Sonic 1 - Star Light Zone - Oscilloscope Deconstruction

[@alexohkay]

This zone was never long enough

[@amonimus2126]

True

[@Reseaux1]

Saddest part of all, shortest level in Sonic 1 and it's a bummer

[@sausage6984]

Keeps you wanting more.

[@Cinosthefailure]

Never played sonic 1 but did play the remake and I have that same feeling wishing for a little more

[@StoriesWithPrentice]

it was like a massive sigh of relief after Labyrinth. "Right, now to wash away the anxiety" Calming lovely soothing bliss.

[@rhythmraccoon8351]

It amazes me how often I can listen to the deconstructions and realize how much is actually going on in these songs

[@lineialquantum]

Polyrhythms >>>

[@Jetanium]

I think that's what these are for...

[@goosebyte]

I noticed the instrument on channel 0 (same one used for the ring sound) has an attack/decay pattern that looks like a bouncing ring. The way they had to program music on the Genesis, there's no way that was an accident!

[@PKSuperStar256]

It may seem complex, but I tried recreating this song for a remix and it's actually really simple.

[@thebishopoldchannel76]

@@PKSuperStar256 Yeah, these songs are quite resourceful

[@sanicmaniac]

Channel 0: Bells Channel 1: Bass Channel 2: Electric Piano Channel 3: Also Electric Piano Channel 4: Higher version of Channel 0, Trumpet, Goalpost DAC: Drums PSG 0: Plays the same as Ch. 2 PSG 1: Plays the same as Ch. 3 PSG 2: Probably fell into a bottomless pit PSG 3: Hi-Hat

[@ChickenNEO]

The PSG channels use square waves as an instrument

[@clonefighter1996]

@@ChickenNEO I think they meant that PSG channels 0 and 1 "Play the same *melody* as Ch. 2/3" respectively. Obviously they're square waves, but they play the same exact thing melody-wise.

[@hunterjackson1949]

Turns out PSG 3, the noise channel, was likely operating in its full range mode which allows it to get such a nice hi hat sound. However, it has the side effect of disabling PSG 2 in order to use that full range. Most of the music in the original sonic games opt for this arrangement rather than using all four PSG channels.

[@SG-CS-AN]

well hello music whiz

[@TurboPikachu]

Channels 2 and 3 are such a good foundation. I really feel like Star Light should have had 4:14 as an intro before transitioning into the full track about 14 seconds in

[@HYDROBLAST-c3u]

But then you wouldn't really hear it because the SFX of the game is louder than the music

[@lineialquantum]

Nice chord progression

[@hyperon_ion9423]

Unfortunately they probably couldn't loop that very well given hardware limitations. It's amazing what they managed to accomplish as is.

[@TurboPikachu]

@@hyperon_ion9423 oh that’s true... I never considered that, because I’ve been so used to it on SNES

[@hyperon_ion9423]

@@TurboPikachu Well I don't _know_ if the Genesis did have that limitation, but I imagine limitations like that would be a thing. I know most of the Sonic games didn't seem to ever use it, so it may have just not been an interest for them

[@somewhatviable]

Very interesting to see them reuse part of the goal-post SFX for this track

[@LunaOfTheStarsMusic]

The magic of FM and Sega

[@NoraQRosa]

It's such a cool small touch. It adds a lot to the texture of the song.

[@FWnatanzin]

yea

[@tacobelldumpster1538]

It always confused me as kid

[@NoraQRosa]

Hearing all the individual parts like this reaffirms my strong belief that Star Light Zone's music is a lost potential disco hit.

[@Mulemirrorawc]

Then why don't we make it a disco hit!! :]

[@NoraQRosa]

@@Mulemirrorawc i actually can! i do make dance music already lol

[@WilliamWilliamWilliamWill]

Disco hill zone

[@Watch_over_us]

"Excuse me Eddy, this is my _song!"_ - Edd

[@theboiremastered3055]

These videos are the equivalent of listening to music with headphones and hearing sounds that you never heard before without the headphones

[@theboiremastered3055]

And I love it

[@CombiXD]

When you listen to a song that you always listen to with headphones and you hear a huge amount of sounds that you haven't heard before, your face is like POG, and I love it

[@minematt9655]

1:11 the a sound that sounds like the goal post sonic 1.

[@gooolixx]

i think its an edited sample of it

[@gooolixx]

i dont really know

[@StupidMarioBloopers920]

because it is

[@Gbl1120]

It is, Spring Yard used the Ring Sound, The Star Light used Goal Post Sound, And the Scrap Brain used the Death Sound, it's unknown if, The Green Hill, Marble Zone, Or Labyrinth Zone used an sound too.

[@BluecoreG]

@SquareWave Its not a sample. Most, if not all, of the sound effects in Sonic 1 aren't made using samples. They are made using mainly the psg and lesser used FM channels like the 3rd and 4th. You've probably noticed when some sound effects play, a portion of the music cuts out, that's why.

[@notsobaro]

This zone is a perfect lullaby!

[@prairiete]

Especially in PAL version!

[@George-zk4nv]

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star How I wonder what you are Up above the world so high Like a diamond in the sky

[@areoants9453]

0:29 oh hold on lemme get that door real quick

[@Rainbow_1989]

I hated having to work through the Labyrinth Zones to get to these levels

[@JNewsted1988]

You can always use the Level Select if you don't want to play Labyrinth Zone. Just a little help.

[@CreeperDudeBro]

Act 1 also has a huge skip secret that basically makes the whole level not a thing.

[@Wza456]

this was the ultimate reward though for passing those levels.

[@platinumdiamond7]

@@CreeperDudeBro same with Marble Zone. Atleast I think I played Sonic Classic Heroes and saw you could skip majority of Marble Zone

[@thewindthatblows]

@@platinumdiamond7 In Classic Heroes you can, but in the original it's impossible to get to the top of the brick wall

[@ChristerMr6414]

I’m having a party in space. Everyone is invited. 6:20 EVERYBODY NOW!

[@YTSirBlack]

2:08 Star Light Zone (SMS/GG version)

[@kovy6447]

Maybe they'd make one pulse the melody and the other is the chords (almost)

[@amonimus2126]

Why is there something that makes me feel nostalgic?

[@BasinDesertGuy]

It’s a Sonic song

[@amonimus2126]

@@BasinDesertGuy Won't you say?

[@crockstonyt]

It's Starlight Zone

[@amonimus2126]

@@crockstonyt That's not what I meant

[@Ariel_Saturn]

@@amonimus2126 This music genre is calm, the reason why that this music makes you feel nostalgic is because its 1991, its old, its been a long time we never heard it, we remember the old time we play/heard of this game.

[@Sol_Z]

You finally made it!

[@alejoyugar]

All long time we finaly got it

[@miwiki6]

i see you're using the Sonic 4 Episode 2 pictures from the old and forgotten Lite version, truly an og.

[@neilmclean1527]

This has always been on of my favourite levels and part of that is down to the music. It has the same thumping bass with no snare as Marble Zone but such a different lullaby atmosphere.

[@dynastytarikterry1988]

Peaceful night club setting.

[@nori1229]

I'll sleep while listening this

[@Over-hm8qz]

So true

[@eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee540]

The sound of getting out of labyrinth zone

[@FloFokuz]

im in tears...

[@wongweekiang9314]

same ​@@FloFokuz

[@Miguel-gu3kz]

Same

[@coastaku1954]

These deconstructions are literally the definition of the phrase "When it's firing on all cylinders"

[@igichan]

Wow the secondary melody is so cute on its own

[@thunderblade0816]

ahh yess!! Star light :) after 0:28 i want my door bell sound to be like that XD

[@Lilligantz]

if you want to, then you'll need a doorbell PCB that has a slot for the YM2612 chip (or any FM chip)

[@Gerbert67]

this is the most underrated zone in sonic history

[@Justsomeguy284]

Aquatic ruins zone?

[@Gerbert67]

@@Justsomeguy284 Burrobot

[@lionelwashington8419]

2:50 Michael Jordan dribbling a Basketball. Lol

[@cutman3931]

he's ballin

[@titucapo9075]

Sin lugar a dudas, unas de las mejores melodías de Sonic de la historia, y poder escuchar cada uno de los canales es lo mejor. Muchas gracias

[@eliasbarrios5565]

Sin duda, Star Light es mi zona favorita de Sonic 1. Y siempre lo sera :')

[@H.E.L.L.]

@@eliasbarrios5565 Me hubiera gustado que su version final no hubiera incluido ep sonido de el ultimo canal de sonido Ese que suena como si algo se raspara suavemente A mi no me gusta Pero de resto para mi la cancion es perfecta :3

[@outfordouglas.opinador]

0:32 sonic's doorbell...

[@shadyoak1899]

It's genuinely so satisfying to hear every instrument building up and coming together to make this song. You did a fantastic job on this video, gave me a whole new appreciation for a song that I didn't think too much of before.

[@mystro8875]

4:14 then right to the actual song at 6:21 sounds nice as a transition

[@agent-akbar]

I grew up in a PAL region, which meant all the music for Sonic on the megadrive was slightly slower, and I tell ya, this theme is better at 50Hz - the edge off the pace makes it a really wistful reflective ballad

[@prairiete]

100% agree ! And when we got to the speedup box the music would match the faster version. When I got to replay Sonic on the PlayStation "Sega collection", the theme was so fast, I paused the game to see if there was a bug.

[@PauClaireIsUnderratedAF]

As someone who listened to the JP/US version first, I can tell you, you have to have heard the EU version first for it to feel right at the speed it's at. Or is it just me

[@crollwtide9452]

1:11 The "ching" sound in channel 4 kinda surprised me even after having heard this song many times

[@mustapha_benm]

That same sound was used for the signpost

[@zturtle1630]

Oh wow, this was uploaded on my birthday! This has always been one of my favorite tracks from Sonic 1, so even if I'm around 20 days late I gotta say thanks for this

[@SubroOrbus]

1:27 😴😴😴

[@Carmenwinsted143]

2:09 retro mode

[@SubroOrbus]

This literally gives me the inspiration to make music!

[@prairiete]

I'm almost sure this particular track opened my ears to the various instruments in a track, notably the bass

[@flaze_0]

seriously.

[@faint46]

0:28 Is anyone going to get the door?

[@Nyaalexi]

I find it very interesting how at 1:11 the end-of-act sign sound is used. Just goes to show you how much is going on in these songs, whether you realize it just by listening to the full song or not.

[@I_Always_Play_With_Plushies]

Yea maybe it’s for the part 1:11

[@I_Always_Play_With_Plushies]

It’s on the parts to 1:16 and 1:20 and there

[@felipemelo-rm3io]

1:13 majin

[@iancortescontreras6084]

4:14 bro that shit sounds so romantic

[@RaulTheAwesome]

0:33 When the pizza is here

[@CapcomSegaFanBoy]

Fun fact: At some point in channel 4, you will hear the sign SFX whenever Sonic completes a zone. Just listen closely.

[@Classicsonic1011]

1:11

[@dookie_12]

Always liked the parts from Channel 2, 3, PSG 0, & PSG 1 on this song

[@drummerdude476]

Love the bass drum sample

[@mann-nova9392]

I think this zone stands out to a lot of people because it's so oddly placed. Sonic 1 has all these urban areas showing the problems with industrialization, but in comparison, Star Light feels so calm and relaxing. Everything from the levels aesthetics to the music. Seeing this just shows me that even further.

[@WilliamWilliamWilliamWill]

It was planned to be the 4th or 3rd zone

[@TeshimiKouyama]

Good as always!

[@thesupervideogamenerdmore3171]

I like how recently, you are focusing on older games to finish them.

[@terryportis667]

This track sounds incredible with an amp

[@dash5058]

1:10 Oh shit! xD that scare me

[@overlandlord5965]

0:37 "Tails? Ya' home?"

[@Koei126]

Always great when the DAC hits

[@jerppursh7570]

Ayyy you're back!

[@jerppursh7570]

Oh wait I just wasn't getting notifications

[@NC_YT_123]

0:29 oh my pizza arrived

[@George-zk4nv]

I've always thought that the bells in this song sounds a lot like it would match the sound of twinkling stars in the sky.

[@minamur]

this song's got hangoutitude. you know, the sonic series could've done with some optional hanging out between zones. i guess that's why the adventure series had chao.

[@CGAMER6845]

Listening to this at night is such a vibe

[@Random-emojis373]

1:15 I like how they used the spinning sign sfx into star light ost

[@Classicsonic1011]

1:16

[@kola544]

1:26 so very nice, _smoooooth_

[@StatickyCat]

Channel 4 is interesting because it makes two different melodies, one of them is pitched down so much that I would have sworn it's a different channel. It's cool how composers will use the same channel to make a different sound.

[@MakriaMicronation]

1:15 never knew the sign spinning sound was in this song!

[@9s420]

Woah, I wasn't expecting the goal post trill or the warp ring ting sound

[@prairiete]

Note to myself. This is the 1st video of yours that I found. I was searching for an European version (the slower ones) of this zone. And I binge-watched the next recommendations after thats

[@TwilightCage]

This is my favorite track from the classic sonic games

[@SammyTheTanuki]

That base omg its just ❤ perfect aaaa

[@ForceMaximus84]

The bass and the drum beat are amazing.

[@nobodyatall9999]

0 and 4 are the humming part

[@Seetiyan]

I hit like before the video even started playing. I knew I wasn't going to be taking it back.

[@randomd2146]

Keep up the good work 👌

[@benplus1503]

Everything on except 0 and 4 sounds really nice

[@viridian7054]

Its been awhile since you made these!

[@legendaryblaze5297]

Last note from channel 4 is so good

[@H.E.L.L.]

5:39 I like this version of the song better than the final version where is that strange sound of the PSG 3 in the minute 6:22

[@meta.5studios]

Yo, that's a Hi-Hat. How can you not like Hi-Hats??

[@alphalax7747]

1:52 what Depeche mode song is this

[@jackgibson511]

why is there a goal hit sound in the song

[@terbamo648]

Star Light Zone. The city in the night. A reward for... making it out.

[@jeremymitchell4370]

I had no idea you can hear the sign post spin in starlight zone mind blown

[@mickabajerski4985]

I SEARCHED SO HARD. I can not believe thats exists a video

[@kennygill5947]

I called this the graduation song

[@Refmoral]

so beautiful 🥲

[@SonicSammich]

You should do the Pokemon Center theme from Ruby and Sapphire

[@terryportis667]

I love this thx!!!

[@theraymansonicandretrogamesfan]

I like how Channel 2 & 3 and PSG 1 & 2 work together.

[@polarthelunatic]

In my opinion, the best track out of 1, but I think it’s the best of the trilogy (if we don’t count 4 but the same result). edit: spring stadium zone act 1 and 2 get my vote. no questions, ok?

[@thesupervideogamenerdmore3171]

That goes to Rusty Ruin Act 1, Hydrocity Act 2, or Volcano Valley Act 2 if we include Sonic 3D Blast.

[@HyperSonic777]

It’s Wacky Workbench Good Future US for me if you include Sonic CD.

[@polarthelunatic]

@@HyperSonic777 neat, it’s your opinion, and I respect it. Also I forgot that game existed.

[@SuperGabetendo777]

Sonic 1 is the best game in my opinion. Something about it is so fun, upbeat and simple. Love the music choice too.

[@thesupervideogamenerdmore3171]

@@SuperGabetendo777 Sonic 3 and Knuckles is better in my opinion. Double the zones, 24 stages over 19, three playable characters, bigger stages (Sandopolis has that as a disadvantage), and nearly all stages are meant to be fast, unlike Sonic 1 where half the zones take their time. That's just my opinion.

[@DJNeoncat]

0:29 DING DONG Doorbell

[@jtg55]

Huh, the lead on Channel 0 is the same one used in Lava Reef Zone, Act 1. Neat! Sonic 3 & Knuckles _other_ bonus stages, Slot Machine and Gumball Machine?

[@iancortescontreras6084]

the trick is simple, use debug mode and get some extra lives before this zone and when you get to it, enjoy the music

[@SpookusMcDoofus]

I’ve already scheduled Star Light Zone to play on my wedding in the future

[@Nyaalexi]

I never would have realized that Channel 4 existed if it weren't for this deconstruction. Just goes to show you how much is going on in these songs without you realizing it, huh.

[@Zachanator1213]

Second favorite sonic 1 song

[@tiles2048]

C0: Maurits C1: Rik C2: Danique C3: Thessy C4: Myrte DAC: Leon PSG0: Jop PSG1: Sylvan PSG3: Guest A

[@FirstnameLastname-sb3hj]

What

[@silentpete01]

Hey, is there a way that you are able to edit and export the songs using this software? I NEED to have a version of this song that has that awful ringing at about the 30 second mark in the original song, on channel 4 1:11, 1:16, 1:19, 1:23 here to be silenced. No idea why its there, but I want it gone and there are no editions anywhere that fix that. Id do it myself, but I don't have the software, the sound source file to do it :(

[@guaf0677]

God tier recommendation by KZbin

[@ritasimmons36]

I know a few people who recreate the song completely screw up the chords and sounds nothing like this. Ihope this helps them

[@TailsGamer_YT]

Good job man

[@Your_pkmn_Rival]

My favorite zone music in the game. 😌

[@YgorG]

My favorite Sonic tune!

[@Fondarking99]

What program did Sega use to make music?♥️ (I want to too)

[@thegeth4293]

Its like an upbeat lulliby

[@crizsonny9523]

Congratulations!!!!!

[@osmark86]

guessing they had no EQ? some enormously resonant frequencies I never really noticed until the sound's isolated.

[@PKSuperStar256]

Yep, there were no equalizer effects on video game consoles with sound chips. Equalizer effects were really more for whole CD quality or higher quality songs at that time.

[@TorutheRedFox]

@@PKSuperStar256 well the audio technically is equalized on hardware with a low pass filter, but there's no software control over it, as it's a sallen-key filter

[@switchie1987]

Anybody else hear the slight Marble Zone motif hidden in the track? I literally never noticed it till now.

[@afterhours3187]

Thank you

[@kennygill5947]

(C0) (C1) (C2) (C3) (C4) (DAC) (PSG 0) (PSG 1) (PSG 3)