VOGONS


Reply 20 of 52, by m5215tx

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Phreeze wrote:

it sounds like there are instruments missing in the doom2 sound ??

I did not notice that myself when I listened to it. The Ketron SD2 is general MIDI compliant so nothing should be missing although it will, of course, have its own version of each instrument. I noticed right away that the organ and guitar instruments sounded awesome and the Mozart - Concerto K467 partial was amazing in my opinion but nothing sounded missing to me.

Roland MT-32 (old), CM-32LN, SC-55, SC-88VL, MT-120, SD-35, SD-20, SD-80, SD-90
Yamaha TG100, TG300, MDF2, MU15, MU100, MU2000EX + PLG150-DR + PLG150-PF + PLG150-VL
KORG NS5R, X5DR
AKAI SG01k
KAWAI GMega
KETRON SD2

Reply 21 of 52, by SuperDeadite

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Finally snagged a Casio GZ-50M for $30 off of yahoo. Will do recordings when I have more time, but first impressions are good.
It's a tiny unit, about half the size of the TG100, slightly bigger then an original "brick" Gameboy. Sound wise, it's certainly unique
compared to my other units. Samples are soft, seems to mostly excel at the higher pitches. I love the high-hats on this thing.
Guitars are very synthy, not even trying to be realistic. It feels like the exact opposite of my SG01k, which is strong, blaring, and totally
in-your-face sound. So far a fun little addition to the stack.

Modules: CM-64, CM-500, SC-55MkII, SC-88 Pro, SY22, TG100, MU2000EX, PLG100-SG, PLG150-DR, PLG150-AN, SG01k, NS5R, GZ-50M, SN-U110-07, SN-U110-10, Pocket Studio 5, DreamBlaster S2, X2, McFly, E-Wave, QWave, CrystalBlaster C2, Yucatan FX, BeepBlaster

Reply 22 of 52, by appiah4

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I've grown to love the Dreamblaster S2's synthy wavetable sound, and I truly love me my Dreamblaster X3M as an external module.

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

Reply 23 of 52, by SuperDeadite

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Ok, Doom for the Casio is up:
https://youtu.be/YZMJ8UxjGQ0

Modules: CM-64, CM-500, SC-55MkII, SC-88 Pro, SY22, TG100, MU2000EX, PLG100-SG, PLG150-DR, PLG150-AN, SG01k, NS5R, GZ-50M, SN-U110-07, SN-U110-10, Pocket Studio 5, DreamBlaster S2, X2, McFly, E-Wave, QWave, CrystalBlaster C2, Yucatan FX, BeepBlaster

Reply 24 of 52, by appiah4

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That sounds a lot like the drum machines we used to work with in studios in the 90s I like it but it is a bit too synthetic for a midi device no?

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

Reply 25 of 52, by yawetaG

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appiah4 wrote:

That sounds a lot like the drum machines we used to work with in studios in the 90s I like it but it is a bit too synthetic for a midi device no?

Er...the sound quality of a General Midi device depends on the internal synthesizing circuitry and output stages of the module. GM is a standarized set of instructions and parameters for 128 base instrument types (and eventual variations, depending on how the manufacturer implemented the GM standard). On some modules you can tweak so many parameters for each instrument sound that you can totally transform the sound, while on other modules you can chose a General MIDI patch set, but also freely program the synth.

As for just plain "midi device", without the "general", almost all synthesizers released after ~1985 are midi devices...MIDI is a control protocol.

Reply 26 of 52, by appiah4

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yawetaG wrote:
appiah4 wrote:

That sounds a lot like the drum machines we used to work with in studios in the 90s I like it but it is a bit too synthetic for a midi device no?

Er...the sound quality of a General Midi device depends on the internal synthesizing circuitry and output stages of the module. GM is a standarized set of instructions and parameters for 128 base instrument types (and eventual variations, depending on how the manufacturer implemented the GM standard). On some modules you can tweak so many parameters for each instrument sound that you can totally transform the sound, while on other modules you can chose a General MIDI patch set, but also freely program the synth.

As for just plain "midi device", without the "general", almost all synthesizers released after ~1985 are midi devices...MIDI is a control protocol.

Eh, I know all that. I was just saying that it sounds a bit too synthetic compared to most other external midi devices that I know of and listened to, and the drumset on it sounds like 90s drum machines we used to work with rather than the sets from say a Roland or Korg MIDI device.

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

Reply 27 of 52, by SuperDeadite

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appiah4 wrote:
yawetaG wrote:
appiah4 wrote:

That sounds a lot like the drum machines we used to work with in studios in the 90s I like it but it is a bit too synthetic for a midi device no?

Er...the sound quality of a General Midi device depends on the internal synthesizing circuitry and output stages of the module. GM is a standarized set of instructions and parameters for 128 base instrument types (and eventual variations, depending on how the manufacturer implemented the GM standard). On some modules you can tweak so many parameters for each instrument sound that you can totally transform the sound, while on other modules you can chose a General MIDI patch set, but also freely program the synth.

As for just plain "midi device", without the "general", almost all synthesizers released after ~1985 are midi devices...MIDI is a control protocol.

Eh, I know all that. I was just saying that it sounds a bit too synthetic compared to most other external midi devices that I know of and listened to, and the drumset on it sounds like 90s drum machines we used to work with rather than the sets from say a Roland or Korg MIDI device.

And that is kind of the whole point in buying it 🤣. If you look at my sig, you will notice I have a rather decent selection of modules already. When oddities like this show up for cheap, I pick them up for the fun of it. There was no way the Casio would sound more realistic them my MU2000, and I never expected it to. It's just fun pumping my favorite games through new devices when the price is right.

Modules: CM-64, CM-500, SC-55MkII, SC-88 Pro, SY22, TG100, MU2000EX, PLG100-SG, PLG150-DR, PLG150-AN, SG01k, NS5R, GZ-50M, SN-U110-07, SN-U110-10, Pocket Studio 5, DreamBlaster S2, X2, McFly, E-Wave, QWave, CrystalBlaster C2, Yucatan FX, BeepBlaster

Reply 28 of 52, by m5215tx

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I liked the sound from the Casio GZ-50M. If I can find a good deal on one I would buy it.

Roland MT-32 (old), CM-32LN, SC-55, SC-88VL, MT-120, SD-35, SD-20, SD-80, SD-90
Yamaha TG100, TG300, MDF2, MU15, MU100, MU2000EX + PLG150-DR + PLG150-PF + PLG150-VL
KORG NS5R, X5DR
AKAI SG01k
KAWAI GMega
KETRON SD2

Reply 29 of 52, by SpeedySPCFan

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Not a dedicated sound module, but I like the sound of the YMF740C that I have integrated on my SE440BX2. Not as good as a MU50, but still pretty nice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgq0wjLcFSQ

Musician & music gear/game reviewer.

MIDI hardware: JD-990, SC-55, SC-880, SD-90, VL70-m, Motif ES, Trinity, TS-10, Proteus 2000, XK-6, E6400U

Reply 30 of 52, by m5215tx

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SpeedySPCFan wrote:

Not a dedicated sound module, but I like the sound of the YMF740C that I have integrated on my SE440BX2. Not as good as a MU50, but still pretty nice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgq0wjLcFSQ

If you like Yamaha I found an independent developer that released a VSTi based on the Yamaha YMF-724 chipset. It works great and sounds awesome. I use it a lot when I don't have a real sound module with me. It's free, give it a try.

https://yadi.sk/d/c08fJIF73J4KNx

The Descent MIDI soundtrack sounds great with it as do many others!

Roland MT-32 (old), CM-32LN, SC-55, SC-88VL, MT-120, SD-35, SD-20, SD-80, SD-90
Yamaha TG100, TG300, MDF2, MU15, MU100, MU2000EX + PLG150-DR + PLG150-PF + PLG150-VL
KORG NS5R, X5DR
AKAI SG01k
KAWAI GMega
KETRON SD2

Reply 31 of 52, by K.A.R.R.

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i use the roland sound canvas va and the gravis ultrasound to play midi files

https://www.roland.com/de/products/sound_canvas_va/
https://www.roland.com/us/products/sound_canvas_va/

for ios there is a much cheaper version available

its a virtual version of a SC-8820, SC-88Pro, SC-88 and SC-55
should sound exactly the same as the real hardware
( heard that a drum kit from the va sc-55 was changed, but sc-8820 sounds the same when i compare the va version with the real sc 8820 on yt)

for mac and pc however its not standalone and you need a player like the free falconsoft midi player

Falcosoft Soundfont Midi Player + Munt VSTi + BassMidi VSTi
http://falcosoft.hu/softwares.html#midiplayer

the player has build in support for the roland sc va to show correct instrument names (for e.g. for gs midi files)
the player can also be used as vst host to use roland sc va for old dos games
with dosbox or scumm

and sometimes i use a gravis ultrasound with pro patches lite 1.61 to playback midi files.
(to play modern midi files with karaoke tracks the old gravis dos midi player ( with the famous white and blue screen) needs to be started in verbose or debug mode or it will hang, crash or don't play at all,
but so far it plays all midi files.

you have to use a svn version of dosbox for stereo sound and set cpu cycles not to high and not to low to avoid sound stutter ( i use 30.000 cycles )
it will sound exactly the same like a real (brand new) ultrasound (without worn capacitors).

roland sound canvas may have "cleaner" instruments but gravis ultrasound has its own feeling.

Reply 32 of 52, by MordekaiZeyo

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I have my Terratec DMX Xfire 1024 PCI sound card which it has pro and contra with Terratec 8MB soundfont. Tho it sounds good.

I've full Doom and Doom 2 recordings only.
The problem is Terratec own 8MB General Midi soundfont has some bugs which it won't play few instruments or it's way too quiet.

Doom Intro Theme:
https://soundcloud.com/user-322581201/1-d-int … tecxfire1024dls

Doom E1M1 - "At Doom's Gate":
https://soundcloud.com/user-322581201/2-d-e1m … tecxfire1024dls

Doom E1M2 - "The Imp's Song":
https://soundcloud.com/user-322581201/3-d-e1m … tecxfire1024dls
(It's quiet!)

Doom E1M3 - "Dark Halls":
https://soundcloud.com/user-322581201/4-d-e1m … tecxfire1024dls

Doom E1M4 - "Kitchen Ace (And Taking Names)":
https://soundcloud.com/user-322581201/5-d-e1m … tecxfire1024dls

Doom E1M8 - "Sign of Evil":
https://soundcloud.com/user-322581201/9-d-e1m … tecxfire1024dls

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Doom 2 - Title:
https://soundcloud.com/user-322581201/1-d-dm2 … tecxfire1024dls

Doom 2 - Running from Evil:
https://soundcloud.com/user-322581201/2-d-run … tecxfire1024dls

Doom 2 - Shawn's Got the Shotgun:
https://soundcloud.com/user-322581201/8-d-sha … tecxfire1024dls

Doom 2 - Into Sandy's City:
https://soundcloud.com/user-322581201/10-d-in … tecxfire1024dls

Doom 2 - The Demon's Dead:
https://soundcloud.com/user-322581201/11-d-de … tecxfire1024dls

EDIT:Done with uploading...

So...
The Terratec own 8 MB Soundfont was flawed:
d_openin.mid <- missing instruments
d_e1m2.mid <- somehow quiet
d_e1m5.mid <- missing instruments
d_e2m4.mid <- missing instruments
d_e2m6.mid <- the instruments are unbalanced
The whole OST are a bit unbalanced with the volume level etc.

With my opinion. Dreamblaster X2 with the original Dreamblaster X2 soundbank it sounds way better, cleaner and well balanced than this.

Last edited by MordekaiZeyo on 2018-01-02, 13:55. Edited 6 times in total.

Intel Pentium 3-S 1266Mhz | 512 MB DDR-400 @SD-RAM PC133 | Elitegroup P6S5AT | Galaxy Geforce 6600 GT AGP @4x AGP | Terratec Xfire 1024 PCI Soundcard with Dreamblaster X2
Windows 2000 Pro SP4

Reply 33 of 52, by appiah4

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K.A.R.R. wrote:

i use the roland sound canvas va and the gravis ultrasound to play midi files

...

Forgive my ignorance, but can this be used alongside DOSBOX as an emulated GM device?

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

Reply 34 of 52, by m5215tx

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appiah4 wrote:

Forgive my ignorance, but can this be used alongside DOSBOX as an emulated GM device?

I know that the Roland Sound Canvas VA can be used as a GM device for Dosbox. I assume the Gravis Ultrasound can as well but I am not sure on that.

Roland MT-32 (old), CM-32LN, SC-55, SC-88VL, MT-120, SD-35, SD-20, SD-80, SD-90
Yamaha TG100, TG300, MDF2, MU15, MU100, MU2000EX + PLG150-DR + PLG150-PF + PLG150-VL
KORG NS5R, X5DR
AKAI SG01k
KAWAI GMega
KETRON SD2

Reply 36 of 52, by appiah4

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derSammler wrote:

The GUS is emulated in DOSBox, so there's no need to use/have a real one for it. Just make sure it's enabled in dosbox.conf and install the GUS software.

Presumably this ought to be a more accurate emulation of sc88 and gus hardware?

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

Reply 37 of 52, by chinny22

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MordekaiZeyo wrote:
I have my Terratec DMX Xfire 1024 PCI sound card which it has pro and contra with Terratec 8MB soundfont. Tho it sounds good. […]
Show full quote

I have my Terratec DMX Xfire 1024 PCI sound card which it has pro and contra with Terratec 8MB soundfont. Tho it sounds good.

I've full Doom and Doom 2 recordings only.
The problem is Terratec own 8MB General Midi soundfont has some bugs which it won't play few instruments or it's way too quiet.

Doom Intro Theme:
https://soundcloud.com/user-322581201/1-d-int … tecxfire1024dls

Doom E1M1 - "At Doom's Gate":
https://soundcloud.com/user-322581201/2-d-e1m … tecxfire1024dls

Doom E1M2 - "The Imp's Song":
https://soundcloud.com/user-322581201/3-d-e1m … tecxfire1024dls
(It's quiet!)

Doom E1M3 - "Dark Halls":
https://soundcloud.com/user-322581201/4-d-e1m … tecxfire1024dls

Doom E1M4 - "Kitchen Ace (And Taking Names)":
https://soundcloud.com/user-322581201/5-d-e1m … tecxfire1024dls

Doom E1M8 - "Sign of Evil":
https://soundcloud.com/user-322581201/9-d-e1m … tecxfire1024dls

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Doom 2 - Title:
https://soundcloud.com/user-322581201/1-d-dm2 … tecxfire1024dls

Doom 2 - Running from Evil:
https://soundcloud.com/user-322581201/2-d-run … tecxfire1024dls

Doom 2 - Shawn's Got the Shotgun:
https://soundcloud.com/user-322581201/8-d-sha … tecxfire1024dls

Doom 2 - Into Sandy's City:
https://soundcloud.com/user-322581201/10-d-in … tecxfire1024dls

Doom 2 - The Demon's Dead:
https://soundcloud.com/user-322581201/11-d-de … tecxfire1024dls

EDIT:Done with uploading...

So...
The Terratec own 8 MB Soundfont was flawed:
d_openin.mid <- missing instruments
d_e1m2.mid <- somehow quiet
d_e1m5.mid <- missing instruments
d_e2m4.mid <- missing instruments
d_e2m6.mid <- the instruments are unbalanced
The whole OST are a bit unbalanced with the volume level etc.

With my opinion. Dreamblaster X2 with the original Dreamblaster X2 soundbank it sounds way better, cleaner and well balanced than this.

Listing to this in the background, I really like the way some of the Doom 2 songs sound!

Reply 38 of 52, by K.A.R.R.

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back in these days i sold my sb awe 32 and bought a terratec maestro 32/96 which had a nice wavetable from dream
with 4 mb rom from roland sound canvas
sound was great for midis
http://www.amoretro.de/wp-content/uploads/m3296.jpg

i still remember to make the soundcard fully work with my pentium 133 i had to buy a new asus board, because my old no name board had problems with plug and play.

here a few recordings from the gravis ultrasound with ppl 1.61 patches
(the sound canvas va sounds a bit better but ultrasound is not too bad 😎 )

all music was recorded from midi files with gravis dos midi player

doom 1 map 1
http://www82.zippyshare.com/v/F1YsHAfk/file.html

doom 2 map 1
http://www82.zippyshare.com/v/WbzWNdeL/file.html

monkey island
http://www82.zippyshare.com/v/lbSOOWFf/file.html

and here 4 "normal" songs 😀

max mutzke - can't wait until tonight
http://www82.zippyshare.com/v/RwWd3Edq/file.html

star wash - disco fans
http://www82.zippyshare.com/v/Os0Pentw/file.html

u96 - inside your dreams
http://www82.zippyshare.com/v/Ha4VeQ6r/file.html

modern talking - sexy sexy lover
http://www82.zippyshare.com/v/zNvakPkL/file.html

after i have installed roland sc va again i can record the same midis again if smb like.

Reply 39 of 52, by K.A.R.R.

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so i installed sound canvas va
haven't used it for a while but now with my computer connected to my new stereo
(yamaha mcr 870d with build in usb dac)
i forgot how good the sound canvas is. much better than ultrasound 😎

here are the songs with latest sound canvas va 1.1.1
in roland sc-8820 mode
effects are set to factory default (changed only by midi file itself)
played with falcosoft midi player in default setup.

doom 1 map 1
http://www118.zippyshare.com/v/TSwVhVhs/file.html

doom 2 map 1
http://www118.zippyshare.com/v/sFjyyjoL/file.html

monkey island
http://www118.zippyshare.com/v/LsTs388p/file.html

max mutzke - can't wait until tonight
http://www118.zippyshare.com/v/pzWwvGAQ/file.html

star wash - disco fans
http://www118.zippyshare.com/v/3dpdcAFx/file.html
(the little clicks during the songs silent parts are normal and part of the song)

u96 - inside your dreams
http://www118.zippyshare.com/v/Fhrxn4Bq/file.html

modern talking - sexy sexy lover
http://www118.zippyshare.com/v/J8zkqZ8K/file.html

while recording i noticed a problem with the ultrasound
with many modern files the player cannot play the songs right
here a good example
modern talking - you are not alone

here with ultrasound
http://www118.zippyshare.com/v/zxsAoxR9/file.html

here with sc va 8820
http://www118.zippyshare.com/v/luRRb2NI/file.html

as different as day and night 😎