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OPL2 vs OPL3

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First post, by doublebuffer

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This topic has probably been discussed to death but I could not find really concise answer anywhere, so I have to ask from you who have experienced both of these chips, how much does the soundscape change from chip to chip? How many games are there that actually benefit from OPL3's additional features? What I have listened from countless youtube comparisons the sound quality improves a bit in OPL3 but that's about it.

Reply 1 of 4, by keenmaster486

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Music has to make specific use of the OPL3 for it to make a difference. Otherwise it just sounds exactly like OPL2.

With OPL3 you get twice the number of channels, stereo (full pan L/R), and 4-operator mode.

To get an idea of what a difference it makes, listen to the OPL2 version of Running from Evil from Doom 2, compared to Kvee's OPL3 cover of it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd5C4iqjqnY&t=15s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmA9R8bt0vE&ab_channel=kvee

Now of course some of the difference here comes from the fact that Bobby Prince (afaik) did not make any custom instruments, but kvee did. You can get a lot out of OPL chips if you are willing to painstakingly create good-sounding instruments.

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Reply 2 of 4, by Shponglefan

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There are some games that use stereo OPL3 soundtracks. The Lost Vikings and Black Thorne are a couple examples.

Dune also has a unique-sounding soundtrack with the Adlib Gold, which uses an OPL3 chip.

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Reply 3 of 4, by Gmlb256

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Cybersphere requires a sound card with OPL3 chip as it uses the additional features both sound effects and music.

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Reply 4 of 4, by Joseph_Joestar

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Some Interplay games like Descent and Stonekeep have stereo music when OPL3 is used.

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