X16 is now launched, pre-orders are shipping.
The default banks and presets are finalized :

For X16GS :
Bank1 : Dream/Roland GS Bank (officially licensed, ROM bank - not updateable)
Bank2 : Dream Cleanwave Bank (official)
Bank3 : Buran Bank
Bank4: OPL3-FM General MIDI bank
Bank5: GXSCC Chiptune bank

For X16: (the version without GS bank)
Bank1 : Dream Cleanwave Bank (official)
Bank2 : Dream Cleanwave Bank (official) (different preset applied)
Bank3 : Buran Bank
Bank4: OPL3-FM General MIDI bank
Bank5: GXSCC Chiptune bank

So is the main advantage of this from a strictly DOS gaming perspective if you want more soundfonts available to be switched to (and I guess the soundfonts themselves can be bigger) without having to pull the board to switch soundfonts? If all we're using is the Roland GS soundbank there's not really any difference between the X16GS and the X2GS? The analog backend looks to the be same?

The GS bank is the same, but the presets for the X16 appear to be different and the X16GS has much greater polyphony, making it more suitable for classic Roland GS-type music creation and playback.

Do i need the X16Slot1.mid files to swich between banks or can i just use midi cc 96 and 97 from my midi controller, im a noob at midi cc 😀

Havent bought a dreamblaster yet 😀

"""''''''

NRPN CC controls:
CC#06 NRPN Data Value MSB
CC#38 NRPN Data Value LSB (Unused)

CC#96 NRPN Data +1
CC#97 NRPN Data -1

CC#98 NRPN ID LSB
CC#99 NRPN ID MSB

NRPN MSB : 0x53
NRPN LSB : 0x00
Value MSB : 1 - 7
Meaning : select slot
slots can be cycled via CC#96 and CC#97

oldinternet wrote on 2023-07-18, 04:37:

Do i need the X16Slot1.mid files to swich between banks or can i just use midi cc 96 and 97 from my midi controller, im a noob a […]
Show full quote

Do i need the X16Slot1.mid files to swich between banks or can i just use midi cc 96 and 97 from my midi controller, im a noob at midi cc 😀

Havent bought a dreamblaster yet 😀

"""''''''

NRPN CC controls:
CC#06 NRPN Data Value MSB
CC#38 NRPN Data Value LSB (Unused)

CC#96 NRPN Data +1
CC#97 NRPN Data -1

CC#98 NRPN ID LSB
CC#99 NRPN ID MSB

NRPN MSB : 0x53
NRPN LSB : 0x00
Value MSB : 1 - 7
Meaning : select slot
slots can be cycled via CC#96 and CC#97

yes you can do this, but need to use NRPN method, this is a combination of 3 control commands, maybe your midi controller supports this out of the box
here you can find it explained : https://electronics.koncon.nl/wp-content/uplo … PN-tutorial.pdf

OK, I somehow must have missed this great news. Congratulations Serge!

dreamblaster wrote on 2023-07-27, 08:51:

yes you can do this, but need to use NRPN method, this is a combination of 3 control commands, maybe your midi controller supports this out of the box
here you can find it explained : https://electronics.koncon.nl/wp-content/uplo … PN-tutorial.pdf

Okay thanks 😀

@dreamblaster

It looks like Dream 5000 chip has SPDIF output according to this:https://www.dream.fr/items.php?item=23

What it will take to make it available for end user?
Perhaps utilize "Expansion header for future expansion" somehow?

Also from spec sheet:

Data mode capabilities:
 Sample rate from 3kHz to 192kHz
 24 bit per sample

Not sure if Dream 5K supports Hi-Res Midi banks, but if it does then SPDIF will provide compatible output. Well probably gimmick for dos gaming but for those who might use it for music production 24bit dynamic range could be useful.

As it is, USB SPDIF has to be enabled in the firmware, according to what I read in the Dream programming guide for that chip. It requires two of the available and unallocated cores to be allocated to the function. Otherwise, you need the physical interface hardware on the board for SPDIF or TOSLINK output. With a properly outfitted board and firmware config, the X16 GS can be a perfect modern replacement for an old Sound Canvas module.

So it requires firmware changes. Simple botch wire connection between (PIN#106 or #44) and common ground will not get me anywhere it seems.

Anyways if you @dreamblaster would add SPIDIF perhaps for next revision then consider me as customer. 😁

dreamblaster I am not able to access the device with X16Manager.

Is there any additional logging or debug that I could enable?

duboisea wrote on 2023-09-27, 20:08:

dreamblaster I am not able to access the device with X16Manager.

Is there any additional logging or debug that I could enable?

not really, what OS are you using ?
could you try on a different pc, you are using an usb cable, right ?
pm me or contact me on https://www.serdashop.com/Contact for further support

You may also try a different USB cable. (Some of the cheaper ones nowadays only have the power lines connected, but not the data lines)

Does anyone know if this will fit on an audician32/ymf71x card? The x2gs fits easily but this one seems much larger.

DeathRabbit679 wrote on 2023-10-09, 06:09:

Does anyone know if this will fit on an audician32/ymf71x card? The x2gs fits easily but this one seems much larger.

There's no reason for you to use it on a soundcard, if you already have the X2GS. They are essentially the same hardware and use the same banks. The X16 has a more powerful CPU and advanced capabilities for music production and playback, which is it's intended use.

RetroGamer4Ever wrote on 2023-10-10, 12:23:

DeathRabbit679 wrote on 2023-10-09, 06:09:

Does anyone know if this will fit on an audician32/ymf71x card? The x2gs fits easily but this one seems much larger.

There's no reason for you to use it on a soundcard, if you already have the X2GS. They are essentially the same hardware and use the same banks. The X16 has a more powerful CPU and advanced capabilities for music production and playback, which is it's intended use.

Yah I know it won't "improve" anything, I just like the extra banks available, plus wanted to support the project/creator as I think they make neat stuff.

This looks fantastic, although I do have a couple of questions.

I already have an X2GS, with my main usage being the actual GS part. Would this be a huge upgrade? Is there maybe a comparison table of the features?

Also, I have this idea of creating a hardware MIDI stack. Does the X16 support MIDI sync with other devices (when used as input from, say, gameport and out to, for example, a Yamaha rack unit)?

Thanks, and keep up the great work.

BeastOfSoda wrote on 2023-11-12, 19:04:

This looks fantastic, although I do have a couple of questions. […]
Show full quote

This looks fantastic, although I do have a couple of questions.

I already have an X2GS, with my main usage being the actual GS part. Would this be a huge upgrade? Is there maybe a comparison table of the features?

Also, I have this idea of creating a hardware MIDI stack. Does the X16 support MIDI sync with other devices (when used as input from, say, gameport and out to, for example, a Yamaha rack unit)?

Thanks, and keep up the great work.

The X16GS GS bank is based on the same samples as the X2GS bank.
Still it sounds better, as the X16GS is a step up in effects quality.
Also X16GS has room for many soundbanks and you can switch easily using midi commands

X16GS will play any midi input, to use it standalone you can use the CHiLL V interface (https://www.serdashop.com/CHiLL ) , or usb-midi
you could combine both at the same time if you use the midi thru of your yamaha module, and connect this to X16GS , for example

Are those Insertion FX compatible with those on the SC-88 Pro? As in a MIDI file that uses Insertion FX targeted at a SC-88 Pro will work on the X16GS?

Just want to say thank you for making these products. I bought an X16GS to pair with a Diamond Monster Sound MX300. All the extra of the X16 is nice to have for other purposes as well. Can’t wait to get it.