Anyway to add FM Synthesis to Windows XP?

[MikeSol]

In my control panel, under 'sounds and audio devices', if I click the audio tab, I can choose my Roland devices as well as 'Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth' for midi playback. I would like to add FM Synthesis to this list. Is that possible? I don't own a soundblaster card but since DosBox can emulate FM, I figure it would possible to emulate FM in XP as well.

[mace]

As far as I know, there is no way to accomplish this.

Besides, no windows programs support FM right?

[Laust]

Well, if it appeared alongside the GS Wavetable Synth, it would be a MIDI device. Then any Windows MIDI-based application would support it  - or be able to make some sound through it at least

If the OP just want to be able to play MIDIs using FM sounds, I suggest this: http://www.geocities.co.jp/SiliconValley-SanJose/8700/P/GsorigE.htm

The program starts up in SCC mode (based on the sound of the MSX home computer), but clicking the GXSCC logo switches to FM mode. It can be great fun playing MIDIs with this player.

[MikeSol]

As Laust says, as long as it appears as a midi device in the control panel, any midi player that works in XP should work.

I am going to check that link out now. Thank you.

[MikeSol]

Thanks laust, this program will do just fine.

[jharris01]

I know this thread has been over for quite a while, but I recently found out something related that might help.

Recently I put a Yamaha Waveforce 192XG PCI soundcard back into active duty on an old PC. Windows XP automatically recognizes it and installs a generic Yamaha DS driver from its default driver cache. It works just fine with those but I noticed the entry "Yamaha PCI FM" (not exact wording) on the MIDI device list in the "Sounds and Audio Devices" in Control Panel.

Usually I would not have noticed because I always install waveforce's drivers before physically inserting the card. The official drivers replace FM synthesis entry in Control Panel with waveforce's hardware based XG wavetable (which sounds about the same as Yamaha's XG Software Synth). The FM sounds just fine though I admit I didn't hear it long enough to make a comparison.

In short I think getting a Yamaha based PCI soundcard may provide the MIDI FM perk.