16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - Sega Genesis Instruments
16-Bit Ableton Live Pack
16-Bit is a collection of 105 Ableton Live Instrument Racks made from the Sega Genesis YM2612 FM and SN76496 Sound Chips. Using a special MIDI interface, GenMDM, I loaded sounds from some of my favorite games and multi-sampled them. The result is a collection of familiar and nostalgic sounds that you can customize with the Macro Controls and included SEGA FX Audio Effect Rack.
*Currently only available to MPC members!
*Requires Ableton Live 10.1 Standard and above
Sega’s 16-Bit Genesis and MegaDrive are known for their exciting FM game soundtracks.
Classic 16-Bit FM Synthesis
The Sega Genesis and MegaDrive are fitted with a Yamaha YM2612 FM synthesizer sound chip. The chip allows for six channels of sound, each with four operators that can be arranged into 8 different algorithms. It’s the YM2612 that gives Sega’s 16-Bit consoles the characteristic grit found in so many classic games.
The Yamaha YM2616 FM Synth Chip found inside Sega’s Genesis and MegaDrive consoles.
SN76496 Sound Chip
The Texas Instruments SN76496 chip is also a major part of the Sega 16-Bit sound. But this chip supplied more of the simpler pulse wave bleeps and bloops.
The Texas Instruments SN76496 is responsible for the pulse wave sounds on the Sega hardware.
Loading Instruments from Classic Game Soundtracks with GenMDM
GenMDM is a MIDI interface and game cartridge that allows you to control the YM2612 with MIDI. Using the GenMDM, I was able to load the exact presets for instruments from classic games such as Streets of Rage 1 and 2, Shinobi, Altered Beast, Toe Jam and Earl, and many more, directly onto my Sega Genesis and multi sample them.
GenMDM is a MIDI device that connects to the control port of the Genesis/MegaDrive and allows full control over the YM2612.
Twisted Electrons MEGAfm 16-Bit FM Synthesizer
To get some more customized sounds, I used the Twisted Electrons MEGAfm synthesizer, which actually has two of the Yamaha YM2612 chips inside. This beautifully dirty and harmonically rich synth was used for 34 of the sounds of this pack.
MEGAfm has 2 YM2612 Chips inside and is capable of some amazing 16-Bit FM sounds.
Expressive Ableton Live Instrument Racks
Once I had the samples from some of my favorite games, I began building them into Ableton Live Instrument Racks. Each sound has carefully crafted Macro Controls that allow you to sculpt the sounds to fit any style of music.
Morph from plucks to leads to evolving pads with the Attack, Sustain, and Release controls. Use Frequency Modulation to give the sounds movement and addition “FM” qualities. Filter away unnecessary frequencies with the Low Pass Filter controls.
In addition, there is the BF SEGA FX Audio Effect Rack that you can use on any source you like. Bit Crush to create a old school game sounds. Use the Chorus, Delay, and Phaser controls to add stereo width, as well as movement and depth.
Take the sounds of the game to the next level! Each instrument is fully customizable to fit any style of music.
Get the classic, nostalgia inducing sound of the 16-Bit Sega Genesis for your music now, with the 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack! Here are a few of the games I sampled (probably a few more that I do not remember): Streets of Rage 1 and 2, Shinobi, Altered Beast, Ghouls and Ghosts, Castlevania Bloodlines, Phantasy Star 2 and 3, Toe Jam and Earl, Golden Axe.
Classic game sounds combined with the power of Ableton Live!
Check out this deep dive into the Genesis sound chip and the 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack during a recent Music Production Club Live Class.
And here is a demonstration of the 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack, all sounds and no talking.
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