Just checked a video walkthru of level 6 and the music sounds normal in the areas where it glitches for me. So I wonder if it's a glitch with the S1. Here is an example of an area that it sounds bad on the S1:
https://youtu.be/8gBTgrcC-3Y?t=2704

This evening I will try to make a recording to post.

Well, the last time I played two days ago this was happening regularly, even after shutting completely off and turning back on. Now that the computer has been off for two days, today I can't get it to do it again.

What computer are you running it on?

Packard Bell. Pentium Overdrive 200MMX. I almost wanted to suggest the S1 was overheating? But it only happened with a certain section of music on level 6...odd. 😒 BTW, playing now. Just flipped the jettison switch in Beta Grove. 😀

Good match that machine.

Yea not sure about that MIDI bug. Could be anything really...

FWIW, I've been playing through System Shock this week, and ran into what sounds like the same issue. This is using Dosbox and a Sound Canvas, so I assume it's a glitch with the game.

EDIT: Oh yeah, I was using the mouselook patch on my playthrough, if that makes any difference. I'm replaying it using the original exe now, but I haven't reached that far in the game yet.

Silanda wrote:

FWIW, I've been playing through System Shock this week, and ran into what sounds like the same issue. This is using Dosbox and a Sound Canvas, so I assume it's a glitch with the game.

EDIT: Oh yeah, I was using the mouselook patch on my playthrough, if that makes any difference. I'm replaying it using the original exe now, but I haven't reached that far in the game yet.

Interesting. It's actually been happening to me more and more the further I get into the game. It seems to be triggered by certain map areas where the music changes from the standard to a more "creepy" sound. Once "creepiness" music starts, it seems to mess with the standard song of the level later on. It started for me on level 6, and now happens regularly on most levels I go back to. I am running the stock DOS version--no mouselook patch. I was worried my Dreamblaster S1 was going bad, but all other General MIDI games sound normal. I think it is a bug with SS1's MIDI music.

Thanks for sharing, it makes me feel better knowing I'm not the only one hearing this. 😀

Here is a thread on GOG about this very issue...guest-starring Gerwin.
https://www.gog.com/forum/system_shock_series … y_midi_playback
Lots of misinformation in this thread that Gerwin does a good job of setting straight.

Contrary to some of the suggestions there, this is NOT a DosBOX issue, as I have the same problem in real DOS.

Are you both playing the GOG version?

I did complete the game with a SB16 and Sound Canvas wavetable board "back in the day". BUT, that was the floppy version and ran in VGA only.

PhilsComputerLab wrote:

Are you both playing the GOG version?

I did complete the game with a SB16 and Sound Canvas wavetable board "back in the day". BUT, that was the floppy version and ran in VGA only.

I am not sure which version I am using. I owned both the floppy and enhanced CD versions back in the day, but the version I am running has been in my file archives for years, and I can't remember where it originally came from. I plan on re-buying it from GOG the next time there's a sale. But the guy in the GOG thread is running the GOG version, and he's having the problem, so I'm guessing that won't fix anything.

I'd be willing to send you a saved game if you're interested in playing with it.

I will make a mental note of that issue and might check it out at a later stage. Do attach the savegame to this thread, others might want to check it out also.

PhilsComputerLab wrote:

Are you both playing the GOG version?

I did complete the game with a SB16 and Sound Canvas wavetable board "back in the day". BUT, that was the floppy version and ran in VGA only.

CD version. It happened on level 2 earlier after I died and was resurrected, and remedied itself pretty quickly. I suspect it's a glitch in the interactive music system, as it only happens when there's a transition between two music variations. Perhaps it's not properly resetting some controllers.

Here is a save game on level 6. The level is cleared so there should only be the occasional respawn to contend with. I'm right at a spot where the music transitions if you walk forward. If you go back and forth between the two areas, you should be able to make the music glitch out, though it seems to happen worse in other parts of this map.

SS1 was really one of the best games at that time ... it was 1000 miles ahead of the competition.

Tyrell