Retro Game Audio

Patrick and Steve return to discuss the audio of the Sega Genesis console (better known as the Sega Mega Drive worldwide).

We're back! Breaking an unplanned hiatus with a mix of spooky VGM, just in time for Halloween. Season 2 of Retro Game Audio to commence soon.

If you'd like to download a copy of this Halloween mix without the introduction, a file of just the music can be found here:

https://soundcloud.com/retrogameaudio/episode-14-halloween-mix-music-only/s-kYCYf

We're back to discuss the N163, Namco's MMC chip that offered up to 8 channels of wavetable synthesis as sound expansion for the Nintendo Famicom.

Imgur album of N163 instrument data: http://namco163.imgur.com/

Special thanks to ImATrackMan and Naruko for providing various resources for this episode!

A week late due to illness (thank you for your patience!), we're finally here to discuss the evolution of SunSoft audio. From humble beginnings making simplistic arcade and early Famicom audio, to amazing, top-tier video game soundtracks.

We are joined by Paul Weinstein to discuss the audio of the Game Boy and Game Boy Color. Special thanks to Alberto González for the feedback and anecdotes, and the additional audio supplies and information from HUNRetroGeek and Herbert Weixelbaum.

In our tenth episode, we discuss the VRC6 chip's expansion audio. It added three extra channels of sound, and was used in the original version of Castlevania III (Akumajou Densetsu), as well as Mouryo Senki Madara and Esper Dream 2.

We are joined by Gary Butterfield to discuss the soundtrack to Maniac Mansion for the NES. This episode also features a special guest interview with David Warhol, the veteran video game producer and sound programmer for Maniac Mansion!

Gary's podcasts can be found here: http://duckfeed.tv/

Having recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, the Famicom Disk System was a peripheral device for the Nintendo Famicom that it allowed it to play games on floppy disk. With it, came an additional channel of sound. We take an up close look at how music was arranged for it, how the sound channel works, and share the FDS music we find most interesting.

Here's the instrument data I compiled from 12 different FDS soundtracks, for easy browsing and making visual comparisons:

http://famicomdisksystem.imgur.com/

In this episode we briefly discuss some of Motoi Sakuraba's work, and celebrate a lesser-known soundtrack. Included is the entirety of Zan Gear's soundtrack for the Sega Game Gear.

Quoted interview with Motoi Sakuraba:

http://shmuplations.com/motoisakuraba/

The review we reference:

http://www.vgmonline.net/reviews/don/zankagerouera.shtml

In this episode we take an up close look at the history of video game music composer Alberto González, how he made his music, and of course demonstrate a variety of his excellent music.

Steve and I are joined by an old friend of mine, Audi Sørlie.

Alberto's Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/joemcalby

the older interviews mentioned in this episode will be re-linked here soon!