CM-64 support of Sierra games apparently does exist

[Ari]

I've been playing TIM1 with my CM-64, and it seems the game utilizes both PCM and LA parts.
The really interesting thing is that, for instance, in one of the themes ('play a set'), the game somehow decided to move 2 piano tracks from tracks 2-9 to tracks 11-16, and so instead of crappy MT-32 piano patches, I get the CM-64's improved PCM piano patches. 

Not that I'm complaining or anything, it's just weird, and I have no explanation to how this is happening.

[NewRisingSUn]

It's because Dynamix is stupid. That simple.

Try selecting General MIDI with TIM1 and tell us what you hear. Then you'll know what I mean.

[Ari]

But the CM-64 isn't GM compliant. I would just hear incorrect instruments.

[NewRisingSUn]

JUST try it.

[Alistair]

As someone who knows what NRS is talking about, this is cute.

Ari, TIM runs across the 16 channels. Nothing to do with CM-64 support. Dynamix only ever used a SC-55 for the TIM games.

As to why, I really coudn't tell you. Makes using the MT-32 sort of redundant for tracks where it can't play half the instruments..

- Alistair

[NewRisingSUn]

Actually, it's even worse.

The music uses all 16 channels indeed, but it also uses a pitch bend sensitivity of 12, while General MIDI uses 2 by default.

Selecting "General MIDI" in the install program, then running the game, correctly sets the appropriate RPN controllers to set the pitch bends to 12, but due to a bug in the TIM.EXE file, no music data ever gets sent after that. (How bad was their QA department anyway, that they didn't spot this obvious bug?)

Selecting "MT-32" in the install program, then running the game, sets the GM-emulating MT-32 patch bank, but then plays the music on channels other than 2-10, which you'll miss with an MT-32. You can use the SC-55 with this install program selection, but the pitch bends will be wrong, because the General MIDI init wasn't sent, since we selected MT-32....

Therefore, the ONLY correct way to hear the music as intended is to use a SC-55, first select "General MIDI" so that the proper RPN controllers get sent, exit the game, select "MT-32", then run the game with the SC-55 attached. Of course, you'll have to do this every time you want to play.

And that is why Dynamix is stupid.

That and their lack of "MT-32 plus Sound Blaster" option, even going so far as disabling MT-32/General MIDI completely in one game.

[Alistair]

I get the feeling that Dynamix was under a lot of pressure to release TIM in a hurry..

Anyway. Thanks heaps man, for a truly great explanation. I always wondered what the deal was.

As for a pitch bend of 12, I thought all Sierra/Dynamix (SC-55) games used 12.

And, surely a better version of your method would be to send a MIDI file that had the correct controllers, like a QS one, and then load the game w/ MT-32.

That and their lack of "MT-32 plus Sound Blaster" option, even going so far as disabling MT-32/General MIDI completely in one game.

I presume you mean Willy Beamish.

I've been meaning to ask you- would you be able to sort of "NRS SQ4"-ify Willy Beamish CD version, so we could have the speech/text thing and also MT-32 sound as well as the speech?

I've never got to play WBCD because of the Adlib music, which I refuse to play with.

- Alistair

[Ari]

Thanks for the explanation, NRS.
I had opened this thread as a joke of course. I don't truly believe the game supports the CM-64. I just thought it interesting and funny that some of the themes take advantage of the CM-64's PCM capabilities, and thereby actually enhance the soundtrack even though Dynamix did not intend such a thing in the first place.

But anyway, thanks for the explanation. 

[Alistair]

Just out of curiousity, if your original post was a joke, then, why this follow-up comment:

But the CM-64 isn't GM compliant. I would just hear incorrect instruments.

Anyway. I don't consider it 'enhancing' to have random GM/MT instruments playing simultaneously, but you're right, it is ironic.

Eager to hear back from ya NRS.

- Alistair

[Ari]

Because NRS suggested I try selecting GM.

The fact that my initial post was a joke (hence the  message icon), doesn't mean I can't reply seriously to a serious post...

[NewRisingSUn]

I get the feeling that Dynamix was under a lot of pressure to release TIM in a hurry

They must have been in the same hurry for "Turbo Science" as well, because that one has the same General MIDI problem (though not the MT-32 one). DOS "The Even More Incredible Machine" fixes the General MIDI problem, though not the MT-32 one.

And, surely a better version of your method would be to send a MIDI file that had the correct controllers, like a QS one, and then load the game w/ MT-32.

Best is to patch TIM.EXE to fix the issue that prevents the "General MIDI" selection from working properly. As I have done.

I presume you mean Willy Beamish.

No, Front Page Sports: Baseball '94.

I've been meaning to ask you- would you be able to sort of "NRS SQ4"-ify Willy Beamish CD version, so we could have the speech/text thing and also MT-32 sound as well as the speech?

I already did the MT-32 sound thing, although some sound effects come out wrong. WillyCD already displays the text along with playing the speech.

[Alistair]

Ah, Even More TIM. I think I even knew that at one point (I tried to record the MIDI's, years ago now.)

Whoo, patched TIM.EXE. Nice job.

NRS, does TIM (or indeed any Sierra/Dynamix SC-55 games) send any GM SysEx other than a reset message in your experience?

Ad, can you send me a copy of the WB fix?

- Alistair