This MEGA DRIVE Has a Strange 8 BIT SOUND Fault | Can I FIX It?

[@retrorestoration9053]

PSG stands for Programmable Sound Generator, and it's integrated into the VDP as you discovered. That PSG sound is in fact the sound source for the 8-bit stuff.

[@TheTurnipKing]

Its all inherited from the Master System

[@TheCod3r]

Great stuff Steve, excellent fault finding here. I'd have to say though it might be a good idea to take care of the rest of the rusted vias because they're going to eventually eat away at that copper. Still a great enjoyable video either way 🥰

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Phil, yeah I think I'm gonna recap everything and do a bit more work on it off camera. 👍

[@boneyass]

🤦

[@shalpp]

@@boneyass what's weird is that during rhe first sonic 1 demonstration you did it only sounded like the square waves themselves (the thing sonic:s jump sound is made out of) were dead, but the noise channel was alright (what makes the crash portion of the monitor sound x as well as the waterfall doing waterfall things

[@angusmclaren6257]

A man who won't take no for an answer and figures it out. Well done on getting this back up and going.

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Angus! It was very satisfying to get this one working properly! 👍

[@smallbeginning2]

I've barely blinked in the general direction of computer chips in my life. But this is fascinating.

[@Oribaa90]

I just dicovered your channel. I like your calm style. I don't like it when people are screaming during their videos or talk too fast. I am also into console restoration so I like to watch other people fixing or restoring their consoles. Good work! Will watch your other videos.

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Oribaa, much appreciated 👍

[@babababa201]

Hi mate - I’ve only recently got into restorations. Do you have any other suggested channels / resources?

[@tyronenelson9124]

Makes all the difference when you have all of the relevant schematics, diagrams and parts lists, this is becoming more and more rare with newer products.

[@VolfMark]

Yeah... It's because they don't want you to be able to fix your product when it malfunctions; they want you to throw it away and spend money to buy a new one. Especially nowadays when some electronic components are super tiny and very difficult to work on with hand tools.

[@mm0077]

"What ever tomorrow brings it will be a great fix....sing along! ". Steve well done.

[@SimonEllwood]

Great video showing two different approaches to fixing. First keep changing stuff, second trace the path from source to output.

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Simon! Yeah, I was a bit impatient taking stuff off willy nilly, but that has worked for me in the past. In hindsight, I should have tried it the other way round! 😁

[@Tidder007]

Fantastic work Steve! This was a very enjoyable one for me. Interesting mod too, I had no idea, now I have something to figure out with my mega drive.

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Tidder! Yeah, this was a new one on me. Really enjoyed looking at it and super satisfying! 👍

[@iKaGe01]

It is actually a really simple mod to do. Especially with mk1 boards

[@bladesofseven]

I stumbled across this channel by pure chance, thanks YT, but I'm already in love with the way you present your findings and the way you work.

[@styles234]

Just stumbled across this channel randomly and definitely enjoyed the process of identifying the problem and troubleshooting various fixes. A fun journey was had getting to experience it work after the repair. Will be back for more :)

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Josh, much appreciated! 👍

[@Teaneus]

Man i found your channel by accident and now i have made a playlist with all your videos for a marathon .Nice channel.

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks J.a.W! Much appreciated! 👍

[@CTCTraining1]

That was super involved Steve, well done. I admit I was worried when you were contemplating taking off that huge asic chip. Pity there isn’t a chemical you can brush on to convert the corrosion back to good copper again. Keep up the great work 👍😀

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Chris! 👍

[@richard-em6zi]

In the business we call not knowing but having a good idea an educated guess. Not knowing what you're working on. But having an extensive enough knowledge to make a pretty good guess as to what it is

[@andrewgilson5759]

Love the content, Steve! I don’t know why, but I watch your videos and think how fun it would be to have you as a neighbor. Your sarcastic humor relates all too well with me. Keep up the great content. I’ve been going back and watching your previous episodes.

[@emmettturner9452]

When I fixed an AC adapter like that recently I took apart the brick, moved the strain relief down, chopped off the damaged parts, and resoldered. It can be difficult to break the strain relief free of the cable but it’s usually possible. Even when it’s not you can often use another or make your own with heat shrink. Since you’ve already chopped it at the brick you shouldn’t have to chop up the other end for heat shrink. The result should be much cleaner and more reliable.

[@SianaGearz]

Yes I'm all for removing any heavily kinked wire sections as well, they can't be healthy.

[@Paperghost]

There is something 'enchanting' about your videos that keeps me coming back. Great fix this time around showing real determination using readily available information and common sense. Your cover it bodge for exposed wires on the other hand made me cringe. Heat shrink is not always the answer........🤣

[@DerekWilsonProgrammer]

Whoever edits your videos did a superb job on this one. Give them a raise.

[@Norrecito]

Nice one Steve! :) The only thing I'm missing is some Voultar reference when you look at that modwork. When restoring VIAs, I usually push a wire through the hole and solder it in from both sides. You need to have a very thin needle (or a very thin tweezer) to clean the hole though.

[@bitdigital8052]

Yes, a through-hole capacitor leg is good for this. Also good to clean up any corrosion in the surrounding area as well.

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Norrecito! 👍

[@MoreFunMakingIt]

Brilliant! Lovely to see you wander off into a rabbit hole when you were in the right area right away 🤣 Of course, I've NEVER done EXACTLY that. Not often... Always a pleasure watching you work Steve 😁

[@StezStixFix]

🤣 I know, I literally found the problem about a minute after opening it up, but then proceeded to mess about with everything else first! Still, it's nice to be able to prove the fault by running back from the ASIC! That's what I'm telling myself anyway! 🤣

[@Mentski]

By the time the Mega Drive 2 came along pretty much everything had been integrated into the 315-5487/315-5660 ASIC, but even as far back as the first revision of the MD1, the SN76489 PSG was already integrated with the VDP on the 315-5313. The mono signal from that, along with left/right from the FM, A left/right line from the cart slot (used by the 32X), and a left/right from the Expansion slot (for the Mega CD) is then all mixed in on that amp circuit. 99% of sound problems are often down to the caps going bad on that circuit. Either dying or leaking and corroding the traces.

[@adamgrimsley2900]

I agree.

[@simplicitygaming4203]

Only just started to watch your videos and so far im very impressed (not that it takes a lot to do so) lol... also i like the way you are very comical with each repair video it brings something new to the game of repairing... keep up the good work and enjoy my sub

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Frosty, much appreciated 👍

[@Mymatevince]

Very interesting fault Steve, nice fault finding 👍 Great job!

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Vince! 😍

[@abh6968]

u 2 actors should be in hollywood . really bad acting to extend video lenth and set up faults

[@umbertoyltp]

Standing on the sideline as a newbie in smd, I can recommend to trust your eyes more often. Visual inspection is frequently underrated, and it is'nt gonna cause any damage at all :-). Great magnification, I am tempted to no longer fear smd soldering!

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Umberto, you're absolutely correct!

[@Klugger]

that must feel so satisfying when you fix stuff like that. just found out about your channel and already loving the content. thanks a lot for sharing with us.

[@polgarauk5606]

I have zero idea why your videos were suggested to me by the KZbin algorithm as I can't say I have any interest in fixing things like this (my hands wouldn't let me anyway as badly damaged nerves). Yet here I am on video number 20+ utterly fascinated and loving the humour 🤣🤣 I did subscribe on video 2 I believe 😁

[@SmoothEmJay]

Awesome work dude. Just shows you should always keep trying even if you think you've exhausted all avenues of repair. Only found your channel lately and have binge watched quite a few by now :)

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Jay! Much appreciated 👍

[@SmoothEmJay]

@@StezStixFix You're welcome dude. I need to get me one of those hot air stations, any hints on brand etc? Super handy for removing components.

[@MrVestek]

Nice! Love how you managed to figure this one out. You've gained a subscriber for sure!

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks MrVestek! Much appreciated 👍

[@jonome9565]

New subscriber here Steve, very enjoyable video, just watching your back catalogue. Long time fan of Vince and Tronics fix as well as Northridge. I love the fact the camera is on you nearly as much as your fix, lol. I do prefer Vince's longer videos but great work anyhow and keep posting. Cheers.

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Jonome! Appreciate that 👍

[@vall545]

Love it! Great work. I learn so much watching you fix stuff.

[@KazsprG]

I really love watching your videos... you are doing a fantastic job fixing these things. Keep it up my friend.

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Oz! 🤩

[@usagiakimbo2506]

Another good one, Steve! I gotta say I really enjoy your content, I think I watched all of your videos in a few days when I stumbled upon your channel, keep up the good work 🙂

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Usagi! 👍

[@nj1835]

Great work as usual Steve the first thing I thought when I saw that corrosion was that looks like a drop of sweat by the modder. Keep up the videos you are doing great funny as f and insightful.

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks N J! 👍

[@BuyitFixit]

Nice fix Steve, I think I might have taken the wire from the capacitor pad which you used and ran it over to the other via where it went through the board omitting the corroded section all together just in case, but either way its all good :) well done on another successful fix.

[@captcraig777]

Another tough fix to locate. Well done! No more jumping in silence!

[@guywilton7471]

At 2:22, just for a second or two, I thought that was the fix finished…..job well done and time for a well earned drink…..but the fun continues !!

[@guywilton7471]

When I say fun……I obviously don’t mean the singing, as per my previous comments on this matter good sir !

[@StezStixFix]

🤣🤣 I'll win you over eventually!

[@NF2K]

First video of yours I've seen, good fault finding. Gives me hope that I can improve :) Subscribed 👍 p.s. I think PSG stands for Programmable Sound Generator

[@RWL2012]

yes it does

[@MrCageman]

Nicely done. Problems like these will happen again on this board though. Leaving the corrosion that's on other traces will mean it will keep spreading. Much of it is under the solder mask, so cleaning efforts will not have done much if the mask was not scraped away and the copper cleaned.

[@DjPolystation]

I've just started watching the video and... Yes the megadrive has two soundchips The YM2612, an FM Synth wich is responsible for the "16 bit sound" And the SN76489, a PSG (Wich stands for Procedural Sound Generator) used for Master System backward compatibility that can be used alongside the YM2612 in megadrive games

[@datboitmic]

I have a repair and resell shop on eBay and I’m always afraid to do any micro soldering, or major board repairs. I have to admit watching your videos give me a little bit of confidence for some reason. I really would like to see how you would fix damaged ribbon cables. And I really wish u had some sort of vaccum or air purifier to suck up those fumes, if I remember correctly they can be really toxic and bad for your health to inhale that.

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks MicMaine! I do have an little extractor, and use it most of the time... you're right the fumes are not nice to inhale! Good luck with the eBay shop! 👍

[@SianaGearz]

Yeah well depends on if you solder once a week, then hazard is minimal, or 8 hours a day, when even standard extraction isn't quite enough. Which part of the world are you at? I wouldn't mind partnering with a vendor in EU to do the repairs for them.

[@Rezigunn]

Oh wow that mod looked awful. Who uses TAPE!?? Great fix steve so glad I found this channel just before the 100k makes me feel better not knowing components, or understanding enough about electronics to really pin down an issue but figure out a solution to get it working again. You're an inspiration to us hobbyists

[@randomcitizenname]

I was singing with you at the end there, Steve! Love that song.

[@eduartmisiraj8031]

Amazing video Steve, as always well done. I suggest you remove that ugly not working region mod and put a proper one in there. I suggest the Switchless Region/IGR 50/60Hz mod from Consoles Unleashed. 👍🏻

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Eduart, I'll check that out 👍

[@Apocrypha303]

Awesome work. so glad i found this channel. love what you do.

[@willemvdk4886]

I love it when traces do a "through the board jobby". Those traces are the best.

[@davecruise3000]

I felt like screaming for the first 13 mins as I've had the same recent experience on a Mega Drive 1 and was certain it'd be a corroded trace to/from the ASIC! In my case the issue was no sampled DAC sound effects due to a broken trace to the Z80 chip. Still, great result and very impressive skills to swap the SMD components! BTW, PSW = Programmable Sound Generator

[@samwilliamson4715]

Far out mate - that was some heavy diagnosis time.. well done 👍 Hehe. Love the ‘laughing cow’ edition of the solder sucker station! - ‘nice’ :)

[@thriftynative]

I recently found your channel. I know nothing of this stuff but somehow I’m addicted to watching 😂

[@willkra]

Another great one Steve! I`ll have a talk with the leaders of KZbin about the shame that you have less than 7k followers:-) Steve rocketing would be great, and so deserved!

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Willy! If you could out in a good word, that would be great! 😁

[@El_Bellota]

I'm just amazed at the skill with which you fix all these consoles. Will you do like a repair and giveaway for 10k subs?

[@StezStixFix]

Not a bad idea! Thanks for the suggestion 👍

[@kmoecub]

I spent far too many hours during my first stint at college playing Sonic on my best-friend's (RIP) Genesis. Thank you for the memories.

[@MarcoPolo-rd6fp]

I cheered when that worked! Love your videos. Something very therapeutic about a Northern man fixing electronics.

[@jeffyramalho]

Love your videos, so relaxing 😌

[@danimourinho]

This channel is the best youtube discover in years! Great content!

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Dani! 👍

[@DuPz0r]

Congrats on the fix! I was routing for you watching this. Must be a great feeling fixing retro games/consoles up yourself. I wish I could do this!

[@mandokir]

>routing

[@henkeek808]

Hello Steve. Really love your videos. I learn so much. You have also inspired Me to grab hold of my own project👍😀 I have one question. What type of monitor do you use when you test your different consoles? Best regards Henrik from sweden

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Henrik! I just use a fairly generic one I bought off Amazon. It's not available any more, but is similar to this one: amzn.to/3vPd1Ta

[@Darphi01]

Good fix. Did you neutralize the corrosive goop so it doesn't do any further damage to the board. Battery acid, electrolyte from capacitors and flux resin can cause corrosion. You can clean it with baking soda or isopropyl alcohol.

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Darren. I did clean it with IPA, but I've been back to it and cleared it much better using white vinegar, followed by IPA and a good scrub. 👍

[@kranibal]

Every time your fix something I get as excited as you do. Weird.

[@stefanschneider3681]

All the effort just for the jumping sound … you are crazy … and I really enjoyed it 😊👍!

[@RWL2012]

and skidding, and waterfall sounds, etc. the PSG is also used for arpeggios, chords and layers in the Green Hill Zone theme, and the hi-hats of the drum beat on its noise channel. and while it only does those "secondary" sound duties in Mega Drive games, it does the entire sound in Master System games.

[@ScruffyLookinRGB]

Ive found this channel far to late! Sweet video mate looking forward to more like this one!

[@StezStixFix]

Thank you! Much appreciated 👍

[@michaelknowles1651]

Love the investigation work Inspector Stez, these type of fixes are great. Must be proud and rightfully so. Great Video

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Michael! 👍

[@KisoX]

Wow. I would have never guessed that a specific sound missing is caused by a corroded trace. Well done Steve!

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks KisoX! 👍

[@RWL2012]

the PSG also accompanies the YM3438 in the music but it's most noticeable with Sonic's jumping and skidding.

[@dreamcazman]

Nice find. I never knew the MD's sound was seperated like that. Small tip though, it would be a good idea to remove the rust from those other traces before it ends up eating through them completely. Then apply solder mask.

[@RWL2012]

Yep, and with the Mega CD and 32X, the PCM and PWM (respectively) sound channels can be used in conjunction with the Mega Drive FM and PSG sound channels (such as in Popful Mail in-game and Knuckles' Chaotix). Another platform, the GBA, would later do a similar thing. The Sonic Advance games are a good example on that platform of heavy use of the Game Boy / Color PSG sound channels in conjunction with the GBA PCM sound channels.

[@IKTO]

Loving the videos, keep up the good work!

[@oldschoolgamer8278]

Great analysis to find the cause of the problem. Just one thing: You paint over areas that still show corrosion. Not that there is still something of the acid in it and spreads further under the paint. In addition, all electrolytic capacitors should definitely be replaced in such a case. So you don't have to start over and over again.

[@pedromimoso8804]

Great fault finding, Steve! And great video, by the way. Nice!👍👍👍

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Pedro! 👍

[@jasedobson2793]

nice fix steve i actually like the master system sonic

[@gibbie80s61]

It's a great game. IMO its more fun that the MD version.

[@Custarddolphin]

hi, just found your channel and I'm having a blast, your videos made me learn a bit about soldering and stuff, thanks man

[@adamgrimsley2900]

Great video, another victory of man over machine, take that SkyNet! I like the heat shrink tubing. It's pleasing both to say and what it does

[@brianlamtman7361]

Dude! I love watching you. Your funny and for someone who is learning electronics your pretty good at it.

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Brian! Definitely still learning but really enjoying it so far! 😁

[@Saviorshock]

this channel is too chill to see

[@BIGman19822007]

Steve you done an awesome job and great video, may I ask @6:36 you used your little brush to clean the board, what is this brush called and do you have a link please as I would love to get one. Many thanks

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Martin! It's actually a flux brush that I've cut down the bristles to make a bit more abrasive. I bought a little pack of them, these ones: amzn.to/391kndu

[@BIGman19822007]

@@StezStixFix Thank you so much for replying, I definitely need one as following the SVS guides (Steve TF, Vince MMV, Steve SSF) I have managed to pick up some cheap broken consoles (Ones S & One X) and managed to get them both working. Over the moon even tho i dont have a microscope yet YET! it was a challenge, would love to send you pictures somehow. Now checking out the brushes thank you again

[@colinboneham7387]

Cracking repair Steve, nice to see the older consoles getting some TLC that they deserve n not being binned

[@JARVIS1187]

Great job! Glad, that good old piece of hardware is working again! May I ask a question? I saw people use vinegar on electrolytics. Why do you not do that?

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Christian, I did use some on a Game Boy I looked at recently. It does help to get rid of the corrosion. I probably should have used it here too! 👍

[@ZonicMirage]

Oof, that mod looks pretty rough. Great work, glad it wasn't anything to do with the VDP (the giant ASIC).

[@jed2055]

One of your best yet. . . .Sherlock? 🔎Very enjoyable. Dang, I don't normally subscribe to . . . anybody but you got me in. Love your work. Logic rules mate!

[@gazzylou]

Awesome work. I never even knew an everdrive was a thing. Now i need a mega drive and ever drive badly.

[@esseferio]

As we all know, PSG totally stands for « Paris Saint-Germain » (and obviously not Programmable Sound Generator). True story. Now, I’ve never really listened to Incubus but seems like I should give it a try. As usual, merci Monsieur !

[@danw3735]

Wouldn't you love to own a sonic cleaner? Awesome fix as well 😀

[@xasbo]

Instead of futzing with sawing down the barrel plug end of the cable, check out self-amalgamating tape. Stretch and stick it onto itself as you wrap around whatever and it creates an excellent seal. The run-of-the-mill flavor is not super durable, as it can still be torn more easily than some tapes or heatshrinks, but much easier to apply in a variety of situations. Fancier versions exist that improve on the material weaknesses.

[@RWL2012]

Nice repair, perfect demonstration of the Mega Drive's two sound chips/cores haha. And the Mega CD and 32X can access them as well so it can get a bit silly. For example, Popful Mail uses the Mega Drive's Yamaha FM + TI PSG as well as the Mega CD's Ricoh PCM for some of its music (3 sound chips together - once you get past the CD Audio title screen, of course) and Knuckles' Chaotix uses the Mega Drive's Yamaha FM + TI PSG as well as the 32X's Hitachi PWM for its music (also 3 sound chips together) :P Being a Mega Drive 2 VA0, the sound quality could be improved by installing a Mega Amp - I think you might have been in the stream New Retro Repair did of him installing my Mega Amp in my Mega Drive 2 VA1 :)

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks RWL! Appreciate the info. I'll take a look at those Mega Amps! 👍

[@RWL2012]

@@StezStixFix welcome :) there's also the Triple Bypass, but that's more for if the console also has a video encoder with the jailbar issue on RGB, like one of the Sony ones (not sure what the Samsung is like). I chose the Mega Amp because my MD2 VA1 has the Fujitsu MB3514 video encoder which looks fine on RGB.

[@chris-pike]

Another good fix there Steve and a interesting one too well done 👍

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Chris! 👍

[@drruncmd]

Great repair vidz! You got yourself another sub. Love the little video effects you put into some videos. Very neat indeed.

[@anon_y_mousse]

That was a pretty sweet fix. Coincidentally my Genesis power wart is starting to fray in just that same spot.

[@mannyelectro]

It may be a good idea to show how you find the electronic diagrams you use. I know you Google it but sometimes that leads into a rabbit hole of dead ends. Love your content.

[@WhoopsWonders]

I've just stumbled upon your channel mate. Awesome videos. You got a like and sub from me. Just love watching the retro tech repair vids. Keep up the great work 👍

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Bizarre! Really appreciate that 👍

[@Ratchet_effect]

YES! Those caps were bad! ESR to high for its value, should be in 0.xx range Not! 1.xx so brother Steve! you was correct! to replace them 🖖👍🏻 Dirty little VIA casing a silence in the 8-bit matrix, making a small detour to allow electrical connection between the layers 🎶 returns to the 👂

[@StezStixFix]

Aha! Thanks brother Steve. I should probably re-cap the whole board then I think! Yeah, this one was really interesting to me, I didn't even realise that there were 8 bit and 16 bit sounds in the Mega Drive! You learn something new every day! 😁

[@Ratchet_effect]

Yeah you should & clean that Mod up too! Yes it has both; Instruction set: 8‑bit and 16‑bit instructions. the CPU of the Sega Mega Drive was technically a 32-bit CPU, even though it communicated through a bus which was only 16bit wide. Some of the instructions are 8-bit long (called 'byte'), others are 16-bit long (called 'word') and the rest are 32-bit long (called 'long-word'). There is a few differences between the models 1 & 2 plus master system options. There is a Lot! to learn brother Steve! 🤓

[@RWL2012]

So firstly, the 8-bit Master System has a Z80 CPU @ 3.58MHz, 8KB of RAM and 16KB of VRAM, and a VDP (Video Display Processor aka graphics chip) with native Master System modes as well as a backwards compatibility mode for SG-1000 games (albeit with wrong colour shades). The VDP is an ASIC that also incorporates an SN76496 Programmable Sound Generator (PSG), also backwards compatible with the SG-1000's SN76489 and which gets its 3.58MHz clock signal from that generated for the Z80 CPU. When Sega designed the 16-bit Mega Drive, they added a Motorola 68000 CPU @7.6MHz and 64KB of RAM, as well as a Yamaha YM2612 OPN2 FM synthesis-based sound chip which gets its 7.6MHz clock signal from that generated for the Motorola 68000 CPU (sound familar?), but the 8-bit Master System (Z80 CPU, 8KB RAM, PSG and 3.58MHz clock signal) mostly remains inside the 16-bit Mega Drive. For the Mega Drive graphics they simply took the Master System VDP and replaced the SG-1000 graphics mode with a native Mega Drive graphics mode and increased the VRAM to 64KB. In fact if you load an SG-1000 game from an Everdrive on a Mega Drive, it will run but "play blind" (working sound and controls but a black screen). So as you found out, the Mega Drive having hardware backwards compatibility with the Master System isn't just for being able to play Master System games on a Mega Drive (either with the official cartridge converter or loaded from an Everdrive as you did) - Mega Drive games use the Z80 as a co-processor (usually for the sound driver on games that don't run that on the 68000) and with both sound chips being memory-mapped to both CPUs, it only took until 1989 for a developer to realise that they could be used together, and played nicely together at that! By then, 4-operator (rather than 2-operator in 1988) instruments and drum (rather than just voice in 1988) audio sample playback on the YM2612 had also been figured out, so by 1991 and UK/Europe availability and Sonic, the 2-chip sound/music was standard procedures :) With this being a Mega Drive 2 VA0, it has the (YM3438) and PSG sound cores both in the ASIC, whereas most Mega Drive 1s (from VA0 Japan, VA2 Genesis and VA4 PAL to VA6.8), and some later Mega Drive 2s after VA2.x, have a physical YM2612 chip, with the PSG being the only sound core in the ASIC. Too bad the Mega Drive 1 VA7 and Mega Drive 2 VA0, VA1 and VA1.8 all have bad sound mixing/amplification circuits and require a Mega Amp mod for decent sound quality.

[@NoxBoxdy]

Sent here by the Cod3r. Great channel! Will check out more soon.

[@StezStixFix]

Awesome, thank you! 👍

[@NoxBoxdy]

Thanks for you guys doing the world a service. We all need more transparency. :-) Great to see the diy community grow.

[@DiggerPrints0814]

Man I love your reactions when your fixes work!!!

[@SparksNZeros]

you can get the right socket tool to open megadrive psu's from console 5 (and infact most multi bit drivers use that socket for their bits anyway) its much easier to cut the cord off, pull the strain relief off and then feed the undamaged cable back through it and resolder it to the transformer. its also a great opportunity to check the capacitors inside as they often fail and need replacing. Also it'd be great to see you fit one of Consoles Unleashed region mods for these, they keep them looking more factory :)

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Sparks! I'll definitely check those out 👍

[@joshholbrooks1181]

Good fix don't know what learn enjoy watching the process

[@stuartmcphillie7300]

Nice work again. Love the humour too. Keep it up!

[@mustafauslu1685]

You said you are not expert in repairs at all but you are a beast! I mean in a good way :)

[@scouse1967]

Steve, you are the man. Well done on that fix, sir :)

[@rics44]

I enjoy your work and must say you have talent . Just a question if I may ? What is the green sealer you use after making your pcb repairs ? Does it harden or stay flexible ? Thanks , Rick from Ky .

[@StezStixFix]

Thank you! It's called solder mask and it sets hard under UV light. I use this one: amzn.to/3LUxX0T

[@bufordmaddogtannen]

Nice repair and nice channel. After watching all the previous videos my opinion is that your assumptions when trying to diagnose a fault are way less irritating than "your mate's". 🤣 As per being impossible to slide shrink tubing over that connector, look for 3:1 ratio shrink tubing. You can buy something large enough to accommodate connectors, which will shrink down to the cable's thickness. The downside being that it usually comes lined with hot glue and comes out a lot stiffer than the regular 2:1 tubing.

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Mad Dog! I'll have a look for that, much appreciated! 👍

[@babababa201]

Fantastic channel. Really enjoying your videos thus far

[@spacekees102]

Nice fix m8 that was quite rusty indeed for some traces lol. Love the sega genesis.

[@MrEwool]

Another lovely video, hope you will make a video on how to make all those magic tricks you do 😊 and send my best to voice-over Steve hope you let him know that you appreciate him

[@StezStixFix]

🤣 I'll make sure he knows! 😁

[@NemeZisUK]

Love your videos. Its like you have no idea what your doing then the skillz come out.