They are effectively programmable hardware devices, capable of creating specific digital circuits ... Sega Genesis clone using them, with some impressive results. The Sega Genesis (or Mega Drive ...

It always sounded a bit crunchy, but crunchy in a good way. SEGA’s 16-bit console, whether you call it the Genesis or Mega Drive, always had a unique sound thanks to it’s Yamaha YM2612 sound chip.