dreamblaster wrote on 2020-03-19, 05:47:

The variation is a different mapping of mostly the same sounds, not a completely different soundbank.
by setting ctrl 0 to 127, and then executing a program change, it uses MT32 mapping instead of General MIDI mapping.
a special build of softmpu supports /mt32 option, which will automatically use MT32 mapping.

Thanks.

What does "setting ctrl 0 to 127" mean? I use my Dreamblaster X2 (and S2 is on the way!) very simply - I plug it into my ISA sound card, make sure the computer is setup with SET BLASTER for General MIDI at Port 330 and all that, and the games output General Midi sound. The ISA sound cards I use (usually ESS ES1868/9F) have a MPU-401? compatible Wavetable header (I believe) built into them already so I'm not using SoftMPU.

Am I doing it wrong, and would regular ISA sound cards with Wavetable header NOT have this ‘intelligent mode’, and thus NOT switch into MT32 or SC-55 mode automatically like they should unless I'm using SoftMPU? If I have to start using SoftMPU for this feature, do I have to manually turn on the 'ctrl 0 to 127' on a per-game basis to turn on and off MT32 for those MT32 games? (and likewise for SC-55 games), or is this automatic when you're running SoftMPU (i.e. SoftMPU knows which games you're loading and automatically switches to the correct mode?).

Dochartaigh wrote on 2020-03-19, 16:46:

do I have to manually turn on the 'ctrl 0 to 127' on a per-game basis to turn on and off MT32 for those MT32 games? (and likewise for SC-55 games), or is this automatic when you're running SoftMPU (i.e. SoftMPU knows which games you're loading and

For MT32 modus in games, you will need softmpu. it simulates intelligent mode, which is required by many games that support mt-32, and you also need to use /MT32 option (at least support by this version : https://github.com/pdewacht/softmpu), so that softmpu uses the correct midi control value (127) to select MT-32 compatible mapping.

For SC-55, you don't need softmpu /MT32 option, as this is standard general midi mapping.

dreamblaster wrote on 2020-03-19, 18:41:

For MT32 modus in games, you will need softmpu. it simulates intelligent mode, which is required by many games that support mt-32, and you also need to use /MT32 option (at least support by this version : https://github.com/pdewacht/softmpu), so that softmpu uses the correct midi control value (127) to select MT-32 compatible mapping.

For SC-55, you don't need softmpu /MT32 option, as this is standard general midi mapping.

I did some reading and the Github says SoftMPU is for the DREAMBLASTER S2P, which seems like it plugs into the back of a sound card, externally. My Dreamblaster X2 and S2 plug directly into the wavetable header on the card, inside of the computer – I take it those also need to still use SoftMPU?

I also looked at the 'Compatible Intelligent Mode Games' list on that same Github and it seems to be maybe 10% of the complete list of games (on Wikipedia) which can use the MT-32. So I'm assuming that I would still need to manually put the Dreamblaster into MT-32 mode to get the correct sound?

I apologize if this is simpleton type stuff... I've read a lot and watched a ton of videos... and they seem to only go into how to do things, and not the WHY or WHEN you should do things like use SoftMPU and such.... so i'm trying to find out when I should just play games normally, when I should use SoftMPU to set it to a more compatible mode (and above all a more period-correct/authentic mode), and why that determination was made.

Dochartaigh wrote on 2020-03-20, 02:02:

I did some reading and the Github says SoftMPU is for the DREAMBLASTER S2P, which seems like it plugs into the back of a sound card, externally. My Dreamblaster X2 and S2 plug directly into the wavetable header on the card, inside of the computer – I take it those also need to still use SoftMPU?

S2/X2:
For games with general midi music, SoftMPU is not needed, as waveblaster cards are supported directly, usually.
Still you can use SoftMPU if you want to use MT32 mode, and/or intelligent mode, with your S2/X2.

S2P :
It will require patching with s2ppatch or SoftMPU, as no old game natively support general midi over parallel port.

dreamblaster wrote on 2020-03-21, 08:51:

S2/X2:
For games with general midi music, SoftMPU is not needed, as waveblaster cards are supported directly, usually.
Still you can use SoftMPU if you want to use MT32 mode, and/or intelligent mode, with your S2/X2.

Thank you again!

So there's a select number of games listed on the SoftMPU wiki, under the intelligent mode list. If I'm using the S2 or X2 on a waveblaster card header directly, I would STILL have to use SoftMPU before launching the game, otherwise the game will play SC-55 music (so it'll still have music regardless), instead of switching to the more-correct MT32 modes music, right? Is that how it works? I can certainly easily enough write batch files to so that if that's the case!

This now has me wondering... I still can't get The Secret of Monkey Island (1) working properly on my Pentium III 800MHz, Win98SE machine, even when I boot into pure MS-DOS mode. I get what seems like the hanging note bug which the ESS ES1869F isn't supposed to have. I thought it was just because my computer was too fast... but I'm now thinking SoftMPU might help with this. Would using SoftMPU to force it into intelligent MT32 mode help with this since Monkey Island was written with the MT32 in mind? (even through that game isn't listed in the intelligent mode list). (and if this is the wrong place to ask this question please disregard).

Dochartaigh wrote on 2020-03-21, 23:46:

So there's a select number of games listed on the SoftMPU wiki, under the intelligent mode list. If I'm using the S2 or X2 on a waveblaster card header directly, I would STILL have to use SoftMPU before launching the game, otherwise the game will play SC-55 music (so it'll still have music regardless), instead of switching to the more-correct MT32 modes music, right? Is that how it works? I can certainly easily enough write batch files to so that if that's the case!

Yes. SoftMPU is resident so it stays active until you reboot.

Dochartaigh wrote on 2020-03-21, 23:46:

This now has me wondering... I still can't get The Secret of Monkey Island (1) working properly on my Pentium III 800MHz, Win98SE machine, even when I boot into pure MS-DOS mode. I get what seems like the hanging note bug which the ESS ES1869F isn't supposed to have. I thought it was just because my computer was too fast... but I'm now thinking SoftMPU might help with this. Would using SoftMPU to force it into intelligent MT32 mode help with this since Monkey Island was written with the MT32 in mind? (even through that game isn't listed in the intelligent mode list). (and if this is the wrong place to ask this question please disregard).

yes i think softmpu could help, in making the MT32 support work.
But in case of monkey island 1, you could also try the talkie edition, which supports general midi ! http://gratissaugen.de/ultimatetalkies/monkey1.html

Hoping that Hummtaro is maybe still working on his Roland soundfont or willing to make some adjustments, here is some listening feedback from MIDIs I loaded via Falcosoft MIDI Player and Hummtaro's Roland custom preset.

Doom, d_e1m3.mid
- Lead voice (Syn Bass 1?) sounds a bit thin

Doom, d_e1m5.mid
- String Ensemble could be stronger

Doom, d_e1m8.mid
- Choir Aahs do not quite match SC55 quality (too weak)

Doom II, d_doom.mid
- Voice Oohs don't make the distinct "DOOM" noise

Doom II, d_evil.mid
- Gunshot needs to sound more like soldier footsteps/marching (sharper, less dull)

Rise of the Triad, Mmmenu.mid
- Horrible lead voice (sounds distorted, maybe corrupt MIDI file on my side?)

There may be more, I will do more checks later. In general I think the soundfont is good, but can be improved to get even closer to the way the SC55 sounds.

Trelokk wrote on 2020-06-15, 14:38:

Hoping that Hummtaro is maybe still working on his Roland soundfont or willing to make some adjustments, here is some listening feedback from MIDIs I loaded via Falcosoft MIDI Player and Hummtaro's Roland custom preset.

I'm glad there's finally some critics!
I will look into that sounds and check if i can optimize the balancing a bit.
But i will probably not replace samples as this is based on an existing Roland Soundbank.
It is not supposed to simulate an SC-55 or something..

Fair enough. It's just about those special voices Bobby Prince used to achieve certain effects. I thought an SC55-like soundbank should get those right at least. I don't think anybody expects this to be super similar to a real SC55.

Trelokk wrote on 2020-07-13, 21:10:

Fair enough. It's just about those special voices Bobby Prince used to achieve certain effects. I thought an SC55-like soundbank should get those right at least. I don't think anybody expects this to be super similar to a real SC55.

I will see what I can do!
I also answered your PM. 😀

another great GS bank Humtaro I am sure - have you recorded a new demo with it?

Hummtaro wrote on 2020-03-07, 18:45:

chuuux wrote on 2020-02-27, 04:27:

Is it possible to make big single (up to 64 Mb) acoustic steel giutar soundbank for X2? Grand piano SB sounds quite well, so I'm wondering about guitar...

I already had the idea to make more solo banks! Maybe i will look into it this year..
But this would be a lot of time consuming work. So i can't promise it will happen..

Hello,
I'm brand new here.
Reading your expert posts in this DreamBlaster X2 topic.
Now, I decide to buy this card.

I have a Fatar SL-990 MIDI keyboard.

My darling is a violin teacher, chorus leader and pianist.

My main question is:
Has it composed an excellent Grand Piano patch (or GM, what contains it)?

My darling would like to use a great piano sound by the keyboard.
What do you suggest for this purpose?

My secondary question:
Also, my guitarist-zitherist ans singer son would like to use modern GM or else DJ soundsets.
What do you suggest for this purpose?

thank you

Up!

Can someone explain me that, how could I convert a Nord Grand Piano [patchfile].npno to a DreamBlaster X2 .DXB format?

Example:
https://www.nordkeyboards.com/sound-libraries … nos/white-grand

Thanks and regards

mache wrote on 2021-01-28, 09:43:

Up! […]
Show full quote

Up!

Can someone explain me that, how could I convert a Nord Grand Piano [patchfile].npno to a DreamBlaster X2 .DXB format?

Example:
https://www.nordkeyboards.com/sound-libraries … nos/white-grand

Thanks and regards

Hello,
very briefly, it is not possible.

dreamblaster wrote on 2021-01-28, 16:58:

Hello,
very briefly, it is not possible.

Ok, thanks.
Has someone ever composed a really lifelike Grand Piano patch for the X2?

I've just bought an almost new Fatar SL-990 for my darling to her birthday, but her musician ears are very sensitive.
She prefers the natural piano touch and sounds.

So, I'd like to change the wavetable in the external soundcard box to a DreamBlaster X2, and plan to use a big, realistik piano sound set.

Have you a useful idea for this project?

Thank you

PS: Next project may be a Roland FP-30 or a an F140R.
Now I'm focusing to make Fatar and a soundcard as realistic as possible.

mache wrote on 2021-01-28, 21:25:

Ok, thanks. Has someone ever composed a really lifelike Grand Piano patch for the X2? […]
Show full quote

dreamblaster wrote on 2021-01-28, 16:58:

Hello,
very briefly, it is not possible.

Ok, thanks.
Has someone ever composed a really lifelike Grand Piano patch for the X2?

I've just bought an almost new Fatar SL-990 for my darling to her birthday, but her musician ears are very sensitive.
She prefers the natural piano touch and sounds.

So, I'd like to change the wavetable in the external soundcard box to a DreamBlaster X2, and plan to use a big, realistik piano sound set.

Have you a useful idea for this project?

Thank you

PS: Next project may be a Roland FP-30 or a an F140R.
Now I'm focusing to make Fatar and a soundcard as realistic as possible.

You may want to hook it up via a usb midi interface to a raspberry pi running Zynthian (https://www.zynthian.org/) instead.

mache wrote on 2021-01-28, 21:25:

Has someone ever composed a really lifelike Grand Piano patch for the X2?

Currently there's only my Old Piano bank in this thread (see first post) and there's an official Grand Piano Bank at http://serdaco.com/downloads/X2/?dir=X2_SoundbankPack/Piano

It is hard to bring realistic piano sound into 64mb..

appiah4 wrote on 2021-01-28, 21:31:

mache wrote on 2021-01-28, 21:25:

Ok, thanks. Has someone ever composed a really lifelike Grand Piano patch for the X2? […]
Show full quote

dreamblaster wrote on 2021-01-28, 16:58:

Hello,
very briefly, it is not possible.

Ok, thanks.
Has someone ever composed a really lifelike Grand Piano patch for the X2?

I've just bought an almost new Fatar SL-990 for my darling to her birthday, but her musician ears are very sensitive.
She prefers the natural piano touch and sounds.

So, I'd like to change the wavetable in the external soundcard box to a DreamBlaster X2, and plan to use a big, realistik piano sound set.

Have you a useful idea for this project?

Thank you

PS: Next project may be a Roland FP-30 or a an F140R.
Now I'm focusing to make Fatar and a soundcard as realistic as possible.

You may want to hook it up via a usb midi interface to a raspberry pi running Zynthian (https://www.zynthian.org/) instead.

Good idea, thank you.
Or maybe a notebook with Pianoteq 7 Stage.

Hummtaro wrote on 2021-01-28, 21:58:

mache wrote on 2021-01-28, 21:25:

Has someone ever composed a really lifelike Grand Piano patch for the X2?

Currently there's only my Old Piano bank in this thread (see first post) and there's an official Grand Piano Bank at http://serdaco.com/downloads/X2/?dir=X2_SoundbankPack/Piano

It is hard to bring realistic piano sound into 64mb..

Thanks Hummtaro.

Hummtaro wrote on 2021-01-28, 21:58:

mache wrote on 2021-01-28, 21:25:

Has someone ever composed a really lifelike Grand Piano patch for the X2?

Currently there's only my Old Piano bank in this thread (see first post) and there's an official Grand Piano Bank at http://serdaco.com/downloads/X2/?dir=X2_SoundbankPack/Piano

It is hard to bring realistic piano sound into 64mb..

In the heroic era of General MIDI ('90s) I tried to edit SBK and SF2 soundfonts.

Is it an SF editor fod X2?
Could I compose an X2 .DXB from a .WAV, .an SF2 or else files like these?
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17Zqi3CcLcxgk … Y74MjJhRnx/view

https://github.com/KaleidonKep99/Steinway-B-2 … /master/Samples

Thank you