Posted: 4/20/2005 7:16 AM
Post subject: Differences between Famicom and NES sound
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Unknown_User
Joined: 1/1/2022
Posts: 1716
After reading the Castlevania 3 video's blurb (about vastly superior audio hardware in Famicom systems as opposed to the NES), I agreed that there was no question that the japanese sound was better. However, I noticed some -- the two I picked up right away were Doki Doki Panic (Super Mario Bros. 2) and Legend of Zelda 2. In both cases, the American version seemed "richer" and focused more on strengthening the music to make a tune. The japanese versions tend to be focused more on ambience. I suppose it could be that I'm just used to *my* version, and would naturally lean towards it, but the famicom audio emulation just seems to lack a certain... pizzaz! Does anyone know the background on this? I always assumed that NES games (especially given the way they were pumped out from developers) were simply translated. Going in and tweaking music for an audience who would have never noticed would seem to be a waste of time.
Posted: 4/20/2005 7:17 AM
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Bag_of_Magic_Food
He/Him
Player (206)
Joined: 5/29/2004
Posts: 5712
Well, aren't those last two for the Famicom Disk System? That would make them different.
put yourself in my rocketpack if that poochie is one outrageous dude
Posted: 4/20/2005 7:23 AM
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Bisqwit
Editor, Active player (297)
Joined: 3/8/2004
Posts: 7469
Location: Arzareth
Famicom = NES. NES consists of two square wave channels, one triangle wave channel, one noise channel and one DPCM channel. NES may have more audio channels with some extension chips, such as the one found in Japanese Castlevania 3. FDS is Famicom Disk System. (See FDS SMB2j, FDS Zelda2) Soundwise, it is the same as NES (Famicom), but it adds some new channels. According to Nezplug, there are three types of FDS sound. At least there seems to be two 64-byte wavetables with phase, speed and a master volume control.
Posted: 4/20/2005 7:33 AM
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Unknown_User
Joined: 1/1/2022
Posts: 1716
Thanks a bunch, that clears things up.