MIDI is very good, Native mode is very good also. SB emulation is very bad. Not a substitute for a SB16 at all. It's a card to complement an existing one.

Quite a few games support the Soundscape natively. E.g. you in Descent you select Soundscape and it all works.

The MPU401 interface is of interest though. While it is not fully intelligent mode compatible, it works with most "difficult" games like Wing Commander and Sierra games.

Soundscape's signal quality is significantly better than any ISA Creative card I've used. Much better analog circuitry and DAC. So the native mode is quite nice.

I'd put the MIDI quality on par with contemporary Yamaha and Roland hardware. Like any MIDI hardware it has its weaknesses of course.

For SB compatibility you definitely don't want to use the emulation. Throw in a SBPro or SB16.

The Soundscape Elite was one of the first soundcards I ever went out of my way to try and obtain, well over ten years ago now. Despite the exceptional sound quality and effects capabilities, I don't consider the versatility of the synth engine to be anywhere near the level of Roland and Yamaha's contemporary offerings.

That said, for 20 EUR, you'd best grab it. 😀

Yeah when I said I feel Soundscape Elite is on par with contemporaries I was talking only from the perspective of playing various games. It's entirely subjective of course. And this isn't meaning that they are all amazing, but that they all have different sample weaknesses in games.

I'm also ignoring options like a RAM-loaded AWE that can potentially load a far superior patch set.

Actually these days I often prefer OPL3 FM over the quirky old wavetable cards.