What is your favorite sound chip, and why?
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- dmbnation41 Offline
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What is your favorite sound chip, and why?
In my opinion, the YMZ208B is the superior sound chip due to its 8-channel sampling capability. It allows dynamic panning across the audio spectrum, rather than being limited to immediate left, right, or center positions. I don't understand why many YMZ208B packs on this list utilize only one channel for music playback.
Last edited by dmbnation41 on 2024-07-03, 7:27:23, edited 1 time in total.
Hello there! 
I just wanted to tell people things where no one else would.
If I request something and it finally has been done, I would appreciate you crediting me for that so.
I just wanted to tell people things where no one else would.
If I request something and it finally has been done, I would appreciate you crediting me for that so.
Re: What is your favorite sound chip, and why?
I've got a soft spot for the DMGAPU. Something about it is oddly soothing, if nothing else it's my favorite psg/wsg! I especially like GBA tracks where it's used in tandem with the PCM. Namco C352, YM2612 OPN2, and YMF262 OPL3 are up there on my list too.
~ kit
Re: What is your favorite sound chip, and why?
PSG (I know it's ont a soundchip) because it's very chiptuney, and OPL3, because it made the Bucket Relay Champ soundtrack (and Comet Summoner) better.
Still new in logging VGMs.
Re: What is your favorite sound chip, and why?
If I can only pick one, it would be the K054539 (Konami custom IC).
Konami's composers made some absolutely brilliant tunes for that chip, though they often paired two of them to get more channels.
As far as off-the-shelf chips, my favorite is the YM2610.
4ch FM (slightly better than YM2203), a built-in AY-3-8910, and 7ch ADPCM is quite a powerful package for mid-80s standards.
(I prefer YM2610B and would have chosen it, except that was a Taito custom IC.)
The YMZ280B is a close second to the YM2610 in my book (and shares similarities with the K054539), but the 2610 beats it out for being used in more iconic games and being used to its full potential.
Very few composers took advantage of the YMZ280B's more advanced capabilities, including real-time sequenced music.
A 2xYMZ280B combo could be as powerful as 2xK054539, but we never got to hear it in action.
(For an honorable mention, I have a soft spot for the MSM5232. It's a pain to program, but sounds divine when used correctly. Taito and Alpha Denshi composers used it to make some very elegant music in the mid-80s. I will be very happy if VGMPlay supports it someday.)
Konami's composers made some absolutely brilliant tunes for that chip, though they often paired two of them to get more channels.
As far as off-the-shelf chips, my favorite is the YM2610.
4ch FM (slightly better than YM2203), a built-in AY-3-8910, and 7ch ADPCM is quite a powerful package for mid-80s standards.
(I prefer YM2610B and would have chosen it, except that was a Taito custom IC.)
The YMZ280B is a close second to the YM2610 in my book (and shares similarities with the K054539), but the 2610 beats it out for being used in more iconic games and being used to its full potential.
Very few composers took advantage of the YMZ280B's more advanced capabilities, including real-time sequenced music.
A 2xYMZ280B combo could be as powerful as 2xK054539, but we never got to hear it in action.
(For an honorable mention, I have a soft spot for the MSM5232. It's a pain to program, but sounds divine when used correctly. Taito and Alpha Denshi composers used it to make some very elegant music in the mid-80s. I will be very happy if VGMPlay supports it someday.)
- dmbnation41 Offline
- Posts: 33
- Joined: 2024-01-02, 1:49:28
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Re: What is your favorite sound chip, and why?
Well, thanks to you for that. I might consider creating a 2xYMZ280B chip song when I find the time.
Hello there!
I just wanted to tell people things where no one else would.
If I request something and it finally has been done, I would appreciate you crediting me for that so.
I just wanted to tell people things where no one else would.
If I request something and it finally has been done, I would appreciate you crediting me for that so.
Re: What is your favorite sound chip, and why?
That would be fantastic!dmbnation41 wrote: ↑2024-07-03, 8:21:27Well, thanks to you for that. I might consider creating a 2xYMZ280B chip song when I find the time.
I remember Tom creating a fantastic XM2VGM converter that uses the YMZ280B, kind of as a proof of concept.
You can pair up to two chips, as that is still the most supported by the VGM standard, to convert songs with up to 16 channels.
My 5 favorite sound chips of all time:
1. K054539
2. YM2610(B)
3. YMZ280B
4. YMF278B
5. C352
Of course, I'm sticking with chips supported by the VGM standard, and didn't want Yamaha to take 4 of the top 5 spots.
I have a bias for anything with a lot of PCM/ADPCM channels.
The ES5505 may well take first place away from the K054539 if it ever gets added...ZUNTATA was on fire with it back then.
I still dream of waking up one morning to find out "Darius Gaiden" and "RayForce" are among the latest additions...