The SEGA Mega Drive Model 2 Audio Mod

The SEGA Mega Drive Model 2 Audio Mod

480p is recommended for best Quality.

Here I show you exactly what I did to enable crisp, clear sound out of a Mega Drive or Genesis model 2 console. By following the basics of this video your Genesis or Mega Drive model 2 can output superior audio to that of a model 1.

If you want an audio demonstration of my mod then click on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm6VK7W8jLw

If you have any questions about this video or anything in it then drop me a comment or PM me.

Some bits and pieces have been edited out of the video as I was clearing my throat while trying to speak too many times making it annoying to listen to, so if you're wondering why the camera looks like it cut something out here and there, it was only me clearing my throat.

Somethings I forgot to mention in the video is that this mod is very difficult to use when the model 2 Mega Drive is attached to a Mega CD add on console. For Mega CD games you still have to use the audio outputs on the back of the SEGA Mega CD which means that the FM & PSG side of the game's audio will still be distorted. That's one of the reasons why I discontiuned using my modded Asian PAL Mega Drive model 2. This mod only works perfectly with Mega Drive and Master System games.

Music in the intro from the SEGA Mega CD game ''Beyond The Limit F1 1993 World Championship''.

Enjoy!

Category:

Gaming

Tags:

• SEGA Mega Drive
• Model 2
• Modification
• Audio
• FM-YM2612
• PSG-SN76489
• ASIC-Based
• Adam060756
• Review
• Home Made
• Video
• Sonic The Hedgehog
• Lemmings

[LittleMichaelz]

I know you don't solder, bro, but mixing the PSG and YM2612 is as easy as soldering the two outputs together on one wire.

The reason why the MD1 has inferior audio to the MD2, is because the MD1 has an amplified circuit, hence the volume slider on the front of the console. But a MD1 can actually sound identical to a MD2 if you do the same as what you did to this console. Both consoles have the same YM2612s and PSGs, it's just that the built-in sound circuits are different.

[Adam060756]

@LittleMichaelz I've done the same procedure to a model 1 and it doesn't quite sound identical. Not only are the sound circuits different but the sound chips are different aswell within each model.

model 1's use discrete FM-YM2612 chips while model 2's use ASIC-BASED FM-YM2612'S. Although the mixing circuits of the model 2's are responsible for the shitty sound output. All I did was bypass the model 2 mixing circuit with my own connections creating clearer sound.

[ItsAReefer]

That's a counterfeit MD2

[LittleMichaelz]

@Adam060756 It's very cool to see someone who's got some knowledge of the hardware, as well. I seem to be one of the few who's actually interested in modding circuit boards and stuff.

[Adam060756]

@LittleMichaelz I totally agree bro.

[LittleMichaelz]

@LittleMichaelz I don't know why SEGA made that amplifier circuit for the MD1, anyway, because it doesn't sound as good. Maybe it was for headphones that didn't have any volume control? I don't know. But just let that headphone jack for what it is, get a clean line-out from the YM2612 and PSG, and amplify it with your own sound system. That's probably the best solution for the MD1. You can, like, make a whole complicated circuit for the absolute best audio, but it's not worth it.

[LittleMichaelz]

@Adam060756 Ah, cool facts. I thought both the model 1 and 2 used the exact same chips, just in different form factors. But even if it doesn't sound identical, it's close. What mainly makes the MD1 inferior to the MD2 with sound, is because it comes with an amplified circuit that over-powers the base and causes distortion. Long sustained notes play too long and start sounding all distorted. The MD1, if you take raw output from either the Sony chip, or the FM and PSG, it sounds better, as well.

[redSKORPION50]

Those are capacitors.

[dissident93]

@Adam060756 Awesome.

[Adam060756]

@dissident93 I've always loved music from the day I was born so i've always had a gigantic sound system.