There must be a huge variation between AWE64 cards then, because my CQM just doesn't sound like that.

If you like, pick a song and I'll record it for you.

AirIntake wrote on 2022-02-10, 18:53:

There must be a huge variation between AWE64 cards then, because my CQM just doesn't sound like that.

The recordings you posted earlier are hard to make out due to background noise. Not sure what equipment you're using but there's way too much buzzing.

If you like, record your version of Doom E1M1 since everyone's familiar with that. And for comparison purposes, here's James-F's recording of that song on a Vibra CT2950 card with CQM: Re: How accurate is the OPL emulation in dosbox?

Ok I've cleaned up the background noise a bit, here's E1M1: https://sndup.net/kmb7/

AirIntake wrote on 2022-02-10, 19:06:

Ok I've cleaned up the background noise a bit, here's E1M1: https://sndup.net/kmb7/

To my ears, that sound pretty much the same as my recording and the one that James-F posted, sans the volume levels.

Comparing that to genuine OPL3, you can hear how CQM becomes "buzzy" at the 0:09 mark while OPL3 remains smooth.

Arguably for a late wavetable card the quality of FM synthesis is a less an issue than let's say on a SB16.

Most will probably want to use MIDI emulation if not native.

Joseph_Joestar wrote on 2022-02-10, 19:18:

AirIntake wrote on 2022-02-10, 19:06:

Ok I've cleaned up the background noise a bit, here's E1M1: https://sndup.net/kmb7/

To my ears, that sound pretty much the same as my recording and the one that James-F posted, sans the volume levels.

Comparing that to genuine OPL3, you can hear how CQM becomes "buzzy" at the 0:09 mark while OPL3 remains smooth.

I listened to the James-F samples and agree they are the same as my CQM, no issues there. Yeah the CQM is a bit buzzy at 0:09, but IMO it's not bad, it's just a Coke vs Pepsi difference.
And please don't think I'm some CQM fanboy or something, my main DOS systems have a Soundblaster Pro 2 with OPL3, and Aztech AT6800W with a Dreamblaster S2 and OPL3, and a AOpen AW32 Pro with Crystal wavetable and FM. I just have an AWE64 in my P3 500 and have been trying to figure out the CQM hate for years.

AirIntake wrote on 2022-02-10, 19:24:

I just have an AWE64 in my P3 500 and have been trying to figure out the CQM hate for years.

I think that, for some people, playing a game on CQM simply doesn't sound how they remember it. Especially if it's one of their favorites, which they had played for hours and hours on OPL3 back in the day.

But if you let someone who has never played that game before experience it on CQM for the first time, I doubt they would complain much.

Joseph_Joestar wrote on 2022-02-10, 19:55:

I think that, for some people, playing a game on CQM simply doesn't sound how they remember it. Especially if it's one of their favorites, which they had played for hours and hours on OPL3 back in the day.

That I completely understand.

I personally just love to experience the different variations in hardware that I never had the chance to 25 years ago. My first sound card used ESFM, my second OPL3, so I think it's neat to hear the FM music sound a bit different from what I've heard already many times.

I actually think that Doom is one of the best case scenarios for CQM. There are many other titles where it sounds a lot worse than OPL3/ESFM.
One of these days I might do a comparison myself, since there aren't many comprehensive comparisons out there. Most just test a few games (doom/duke3d) and that's it.
If I remember correctly, older games like Dyna sound very bad on CQM.

bloodem wrote on 2022-02-10, 20:27:

I actually think that Doom is one of the best case scenarios for CQM. There are many other titles where it sounds a lot worse than OPL3/ESFM.

Agreed, I think the "crunchyness" of CQM makes for a better sounding over-driven electric guitar for Doom's heavy metal sountrack. Whereas CQM is a bit worse than OPL3 on synth music like in Tyrian 2000.

bloodem wrote on 2022-02-10, 14:27:

chinny22 wrote on 2022-02-10, 13:05:

Thing is Gold's sell for stupid money so it's worth a shot

And still not sure why that is. Even though it's got quite a few things going for it, it still falls short (IMO).
The Gold could've been the ultimate sound card... if only Creative had continued using a genuine Yamaha OPL3 chip... 😢

Yeh I don't get it either, Bragging rights? It's not like its that much better then stranded AWE64

chinny22 wrote on 2022-02-11, 13:44:

Yeh I don't get it either, Bragging rights? It's not like its that much better then stranded AWE64

The main difference over the regular AWE64 is the 4MB RAM onboard for the EMU8K, the S/PDIF header (albeit with limitations) without any kind of modding and RCA output audio connectors.

Otherwise, I fully agree with the statement if you don't use any of those features. Especially if one upgraded the amount of available RAM for the EMU8K thru SIMMCONN or any other memory expansion module designed for that card.