Sonicware

Notes: Part of Sonicware's excellent Liven series of compact groove boxes, the Mega Synthesis draws on the unique sound of the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis games console to create characterful 80s/90s synths.

Supplier's Notes:
Revive the SONIC sensation of the golden era!

Create Diverse Game Music with a Sophisticated 6-Track Sequencer and 10 Types of Effects

You too must have fallen under the spell of the extraordinary visuals and sounds of the groundbreaking 16-bit video game console that once dominated the world! It was powered by the iconic "YM2612" sound chip, a legacy that endures even today.

The MEGA SYNTHESIS has resurrected the sound engine of this chip. Sonicware have faithfully recreated the 4-operator FM sound module, the 8-bit PCM sound module, and the "SN76489" PSG (Programmable Sound Generator) sound module used by the original console.

4-operator & 8-algorithm FM sound module with precise sound editing in Edit Mode - Including extra features like fine-tuning operator ratios, which was impossible at the time.

PSG (Programmable Sound Generator) sound module - Synthesize basic waveforms and white noise to recreate iconic retro-game-sounds.

And the 8-bit PCM sound part of YM2612 - Recreate the sound of PCM playback controlled by the Z80 microprocessor used at the time.

Sampling capabilities (8-bit - 12kHz: up to 8 seconds / 24kHz: 4 seconds / 48kHz: 2 seconds, 96 stored samples)

Legacy Mode to faithfully replicate the sound of the era

This feature simulates the characteristically grungy sounding quirks of the YM2612 sound and can be turned on/off for each track.

In the FM tracks, you can separately configure FILTER [frequency response simulation] and LADDER [replication of the unique 9-bit DAC]. And the PCM track can also be played back in 4BIT, allowing you to create the sound to your preferences.

Create Diverse Game Music with a Sophisticated 6-Track Sequencer and 10 Types of Effects

Creating game music is a breeze with this intuitive sequencer, featuring a straightforward 6-track layout comprising 3 FM synthesis tracks, 2 PSG synthesis tracks, and 1 PCM sample track. woo
Specifications

Synthesiser


FM sound module [Tracks 1, 2, 3]
- 4 operators - 8 algorithms
- Maximum polyphony: 6 voices
- Sound editing in FM Edit mode

- Polyphonic mode
- Mono mode with adjustable glide time
- Legato mode with adjustable glide time
- Arpeggiator modes (Up, Down, UpDown, DownUp, Up&Down, Down&Up, Up+1, Up+2, Down-1, Down-2, Random, Play Order)

PSG sound module [Tracks 4, 5]

- 11 types
Square wave
Noise (Low/Mid/High) -> Square wave
Pulse Wave
Noise (Low/Mid/High) -> Pulse Wave
Noise (Low/Mid/High)
- Maximum polyphony: 4 voices

- Polyphonic mode
- Mono mode with adjustable glide time
- Legato mode with adjustable glide time
- Arpeggiator modes (Up, Down, UpDown, DownUp, Up&Down, Down&Up, Up+1, Up+2, Down-1, Down-2, Random, Play Order)

PCM sound module [Track 6]

- 8bit - 12/24/48kHz (switchable) linear PCM sampling (mono)
- Up to 8 seconds of sampling per sample (12kHz), 4 seconds (24kHz) or 2 seconds (48kHz)
- Auto start sampling function with the input level (input level can be set)
- Auto-slice function (equal division by number of slices or length of one slice)
- Maximum polyphony: 3 voices (1 voice in One-shot mode)?- 96 sample memory slots (16 x 6 banks)
- Import and export of a slot or banks of samples (via MIDI)
*Import of audio files from PC/Mac is not supported.

- Drum mode (Drum kit performance)
- One-shot mode (Sample playback or chromatic performance)

- Sweep with adjustable speed, range, and curve
- Switchable between sweep envelope and LFO

[Effects]

Effect send amount can be set independently for each track

- Send Delay
- Insert Delay
- Reverb
- Crusher
- Distortion
- Compressor
- Low pass filter
- High pass filter
- Isolator
- Remix Performance effect

[Sequencer]

- 6 tracks
- Up to 128 steps per pattern
- 128 patterns
- Step length can be set from 1/1 to 1/32
- Real-time recording
- Directly enter notes for each step when playback is on or off
- Enter longer notes (Tied notes)
- Metronome and pre-count function
- Step copy and paste function
- Track copy and paste function
- Duplicate to extend a sequence
- Transpose function
- Swing function
- Pattern BPM / Global BPM can be set
- Pattern chain function (Loop playback possible)
- Track level and pan can be set independently
- Parameter Lock function to record parameter settings for each step
- Sound Lock function to record sound settings for each step
- Note playback probability can be set from 25 to 100% for each step
- RANDOM function to play back steps in random order
- STUTTER function to play back only the step being pressed

[MIDI]

- Notes, control changes, clock input/output
- Import and export user data
- Firmware update via Sysex

[Unit]


27 keys (with a hold function)

- 15 physical control knobs
- Optional LATCH function prevents jumps in value when knob position and parameter values do not match.
- One physical encoder for fine adjustments.
- LCD dot indicates when a parameter value matches the saved value, or when the value has been changed.