Ozzuneoj wrote:

How common are X68000 systems outside of Japan? Or other Japanese systems for that matter? I've basically stayed away from these systems because they're so insanely rare here, it'd be hopeless trying to build one and keep it going, let alone finding additional hardware to swap.

Very uncommon. Same with PC8801, PC9801, FM Towns etc.

Ozzuneoj wrote:

I see X68000 games are selling for hundreds of dollars on eBay and there are no systems available to purchase at all. It also seems like the vast majority of the games are only available in Japanese, so unless you can read it, it'd be hard to get into them.

You'd be surprised. Obviously you wouldn't be able to get into the JRPGs, but there are a ton of arcade games for it, which rarely require Japanese knowledge. In point of fact, a lot of Japanese arcade games were originally developed using an X68K, which is why it tends to have the best ports for them (and in turn is probably why a lot of the games are so expensive now).

I never ended up buying an X68K myself because I didn't want to deal with the upkeep, instead I've gotteb a kryoflux (usb floppy controller that supports 5.25" drives), and a 5.25" drive that is compatible with the X68K disks so that I can dump them to pc and play them on an emulator.

Ozzuneoj wrote:

Some times it amazes me how vastly different the Western and Asian markets used to be with regard to computers and software. Even today, with the internet connecting everything together, the language and societal barriers almost make it seem like they're two different worlds with little casual (non-business related) interaction between them outside of specific websites. Like, there might be a Japanese forum somewhere with exactly the information I need about an old piece of hardware, but it will never come up in an internet search because it is probably called something completely different that doesn't use any western characters at all.

Yeeeeeeeeeeeees. I have run into problems like this quite a few times over the years. Sometimes machine translation or the few english-language enthusiasts that exist have helped me out, sometimes I just had to guess or give up.

gdjacobs wrote:

What do the ESS cards have for FM synth?

Except for the ES688 which usually uses an external OPL3 chip, they all have ESSFM which is IMO the best alternative to a real Yamaha OPL chip.

I'm aware of that. I asked specifically because he said he had an ES688 (and one with an ES689 WT chip).

Which device do you recommend to use with a Sound Blaster Pro 2.0 in DOS ?
1) Roland SC-55
2) Roland SC-88

Neither. I consider GM to coincide more with the wave of 16 bit cards, starting with the PAS 16 and SB 16. A SB Pro goes more with LA devices in my mind.

Also you need a sound card with an MPU-401 to drive a GM device. OP you should consider taking the time to do some research and explain what it is you're trying to do for once - i.e. show some respect for the people here who are kindly trying to answer your questions.

badmojo wrote:

Also you need a sound card with an MPU-401 to drive a GM device. OP you should consider taking the time to do some research and explain what it is you're trying to do for once - i.e. show some respect for the people here who are kindly trying to answer your questions.

I think asking here is his substitute for google

All his questions cost one another. I have a feelings that he learns nothing and did not acquire any systematization of knowledge during his stay on this forum.
Intel486dx33, please no offence. It is necessary slightly turn on brain. What is MPU-401, what is LA, what is UART, what is GM, what kind of difference 55/88 and are they both GM/GS or not.

If you will not a little do it yourself you will ask over and over again "should I buy a big truck or my Ferrari is good enough?".

^^^
Post of the week/month.

"It is necessary slightly turn on brain" is just one of these awesome phrases that should be immortalized.

"You must be this tall to ride this ride", indeed. 🤣

Ooh, here's another good one: