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::|CONTENTS

1. Tools
2. Restrictions on submit
3. Playback (for voting)
4. Rendering
5. See also

The Sega Master System (commonly referred as SMS for short), also known in some regions as the SG-1000 Mark III, is an 8-bit video game console manufactured by Sega starting in 1985.

It features just one soundchip for audio, which is a clone of the Texas Instruments SN76489, integrated as part of the Video Display Processor (hence why it is sometimes referred to as the "Sega VDP" rather than the "SN76489"). The only difference between the two is a different noise channel LSFR implementation. While the SN76489 and derivatives were used in many arcade boards and other systems, this format specifically only focuses on the Sega VDP variant found in the SMS.

It can also be found on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive and the Sega Game Gear. The latter adds hard-panned stereo functionality to all voices.

Each voice has access to 16 volume settings, similar to YM2149F i.e. logarithmic rather than linear, the three square voices can access a 10-bit pitch range starting from ~110hz A-2. The noise channel has access to two modes: Random and Periodic, and can be tuned to one of three pitches, plus a mode that utilises Square 3's frequency.

One can use the periodic noise mode, set the pitch to follow the 3rd Square channel, and access lower notes than A-2 110hz. Note that you'll not be able to use Square 3 without also affecting the pitch of the noise channel in this mode.

Tools

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Main tools:
- SnevenTracker - Fork of FamiTracker made by HertzDevil.
- DefleMask Tracker - Multi-chip tracker supporting the SN76489, alongside its bigger brothers.
- Furnace Tracker - Another multi-chip tracker (this one's free!)- supports the SN7 and many other chips.

Other tools:
- MOD2PSG2 - Tracker that can import .MOD, as well as import and export .MID and .VGM files.
- it2vgm.py - Module convertor to make SN7 songs in a .IT compatible tracker and convert them to .VGM.
- VGM Music Maker - Tracker by Shiru which targets the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive.
- XPMCK - MML compiler that supports SN7, among many other formats.

Restrictions on submit

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An entry for this format must target the Master System Sega VDP, clocked at either 3.579545 MHz (NTSC) or 3.54689493 MHz (PAL).

Please note that although some Master System consoles and games had access to a YM2413, this is not permitted for the format.

The only accepted file formats are a .sms ROM, or a .vgm/.vgz log.

Playback (for voting)

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VGMPlay & in_vgm

- Standalone and Winamp plugins for playing back .VGM files.

For playback on actual hardware, there is SMS VGM Player

by Maxim.

Rendering

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Renders via an accurate emulator(specify which?), the latest VGMPlay or via console recording are accepted.

For renders using VGMPlay's .wav logging, one must convert to .MP3, using tools like Audacity to facilitate the conversion.

See also

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Sega Retro - Sega Master System/Technical Specifications

SMS Power! - SN76489 - Development

Want to listen music ripped from the console’s games? check out the ripped chiptune repository!
- Complete list of ripped chiptunes repositories