I see this topic covered for Linux but not Windows. I managed to get nuked sc-55 to launch but I'm not sure what to do with it. I know how to get MT32 and I use virtual midi synth with Trevor's sound for my SC55 emulation currently.
I just select LoopMIDI in CoolSoft MIDIMapper, then anything that outputs MIDI plays in Nuked-SC55.
I also run Hider from a batch file to hide the console window.
Dunno if that's what other people do, but it works for me in Windows 10.
Hope that helps.
Thanks but no such luck. It won't even appear in the CoolSoft MIDIMapper. Only virtual midisynth, MIcrosoft GS and MT32
LoopMIDI needs to be running for it to appear in CoolSoft MIDIMapper.
My apologies if you were already doing that or if it wasn't obvious.
If LoopMIDI isn't showing up in CoolSoft MIDIMapper while it's running, there could be a conflict with VirtualMIDISynth or MT-32. I'm not using them, so that's just a guess. I'm using MIDI Player for sf2 and VSTi since LoopMIDI works with that too.
Flashback wrote on 2025-03-17, 14:47:LoopMIDI needs to be running for it to appear in CoolSoft MIDIMapper.
My apologies if you were already doing that or if it wasn't obvious.
If LoopMIDI isn't showing up in CoolSoft MIDIMapper while it's running, there could be a conflict with VirtualMIDISynth or MT-32. I'm not using them, so that's just a guess. I'm using MIDI Player for sf2 and VSTi since LoopMIDI works with that too.
I wasn't familiar with loopmidi. So that's probably what I need to use. What about virtualMIDI or other programs listed here https://www.tobias-erichsen.de/software.html
How does this sound compare to the trevor or Arachno SoundFont if you're familiar with those?
MidiMag wrote on 2025-03-17, 10:38:Thanks but no such luck. It won't even appear in the CoolSoft MIDIMapper. Only virtual midisynth, MIcrosoft GS and MT32
Hi,
Nuked SC-55 is not a Midi Out device so you cannot select it in Midi mapper. It is a standalone program that receives Midi messages from Midi input port(s). In order to use it with programs that use standard Midi Out devices you have to install a virtual Midi cable like LoopMidi (as suggested by Flashback). Then you can select the LoopMidi port as default Midi Out device in Midi mapper . Then you should check LoopMidi is also selected as Midi In by Nuked SC-55 (you can find this info on the program's console). If not, you can change the Midi input port by setting the port number parameter (-p).
Doh! I figured you either had LoopMIDI installed or would install it after I mentioned it since Nuked-SC55 prints this to the console window without it.
No midi input
ERROR: Failed to initialize the MIDI Input.
WARNING: Continuing without MIDI Input...
My bad. 😮
Anyway, just install LoopMIDI, then it should be available in CoolSoft MIDIMapper while you have it running.
I haven't tried any of Tobias Erichsen's other software, so can't comment on those. Before Nuked-SC55 I used Patch93's SC-55 soundfont with VirtualMIDISynth in Windows XP, then switched to SoundCanvas VA when I started using Windows 10. Nuked-SC55 is the most accurate sounding software option though imo.
I was excited to try Trevor's soundfont when I first heard about it, but was a bit disappointed that the reverb is baked into the samples. Even after trying v1.3b, I still preferred the sound of Patch93's SC-55 soundfont. Still, was a cool project to discover.
I haven't tried Arachno yet, but read that it sounds very good too. I mainly use SGM-V2.01 or S-YXG50 to play certain mids that I prefer over using SC-55 for. For example, Club Paris sounds cool through the Yamaha and I really like how Bittersweet Reminisce (Image of Hero Remix) sounds with SGM-V2.01.
Flashback wrote on 2025-03-18, 15:07:Doh! I figured you either had LoopMIDI installed or would install it after I mentioned it since Nuked-SC55 prints this to the co […]
Doh! I figured you either had LoopMIDI installed or would install it after I mentioned it since Nuked-SC55 prints this to the console window without it.
No midi input
ERROR: Failed to initialize the MIDI Input.
WARNING: Continuing without MIDI Input...My bad. 😮
Anyway, just install LoopMIDI, then it should be available in CoolSoft MIDIMapper while you have it running.
I haven't tried any of Tobias Erichsen's other software, so can't comment on those. Before Nuked-SC55 I used Patch93's SC-55 soundfont with VirtualMIDISynth in Windows XP, then switched to SoundCanvas VA when I started using Windows 10. Nuked-SC55 is the most accurate sounding software option though imo.
I was excited to try Trevor's soundfont when I first heard about it, but was a bit disappointed that the reverb is baked into the samples. Even after trying v1.3b, I still preferred the sound of Patch93's SC-55 soundfont. Still, was a cool project to discover.
I haven't tried Arachno yet, but read that it sounds very good too. I mainly use SGM-V2.01 or S-YXG50 to play certain mids that I prefer over using SC-55 for. For example, Club Paris sounds cool through the Yamaha and I really like how Bittersweet Reminisce (Image of Hero Remix) sounds with SGM-V2.01.
I much prefer Trevor over Patch93. I still haven't tried loopmidi I'm sure it's safe but I'm just not sure I trust it.
I wouldn't worry about using LoopMIDI since the binary is countersigned by GlobalSign and the driver is signed by Microsoft. 😀
Flashback wrote on 2025-03-20, 13:53:I wouldn't worry about using LoopMIDI since the binary is countersigned by GlobalSign and the driver is signed by Microsoft. 😀
I got it working kinda but the music is very quite. Even with Trevor I has to boost the volume to 500 before I could hear it but with this I'm not even sure I can do that.
MidiMag wrote on 2025-03-21, 00:27:Flashback wrote on 2025-03-20, 13:53:I wouldn't worry about using LoopMIDI since the binary is countersigned by GlobalSign and the driver is signed by Microsoft. 😀
I got it working kinda but the music is very quite. Even with Trevor I has to boost the volume to 500 before I could hear it but with this I'm not even sure I can do that.
There is a Nuked SC-55 fork that can use floating point output and has double the volume:
https://github.com/jcmoyer/Nuked-SC55/releases
For floating point output you have to use the -f f32 parameter on the command line. That is:
nuked-sc55.exe -r gs -f f32
(it's always best to initialize Nuked SC-55 with a GS reset)
Falcosoft wrote on 2025-03-21, 00:48:There is a Nuked SC-55 fork that can use floating point output and has double the volume: https://github.com/jcmoyer/Nuked-SC55/ […]
MidiMag wrote on 2025-03-21, 00:27:Flashback wrote on 2025-03-20, 13:53:I wouldn't worry about using LoopMIDI since the binary is countersigned by GlobalSign and the driver is signed by Microsoft. 😀
I got it working kinda but the music is very quite. Even with Trevor I has to boost the volume to 500 before I could hear it but with this I'm not even sure I can do that.
There is a Nuked SC-55 fork that can use floating point output and has double the volume:
https://github.com/jcmoyer/Nuked-SC55/releases
For floating point output you have to use the -f f32 parameter on the command line. That is:
nuked-sc55.exe -r gs -f f32
(it's always best to initialize Nuked SC-55 with a GS reset)
Thanks much appreciated, but another problem I'm having is the fact that this has to continuously be launched when I wish to start a game. Where as with Munt and soundfonts they work seamlessly.
Also it's amazing how indistinguishable this thing is from the Trevor soundfont. A testament to how good a job he did. So far I've tested Duke Nukem, Doom and Anvil of Dawn. The Patch93 Soundfont clearly has more emphasis on drums but only for the Duke Nukem. Which might sound nice but is less accurate. everything else is pretty much sounds the same, which is a little disappointing I was hopping the drums would be in more games 🤣.
Just a follow up. Indeed running the fork with -r gs -f f32 did make it sound better but it is still way too quite. Still this is fantastic progress. I'm sticking with Trevor for the time being but this is worth keeping an eye on. it's 1 to 1 emulation so there's no arguing with those results. But there's more work that needs to be done in my opinion.
MidiMag wrote on 2025-03-21, 09:40:... But there's more work that needs to be done in my opinion.
In what area exactly? 😀
Nuked SC-55 has been out in the wild for a year. That's an extensive testing period. Based on this I can tell that the achieved emulation accuracy is at least 99%.
I have to tell that something must be wrong with your setup if you still hear even the floating poin output to be too quiet. I'm telling this as the one who wrote the floating point output code in that fork.
(https://github.com/nukeykt/Nuked-SC55/pull/59)
The current fp32 output cannot cause clipping in the strict sense because of the nature of floating point audio but it's volume output is more than normalized. The produced samples currently even can exceed the normalized range of -1/+1.
This means that higher volume is not possible without distortion in some cases.
..but another problem I'm having is the fact that this has to continuously be launched when I wish to start a game
You can set both LoopMidi and Nuked SC-55 to start when Windows starts. And if you set LoopMidi as default Midi Out device with Midi mapper then both will be ready when you start your games.
Falcosoft wrote on 2025-03-21, 11:44:In what area exactly? :) Nuked SC-55 has been out in the wild for a year. That's an extensive testing period. Based on this I ca […]
MidiMag wrote on 2025-03-21, 09:40:... But there's more work that needs to be done in my opinion.
In what area exactly? 😀
Nuked SC-55 has been out in the wild for a year. That's an extensive testing period. Based on this I can tell that the achieved emulation accuracy is at least 99%.
I have to tell that something must be wrong with your setup if you still hear even the floating poin output to be too quiet. I'm telling this as the one who wrote the floating point output code in that fork.
(https://github.com/nukeykt/Nuked-SC55/pull/59)
The current fp32 output cannot cause clipping in the strict sense because of the nature of floating point audio but it's volume output is more than normalized. The produced samples currently even can exceed the normalized range of -1/+1.
This means that higher volume is not possible without distortion in some cases...but another problem I'm having is the fact that this has to continuously be launched when I wish to start a game
You can set both LoopMidi and Nuked SC-55 to start when Windows starts. And if you set LoopMidi as default Midi Out device with Midi mapper then both will be ready when you start your games.
Please bare in mind that I'm not an audio engineer I just want my games to sound good 🤣. Quality of life stuff is what it really needs. The ability to boost the volume. Having it run in the background seamlessly so that you don't see it or the console like Munt or virtual midi synth. And a better UI so that can be done through a menu instead of a command line. I can boost the volume through Windows volume mixer or rather just make everything else super quite. But it's still so quite that the game's sfx has to be turned down quite a bit to be normalized.
MidiMag wrote on 2025-03-21, 12:28:Falcosoft wrote on 2025-03-21, 11:44:In what area exactly? :) Nuked SC-55 has been out in the wild for a year. That's an extensive testing period. Based on this I ca […]
MidiMag wrote on 2025-03-21, 09:40:... But there's more work that needs to be done in my opinion.
In what area exactly? 😀
Nuked SC-55 has been out in the wild for a year. That's an extensive testing period. Based on this I can tell that the achieved emulation accuracy is at least 99%.
I have to tell that something must be wrong with your setup if you still hear even the floating poin output to be too quiet. I'm telling this as the one who wrote the floating point output code in that fork.
(https://github.com/nukeykt/Nuked-SC55/pull/59)
The current fp32 output cannot cause clipping in the strict sense because of the nature of floating point audio but it's volume output is more than normalized. The produced samples currently even can exceed the normalized range of -1/+1.
This means that higher volume is not possible without distortion in some cases...but another problem I'm having is the fact that this has to continuously be launched when I wish to start a game
You can set both LoopMidi and Nuked SC-55 to start when Windows starts. And if you set LoopMidi as default Midi Out device with Midi mapper then both will be ready when you start your games.
Please bare in mind that I'm not an audio engineer I just want my games to sound good 🤣. Quality of life stuff is what it really needs. The ability to boost the volume. Having it run in the background seamlessly so that you don't see it or the console like Munt or virtual midi synth. And a better UI so that can be done through a menu instead of a command line. I can boost the volume through Windows volume mixer or rather just make everything else super quite. But it's still so quite that the game's sfx has to be turned down quite a bit to be normalized.
Compared to Munt or Roland's Sound Canvas VA the audio level should be the same or even higher with the same games or Midi files. And it is according to my testing.
Here is my test video about the volume level of Nuked SC-55 in GM mode vs. Munt in GM mode:
https://youtu.be/8XiMg8gR8n8
Having it run in the background seamlessly
You can do this even currently with the help of a Windows shortcut placed in the Startup folder of Windows (C:\Users\'your username'\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup).
Falcosoft wrote on 2025-03-21, 13:00:Compared to Munt or Roland's Sound Canvas VA the audio level should be the same or even higher with the same games or Midi files […]
MidiMag wrote on 2025-03-21, 12:28:Falcosoft wrote on 2025-03-21, 11:44:In what area exactly? :) Nuked SC-55 has been out in the wild for a year. That's an extensive testing period. Based on this I ca […]
In what area exactly? 😀
Nuked SC-55 has been out in the wild for a year. That's an extensive testing period. Based on this I can tell that the achieved emulation accuracy is at least 99%.
I have to tell that something must be wrong with your setup if you still hear even the floating poin output to be too quiet. I'm telling this as the one who wrote the floating point output code in that fork.
(https://github.com/nukeykt/Nuked-SC55/pull/59)
The current fp32 output cannot cause clipping in the strict sense because of the nature of floating point audio but it's volume output is more than normalized. The produced samples currently even can exceed the normalized range of -1/+1.
This means that higher volume is not possible without distortion in some cases.You can set both LoopMidi and Nuked SC-55 to start when Windows starts. And if you set LoopMidi as default Midi Out device with Midi mapper then both will be ready when you start your games.
Please bare in mind that I'm not an audio engineer I just want my games to sound good 🤣. Quality of life stuff is what it really needs. The ability to boost the volume. Having it run in the background seamlessly so that you don't see it or the console like Munt or virtual midi synth. And a better UI so that can be done through a menu instead of a command line. I can boost the volume through Windows volume mixer or rather just make everything else super quite. But it's still so quite that the game's sfx has to be turned down quite a bit to be normalized.
Compared to Munt or Roland's Sound Canvas VA the audio level should be the same or even higher with the same games or Midi files. And it is according to my testing.
Here is my test video about the volume level of Nuked SC-55 in GM mode vs. Munt in GM mode:
https://youtu.be/8XiMg8gR8n8Having it run in the background seamlessly
You can do this even currently with the help of a Windows shortcut placed in the Startup folder of Windows (C:\Users\'your username'\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup).
Thanks for that it's been quite helpful. I still stand by my feedback for making it easier to use, but you can ignore it if you don't find it constructive.
