FMDrive and SPSG are the only two legacy products left that require a significant update. They are currently only available in a 32-bit VST Windows format, which means that even on a PC, they require a DAW with a built-in 32-bit bridge (such as FL Studio or Reaper) in order to function properly. This limitation is also reflected in their pricing.

Despite these limitations, FMDrive and SPSG are powerful plugins that will eventually receive a version 2.0 update. However, the timing of this update is currently unknown as your truly responsible for managing over 10 PlugIns is focused on other projects at the moment. When I do return to working on FM synthesis, it is possible that FMDrive 2.0 will be released in 2024, which would coincide with its 10th anniversary.

The YM2612 FM Chip

YM2612 FM Chip

DID YOU KNOW THAT THE SEGA MEGADRIVE GENESIS CONSOLE HAD AN FM SYNTH INSIDE?

FMDRIVE is a VST SYNTH based on the SEGA Genesis/Megadrive YM2612 FM sound chip. Yes...! from those who made the legendary early DX7 crunchy sounding FM sound chip!

It contains a ton of features that make it easier to program than before and covers every unique particularity of the chip like PCM, SSG-EG, Special & CSM mode, Optional Model 1 distortion (ladder effect) and even some circuit bending options...

You can import and export, .tfi presets, dumps from emulators and even some compatible HOOT dumped voices (PC88 and compatible X68000...)

Every register is automatable in your DAW of choice via MIDI for awesome results and the output can be converted later into a .VGM file.

FMDRIVE is not simply a YM2612 emulator, it adds many extended features and huge user-friendly GUI! It is a fantastic synth suitable for chip music and SEGA nostalgic pleasure and also a powerful vintage sounding FM tool for modern music production. Check the manual and see by yourself!

Take your chance! Even the legendary Yuzo Koshiro is using it :)

For a complete Megadrive sound emulation, my SPSG VST will take care of the PSG chip!

You can design a vast range of sounds on top of 33000 music instruments presets already available from Games VGMs or extract your own.

Go further with extended controls and even midi control a real Sega Genesis with VGM conversion or with a special hardware add-on interface, theGENMDM (discontinued) designed by Little Scale. (Another Hardware module with 2* YM2612 or 3438 chips is in development at AJLAB and will be available as open-source hardware...)

Easy drag and drop VGM files onto the VGM2TFI program to extract and convert instruments used by the music files into TFI presets usable with FMDRIVE!


SEGA Megadrive

Get FMDrive!

All manufacturer and product names mentioned on this page are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with ALYJAMESLAB. The trademarks of other manufacturers are used solely to identify the products of those manufacturers whose tones and sounds were studied during ALYJAMESLAB sound development. All names of instrument and inventors have been included for illustrative and educational purposes only and do not suggest any affiliation or endorsement of FMDrive by any company or instrument inventor

FMDrive VST

FMDrive VST Videos & Sounds Demos Playlists.

You can also play your composition on a real Megadrive! more on that soon...

AlyJaMesLaB · FMDrive VSTi ( YM2612 FM Chip - Sega Genesis / Megadrive)

FMDrive YM2612 Features and Details

WIN 32 VST runs on 32/64Bit Systems and is Multicore Compatible

HIGH QUALITY GUI

(Different panels for controls etc...)

INSTANT UPDATE FOR ALL CONTROLS

FULL MIDI AUTOMATION

With midi learn (right click to assign MIDI)

POLY & MONO MODE

with Glide Control

DIRECT OUTPUT OR MD1

Headphone Out filtering

TWO AUDIO MODELS

HQ and MD1

(Crystal clear and high resolution processing) and MD1 (emulate distortion and low resolution of MD1 model)

CIRCUIT BENDING

Tweak the chip in a cool way

YM2612 NATIVE FEATURES

4 OPERATORS FM SYNTHESIS

PARAMETRIC

Envelope Generator

SSG EG

LFO AM & PM

CH3 SPECIAL MODE

(Different frequencies for each OP) also different key on/off by External Midi channels

CSM MODE

(Kind of early vocal synthesis)

CH6 DAC MODE

(4 slots to load any PCM WAV files/ auto converted to mono 8/4bit 22/11/8Khz) with selectable start/end points and pitch control for that Megadrive crunchy samples.

OVERDRIVE LADDER EFFECT CONTROL

(MD1 MODE, adjust to taste)

RATE RATIO CONTROL

(Change the global EG RATE/SPEED from *0.1 to *4 for rapid tweaking/adjustment of the envelopes)

SOFTWARE GRAPHIC EG

Up to 8 stages /8 stage shapes/custom loop point (aka custom SSG) and sustain point.

CUSTOM LFO RATE (for low modulation...)

6 LFO SHAPE

Hardware + Software LFO Including noise

ATTACK & RELEASE

Software Time for the LFO

DT2 (larde detune) PARAMETER imported from YM2151

UNSYNC PMS

(Different settings for each OP)

OP FILTER

aka PHASE MODULATION FILTERING

(Reduce the modulation at high frequencies according to the amount of filtering)

GLOBAL FM SAMPLE RATE CONTROL

(Skip audio samples)

POLYPHONIC REDUCER

(Kind of increasing the FM bit crushing audio effect according to the number of voice/keys played..)

DAC CUSTOM GRAPHIC WAVEFORM

(14 bytes)

DRAW MODE or LFSR

(Random bytes generated, clock divider, sync with host tempo)

CSM

Timer A can also be controlled by MIDI notes !

(Shortest period limit on FMDrive is 1.13636ms note A5)

LOADS & SAVE TFI PATCHES

(Manual or auto load for fast selection)

LOAD & SAVE FULL PATCH & BANKS in FXB/FXP

CONTROLS THE REAL MEGADRIVE HARDWARE VIA MIDI

(Needed Little Scale GENMDM Midi Device)

Read the FMDrive Manual

Get amazing details about the YM2612 Chip and master the beast!

FMDRIVE YM2612 USER MANUAL V1.

FMDrive User Manual


Change Log

You can check your current version with a right click on the GUI.
Updates for FMDrive are free until version 2.0

pending - v2.0.0
  • ---

01/09/19 - v1.2.6
  • Activated (was beta private hidden) Legato Mode (found under TL panel a button marked "L" under the Freeze mode)
06/21/14 - v1.2.5
  • ---
09/23/13 - v1.2.3
  • ---
06/06/13 - v1.2.1
  • ---
05/30/13 - v1.2.0
  • ---

Get It !

Get FMDrive for Windows.

FMDrive will be ported to Native x64 and OSX in the future.