You're right, I forgot about the FreeSCI driver from long ago.

But..

Where can this one be found?

- Alistair

Don't forget that for most games the driver isn't set up correctly to designate patches, so it's like playing the MT-32 files through a GM device for the most part (i.e. bad). That is, unless there's another driver i've missed out on..

- Alistair

Prolly falls under the obscure category..

Best I can find is Origin's original *.M files (the adlib files) for the score, at a friend's webpage:
http://www.vgmpf.com/Game.php?Id=TimesOfLore-DOS

In short-

Most games with Adlib music either have a MT-32 score as well, or in this case which it seems it doesn't, it's almost certainly NOT in the game in MIDI format.

While most in-game formats are these days convertable to some extent, you'll likely end up with a semi-mess which will be 2-10 pianos and a drumkit probably playing your Adlib track in the wrong key and likely with a lot of wrong, or at least, needs-to-be-fixed, MIDI data.

Which leads me to ask, which game, which company. Apogee game, you might be in luck. Many others, maybe someone already converted the soundtrack to General MIDI.
Really obscure- might be outta luck.
Let us know.

- Alistair

In RPG-land:

For PSP, I would recommend the SNES Star Ocean remakes, very well done. Amazingly fun.

Also if you like dungeon-style (read: Diablo) RPG's Phantasy Star Portable and Dungeon Siege are very fun and long enough.

Good music in all of those, too.

PS3/Xbox- if you don't use your PC for gaming, definitely Dragon Age: Origins. A masterpiece.



DS, definitely Dragon Quest IV, V and VI, and also now IX for that matter. Assuming you like the SQ games of course!

If you like old school RPG's and aren't too fussed with graphics, you can get Black Sigil cheap, an excellent game also. Sort of Sierra-like in some ways.

I have a ton more DS games, I'll get back to you on those.




Incidentally, GameStop is giving 20% off all DS/PSP (including used) titles with code hand20 , BTW. Saved me a bundle when I picked up some games a couple weeks ago. Assuming you're in the US or Canada!

- Alistair

Thanks for the review, Shadow, appreciate it very much.

I'm wondering- is this product a cut down version of the "Studio Canvas" line of a few years ago, the SD-20/80/90 units? Like, a revamped SD-20? Or is it something newer and different?

Also, does it have a digital output, or is it only via analog line out?

Amazing how expensive these relatively unimpressive units seem to still be..

- Alistair

Thanks guys, haven't posted in quite a while!

Appreciate the comments, please keep them coming. This is one of thse projects I'm really happy with, warts (sound effects, music repeated) and all. It takes the themes I know and love and expands on them just a bit. But it's a great soundtrack.

More soundtracks are coming soon, and they will be of this quality. When I get back from Muscle Beach, should have some more, in fact.

- Alistair

The difference between a MU100 and 2000's GM banks being that one has digital output (2000), versus one having only analog (100). So although they share the same timbres and overall sound the analog 100 is (IMO) vastly inferior sounding to the digital 2000.

Of course, for gaming, it's not really relevant unless you have a nice speaker setup.

Happy Birthday Tom,

I forget how old you are, but I wish you the best and hope you get to enjoy it with Dianne, and don't haveta work!

- Alistair

Hey folks,

Finally, a Sierra-related release. Tom and myself have been busy outside Sierra for quite a while, it seems, and he released a lot more music than I did over 2007-08, so it's time to get something out there.
From my website homepage (with new URL I might point out):

"... the Space Quest 5 Soundtrack CD is finally ready, and available for download. Not only is it SMC's first completed soundtrack since February 2008 (FPFP), it's our first released soundtrack since January 2007.
It is largely reorchestrated, meaning I went with a lot of advanced sounds, trying to capture both the orchestral feel of the score as well as the synth/space element that is present in most tracks. There are some previously unrecorded themes, some reprised themes and dare I say, some sound effects."

For more information regarding the update, please visit:
www.sierramusiccentral.com

To see just the SQ5CD, visit:
www.sierramusiccentral.com/sq5cd

For my QuestStudios visitors in particular, this CD shows the Roland SC-8850 at some of its' orchestral best, I think.

Regards, and hope some people here check it out!
- Alistair

I've had a MT-32 working fine with a Pentium 150 mHz, so it's not a processor speed issue.

Does the PC have Win 3.1 or Win 95? i've been able to use DOS mode in Win 95 flawlessly with a MT for years.

I second it, Eric- feel better and post samples when you can, in that order.

- Alistair

All I can say is.. massive luck!!!

Trisk : I care, thanks for posting back

SD-90's sure seem expensive though, any ideas?

- Alistair

BAK is probably a good one too. With QFG3 I think it's still better on a SC-55, instrument choices and overall sound.. Eastern Fricana Jungle, for example- I've never heard it sound truly good on a non SC or Roland device.

- Alistair

BAK is an erroneous game to use for this thread, as stated, some of the SC-55 MIDI files on this site are slightly wrong, probably due to MT-32 conversion which was unnecessary. But that's an isolated example and nothing more should be read into it than an innocent mistake.

BTW, Ari- I don't believe BAK has a MT-32 soundtrack, I believe there's one GM soundtrack which is sent to whatever source you have, in the case of the MT-32, there is a SysEx bank as you say, to MT-ify it. Dynamix's programming code may be remapping some instruments to something else though, that is certainly possible.


But other than that specific case, the only time DOS MIDI vs Windows MIDI vs recorded MIDI should be an issue is where the Windows versions of the game are buggy, or if you have basic General MIDI selected (it will cause only 3 instruments to play instead of 3-9) instead of 'extended', which is just regular GM. Hate the terminology!

The Windows and DOS versions of Sierra games use identical MIDI files to playback the music. The only difference is that Windows games, from what I can tell, don't send controllers such as pitch bend (e.g. QFG4, play Windows and hear an electric guitar) or resets. Sending for example a QS 'complete soundtrack' MIDI file beforehand will clear that up in most cases.

But that's different to the Wave Blaster discussion/etc. Just wanted to clear some things up, here.

On-topic. I agree that SQ5 and 6 are probably bad choices to do comparisons with. Some of the scores are orchestral but a large part is instruments that are going to perform better on a SC-55. The sound in both games is definitely 'tweaked' for a SC-55, and Tom's SQ6 SC-55 complete MIDI score utilises SysEx to change and improve the SC-55's sound that is not present in the original game. I like it, but it's going to make comparisons inaccurate that use those MIDI files to make said comparison.
I think KQ6, KQ7, GK1, QFG4, and TIM scores would be better examples to compare. Quite a few Sierra GM scores are really only good on a SC-55, IMO (unless you mix output like Tom and myself do for CD's).


- Alistair

The only way to do it would be to set up the EFX via the front panel, set it to EFX ON and the settings you like, i.e. Distortion or Overdrive.
Then you can enable it on any individual MIDI channel you choose.
Note that only one EFX can be enabled at a given time, that is, not Overdrive and Distortion both (although I think there is a setting that combines both anyway?).

IMO, I personally don't enjoy hearing the default effects in-game, but they can sound alright outside.

- Alistair

I wonder if a first gen MT-32 has any advantages over the CM-32L for games that were composed on a first gen. As in, with the weird vibrato/etc it sounds 'right' on a first gen and not on a second gen or CM device.

- Alistair

Thanks for posting this, and coming back to the topic. This is really good, and has better sounds than some of the $1000+ synthesizers I've heard.

Sounds almost like an advanced ED Sound Canvas. Exciting.

Now you have to spill what sound banks you use!



Heh, I just wish this was the complete 4 minute version of the song, but this is just a exercise, I understand that. Really good job Sir, hope to hear more from you.

- Alistair

A cyber attack seems a little.. harsh, but it is sad news. I feel for 'em tonight. I'd better record the end of this CD before it happens to me.

Activision has been going this way for ages. And it's not like under Vivendi we were having a blast with the 'new Sierra'. It's just more of the same.

Now I just hope AGDI, IA, Quest Studios, Sierra Gamers, my site, etc are unaffected..

- Alistair