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 SN76489 PSG Chip

Sega Master System

The PSG sound chip, the heart of the Sega Master System sound, in full effect!

The SN76489 PSG was the natural buddy of the YM2612 FM chip inside the Sega Megadrive console but it started out as the one and only sound chip of the now legendary Sega Master System.

The Super PSG (SPSG) is a bit perfect emulation of the chip, you can even tweak the master clock to change frequency range/accuracy!

The Z80 CPU can emulate some YM2149 / AY- 3 8910 features (SX Spectrum, MSX, Atari ST) on the SN76489, programming complex amplitude & pitch envelopes, arpeggios, looping and even wavetables. All these geeky programer functions are available inside SPSG.

You can also play PCM samples on the volume register or output raw PWM.

The Noise channel bit configuration can also be hacked in real time, if you want to and will unlock some awesome 8bit sounds...

SPSG is a feature packed synth suitable for chip music and a powerful 8-bit tool for modern music production. Check the manual and see by yourself!

Gift: A classic BGM made by Yuzo Koshiro using SPSG only :)

If you are familiar with Atari ST Sound, SPSG VST can also sound like that thanks to the AY3 envelope implementation. Go further with extended controls, and even MIDI OUT control over a real SN76489 sound chip using VGM conversion or through a special hardware that YOU can build.

The system can work with the GENMDM interface designed by Little Scale.

Super PSG SN76489 Chip SPSG VST

Get SPSG!

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 SPSG by any company or instrument inventor

SPSG VST

SPSG VST Videos & Sounds Demos Playlists.

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

SPSG SN76489 VST Features and Details

WIN 32 VST runs on 32/64Bit Systems and it is multicore compatible

TONE & NOISE

(band limited high quality waveforms)

HIGH QUALITY GUI

(Different panels for controls etc...)

INSTANT UPDATE FOR ALL CONTROLS

FULL MIDI AUTOMATION

With midi learn (right click to assign MIDI)

3 CHANNELS POLY & MONO MODE

With Portamento Control

DIRECT CHIP OUTPUT OR CONSOLE FILTERING

Sega Master System or Sega Megadrive/Genesis

SN76489 NATIVE FEATURES

SUPPORT ANY CLOCK RATE

From 1 MHz to 4 MHz like the real chip

1-64 STEPS Amplitude Envelope Generator

64 steps persistent memory, up to 300 Hz,

synced or independent speed rate,

loop, ping pong and release step

1-64 STEPS Pitch Envelope Generator

64 steps persistent memory, up to 300 Hz,

synced or independent speed rate,

loop, ping pong and delay

LFO VIBRATO

For quick expression

INTERNAL ARPEGGIATOR

Programmable or live controlled via MIDI Input

MEMORY SLOTS & TABLES

8 memory slots per envelope, arpeggiator and advanced waveforms than can be internally sequenced at any available clock speed

(can be used as a wave-table for software waveforms...)

PCM & PWM

(4 slots to load any PCM WAV files/ auto converted to mono)

that will be played to the SN76489 volume register on one or three channels at the time.

two modes for playing are available: PCM(4-bit) or PWM(1-bit)

AY3 8910 ENVELOPE GENERATOR

Optional AY3-8910 emulated Envelope Generator, Buzzers, Sync Buzz...

A feature that was only available on the AY and YM2149 chip

(ZX spectrum, MSX, Atari ST)

Z80 SOFTWARE TIMER

Z80 Timer Interrupt routine pulse width modulation.

("SID" lead) Sound or custom waveforms.

It can also sync the AY3 8910 Hardware Envelope Generator for sync type effect.

NOISE CHANNEL CIRCUIT BENDING

The LFSR generator is tweak-able in real-time

(Tapped bits mask and feedback bit)

From the original fixed 16-bit configuration of the Sega Master System/Genesis

To anything in between

This basically gives you the ability to reach

some different sound chips type of noise

or mess it up in a unique way, all of that in real-time.

MIDI OUT FOR AMPLITUDE & PITCH

LOAD & SAVE FULL PATCH & BANKS in FXB/FXP

CONTROLS A REAL SN76489 CHIP

An ATMEGA MIDI controlled SN76489 device

can be easily built if needed

(Open source code is available on request)

CONTROLS MASTER SYSTEM & MEGADRIVE HARDWARE VIA MIDI

For Master system or Megadrive,

Needed Little Scale SMSN/GENMDM Midi Device

Read the SPSG Manual

Get amazing details about the SN76489 PSG Chip and master the beast!

SPSG SN76489 USER MANUAL V1.

SPSG User Manual


Change Log

Update History


You can check your current version with a right click on the GUI.
Updates for SPSG VST are worth an additional donation of your choice though they can be considered free until version 2.0, so drop me a mail request and keep in mind that they are compiled on a per user basis and it takes time.


V1.3
06/10/2017
  • - Added ON/OFF settings for MIDI Velocity control of the Amplitude EG for TONE and NOISE Channels (available inside the SETTINGS panel, labelled "VEL" next to the Voice Control)
    When ON this disable the Volume Slider for that channel and will use the MIDI velocity to scale the internal chip volume data accordingly.
  • SPSG 1.3 Update

  • - Corrected not updating version number on the about GUI panel.
V1.2
08/10/2014
  • - Small tweaking in the MIDI Timer CC output (though it is still mess up by a DAW that seems to have hard time to keep up with audio rate modulation... I keep investigate)
V1.1
12/15/2013
  • - Added DRAW or SINGLE mode to write Tone PITCH EG.
  • - Added Key Follow function on the NOISE LFSR.
  • - Corrected Polyphony handling for MIDI ARP.


Get It !

Get SPSG for Windows.

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