Difference between revisions of "GEMS"

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| developer=Jonathan Miller, Burt Sloane, Chris Grigg, Mark Miller, [[Recreational Brainware]]
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| developer=[[Recreational Brainware]]{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20221206204931/https://www.sega-16.com/2016/03/behind-the-design-chakan-the-forever-man/}}, [[Technopop]]{{ref|1=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113100224/http://gendev.spritesmind.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=1898&start=30}}
 
| system=[[Mega Drive]], [[Sega 32X]]
 
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{{stub}}'''GEMS''' ('''G'''enesis '''E'''ditor for '''M'''usic and '''S'''ound effects) is a sound driver for the [[Sega Mega Drive]]. It was developed by Jonathan Miller (drivers and firmware), Burt Sloane (programming), Chris Grigg and Mark Miller (concept and design) of [[Recreational Brainware]] by [[Sega of America]]'s request, and mainly used by western developers.
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'''GEMS''' ('''G'''enesis '''E'''ditor for '''M'''usic and '''S'''ound effects) is a [[Sega Mega Drive]] sound driver program developed by [[Recreational Brainware]] and [[Technopop]]. Commissioned by [[Sega of America]] to assist Western developers struggling with the unfamiliar [[YM2612|sound hardware]], it went on to see use in over 200 released games.
  
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The software integrates a programming language that can be built into the composition file and is context-sensitive to gameplay events within the game itself. This is acomplished by setting aside shared memory space that will allow the sound driver to comunicate with the game and vice-versa. Using this technique, the music can change to reflect conditions within the game. For instance, it can be used to track the number of enemies onscreen and change pitch or tempo when a certain threshold is reached or it can be timed to play when certain effects, such as flashes of light, are used.
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==History==
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[[File:GEMS Graphical User Interface (alt).png|thumb|right]]
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{{quote|G.E.M.S. was definitely the best sound driver/editor that was made available to the general public during the first half of the 90's.  I absolutely loved it... Before G.E.M.S., we as composers/sound designers had almost nothing.|''[[Tommy Tallarico]]''|ref={{ref|1=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEvnZRCW_qc}}}}
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While in games using other drivers, such ''[[Alien Soldier]]'', ''[[Dick Tracy]]'' or ''[[Shinobi III]]'' basic behaviour such as playback speed is controlled by a single variable (which can be easly manipulated by an action replay or hex editor), GEMS has to change the data of the whole music track stored on the ROM for the same effect. This can be easily noticed by comparing data in partially PAL optimized games, such as ''[[Cool Spot]]''.
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Early Sega Genesis hardware documentation was limited in all areas, but especially in audio capabilities. Unlike Japanese composers, who were more familiar with writing sound drivers and working with FM synthesis, their Western counterparts struggled to produce quality sounds. Seeking to address this, [[Sega of America]] reached out to developer [[Recreational Brainware]] to produce a solution.
 +
 
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The team consisted of [[Jonathan Miller]] creating drivers and firmware, [[Burt Sloane]] programming, and [[Chris Grigg]] and [[Mark Miller]] providing the software’s overall design. The result was GEMS, a 16-bit sound driver with a focus on MIDI interactivity. Sega of America was very pleased with GEMS and went on to distribute it to their various developers and publishers. Western composers and musicians now had a more familiar and reliable method for translating their instruments to the [[Sega Genesis]] hardware.
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{{quote|GEMS was the first widely used tool for the [[Genesis]] after the [[Sega Music Development System|above mentioned prototype]] and the SOJ tool which was not provided to us. It would take Midi files and also allow streaming directly from a sequencer to the Genesis audio chip. It was not perfect and there were a number of revisions. Midi data had to be scrubbed down to no more than 6 notes at a time, or it would crash the dev system. But it could also play samples and had the [[Master System]] audio chip supported.|''[[David Javelosa]]''|ref={{intref|Interview: David Javelosa (2023-11-12) by Alexander Rojas}}}}
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While GEMS is a very capable driver in the proper hands, it has also grown to absorb much of the ire modern fans have for the “twangy” sounds of certain Western-produced [[Sega Mega Drive]] games. As the driver was both widely distributed to developers of all quality, and largely used by developers unfamiliar with the hardware, much of the system’s shovelware library shares a distinct (and poorly received) sound, often described as sounding like flatulence. As described by [[David Javelosa]], "GEMS was not an easy tool, so a lot of musicians would quit before finishing a project. It all fell back to staff audio, who by that time we were re-orged into the [[Creative Support]] team."{{intref|Interview: David Javelosa (2023-11-12) by Alexander Rojas}}
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==Usage==
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By setting aside a shared memory space that allows the driver and game to directly communicate, music can be dynamically adjusted to match gameplay and easily integrated with the game’s programming. For example, pitch or tempo can be automatically adjusted per the amount of onscreen enemies or remaining health.
 +
 
 +
While most sound drivers control playback speed with a single and easy-to-manipulate variable, unfortunately, GEMS requires the alteration of the entire track as stored in ROM to achieve the same effect.
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Some developers, such as [[Novotrade]], chose to modify the driver, effectively making their own variants. Individual games such as ''[[Wayne's World]]'' also have their own modified drivers.
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==Source code==
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On September 24, 2007, the source code to GEMS was found and released by [[sonic:drx|drx]]. This version of the driver appears to be [http://www.hidden-palace.org/?news/c/13 GEMS v2.5].
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{{Download
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| title=GEMS (v2.5)
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| file=GEMS.zip
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| filesize=328KB
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}}
 
   
 
   
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==List of games that use GEMS==
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==Games which use GEMS==
 
===[[Mega Drive]]===
 
===[[Mega Drive]]===
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{{multicol|
 
 
{{SoundDriverList|GEMS|MD}}
 
{{SoundDriverList|GEMS|MD}}
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|cols=4}}
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===[[Sega CD]]===
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{{SoundDriverList|GEMS|MCD}}
  
 
===[[32X]]===
 
===[[32X]]===
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{{multicol|
 
 
{{SoundDriverList|GEMS|32X}}
 
{{SoundDriverList|GEMS|32X}}
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==Production credits==
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{{creditstable|
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* '''Created by:''' [[Jonathan Miller]], [[Burt Sloane]], [[Chris Grigg]], [[Mark Miller]]
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| source=Developer statements
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| console=MD
 
}}
 
}}
  
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==Development kit==
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==External links==
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On September 24, 2007, [[sonic:drx|drx]] released the official [http://www.hidden-palace.org/?news/c/13 GEMS development kit].
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*[https://vgmpf.com/Wiki/index.php?title=Mega_Drive/Genesis_Sound_Driver_List A list of the sound engines used on the Mega Drive]
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*''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEvnZRCW_qc How to make Sega Genesis music (in 1994)]'' video essay by GST Channel at [https://www.youtube.com YouTube] focusing on GEMS
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{{Download
 
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| title=GEMS Development Kit
 
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| file=GEMS.zip
 
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| filesize=328KB
 
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}}
 
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Latest revision as of 06:02, 28 October 2024

n/a

  • Screenshot (1)
  • Screenshot (2)

GEMS Graphical User Interface.png

GEMS Graphical User Interface (alt).png

GEMS
System(s): Mega Drive, Sega 32X
Developer:

GEMS (Genesis Editor for Music and Sound effects) is a Sega Mega Drive sound driver program developed by Recreational Brainware and Technopop. Commissioned by Sega of America to assist Western developers struggling with the unfamiliar sound hardware, it went on to see use in over 200 released games.

History

“ G.E.M.S. was definitely the best sound driver/editor that was made available to the general public during the first half of the 90's. I absolutely loved it... Before G.E.M.S., we as composers/sound designers had almost nothing. „

— Tommy Tallarico[3]


Early Sega Genesis hardware documentation was limited in all areas, but especially in audio capabilities. Unlike Japanese composers, who were more familiar with writing sound drivers and working with FM synthesis, their Western counterparts struggled to produce quality sounds. Seeking to address this, Sega of America reached out to developer Recreational Brainware to produce a solution.

The team consisted of Jonathan Miller creating drivers and firmware, Burt Sloane programming, and Chris Grigg and Mark Miller providing the software’s overall design. The result was GEMS, a 16-bit sound driver with a focus on MIDI interactivity. Sega of America was very pleased with GEMS and went on to distribute it to their various developers and publishers. Western composers and musicians now had a more familiar and reliable method for translating their instruments to the Sega Genesis hardware.


“ GEMS was the first widely used tool for the Genesis after the above mentioned prototype and the SOJ tool which was not provided to us. It would take Midi files and also allow streaming directly from a sequencer to the Genesis audio chip. It was not perfect and there were a number of revisions. Midi data had to be scrubbed down to no more than 6 notes at a time, or it would crash the dev system. But it could also play samples and had the Master System audio chip supported. „

— David Javelosa[4]


While GEMS is a very capable driver in the proper hands, it has also grown to absorb much of the ire modern fans have for the “twangy” sounds of certain Western-produced Sega Mega Drive games. As the driver was both widely distributed to developers of all quality, and largely used by developers unfamiliar with the hardware, much of the system’s shovelware library shares a distinct (and poorly received) sound, often described as sounding like flatulence. As described by David Javelosa, "GEMS was not an easy tool, so a lot of musicians would quit before finishing a project. It all fell back to staff audio, who by that time we were re-orged into the Creative Support team."[4]

Usage

By setting aside a shared memory space that allows the driver and game to directly communicate, music can be dynamically adjusted to match gameplay and easily integrated with the game’s programming. For example, pitch or tempo can be automatically adjusted per the amount of onscreen enemies or remaining health.

While most sound drivers control playback speed with a single and easy-to-manipulate variable, unfortunately, GEMS requires the alteration of the entire track as stored in ROM to achieve the same effect.

Some developers, such as Novotrade, chose to modify the driver, effectively making their own variants. Individual games such as Wayne's World also have their own modified drivers.

Source code

On September 24, 2007, the source code to GEMS was found and released by drx. This version of the driver appears to be GEMS v2.5.

Download.svg Download GEMS (v2.5)
File: GEMS.zip (324 kB) (info)

Games which use GEMS

Mega Drive

Sega CD

32X

Production credits

Source:
Developer statements


External links

References

  1. ↑ https://www.sega-16.com/2016/03/behind-the-design-chakan-the-forever-man/ (Wayback Machine: 2022-12-06 20:49)
  2. ↑ http://gendev.spritesmind.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=1898&start=30 (Wayback Machine: 2023-11-13 10:02)
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEvnZRCW_qc
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Interview: David Javelosa (2023-11-12) by Alexander Rojas
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