Some Pinball-Games do have the "Adlib" Soundoption and should work too. (PD1/PD2/PF)

So, somewhat unrelated to...most applications of this device, I’m gathering, but here goes.

I, an idiot, am trying to use my OPL3LPT with this: http://fm801.kewl.org/app/about/

Cool. Very good. Slight problem: Windows. datajake1999’s OPL3EMU seemed...promising, but of course its job is to act as a MIDI synth device under windows, where Freq Monster seems to be doing direct access to the OPL3. For giggles, I tried forcing FM801 to use both OPL3 mode and SBPro2.0 mode, and pointed them at 0x378, but still no luck. I...think? It might be initializing the OPL3, but trying to play notes definitely does nothing. Is the base address of LPT1 the correct port address to be starting at?

Current setup is a ThinkPad T41 with Windows XP SP3 using giveio.sys for usermode IO access; next step is to try it under Win98 to sidestep giveio.

Tested the OPL3LPT using AdLib Tracker II on a Toshiba Libretto running Win95; works just fine. FM801 on the Libretto’s internal OPL3 works okay too, so it’s something in the way I’m setting up the OPL3LPT in FM801, or some driver functionality it’s relying on that there’s no OPL3LPT equivalent for.

I just want to play an OPL3 with a keytar, damnit.

Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one.

Started out by hacking a new DLL together to replace the YMF262 emulator that Freq Monster 801 was using with functions that just did I/O directly to the OPL3LPT, but wasn't particularly happy about the approach. Contacted the software's author to see about either having him add direct support for the OPL3LPT, or letting me add it. He opted for the former.

So, if anyone cares particularly, there should be a 6-operator FM synth frontend for Windows 95 to XP available soon which supports the OPL3LPT. Live your best Sound Blaster chiptune dreams.

kvanderlaag wrote:

So, if anyone cares particularly, there should be a 6-operator FM synth frontend for Windows 95 to XP available soon which supports the OPL3LPT. Live your best Sound Blaster chiptune dreams.

Looking forward to it !

I can help you with this project, if you are interested.

datajake1999 wrote:

I can help you with this project, if you are interested.

I appreciate the offer! Using some of the code I supplied as a base, Darron has provided me with a version of the application which can use the OPL3LPT as output, and it's working well so far; my understanding is that he's going to clean up his changes to the code sometime and publicly release a new version with support built-in.

However, I have been thinking that it would be fun to extract the functionality of the Adlib Tracker II instrument editor into a Windows frontend and allow the user to map MIDI controls to parameters; the ability to load AT2 patches and play them from a MIDI controller alone would be a boon. I know I miss the MIDI synth mode from earlier versions.

Are there any interesting applications of the OPL3LPT that I'm missing that would be a better use of time?

I have a FSC-D1026 Deluxe-MB with a CS4232 on it. SBpro sounds superbe on it, but FM is sometimes good, sometimes terribly off.
Afaik I should be able to completly disable the FM on that Codec, so 388h? should be totally free.
What would be the best Option for me if I had to consider that I need a midi-device too in that setup?

That is what I want to add:
- FM Opl2/3
- MIDI Mpu401i and General Midi

That is what I have:
- Joystick-Port on Mainboard
- free ISA Slot

I own MT-32 CML-32 and SC55. (but I mostly use the DreamBlaster S2 for GM in other Setups)

Thx for an advice.

Doc

dr.zeissler wrote:

I have a FSC-D1026 Deluxe-MB with a CS4232 on it. SBpro sounds superbe on it, but FM is sometimes good, sometimes terribly off.
Afaik I should be able to completly disable the FM on that Codec, so 388h? should be totally free.

If we're talking about using the OPL3LPT for FM, and you're running the adlipt TSR, it shouldn't matter if FM is disabled. The TSR hooks port writes to 388h and redirects them through the OPL3LPT. Doing this through Windows is slightly more problematic, so it depends on your use case.

dr.zeissler wrote:

What would be the best Option for me if I had to consider that I need a midi-device too in that setup? […]
Show full quote

What would be the best Option for me if I had to consider that I need a midi-device too in that setup?

That is what I want to add:
- FM Opl2/3
- MIDI Mpu401i and General Midi

That is what I have:
- Joystick-Port on Mainboard
- free ISA Slot

It sounds like an OPL3LPT would meet your needs for FM synthesis; I'm not totally familiar with MPU-401 interfaces so maybe I'll let someone else speak to that, but if you can get MPU-401 I/O from an ISA card or using a driver for the existing Gameport on your motherboard, I would suspect that would work.

dr.zeissler wrote:

I own MT-32 CML-32 and SC55. (but I mostly use the DreamBlaster S2 for GM in other Setups)

Thx for an advice.

Doc

OPL3LPT -> FM
Existing SBPro clone -> PCM
MPU driver to MT-32 or SC-55 -> MIDI

Now, mixing all of those sources together to play back without needing three pairs of speakers is another story. 😀

Yeah it would be cool to have LineIN on these LPT Plugs so you can mix In your existing Soundcard, specially for the S2P LPT Midiwavetable.

matze79 wrote:

Yeah it would be cool to have LineIN on these LPT Plugs so you can mix In your existing Soundcard, specially for the S2P LPT Midiwavetable.

Yes, nice idea!

Hi
if there's sufficient interest, i will make a batch of these 'Big Blue' style OPL3LPT enclosures.
To get an idea, could you post here if you are interested ?
For existing OPL3LPT owners, I will give it away for free with a next order from serdashop (but please mail me in advance so I can reserve it and make sure you get it)
The print is not perfect yet, we are trying to improve.

Interested, as always 😁

hard1k wrote:

Interested, as always 😁

Excellent, reserved!

I just bought one, anxiously waiting for it to arrive.

Do you know how much current does OPL3LPT draw/needs?

The only way I can think of to draw 5V from my 486DX laptop is via the PS/2 port. A quick check online shows that the VCC connector supplies 5V with max 275mA.
The other alternative solution is to insert a credit-card sized powerbank into the PCMCIA slot 🤣.

yansern wrote:

I just bought one, anxiously waiting for it to arrive. […]
Show full quote

I just bought one, anxiously waiting for it to arrive.

Do you know how much current does OPL3LPT draw/needs?

The only way I can think of to draw 5V from my 486DX laptop is via the PS/2 port. A quick check online shows that the VCC connector supplies 5V with max 275mA.
The other alternative solution is to insert a credit-card sized powerbank into the PCMCIA slot 🤣.

Try the alternative solution, don't screw around with the PS/2 port.

yansern wrote:

Do you know how much current does OPL3LPT draw/needs?

Approx 30mA

OPL3LPT "Big Blue" edition covers are ready !!!
I am very happy with the print quality !!

Interesting project. I have some OPL ISA cards still.
In my opinion this would be the perfect frontend:
https://github.com/jpcima/ADLplug
Just it should be modified so it uses the real hardware instead of an emulator.
Cheers

Well, I got a surprise package from Serdaco today. This is very unexpected and I am not sure what to say about it.
Thanks for the package Dreamblaster!

What he sent me is an extra OPL3LPT with the black colour cover and a loose "Big Blue" edition cover.
I already had a OPL3LPT with the red colour cover so I now have the whole set of covers I think.

oh, and if you wonder what the "demopack" from the note is about then check this other thread: The Unofficial OPL2LPT and OPL3LPT demopack (for convienient testing of Adpatch)

OPL3LPT. big blue edition, review by retrocengo :
https://youtu.be/RkDiIpVpDrg