5716 gets you the Roland GS sound-bank, so I'd go with that. 5708 is GM-only. I don't know if there is any difference between the 16MB sound-bank you licensed for the X2GS and the one that comes with the 5716, as there is no information regarding the GS implementation on the 5716, apart from it being part of the package. I would assume that it is a 16MB bank, like the GM one offered by Dream and the GS bank in your X2GS. Is it possible to route the SPDIF output of the chip through mini-TOSLINK, without causing too much design trouble?

I thought I was finally done buying sound card hardware with the AWE32 and X2GS.

1, please.

RetroGamer4Ever wrote on 2022-01-23, 12:21:

5716 gets you the Roland GS sound-bank, so I'd go with that. 5708 is GM-only. I don't know if there is any difference between the 16MB sound-bank you licensed for the X2GS and the one that comes with the 5716, as there is no information regarding the GS implementation on the 5716, apart from it being part of the package. I would assume that it is a 16MB bank, like the GM one offered by Dream and the GS bank in your X2GS. Is it possible to route the SPDIF output of the chip through mini-TOSLINK, without causing too much design trouble?

No no, both 5708 and 5716 can do GS for sure.
I'm looking for larger banks, and will encourage soundbank development.
I made a board with toslink output already : the original X8 : see DreamBlaster X8
for all these projects, i'm still in the process of further software development and acquiring larger banks.

So while i really enjoy making prototypes and see it work for the first time, it still
makes no sense to release a 1gbyte synth board as a product, with only 16mbyte - 64mbyte soundbanks available, right ?
That's been holding me back for quite some time. I will do another effort, this year..

I know they can BOTH do Roland GS, but Dream makes a point in their sale specs information that the 5716 INCLUDES the licensed Roland GS sounds in what you pay for. The 5708 only offers GM in the package you pay for, so you'd have to re-license the GS soundbank for any product you offered with that chip. According to what Dream says on their website, only the 5916/5716 DSPs included access to Roland GS licensed sounds, which is why you had to license the GS bank for the X2GS, which uses a lesser 5000-series DSP.

RetroGamer4Ever wrote on 2022-01-23, 15:56:

"Dream makes a point in their sale specs information that the 5716 INCLUDES the licensed Roland GS sounds in what you pay for. "

I would be very surprised, where do you see that ?

dreamblaster wrote on 2022-01-23, 16:55:

RetroGamer4Ever wrote on 2022-01-23, 15:56:

"Dream makes a point in their sale specs information that the 5716 INCLUDES the licensed Roland GS sounds in what you pay for. "

I would be very surprised, where do you see that ?

I double-checked and "Full GM/Full GS implementation" and "GM Soundbank and others available on request" are front-and-center in the tech data for the 5716/5916 and the 5504. The 5704, 5708, 5808 only state GM compatibility. Obviously, you can use the GS soundbank with those non-GS chips, but in further scrutiny of the tech/sales data, it seems that Dream intends for specific chips to be used for MIDI sound modules, while the others were primarily intended for keyboards and digital pianos, with sound module being an additional possibility. Dream makes a specific point of claiming that the 5716 is the ideal choice for a MIDI module, such as the ones you provide. It's somewhat bizarre, considering the low-end performance and specs of the 5504, but they chose that for GS functionality over one of the higher-end models, including the one you use for the X2GS.

From what I'm reading right now, the older 2000-series also has some chips that can have GS soundbanks added, upon special negotiation, such as you did with your X2GS that uses one of the low-end 5000-series DSPs. It's odd that they state it as an option for older, seemingly undesirable chips and yet they don't have it in the information for the newer ones you've used and you were clearly allowed to negotiate the inclusion of the GS sounds in your product. Taken into context with what I said above about their sales/tech information and website, it's clear that Dream isn't entirely upfront about what-is-what with their chips and implementing Roland GS sound. I don't want to say that you were clearly hoodwinked by them, but I think you might have made different decisions with clearer and more upfront information from them.

The older dream chips, had ROM chips available that were pre-licensed. Have a look at Yucatan Fx : this uses a licensed ROM chip. So back in the day you could buy a ROM chip, and this included the license.
For the modern chips this is certainly not the case. I am quite happy with X2GS result, I prefer not to discuss license terms in detail.