slai50 wrote on 2021-08-13, 02:53:
I see, if I plan on leaving everything on the soundcard on its default settings and just use the Yamaha OPL3, no crystal FM can I get away with not using orphinit? When would I want to use the crystal FM over the OPL3?
Because of the design of the Orpheus card, you generally have to use some sort of software to configure and initialise the card, especially for DOS-based usage. Beyond just assigning the card's resources in a predictable way, you need the correct mode to be selected and the mixer to be set up. Even if your system has a PnP BIOS, I wouldn't make any bets about the resources it will assign. Whether you use UNISOUND, ORPHINIT or the (terrible) Crystal CWDINIT is your choice.
If your card has that option, the only part that doesn't need any software to get working is the PCMIDI portion.
For the record, both UNISOUND and ORPHINIT allow you to choose whether you want genuine OPL3 or Crystal FM in real DOS. Generally, OPL3 is preferred, and you would only use Crystal FM as a curiosity; to experience something a little different.