VOGONS


X2GU : New GM bank for DreamBlaster X2

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First post, by dreamblaster

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Doppler and I have been working on a new General MIDI bank for DreamBlaster X2, the past months.
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.
Doppler has been tweaking and tuning, to achieve a similar inter-instrument balance as SC-55, but with our own characteristic sound. 😎

We have reached beta testing stage, the current size of the bank is 27 mbytes and contains all GM instruments, so still plenty of room on X2 (has 64 mbyte of flash).
Many game soundtracks already sound great, some instruments still need tweaking.
If you have a DreamBlaster X2 and are interested in structured beta testing, feel free to pm me.
When the bank is ready (after beta testing), I will make it available as a free download for use with DreamBlaster X2.
You can easily upload the bank using usb, check out the user manual and software utils on this page : http://www.serdashop.com/DreamBlasterX2

I will post progress and sound samples in this thread.

Last edited by dreamblaster on 2017-02-26, 21:55. Edited 1 time in total.

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 1 of 127, by dreamblaster

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Here's a first recording with X2GU 0.02 : Doom ep.3, mission 8 :
https://soundcloud.com/dreamblaster/x2-x2gu-b … nkbeta-doome3m8

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 2 of 127, by Skyscraper

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Nice!

I need to allocate some of my retro computer money to actually buying a few DreamBlaster X2 synths for my gaming rigs, not just thinking about it! 😀

Next months "retro computer money" is already spent but there is always April !:D

New PC: i9 12900K @5GHz all cores @1.2v. MSI PRO Z690-A. 32GB DDR4 3600 CL14. 3070Ti.
Old PC: Dual Xeon X5690@4.6GHz, EVGA SR-2, 48GB DDR3R@2000MHz, Intel X25-M. GTX 980ti.
Older PC: K6-3+ 400@600MHz, PC-Chips M577, 256MB SDRAM, AWE64, Voodoo Banshee.

Reply 3 of 127, by dreamblaster

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Here's another recording with the 0.02 bank : Tie Fighter theme :
https://soundcloud.com/dreamblaster/x2-x2gu-b … iefighter-title

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 4 of 127, by gdjacobs

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This is awesome. Having a good stable of house tweaked soundfonts is key to demonstrating the power and versatility of the product.

Programmability is something 99% of daughterboards don't feature and most sound cards with programmable synth chipsets are either limited (in the case of Creative EMU8k cards which have poor DOS support) or don't have good tool support or significant soundfont resources (SAM9407).

I believe the X2 can fundamentally change this. I'm also hoping that translation tools from SF2 or DLS format will become available to unleash even more flexibility down the road.

All hail the Great Capacitor Brand Finder

Reply 5 of 127, by keropi

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here are a couple of ROTT recordings with the new X2 bank - when it is finished the end result will be AWESOME

https://soundcloud.com/user-919839499/rott-bu … d-and-amazed-x2
https://soundcloud.com/user-919839499/rott-th … -way-chamber-x2

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

Reply 7 of 127, by keropi

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here are some more tunes:

Descent menu: https://soundcloud.com/user-919839499/descent-title-x2
Realms of Arkania 2 start area & tavern: https://soundcloud.com/user-919839499/realms- … t-areatavern-x2

anyone else flashed the beta bank?

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

Reply 9 of 127, by keropi

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^ here it is 😀

https://soundcloud.com/user-919839499/e1m1-x2

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

Reply 10 of 127, by keropi

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new version of the bank, still beta but improved several samples... great work!
here are a couple of recordings from some well known tracks:

Rise of the Triad - Run Like Smeg : https://soundcloud.com/user-919839499/rott-ru … e-smeg-x2-gud05
Duke Nukem 3D - Gotham: https://soundcloud.com/user-919839499/dn3d-gotham-x2-gud05

any requests? ask! 😊

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

Reply 11 of 127, by Whiskey

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This new GM font is sounding great. Looking forward to hearing what Monkey Island's intro music sounds like with it (, the default dream banks are a little unbalanced for it).

I stream retro games every wednesday here & I dump the recordings here

Reply 12 of 127, by dreamblaster

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X2 MONKEY ISLAND1 GM THEME : using GUD05 BETA BANK : https://soundcloud.com/dreamblaster/x2_monkeyisland1_gud05

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 13 of 127, by dreamblaster

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A public beta of the GUD GM bank is now available for download here : GUD 0.6 (= beta 6)
http://serdaco.com/downloads/X2/X2_SoundbankPack/GM/GUD/

You can upload this to your X2 over usb using the uploader tool.
(see user manual http://serdaco.com/downloads/X2/X2_Documentation/ ).

We used AuditPreset.DXP while creating the soundbank,
you can also download this from http://serdaco.com/downloads/X2/X2_SoundbankPack/GM/GUD/
if you like to have the same sonic setting on your X2.

Let me know what sounds good, and what should be changed.

Find below the readme text I included with the bank.

Grtz
S

22/04/2017  :  GUD GM Bank, version 0.6 beta 

28 mbyte General MIDI soundbank binary for use in Serdaco soundcards.
(for example X2).

This bank was made available for download at
http://serdaco.com/downloads/X2/X2_SoundbankPack/GM/GUD/

Based on the General User soundbank samples with kind permission of Christian Collins.
Greetings to the vogons community !
A giant thanks to Doppler for his huge and excellent help on composing and tuning this GUD bank !
Thanks to keropi for help in soundbank testing.

Soundbank binary (c) 2017 Serdaco BVBA, Belgium
Permitted to use the soundbank binary on soundcards by Serdaco BVBA
Samples used with permission, see http://www.schristiancollins.com/generaluser.php for the original work.

Instrument Map :

128 program changes - 1 drumset

0: 0-Stereo Grand
1: 1-Bright Grand
2: 2-Electric Grand
3: 3-Honky-Tonk
4: 4-Tine Electric Piano
5: 5-FM Electric Piano
6: 6-Harpischord
7: 7-Clavinet
8: 8-Celeste
9: 9-Glockenspiel
10: 10-Music Box
11: 11-Vibraphone
12: 12-Marimba
13: 13-Xylophone
14: 14-Tubular Bells
15: 15-Dulcimer
16: 16-Tonewheel Organ
17: 17-Percussive Organ
18: 18-Rock Organ
19: 19-Pipe Organ
20: 20-Reed Organ
21: 21-Accordian
22: 22-Harmonica
23: 23-Bandoneon
24: 24-Nylon Guitar
25: 25-Steel Guitar
26: 26-Jazz Guitar
27: 27-Clean Guitar
28: 28-Muted Guitar
29: 29-Overdrive Guitar
30: 30-Distortion Guitar
31: 31-Guitar Harmonics
32: 32-Acoustic Bass
33: 33-Finger Bass
34: 34-Pick Bass
35: 35-Fretless Bass
36: 36-Slap Bass 1
37: 37-Slap Bass 2
38: 38-Synth Bass 1
Show last 156 lines
 39: 39-Synth Bass 2 
40: 40-Violin
41: 41-Viola
42: 42-Cello
43: 43-Double Bass
44: 44-Stereo Strings Trem
45: 45-Pizzicato Strings
46: 46-Orchestral Harp
47: 47-Timpani
48: 48-Stereo Strings Fast
49: 49-Stereo Strings Slow
50: 50-Synth Strings 1
51: 51-Synth Strings 2
52: 52-Concert Choir
53: 53-Voice OOhs
54: 54-Synth Voice
55: 55-Orchestral Hit
56: 56-Trumpet
57: 57-Trombone
58: 58-Tuba
59: 59-Muted Trumpet
60: 60-French Horns
61: 61-Brass Section
62: 62-Synth Brass 1
63: 63-Synth Brass 2
64: 64-Soprano Sax
65: 65-Alto Sax
66: 66-Tenor Sax
67: 67-Baritone Sax
68: 68-Oboe
69: 69-English Horn
70: 70-Bassoon
71: 71-Clarinet
72: 72-Piccolo
73: 73-Flute
74: 74-Recorder
75: 75-Pan Flute
76: 76-Bottle Blow
77: 77-Shakuhachi
78: 78-Irish Thin Whistle
79: 79-Ocarina
80: 80-Square Lead
81: 81-Saw Lead
82: 82-Synth Calliope
83: 83-Chiffer Lead
84: 84-Charang
85: 85-Solo Vox
86: 86-5th Saw Wave
87: 87-Bass & Lead
88: 88-Fantasia
89: 89-Warm Pad
90: 90-Polysynth
91: 91-Space Voice
92: 92-Bowed Glass
93: 93-Metal Pad
94: 94-Halo Pad
95: 95-Sweep Pad
96: 96-Ice Rain
97: 97-Soundtrack
98: 98-Crystal
99: 99-Atmosphere
100: 100-Brightness
101: 101-Goblin
102: 102-Echo Drops
103: 103-Star Theme
104: 104-Sitar
105: 105-Banjo
106: 106-Shamisen
107: 107-Koto
108: 108-Kalimba
109: 109-Bagpipes
110: 110-Fiddle
111: 111-Shenai
112: 112-Tinker Bell
113: 113-Carillon
114: 114-Steel Drums
115: 115-Woodblock
116: 116-Taiko Drum
117: 117-Melodic Tom
118: 118-Synth Drum
119: 119-Reverse Cymbal
120: 120-Fret Noise
121: 121-Breath Noise
122: 122-Seashore
123: 123-Birds
124: 124-Telephone
125: 125-Helicopter
126: 126-Applause
127: 127-Gun Shot


1 drumset
----

Note Pc: 0
27 D127-Filter Snap
28 D128-Slap
29 D129-Scratch Push
30 D130-Scratch Pull
31 D131-Sticks
32 D132-Square Click
33 D133-TR808 Click
34 D134-TR808 Click Carillon
35 D135-Standard Kick2
36 D136-Standard Kick3
37 D137-Jazz Rim Shot
38 D138-Jazz Standard Snare
39 D139-Hand Clap
40 D140-Standard Snare 3
41 D141-Standard Tom 5 Lower
42 D142-Hi-Hat Closed Soft
43 D143-Standard Tom 5
44 D144-Hi-Hat Pedal
45 D145-Standard Tom 4
46 D146-Hi-Hat Open
47 D147-Standard Tom 3
48 D148-Standard Tom 2
49 D149-Crash Lower
50 D150-Standard Tom 1
51 D151-Ride Cymbal
52 D152-Chinese Cymbal
53 D153-Ride Bell
54 D154-Tambourine
55 D155-Splash Cymbal
56 D156-Cowbell
57 D157-Crash
58 D158-Vibra Slap
59 D159-Ride Cymbal
60 D160-Bongo Rim
61 D161-Bongo Tone
62 D162-Conga High Muted
63 D163-Conga High Open
64 D164-Tumba Low
65 D165-Timbale Rim
66 D166-Timbale Low
67 D167-agogo
68 D168-agogo
69 D169-Cabasa
70 D170-Maracas
71 D171-Whistle Short
72 D172-Whistle Long
73 D173-Guiro Short
74 D174-Guiro Long
75 D175-Claves
76 D176-Woodblock high
77 D177-Woodblock low
78 D178-Cuica Open
79 D179-Cuica Open
80 D180-Traingle Perc short
81 D181-Traingle Perc
82 D182-Shaker
83 D183-Jingle Bell
84 D184-Chimes
85 D185-Castanetes
86 D186-Surdo Muted
87 D187-Surdo Open

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 14 of 127, by keropi

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Awesome, it would be nice to hear feedback from another set of ears 😁 🤣
This is still BETA, so even the smallest report can affect and change this for the better 😊

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

Reply 15 of 127, by dreamblaster

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Here's a recording of DOOM 1 E1 M1 using the GUD 0.6 bank on X2

Filename
X2_GUD06_DOOM1_E1M1.mp3
File size
2.93 MiB
Downloads
136 downloads
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 17 of 127, by dreamblaster

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Changes from 0.5 to 0.6 :
- relative balance of all instruments changed according to test by ear.
- fixed various tuning errors in instruments.

System shock should sound better now, still not perfect.

Filename
X2_GUD06_SYSTEMSHOCK_INTRO.mp3
File size
3.9 MiB
Downloads
118 downloads
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 18 of 127, by derSammler

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System shock should sound better now, still not perfect.

I guess "better" is a matter of definition in this case. 😉

Still nice work, many games sound really nice with it.

btw, MidiPlayer comes with a 32 mb soundfont called "Reality_GMGS_falcomod" in SF2 format. Is it possible to convert that one to be used on the X2?

Reply 19 of 127, by clueless1

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Somehow I completely missed this thread until now. 😲

I think it would be helpful when posting tunes to also post the same tune played with the default X2 sound bank to help hear the difference in the new one.

It will be hard to please everyone because sound can be so subjective, and it seems a tweak to make one game sound better could have a negative effect on a different game.

That said, in my personal opinion, this is the standard by which E1M1 should be compared:
https://soundcloud.com/philscomputerlab/doom- … each-santa-cruz
For whatever reason this card plays this song better (IMO) than any other GM device.

It would be useful to pick a handful of the most well-known GM songs in a variety of instruments styles, along with the gold standard for that song (be it an SC-55, Yamaha, etc), and use those for baselines. Maybe set up a soundcloud page to make it easy for the listener to compare the ideal to the X2 default and current X2 beta and provide feedback.

Some song suggestions:
[rock-based]
Doom E1M1
Duke Grabbag
[orchestral]
Star Wars theme variations (X-Wing/Tie Fighter)
Wing Commander 3
Betrayal at Krondor
[synthy]
Descent title music
System Shock theme

These songs are mostly well-known, so the listener will be more invested in having an opinion.

Betrayal at Krondor is an interesting option because it *includes* a CD-Audio version which is their gold standard GM recording:
https://youtu.be/LbmXGZUpfsQ?t=793
Making it easy to compare to your own GM playback device:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcdNsnZymUk (Adlib, MT-32 and Sound Canvas switching)

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