighter - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbjC99V1rPQ
Rainbow Crapping Unicorns - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty5ACUG6HtQ
Cosmic Carnage - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kEMYfFXB2I
Virtua Fighter - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbjC99V1rPQ
Rainbow Crapping Unicorns - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty5ACUG6HtQ
radios shipping overview
Member
Wow, that sounds really ahead of its time. I mean, it sounds like house music from its time, but it's got that sidechain effect you hear in a lot of current house. Nice bass.
That's pretty hot. I'm a big fan of SNES games with Genesis music and Vice Versa
IrishNinja
Member
yeah, i'm digging that Cosmic Carnage track way more than i thought i would! gonna have to finally take CGR's advice and pick that one up sometime.
PepsimanVsJoe
Member
Good Lord. So many discoveries when it comes to great Genesis music.
I've played nearly every game on the console and there's still so much I never noticed before.
Cosmic Carnage is loaded with good tracks. Funny how such a poor game got an amazing soundtrack.
Same could be said for Heavy Nova. It has one of the best game over themes I've ever heard. Naturally it's not on youtube. =/
I've played nearly every game on the console and there's still so much I never noticed before.
Cosmic Carnage is loaded with good tracks. Funny how such a poor game got an amazing soundtrack.
Same could be said for Heavy Nova. It has one of the best game over themes I've ever heard. Naturally it's not on youtube. =/
sephiroth7x
Member
Don't have time to do it but compare the music from The Lion King on the SNES and then the Lion King on the Megadrive/Genesis....
Sums up this argument perfectly...
Sums up this argument perfectly...
Rhazer Fusion
Member
Ok, good to know you're wrong in every thread you are in.
Not sure how to respond when I agree Phantasy Star II has the greatest soundtrack
in the series and one of the best of all time, yet you say the battle music is the worst track in the game. I feel so conflicted. Rise and Fall is amazing. All the battle music in that game is.
While yes there are speedy games on the SNES, throwing tons of sprites at the system tended to make it chug. That and the Genesis had a stronger stable to speedy action games and shooters than the SNES. Guardian Heroes would have made that system bag for mercy.
As far as chip output though, emulation and crappy Geneses definitely hurt the Sega camp more than they do the SNES one. A Genesis could sound so very different depending on the model, and a LOT of people have the one that came with Sonic, and that one was ASS.
Really? This is the first time I heard this. I had the Genesis packed in with Altered Beast and the adjustable volume on the system with head phone slot.
Sixfortyfive
He who pursues two rabbits gets two rabbits.
It's true, but people tend not to properly specify which models of the console are different, in addition to overstating the actual difference.
PepsimanVsJoe
Member
A lot has been said about Treasure (both good & bad) but they're usually 100% on point when it comes to music. All of their Mega Drive games have fantastic OSTs.
Yeah this is true.
Sega Genesis Model 1 vs Model 2 sound comparison
Here's another one:
Sega Genesis Sound Compared: Model 1+2+3+CDX - Streets of Rage 2
Rhazer Fusion
Member
Thanks for the examples. I never knew that. Wow. Was trying trying to cut back production costs or something? Unbelievable.
Bjoern the Smexy
Member
If done right the Genesis/Mega Drive had the ability to output EXCELLENT music (Castlevania and Contra Hard Corps come to mind), but it seldomly if ever sounded better than what the SNES was capable of.
Genesis surely didn't manage to output wonderful music like that of Final Fantasy 6, Chrono Trigger, Super Mario RPG or Yoshi's Island.
Even the Super Street Fighter II soundtrack was better on SNES than anywhere else in my opinion.
Would something like Parodius even be possible on a Genesis/MD soundwise? I can hardly imagine it.
Even Plok had an AWESOME title theme (and bonus level theme for that matter) that truly put the SNES soundchip to awesome use.
Also Donkey Kong Country. Aquatic Ambience would NEVER EVER be possible in that fidelity on Genesis (not counting redbook audio via Sega CD or any enhancements the 32X brought with it).
So yeah, SNES sound > Genesis sound
Genesis surely didn't manage to output wonderful music like that of Final Fantasy 6, Chrono Trigger, Super Mario RPG or Yoshi's Island.
Even the Super Street Fighter II soundtrack was better on SNES than anywhere else in my opinion.
Would something like Parodius even be possible on a Genesis/MD soundwise? I can hardly imagine it.
Even Plok had an AWESOME title theme (and bonus level theme for that matter) that truly put the SNES soundchip to awesome use.
Also Donkey Kong Country. Aquatic Ambience would NEVER EVER be possible in that fidelity on Genesis (not counting redbook audio via Sega CD or any enhancements the 32X brought with it).
So yeah, SNES sound > Genesis sound
Nikodemos
Member
Ah, so reading the comments it seems the are Mark 2 Mega Drives capable of decent sound. You just have to look at the motherboard revision, which is unfortunately only possible by opening the console.
Rendering Ranger pushed many sprites on screen with the asteroids storms:
http://youtu.be/8QNQvV0EUfc?t=1m4s
Oh and with minimal slowdown since Manfred Trenz used adaptive frameskipping for the objects on screen.
EDIT:
Put another link with a video captured from real hardware.
Too often is used emulation bullshit in these talks...
Sound more bitter than aggressive.
But I agree with your main point.
Sega going out of business meant his legacy isn't as widespread as that of Nintendo.
Dragoon En Regalia
Member
Alien Soldier alone takes the Yamaha chip to its upper limits, pumping out sound channels and amazing synth-sounds with ease. It might be my favorite Norio Hanzawa soundtrack...
Soldier's Song
Lurk
The best version of Seven Force!
Runner AD 2025
Oblivious Past (beautiful credits theme)
Aizu_Itsuko
Member
That's the genesis soundchip, terribly used I may add, possibly because that port was heavily rushed. The 32x was used for the sound effects, which were much better in that version.
Anyway, there's not much to say about SNES vs Genesis sound that has not been said a thousand times already. Overall, the SNES produced better sound even though it could sound too filtered at times. Genesis had its own strengths and you can find some of the best soundtracks of the generation on the system. That said, there was a dramatic difference between the best and the worst sounding Genesis games, while on the SNES most games used to sound at least decent (less variety though). Very recognizable sound in both cases.
Starwolf_UK
Member
I take it Mega CD was bought up...although very few games bothered instead choosing to use redbook audio instead.
Not really; that is like taking the 100m gold medallist and the 1500m gold medallist and putting them to the test at 500m to decide who is better. Just because there is one winner does not write the other guy off. The Lion King was more suited to the SNES but the Lion King is not the only soundtrack.
Globalisateur
Banned
This is where nostaligia prevails about everything else. Here's a quick comparison between Super Ghouls'N Ghosts (SNES) vs Ghouls's Ghosts (Genesis) Graveyard level music.
SNES was able to emulate every sound the Genesis chip could produce. Genesis couldn't.
But sure if you prefered Sonic games to mario games then yes, I am guessing you will prefer the (sonic) music with the Genesis.
I still prefer listening to Little Nemo (NES) music than most SNES music...
SNES was able to emulate every sound the Genesis chip could produce. Genesis couldn't.
But sure if you prefered Sonic games to mario games then yes, I am guessing you will prefer the (sonic) music with the Genesis.
I still prefer listening to Little Nemo (NES) music than most SNES music...
Prime crotch
Banned
Mega Drive had a better sounding chip, mostly because I vastly prefer the fm synth tunes over the coral bland stuff SNES did; BUT it also produced some ear grating noises. So it's a mixbag
Azure Phoenix
Member
Actually you can tell which Mega Drive 2 has good sound without opening up the system. If you turn it over and look at the ventilation holes underneath you need to look for one where the motherboard shielding doesn't fully cover the holes (indicating it's the 3/4 size motherboard). However without opening them up to find out you can get one with garbage video output. That said I have never found a Mega Drive 2 with the 3/4 motherboard despite years of searching, I'm unconvinced they were even available outside of the US.
I would never, ever recommend trying to get a Mega Drive 2 though, the first version of the Mk 1 system has the very best sound quality and the 2nd best picture quality and they are way easier to find. This guide is very useful for trying to find the perfect Mega Drive/Genesis.
Another thing to consider when comparing these two systems is that while the SNES's sampling method was developed on and improved, FM synthesis never really developed beyond the Genesis on the console side.
There's no question that the SNES chip is technically superior, though. It's like comparing a C64 to a Apple IIGS, although I find the sound of the C64 more compelling.
Good sampling is an art in and of itself, as any Amiga musician will tell you.
There's no question that the SNES chip is technically superior, though. It's like comparing a C64 to a Apple IIGS, although I find the sound of the C64 more compelling.
Good sampling is an art in and of itself, as any Amiga musician will tell you.
There's a couple of trends in this thread that might need to be reconsidered, sound does not just mean title music so it would be prudent to include videos of actual gameplay. Another is confusing composition prowess with the technical ability of the respective hardware.
As an aside, it's good to see more Amiga mentions.
As an aside, it's good to see more Amiga mentions.
D
Deleted member 74300
Unconfirmed Member
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbGe8k1EijI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7D-HRRP7VU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwfNTIHzea8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra-6-FJvKWU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwv0SQ5UTJc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9SkVkZwch4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsHB6I9gf9s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoH-2prYASM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2EDKO3xf1U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7D-HRRP7VU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwfNTIHzea8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra-6-FJvKWU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwv0SQ5UTJc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9SkVkZwch4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsHB6I9gf9s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoH-2prYASM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2EDKO3xf1U
RobRSG
Member
Man, how people still argue that Genesis is better than Snes in the audio department, for Christ sake?
The first thing to notice is that Genesis is unable to output stereo sound through its Composite port... only does that via its frontal headphone plug, found only on the older models.
The sound hardware that crazy Ken made for Snes was very impressive and was 2 years ahead in tech... So the whole discussion is pointless.
Personally, I prefer Street Fighter II Genesis soundtrack due to being more similar to the Arcade version than the Snes' one... But in audio fidelity and other unmentioned aspects, SNES trounces Genesis in every possible way.
The first thing to notice is that Genesis is unable to output stereo sound through its Composite port... only does that via its frontal headphone plug, found only on the older models.
The sound hardware that crazy Ken made for Snes was very impressive and was 2 years ahead in tech... So the whole discussion is pointless.
Personally, I prefer Street Fighter II Genesis soundtrack due to being more similar to the Arcade version than the Snes' one... But in audio fidelity and other unmentioned aspects, SNES trounces Genesis in every possible way.
Sixfortyfive
He who pursues two rabbits gets two rabbits.
The model without the headphone jack has stereo A/V cables.
D
Deleted member 74300
Unconfirmed Member
To me it's more of a "it's not the quality of the sound chip it's how you use it." kinda thing.
Wolfgunblood Garopa
Member
I think it is, considering how amazing every other track in the game. The weapon shop track... game music doesn't get much better. With just a small pic and some menus, that track puts you right in that gritty, underground weapons shop. Cyberpunk new wave mixed with classic prog rock through that magic Genesis sound chip... best soundtrack in the 16 bit era.
And even on the older models, if you have a Sega CD you can mix the headphone jack into a jack in the back of the Sega CD and get stereo sound out that way.
The discussion is pointless (as are most things we discuss here), but not really for the reason you suggest. It's pointless because both sound chips take a different approach and there isn't one that is simply better than the other. It's not like comparing PS4 and X1 specs where one is basically the same as the other but faster or more capable. Both sound solutions in this case can do things that the other simply can't, newer or not. The Genesis simply cannot output the music from Chrono Trigger, and the SNES simply cannot output the music from Thunderforce 4. This is more of a Coke vs Pepsi argument, than a full can of Coke vs half a can of Coke argument.
What people are really arguing here is which approach they prefer. Some people prefer an reasonably accurate approximation of real instruments, which is what the SNES provides. These are never as high quality as the same samples would be in any other context, but for a game console they were very clean and pleasing. Other people prefer the more electronic synths sounds that the Genesis excels at. Overdriven guitar sounds, punchy kick drums and basslines to make The Prodigy proud are what it offers, anyone claiming that the SNES competes at this is simply lying to themselves. These sounds are being generated directly for the Genesis soundchip, and aren't lower quality recordings of an instrument. This IS the instrument! The best SNES could do at replicating them, would be to record them, and play them back at a reduced fidelity. So when someone talks about the Genesis sounding higher quality that is what they are referring to. These kinda of sounds actually would (and have) been used outside of the context of a games machine, because their fidelity makes it not insane to do so. Tell a Genesis to playback a vocal track, or simulate an orchestra and it all falls apart, but the differences between them aren't as black and white as many SNES diehards like to claim.
So no, the SNES doesn't "trounce the Genesis in every possible way", because it has many limitations of its own that don't apply to the Genesis. Would it do so if you could dedicate the entire console and cartridge to only playing back the highest quality samples you can find for one track? Sure, maybe.. but that's hardly a realistic case.
As I've moved from playing games through the TV speakers, to a set of speakers, to amp driven headphones, the Genesis sounds benefitted from the increased quality of the equipment, whilst the lower quality of the SNES samples only became increasing noticeable. That (and the fact that my username is a bit of a giveaway to what sort of sound I like) is why I prefer the Genesis sound.
Also every person doing this...
...is simply flagging themselves as clueless. As if that track encompasses every sound the Genesis could produce....
There have been plenty of examples of Genesis sounds the SNES can't produce (even in some multiplats), please don't ignore them in your rush to make ridiculous claims. Saying that you think the SNES is better is fine. Even saying you think the Genesis' synth is nasty would make sense. Claiming it can reproduce every sound the Genesis can is just being silly however.
Nikodemos
Member
I eventually did open up the console and remove the shield. No luck, it's a VA0.