VOGONS


New DreamBlaster S2 !

Topic actions

Reply 80 of 123, by matze79

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

Ah i remember those OPLsa Cards have Soft MIDI Emulators for Windows 3.x..
so the Card is not suitable for Windows 3.x and 2Mb/4Mb RAM Machines, when using full MIDI Music.
The Emulator uses a lot of RAM.

Anyway the Dreamblaster S2 is nice, you get what you pay for.
Some Games sound really weird 😀
Others are very well, Lands of Lore, Betrayal at Krondor..

https://www.retrokits.de - blog, retro projects, hdd clicker, diy soundcards etc
https://www.retroianer.de - german retro computer board

Reply 81 of 123, by Falcosoft

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
TimMer1981 wrote:

Are there any updates on the DreamBlaster soundbanks planned? The current highest quality Dream soundbank is a mere 13MB, and the DreamBlaster X2 has 64MB of memory. Seems like it can take a lot higher quality samples then it currently does? 😀

Yes, and the new soundbank (called GUD) has its own thread:
X2GU : New GM bank for DreamBlaster X2

Website, Facebook, Youtube
Falcosoft Soundfont Midi Player + Munt VSTi + BassMidi VSTi
VST Midi Driver Midi Mapper

Reply 82 of 123, by clueless1

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

Is there any way to get an S1 to work as the MIDI Playback device in Windows 98? I stuck mine on an SB16 on a 98SE build but Windows uses the SB for MIDI playback with no option to change the MIDI device. Granted, the S1 works fine in DOS Mode in DOS games.

The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know.
OPL3 FM vs. Roland MT-32 vs. General MIDI DOS Game Comparison
Let's benchmark our systems with cache disabled
DOS PCI Graphics Card Benchmarks

Reply 83 of 123, by derSammler

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

Yes, I use that combination. Make sure you have the MPU-401 interface listed in the device manager. You may need to install it manually. After that, you can select it in Multimedia -> MIDI.

Reply 84 of 123, by clueless1

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t
derSammler wrote:

Yes, I use that combination. Make sure you have the MPU-401 interface listed in the device manager. You may need to install it manually. After that, you can select it in Multimedia -> MIDI.

Sweet, thanks man!

The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know.
OPL3 FM vs. Roland MT-32 vs. General MIDI DOS Game Comparison
Let's benchmark our systems with cache disabled
DOS PCI Graphics Card Benchmarks

Reply 85 of 123, by TimMer1981

User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie
Falcosoft wrote:
TimMer1981 wrote:

Are there any updates on the DreamBlaster soundbanks planned? The current highest quality Dream soundbank is a mere 13MB, and the DreamBlaster X2 has 64MB of memory. Seems like it can take a lot higher quality samples then it currently does? 😀

Yes, and the new soundbank (called GUD) has its own thread:
X2GU : New GM bank for DreamBlaster X2

Nice, but still not even using half of the memory. Why? The quality of the samples could be doubled. 😀

"I will take your bones, still alive and in great pain, and make them into a chair. I will call it "My Screaming Chair". Every morning I will sit in it and listen to you scream. Any questions?"

Reply 86 of 123, by derSammler

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t
TimMer1981 wrote:

Nice, but still not even using half of the memory. Why? The quality of the samples could be doubled. 😀

And where should these samples are coming from? That bank was made from already existing samples. Feel free to sample the 128 GM instruments with higher sample rate and provide them to the Dreamblaster team.

Reply 87 of 123, by TimMer1981

User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie
derSammler wrote:
TimMer1981 wrote:

Nice, but still not even using half of the memory. Why? The quality of the samples could be doubled. 😀

And where should these samples are coming from? That bank was made from already existing samples.

And how am I supposed to know that?

Feel free to sample the 128 GM instruments with higher sample rate and provide them to the Dreamblaster team.

No need to get all smartass, just seeing a lot of technical potential go to waste. It's like buying a Ferrari and hearing afterwards that you can only drive at half of the top speed.

I paid good money for the X2 because it was flexible because of its flash memory, so is it really so weird that I expect a bit more than just two soundfonts which don't even use its full potential?

"I will take your bones, still alive and in great pain, and make them into a chair. I will call it "My Screaming Chair". Every morning I will sit in it and listen to you scream. Any questions?"

Reply 88 of 123, by derSammler

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t
TimMer1981 wrote:

And how am I supposed to know that?

Because the second sentence in the very first post of the X2GU thread, which Falcosoft gave you just a few posts before, tells you that: "It is based on the samples from the GeneralUser bank (http://www.schristiancollins.com/generaluser.php) with kind permission from Chris Collins to use these."

I paid good money for the X2 because it was flexible because of its flash memory, so is it really so weird that I expect a bit more than just two soundfonts which don't even use its full potential?

Yes, because you know what you buy when you buy it, unless you don't inform yourself and just buy stuff with wrong expectations. What comes afterwards is a (free) bonus.

Reply 89 of 123, by keropi

User metadata
Rank l33t++
Rank
l33t++

Let's keep in mind that Dream themselves provide that 13MB bank - and no higher-quality alternative AFAIK, this is what they license with every chipset sold out there.
The fact that the chipset supports 64MB doesn't necessarily mean that 64MB should be fully used to achieve the best quality - take for example the SC-55 rom: it's just 4MB.

GUD is not ready yet and it takes really really long time to organize samples, set loop points and other bazillion variants to make it sound good/correct. I've helped with testing last year and I can confess that it's not an easy job - and all I had to do was to test the banks during playback , nothing close to the technical stuff that is behind creating it. It's far beyond sticking samples with more resolution and have it work, everything must be painstakingly handcrafted and tuned in order to get decent playback out of it.

As to the X2 expectations - not aimed at anyone in particular here or trying to start a flamewar - there are various samples provided on the sales page for the available banks so I assume one liked what he heard and then buys it or not.
Is there room for improvement? Sure and that's why the GUD bank was created but surely this must be considered as a bonus when it comes and not as something that is expected 101% to happen in a preset amount of time, the fact that there is work undergoing on this alternative bank pretty amazing by itself IMHO.

🎵 🎧 PCMIDI MPU , OrpheusII , Action Rewind , Megacard and 🎶GoldLib soundcard website

Reply 90 of 123, by TimMer1981

User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie
derSammler wrote:
Because the second sentence in the very first post of the X2GU thread, which Falcosoft gave you just a few posts before, tells y […]
Show full quote
TimMer1981 wrote:

And how am I supposed to know that?

Because the second sentence in the very first post of the X2GU thread, which Falcosoft gave you just a few posts before, tells you that: "It is based on the samples from the GeneralUser bank (http://www.schristiancollins.com/generaluser.php) with kind permission from Chris Collins to use these."

I paid good money for the X2 because it was flexible because of its flash memory, so is it really so weird that I expect a bit more than just two soundfonts which don't even use its full potential?

Yes, because you know what you buy when you buy it, unless you don't inform yourself and just buy stuff with wrong expectations. What comes afterwards is a (free) bonus.

I informed myself quite well, even contacted the developer of the DreamBlaster units directly for further information.

When a commercial product is sold saying it has flashable memory, one would expect there would be a range of things to flash; not just one soundfont, one beta soundfont and a Nintendo soundfont for shits and giggles. There's also no possbility of converting other soundfonts for end users.

Would've been nice if this was made a bit more clear on the product information page. That's why I'm posting it now: for future customers.

@keropi: I understand. 😀

"I will take your bones, still alive and in great pain, and make them into a chair. I will call it "My Screaming Chair". Every morning I will sit in it and listen to you scream. Any questions?"

Reply 91 of 123, by the Goat

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member
TimMer1981 wrote:

When a commercial product is sold saying it has flashable memory, one would expect there would be a range of things to flash; not just one soundfont, one beta soundfont and a Nintendo soundfont for shits and giggles. There's also no possbility of converting other soundfonts for end users.

The Honda Accord's speedometer is capable of resolving speed up to 160mph. Do you get upset when you find out the car does not actually go that fast?

Reply 92 of 123, by dreamblaster

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

Hi, as you all know, the DreamBlaster S2 soundbank is ROM based, and cannot be updated.
So I suggest any further discussion on the GUD soundbank, take place in the GUD thread : X2GU : New GM bank for DreamBlaster X2
We are working on improving the GUD bank, and the bank is slowly growing. I will post more details in the GUD thread.
Also, I recently invested in an additional 5000 SDK, and working with a new sound designer, to bring more banks.
I hope we will have result soon, but I cannot promise.

Visit http://www.serdashop.com for retro sound cards, video converters, ...
DreamBlaster X2, S2, S2P, HDD Clicker, ... many projects !
New X2GS SE & X16GS sound card : https://www.serdashop.com/X2GS-SE ,
Thanks for your support !

Reply 93 of 123, by 640K!enough

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
dreamblaster wrote:

Hi, as you all know, the DreamBlaster S2 soundbank is ROM based, and cannot be updated.

Just out of curiosity, is the instrument bank built into a monolithic synthesizer IC, or is it in a separate mask ROM? Is the format documented, potentially allowing the use of a customised, flash-based replacement?

Reply 94 of 123, by dreamblaster

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
640K!enough wrote:

Just out of curiosity, is the instrument bank built into a monolithic synthesizer IC ?

Yes

Visit http://www.serdashop.com for retro sound cards, video converters, ...
DreamBlaster X2, S2, S2P, HDD Clicker, ... many projects !
New X2GS SE & X16GS sound card : https://www.serdashop.com/X2GS-SE ,
Thanks for your support !

Reply 95 of 123, by dreamblaster

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

I bumped into this new S2 demo on youtube today :
It shows S2 on a soundblaster 16
https://youtu.be/cDm8bDvxclc

The video also briefly shows the jumper settings on SB16 (FYI) :

jmpsettings.png
Filename
jmpsettings.png
File size
561.94 KiB
Views
1734 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception

Visit http://www.serdashop.com for retro sound cards, video converters, ...
DreamBlaster X2, S2, S2P, HDD Clicker, ... many projects !
New X2GS SE & X16GS sound card : https://www.serdashop.com/X2GS-SE ,
Thanks for your support !

Reply 97 of 123, by appiah4

User metadata
Rank l33t++
Rank
l33t++
Xeen wrote:

Is "SET MIDI=SYNTH:2 MAP:E MODE:2" command only required for SB16 (Creative cards)?

Do I need it for Audician 32 plus?

I have no such environmental variable set for my ESS cards.

Retronautics: A digital gallery of my retro computers, hardware and projects.

Reply 98 of 123, by WR3ND

User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie
dreamblaster wrote:
I bumped into this new S2 demo on youtube today : It shows S2 on a soundblaster 16 https://youtu.be/cDm8bDvxclc […]
Show full quote

I bumped into this new S2 demo on youtube today :
It shows S2 on a soundblaster 16
https://youtu.be/cDm8bDvxclc

The video also briefly shows the jumper settings on SB16 (FYI) :

jmpsettings.png

Nice. I have that same SB16 model with some minor variation differences. Hoping to pick up the S2 for it as well sooner or later. The demo Phil provided early on impressed me with how good it sounds, certainly as an expansion option to choose from. Just got a new sealed old stock of Windows for Workgroups 3.11 with MS-DOS 6.22 for that rebuild, so making some progress. Cheers.

Reply 99 of 123, by dreamblaster

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

Hi,

retrocengo reviewed the S2 on his youtube channel : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slk7-2fIjAU

Visit http://www.serdashop.com for retro sound cards, video converters, ...
DreamBlaster X2, S2, S2P, HDD Clicker, ... many projects !
New X2GS SE & X16GS sound card : https://www.serdashop.com/X2GS-SE ,
Thanks for your support !