Playstation Startup Sound Explained

The original composition and sound samples were created by Takafumi Fujisawa.

0:00 Introduction
0:18 Mentioning how the BIOS is extracted
0:29 Overview of the BIOS
1:07 Introduction to the startup sound
1:28 The audio samples
2:55 Technical details of the audio
3:16 PSound
3:26 Conclusion

[gilgammesh]

Being born in 1990, this is the sound of ultimate nostalgia.

[ChallengerNetwork]

I love the fact that you used an extremely slowed down version of the PS1's startup sound as the background music. So simple, yet so elegant.

[Lovely_Rubble]

That startup sequence for the PS1 has aged like the finest of wines. It sends chills down my spine every time I listen to it!

[MIchaelSybi]

It has a stange spiritual feel to it. The sound gave me the impression of endless worlds to explore, echoing limitless 3d-space inside of this rectangular shape. The transition from 2d games I played prior to PS1 was startling.
I still find it the best startup sound of consoles. But maybe I'm just an old guy, enjoying his memories.

[DanW]

When the black screen came, you knew you were in the clear.
1:14 - "Come on. Come on. Please.
1:21 -

[kueapel]

I was bullied in elementary school, school life sucked... then I have to go to a 5hr supplementary lesson that sometimes extended to 7hr at 2pm after school every day except sunday...
but then comes sunday, the only day I'm allowed to play my play station, pressed that button and the sound it makes relieved me from a week long struggle both in school and after school... felt like I went into another world and lived a good live for a day. The nostalgia I feel even today, is so much, I can feel endorphin rushing to my brain as I breathe my sigh of relief. I can't belief those 3 very basic sounds are able to create such feeling... humans are such a weird creature indeed.

[dash]

Being in my 30s and hearing that intro to the ps1 gives me a very safe and worry free feeling. Takes me back to being a kid without a worry in the world. It also gives a hint of sadness that makes me miss it. Something I won't ever feel again in that moment. The one game I instantly think of is X-Men vs Street fighter. It was in a clear yellow case with no Manuel.

[IAmInfinitus]

This was actually composed using the "Spacious Sweep" patch on a Roland D-50 synth. Pretty cool!

[wthrz]

2:41 Did someone say... Fearful Harmony?

[anemoneyas]

Sony should bring back this as the default startup sound for their consoles. It's just to good to toss away like they did. Even Apple realized removing the classic Macintosh startup chime was a bad idea and added it back to all their computers this year.

[BossOutlaw]

The most spookiest sound I've ever heard back in the day. Made me look over my shoulders a lot of times.

[Jjosh]

Remember, it was released at the end of 1994 in Japan. Thats why it has an early 90s look in the GUI

[NickShvelidze]

It sucks that Sony's later consoles have such unremarkable startup sequences.

[Rayeo_TNJ]

PS1 and Windows 95 OS both are the purest sounds of nostalgia for me. That makes sense since they were both right around my pre-teen years.

[CaptainSlowbeard]

I have no reasonable explanation why I've never looked for a breakdown of this sound before, but I'm very happy that I found this vid tonight! Cheers.

[kalinedrev]

this is one of the most detailed and best made videos on the music of the video game industry and explaining how it was composed, great work.

[s.bakyhnh]

Never asked myself before how the sound was made, but I'm glad this video exists. Great job!

[surrealdynamics]

This is fantastic, I love this startup sound, brings nice and warm memories

[smokeeater]

Ultimate nostalgia, Picture it....

Its friday night, you place the disc into your console and turn it on, your room is dark, little brother on the top bunk watching, playstation startup music comes, hairs stand up on your arms and neck, a moment passes and then "Resident Evil" chills go down your spine never knowing this moment is forever.

[ZeranZeran]

I've been trying to find the "Composer" of who made this for years, and I still haven't found an answer.
This is probably the best answer I'm going to get, and It is so satisfying. Thank you for making this! Awesome video, and great job explaining. This is so impressive to me that the PS2 was making such complex and beautiful sounds based on such a low quality sample of chimes and a synth. AMAZING! I think the PS1 bootup sound will always be my favorite.