I have the MK2 and had the same idea of getting the original chips but changes my mind after using it for a bit and also watching very comprehensive comparisons on YouTube (that I can’t find any more) and it was very small differences if any. If you swap them out you also need to ad a small solder but I hear that’s easy… but I don’t have any tools for soldering so I just won’t do it.
Get the MK2 
Thank you both- good to know! I’ll keep an eye out for legit chips, and I suppose I can always harvest a couple of Megadrives if I get desperate.
MegaFM mk2 ordered 
…
just received a MegaFM MK2. I sent back the MK1 months ago because I couldn’t even figure out if it was broken hearing the presets (that are still awful).
I’ll spend some time with it, it already makes me nervous (I like the sound tho).
For example, the display doesnt always show parameter changes when I move the faders: is this a faulty unit? It sure is annoyng while designing a patch.
It’s a beautiful machine but it requires some love and patience compared to other hardware.
Check the Parameter Pickup section in the manual. 
Be sure to install the latest firmware, I think there were some issues with the display that were fixed not long ago.
So some days later (not yet updated firmware) I am getting the basics of this thing.
Mainly using Wide6 voicing for now. I started with algorithm 8 and with 1 operator, fat knob and volume you can already get many flavors.
Hard to tame, yes but I like it. Now exploring algorithm 5 and 7.
I must say the Dual ch3 is very interesting: it is basically a synth on its own.
I think is better to think about the Volume knob as “drive” and it can change the sound dramatically.
Messing with the MEGAfm and Analog Heat +FX and it’s a great combo 
Edit: two separate links but not sure how to get the short video to show thumbnail.
Some more noodling, made an unusual sort of pad with two of the 4 operators’ envelopes looping to create a kind of flapping effect, aided by a delay on the OT. Occasionally it kind of breaks which is interesting -
Has anyone got MIDI clock sync to work with parameters on this? Doesn’t seem to respond to BPM changes from the OT for me, for the arpeggiator and vibrato rate at least. I’ve got everything configured correctly as far as I can tell, OT is sending clock, and the clock sync is enabled for the parameters I want in the MEGAfm’s setup mode.
So, are people still using this little box of wonders?
How are you liking it?
I really enjoy it, but I often seem to end up in similar places, I think that’s mostly on me though. I’ve used the later algorithms and trying to get a feel for them first as I’m not a FM connessiuer, so that might limit the sound somewhat.
Looping the operators and the lfos can get some really cool results, but as been mentioned before it feels like the timing off such a patch is a bit off once saved and returned to later.
I really like the fragile characterful digital sound. And is for me more nostalgic than the 80’s analog. Gonna have to swap out some for some OG chips at some point though, as a mk2 user.
If anyone has some tipz n’ trickz or applicable tutorials please share!
I needed to free up some operating cash so I flipped my mk1 (feel less bad since Richard Devine will certainly be stretching it to its limits.)
It reminds me of being younger and plinking around at all the Genesis console “sound test” screens, Strider was a great one for chiptunes score and all the FM-based sound effects.
I will never get rid of my mk1 version, is a special synth different, noisy, with a lot of personality. I’ve sampled a lot of sound from it… here’s a demo, all with megaFM except drums. I love it. Keep your megaFM safe!!!
Very much so, absolutely love it. I’m using it as we speak, been experimenting with algo no.8 which is good for smooth pads/keys, using the Wide4 mode and a bit of fatness for an extra rich sound.
The aliasing ‘zipper’ sounds at the tail end of notes all combine and layer together, particularly noticeable with longer sr/rr times, and make a kind of buzzing shimmering background to your playing. To me this is perhaps the ‘warmest’ digital synth I’ve heard, there’s something about the low bitrate chip + the saturation of the analogue output that gives it a very raw feel. I’m using the Mk1 also.
Ha. Sold a machine drum to Mr. Devine a loooong time ago myself.
Yeah, its really strange How ”organic” it sounds… it really has a lot of character
Is there actually much difference in sound between MK1 and MK2?
I did some comparisons between the Mk.1/2 a while ago, see the series of posts about it starting here - Twisted Electrons MEGAfm - #403 by GurtTractor
Keep in mind the caveats regarding the differences in clipping etc, all the tested patches were designed for the Mk.1 and when used on the Mk.2 they can distort in the loudest parts.
In general the Mk.2 sounds much cleaner and a bit louder, but that may not be desirable if what you want is the dirt and crunch of the original Genesis sound chip. Both versions are excellent and tbh I want to own a Mk.2 again someday, sometimes the noise of the Mk.1 is obnoxious but other times it’s the crucial element for the sound I want.
I have the mk2 and love it!
I love the dirt and crunch of the MK1. I’ve not listened the mk2, but I knew that it is Les noisy, and that’s a thing that I love from mk1