birdybro
commented
1 year ago There is a big sound difference between the Japanese earlier revision Mark III with the FM Sound unit attached and a later revision Japanese Master System (the MK-2000) which had the FM sound chip integrated directly onto the board (the EU and US revisions of the SMS didn't have this option unfortunately).
The MK-2000 didn't have a low pass filter and used a different op amp which makes it more grungy but also messes with the sound balance a bit. Here's a sample comparison from MDFourier contributor Tianfeng, using Ys (Japan)'s intro:
mk2000 vs mark iii - fm sound comparison.zip
The cymbals halfway through each sample definitely have this different audio balance from my listening. Potentially this difference could be reflected in the core at some point.
Unrelated side note: the use of the word "Jap" in place of "Japan" or "Japanese" is very antiquated, and in some regions, especially the United States, is seen as an offensive slur (due to it being used that way by racists for over a century out here). Just a professional courtesy to let you know about this since I know in a lot of other regions of the world, especially in Australia and some other English-speaking European countries, people aren't aware of this negative connotation. I know it was common place in the emulation community, but it's began to fall out of favor there too. I'm not assuming any ill-intent of course. No harm meant by my comment, just trying to inform to raise awareness. :)
PepAlacant
I recently got a Mark III with FM Sound Unit.
I was doing comparisions between MiST, MiSTer, Mega Everdrive Pro and Mark III FM sound.
I perceived in all FPGA systems that the balance and deep of certain instruments is not the same with the original chip. The instruments sound well, but drum cymbals are very muffled. In the intro of Fantasy Zone II is very evident this muffling.
Maybe I'm crazy, but I feel it in that way.
A very good thing about SMS core is that it behaves the same way the Mark III and FM SU disconnecting PSG sound when FM is working, but mixes it when its needed (Sonic with FM). MiST and MEvdrive has these sounds working at same timeand certain issues happen, like with a Jap Master System, that can work with both sounds connected.