dreamblaster wrote:

If you choose the non-tracked shipping, it is sent as a normal airmail priority letter, no tracking number, no signoff.

Thanks for the quick reply, I'll ask at the Post Office.

I have been waiting for this 😀 However, I had planned on reading up on midi before buying anything and I have not done so yet.

I feel a bit stupid for asking; but what is the difference between the S1 and the X2? What would make me choose one or the other? Let's say that money doesn't matter, is the X2 always the better choice or are they two different things? I have SB16's, AWE32 and AWE64 (gold) cards available, and Yamaha Audician also.

If anyone could explain this a bit to me I'd feel more confident. Thanks!

Cyrix200+ wrote:

I have been waiting for this 😀 However, I had planned on reading up on midi before buying anything and I have not done so yet.

I feel a bit stupid for asking; but what is the difference between the S1 and the X2? What would make me choose one or the other? Let's say that money doesn't matter, is the X2 always the better choice or are they two different things? I have SB16's, AWE32 and AWE64 (gold) cards available, and Yamaha Audician also.

If anyone could explain this a bit to me I'd feel more confident. Thanks!

Well S1 is smaller, cheaper, a hardware synth that sounds in between FM and Wavetable, very characteristic sound and a great match for retro gaming soundtracks :
You can see a review by Phil here : https://youtu.be/GWXRJGTMlkU

X2 is a different league, much more powerful, more realistic sound. It is technically a better card, higher polyphony, better DAC,....
The card format is a slightly larger, but still should also fit any soundcard with waveblaster connector.
Additionally you can use it as USB MIDI module on a modern PC as well, and it is more tweakable.
But there is no 'S1' soundbank on X2, they sure sound different.
Phil has received an X2 prototype already, I think he will do an X2 review in december on his youtube channel.
If you like them both and money doesn't matter, just get them both, I think it is a good deal.

dreamblaster wrote:

Well I can tell you already, there will be 2 windows tools, that lift it above the average waveblaster card : […]
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Well I can tell you already, there will be 2 windows tools, that lift it above the average waveblaster card :

1/ Preset Editor : Edit acoustic configuration patch files (.DXP = DreamBlaster X2 Preset File Format) :
Options I am working on are : Detailed Reverb/Room and Chorus characteristics, 2 band equalizer, output gain setting and Swap Stereo L/R
This allows to customize sound characteristics to match your taste and setup.

2/ X2 USB uploader tool : upload a soundbank (.DXB) and acoustic preset file (.DXP) to the card. The soundbank and preset are stored in flash on the card and loaded at powerup. So you don't need any TSR or sysex commands when used in DOS or any other project.

By the way, besides plugging on a soundcard's waveblaster pin header, you can also use X2 as an USB-MIDI module with dosbox (for example).

Will it be possible to release either specs or a library to allow editing and upload on non Windows platforms? Not sure if you're embargoed by the chipset manufacturer.

gdjacobs wrote:

Will it be possible to release either specs or a library to allow editing and upload on non Windows platforms? Not sure if you're embargoed by the chipset manufacturer.

Preset editor : should be no problem, .DXP preset format is a pretty simple format, i designed myself. Can release the specs when it is final, if someone wants to make a different editor.

X2 USB Uploader tool : I need to ask, this is a Dream proprietary protocol, they were very kind to let me make my own upload tool version, but I did sign an NDA, not allowed to release information without permission.

Great, thanks! I'll sleep on it (and figure out a way to tell my girlfriend 😉)

dreamblaster wrote:

*snip* […]
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*snip*

Well S1 is smaller, cheaper, a hardware synth that sounds in between FM and Wavetable, very characteristic sound and a great match for retro gaming soundtracks :
You can see a review by Phil here : https://youtu.be/GWXRJGTMlkU

X2 is a different league, much more powerful, more realistic sound. It is technically a better card, higher polyphony, better DAC,....
The card format is a slightly larger, but still should also fit any soundcard with waveblaster connector.
Additionally you can use it as USB MIDI module on a modern PC as well, and it is more tweakable.
But there is no 'S1' soundbank on X2, they sure sound different.
Phil has received an X2 prototype already, I think he will do an X2 review in december on his youtube channel.
If you like them both and money doesn't matter, just get them both, I think it is a good deal.

Cyrix200+ wrote:

Great, thanks! I'll sleep on it (and figure out a way to tell my girlfriend 😉)

How about put it on your Christmas list that you give her. 😀

I told myself that I shouldn't spend so much money, but I still preordered. Maybe now I'll finally move my X1 from main PC to retro PC.

dreamblaster wrote:

Hi FuzzyLogic. Yes, you have a good point in theory, and I did ask this to my accountant before. I follow his recommendation now […]
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Hi FuzzyLogic. Yes, you have a good point in theory, and I did ask this to my accountant before.
I follow his recommendation now : for small orders (<500 euro) just charge Belgian VAT, as if it was purchased locally, to avoid extra costs and overhead. This is accepted by Belgian Tax authorities.
Alternative, to consider for larger orders, is 'official export' : I need a proof of EU-export (from Customs) for each exported order, otherwise VAT is due anyway.
My accountant in fact recommended to sell within EU only, and use a distributor in the target country (or at least go through a pro shipping company), if I want to export this way, so that all is handled correctly. (But I don't have such large orders).

.....
Anyway I'd love to focus on fine tuning X2 features for you all the coming days, more info coming soon.
Thanks for your support !!

Sorry VAT bureaucracy is such a hassle for small businesses in Belgium, but I understand. I have placed my order and am excited about getting both the X2 and S1.

Also, Phil, where's that review? 😈

FuzzyLogic wrote:

Also, Phil, where's that review? 😈

+1 😁

Thanks all for your enthousiasm and orders, so warmly appreciated !
Phil will need my final version of the X2 tweaking tools for an in depth review.
Sorry for the delay, working on it, I want it to be perfect for release and review 😊 .

But maybe an X2 sneak peek if we ask him nicely 😉.
Because even out of the box, X2 rrruuuuulezz ! You will hear 😀.

If someone wants to hear comparisons here are few samples of different wavetables (X1 and S1 included):
http://www.wavetable.nl/category/comparisons/

I finally ordered myself an S1 edition 2017 to plug it in Yamaha Audician 32. It's going to be a great all-rounder sound card after that for my 486 machine! 😊

So what sound cards is this board compatible with? This looks interesting but not sure it will work with any card I own.

snorg wrote:

So what sound cards is this board compatible with? This looks interesting but not sure it will work with any card I own.

On any soundcard that supports a WaveBlaster compatible module, S1 or X2 can be plugged directly on it. --> there's a complete list here on Vogons with cards that do support waveblaster modules ?
If your card has a DB15 MIDI out connector, but no wavetable header, you can add a small adapter externally : http://www.serdashop.com/CHiLLandPhilAdapter

OK, so basically this would work with any ISA or PCI sound card as long as it has the right wavetable header? So not necessarily just a retro board?

Correct! I tested the prototype X2 that I received on a Diamond MX300 and it works perfectly! The USB connection works great too, a great feature of this high quality MIDI daughterboard. I love it!
Will test it with a few more soundcards if I have the time.

Great.....another thing I "need" to buy. 🤣

I already have an S1, but have a friend that is getting into retro stuff. Maybe i'll pawn mine off on his, and get the combo.

Gotta love NEW "retro" hardware!

dreamblaster wrote:

gdjacobs wrote:

Will it be possible to release either specs or a library to allow editing and upload on non Windows platforms? Not sure if you're embargoed by the chipset manufacturer.

Preset editor : should be no problem, .DXP preset format is a pretty simple format, i designed myself. Can release the specs when it is final, if someone wants to make a different editor.

X2 USB Uploader tool : I need to ask, this is a Dream proprietary protocol, they were very kind to let me make my own upload tool version, but I did sign an NDA, not allowed to release information without permission.

Curious, what did you use to build your tools?

For example, if you used .NET to implement the uploader tool, maybe they would be comfortable with you releasing a byte compiled component in Mono that wraps the proprietary elements?

Beyond that, a DOS tool would be really handy as well.

gdjacobs wrote:

Curious, what did you use to build your tools?

Old tools, no .NET :
For the preset editor : C++ Builder 5
For the uploader : Visual C++ 6 (includes some dream source)

Hmm... It would take some work, then. Is their issue mainly with internal source code perhaps? If so, perhaps a clean spec could be created for use on the other side of their Chinese wall.