FM Synth (Soundblaster) comparison using Monkey Island 2!

[Mau1wurf1977]

This is another Soundcard comparison video. This time we are comparing FM synth!

Thanks for the feedback on "Sound Card comparison - Digital Speech - DOS Game Wing Commander II

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3Zj1sioBBk

", I took some ideas onboard and implemented them in this video.

This time the video will "switch" every 5 seconds to the next card. It makes for a much better comparison!

I have a 320kbps mp3 for download in the comments section!

I have used FM music from The Secret of Monkey Island 2. It's a very popular game, so chances are you are familiar with the music.

The Soundcards used in this video are:

- Sound Blaster 1.5
- Sound Blaster Pro 2.0
- Sound Blaster AWE64 Gold

Very interested to have a discussion about the differences and what your favourite Soundcard is!

Click on the image to start the video!



If that doesn't work go here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knrjQAdNMnc

[endre1952]

If I'm not mistaken, the AWE64 doesn't have a true OPL chip, it obviously sounds worse than the other two.

An AWE32 with a true OPL3 chip would be interesting to hear in comparison.

[Mau1wurf1977]

Yes the AWE64s don't have OPL chips. Most AWE32s and many AWE16s don't have one either...

I would say these non-OPL cards sound different. Wether they sound worse, is totally up to the listener. I got a few comments from people who prefer the sound from these non-OPL cards :-)

[Marten]

The AWE may sound the least authentic, but I think it sounds better.  But there will always be people who'll claim they like authenticity better, simply because it's what was intended or what was original.

Like Classic Coke.

[Mau1wurf1977]

And then there is always Roland   

[endre1952]

Okay, I stand corrected. I personally prefer the original authentic sound. And I do prefer Roland MT32/CM-32L over FM synthesis usually when it's supported.

[Mau1wurf1977]

Same for me!

Funny I just played around with a AudioPCI and this card doesn't even have a OPL clone.

It uses soundfont / wavetable to "emulate" FM. *shudder*

So having a OPL clone is better than nothing  

The AudioPCI is still a very cheap card for DOS General Midi and digital speech. You can use a 8MB soundfont instead of the standard 2MB one (there is also a 4MB one).

I am doing some recordings to see what they sound like.

As this card is PCI, this is a good way to get some DOS games to work non ISA mainboards with General Midi and Sound Blaster speech.