Well, I am just thinking out loud but I think I have a good idea what needs to happen. I have not researched all the software or tried any of this yet or I would already be done, hehe.

I need to use the VXD drivers for the Yamaha YMF719-S to provide the MS-DOS MODE Window (from here on out simply referred to as DOS) the real OPL3 hardware for good ole OPL3 FM (the entire reason for having the card).

Redirect the MIDI output from the YMF719-S to the MIDI input of the Santa Cruz in hardware. I have two ways of doing that in picture below. It is one or the other, not both. Notice lack of ground connection because both cards are in the same system and therefor have a common ground.

Now, if the Yamaha S-YXG100 software synth is the default MIDI output in Windows, how do we tell the Santa Cruz to play what is coming in on its MIDI input, or does it just do it? I am sure this is where a piece of software will come into play.

thanks alexanrs and gerwin for pointing me to jumpering\

Edit: I was gonna write a lot more but I got lazy after drawing the diagram.

I got a working setup!!!

Install Windows & reboot
Install Yamaha Software Synth & reboot
Install Vortex2 & reboot
can now choose Yamaha Software Synth for Dos-Box in Vortex2 control panel
Install Yamaha YMF719-S & reboot
everything works!!!

Got A3D 2.0, real OPL3 and kickass Yamaha Synth

Looks like it was just the sequence of events. I'm not going to try and reproduce original problem but betting waiting to install second sound card had a lot to do with it because it also has a Yamaha Synth

squareguy wrote:

can now choose Yamaha Software Synth for Dos-Box in Vortex2 control panel

Cool trick!

Wondering if this would also work with BASSMIDI or VirtualMIDISynth or Munt...

I will definitely try Munt soon. I'm betting you beat me to it 😉

squareguy wrote:

I will definitely try Munt soon. I'm betting you beat me to it 😉

Got other projects on my test benches at the moment, so I can't 😒

couldnt get Munt working in 98. Would probably make it too slow anyways so I'm not going to explore it.

I am thinking about maybe a SoundBlaster Live! for MIDI, I am trying to find more information now.

Glad it works now!
Can you pls post a screenshot of the Vortex 2 midi selection box with the added options?
Strange that the stock Microsoft GS Synth is not there.

If you want more software synths you could also try this as a challenge. Using Midi Yoke to make an additional midi device port, then load the following synths to interface with it on demand:
- Fluidsynth, as a midi server with this command, with any soundfont:

fluidsynth -o synth.polyphony=64 -o synth.gain=1 -a dsound -m winmidi -o midi.winmidi.device="In From MIDI Yoke: 1" ..\..\sf2\SYNTHGMS.sf2

As for windows 98; Fluidsynth v1.09 is still compatible. I can post it if someone cares for it.
- Or the same thing with Timidity++ as a midi server.
- Savihost with VST plugins from Yamaha or Roland.

I suppose BassMidi is like the functionality of Fluidsynth+Midiyoke together. I have not tried it myself.

For older systems: Few softsynths beat the low CPU usage of the stock S-YXG50, and a SB Live! helps in offloading soundfont based midi from the CPU. A CT1920 AWE upgrade would also do just that.

Hey Gerwin!

I will post a screenshot tomorrow for you.

Yeah the MS Synth doesn't show up.

I might play around with fluidsynth when I have time.

I am still new to MIDI but I think I will toss a SoundBlaster Live! in for soundfonts. I have read it's good.

Will the CT1920 work without an ISA SoundBlaster installed?

I am still testing and figuring out what to use but one scenario is the following.

Yamaha YMF719-S for OPL3 only
Aureal Vortex 2 as main sound card and A3D
SB Live! for MIDI with soundfonts and I guess occasionally for EAX
Yamaha S-YXG50 or S-YXG100 software synth because I know it works and sounds good

What do you guys call Windows DOS Box, so not to be confused with DOSBox? MS-DOS Box?

squareguy wrote:

What do you guys call Windows DOS Box, so not to be confused with DOSBox? MS-DOS Box?

MS-DOS prompt? But I know what you mean, can easily get mixed up 😀 As long as it's being made clear that it's running from Windows...

gerwin wrote:

Strange that the stock Microsoft GS Synth is not there.

squareguy wrote:

Yeah the MS Synth doesn't show up.

I believe you need WDM sound card drivers for the MS GS Synth to appear as an option, and I don't think there are any Win98SE WDM drivers for Aureal Vortex 2 cards.

With VxD drivers you can only use the MS GS Synth through DirectMusic, not as a regular MIDI device.