CM-32L in Out of this World by Interplay

[Alkarion]

With the discussion going on if the LSL 5 soundtrack was specially composed for a CM-32L I thought it's a good time to ask if anyone here knows Out of this World. It's setup is the only game I know of providing the option CM-32L as the only Roland Synth. Apart from the fact that I'm no expert on CM-32L/MT-32 differences I couldn't verify if the game uses CM-32L-only-sounds since the game seems not to work with the Dosbox MPU-401 emulation.

Playing it with Dosbox and my CM-64 there are only occasional sounds and no music which I can't believe was intentional. Choosing Soundblaster there is music and I don't think someone would provide support for the CM-32L and use it as a device for sounds only!

Perhaps someone remembers the game and its extent of MT-32 compatible support or has legacy hardware to look into the matter.

[Tom]

I have the game, but I don't remember seeing "CM-32L" as the music choice -- I thought it said, "Roland".  I'll have to check it out.  Didn't care for the game, though.

[NewRisingSUn]

Apparently, that's just the way it is:

http://groups.google.com/group/comp.sys.ibm.pc.games/...q=%22out+of+this+world%22+roland...

[EDIT: Shortened displayed part of URL - Marten]

[HondaSiR]

Very interesting. A game that only supports CM-32L/LAPC-1 sound effects and no MIDI music. No MT-32 support (since it doesn't have the CM effects). Very weird and a very unwise game company decision. Who in his or her right mind would buy a CM or LAPC just to play a game that supports its effects...specially if one already has an MT-32! Utterly unwise...

[Great Hierophant]

The Windows version of the game supports an MT-32 like any other midi device, but there are only two midi tunes.

[Zemus]

If I remember correctly, the game used MOD-based music which could only be played on a soundcard capable of playing back sampled audio (like the Sound Blaster). Why they even bothered to add support for the extra SFX found in the CM-32L and the LAPC-I, I have no idea. Seems like a waste of time...

[robertmo]

http://www.mobygames.com/game/out-of-this-world/cover-art/gameCoverId,783/

Very strange.  The cover says:
(...) DOS 2.1 & higher (...) Sound boards supported: Adlib, Roland Lapc-1 compatible, Sound Blaster and Disney Sound Source (...)

I will have to check it.

[Alkarion]

That sounds almost sadistic to MT-32/CM-32 owners back  then (like the poor guy on the google groups link). Buying the package which perhaps had a "Roland supported" sticker on it only to discover that there are only footsteps coming out of the synth. There are even many sounds missing which are played on the soundblaster.

[robertmo]

Code:

╔═══════════════════════════════════| SOUND DEVICE |═══════════════════════════════════════╗
║                                                                        ║
║             Please select the sound device you want to use :           ║
║                                                                        ║
║           Sound Blaster card       at 10 KHz ( fast machine ).         ║
║           Sound Blaster card       at  5 KHz ( slow machine ).         ║
║           Disney Sound Source card at 10 KHz ( fast machine ).         ║
║           Disney Sound Source card at  5 KHz ( slow machine ).         ║
║           Pro Audio card           at 10 KHz ( fast machine ).         ║
║           Pro Audio card           at  5 KHz ( slow machine ).         ║
║           Adlib card               at 10 KHz ( fast machine ).         ║
║           Adlib card               at  5 KHz ( slow machine ).         ║
║           Internal speaker         at 10 KHz ( fast machine ).         ║
║           Internal speaker         at  5 KHz ( slow machine ).         ║
║                           CM 32 L ( Roland ).                          ║
║                                No sound.                               ║
║                                                                        ║
╚══════════| UP/DOWN to choose, ENTER to validate, ESC to exit |═══════════════╝

[HondaSiR]

Ok, so now my question is...which single sound device will provide the gamer with the most satisfying results? In my opinion, it would have to be the Soundblaster. It provides FM music and sound effects which will undoubtedly be good enough than what a CM-32L can offer....right?

[robertmo]

If you want  the most satisfying results play a CD-ROM version of the game (which has 16,7 mln colours!) with FreeDO (3DO emulator)

[Laust]

Ok, so now my question is...which single sound device will provide the gamer with the most satisfying results? In my opinion, it would have to be the Soundblaster. It provides FM music and sound effects which will undoubtedly be good enough than what a CM-32L can offer....right?

Check Zemus' reply again. The game doesn't use FM, it just uses samples. That's why for each device you can select the sampling rate (5 or 10KHz). Sound Blaster or Pro Audio would give the best sound since they have real DACs which can be accessed with the least amount of CPU time. The Disney Sound Source (parallel port DAC) would come in third, and Adlib and PC Speaker last (sample playback on these devices is a hack).

[HondaSiR]

The Soundblaster would still come out on top then. I would prefer listening to real sounds via DACs rather than the canned sound effects of the CM/LAPC.  :wink: