FM SOUND EXPLORER v1.0 FOR Yamaha OPL2/3 synths (on e.g. Soundblaster) by Lars Ahlzen [DISCLAIMER] This software is provided "as it is", which means that you use it at your own risk. I can not be held responsible for any damage the program will do to your computer or anyhing else. The program is not bug free and has not the most user friendly interface seen on a PC. The FM-synth is not too reliable, so I don't recommend to use the program with your most expensive stereo and speakers (although I do...) [SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS] The program requires at least: - PC 386 (maybe it runs better on a 486, it's not too optimized.) - Vga card (but anyone has a VGA card today...) - Soundblaster or Adlib compatible soundcard, with a Yamaha OPL2/OPL3. - loaded mouse driver, I guess. - recommend a MIDI-keyboard connected to the MPU401-interface on your soundblaster, too, but it's not required. [WHAT'S THIS] To make this explanation brief, this is a program that lets you experiment with the OPL-synt on your sound card (you know, the FM-synth, the one that sounds like sh-t...). Most people won't find this very fun, especially as it doesn't make too pretty sounds either, but if you really like to experi- ment with your hardware, then this might be the program for you. It might also be useful if you are going to program the Soundblaster for music, but don't know the right settings for the FM-synth. The program IS cryptic, and it's not made to be crystal clear, and I'll only describe the settings very shortly here, so you'd better experiment and see for yourself... You'll notice that the FM-synth doesn't always do what you expect it to do, and sometimes it sounds almost like you've blown it, or your speakers are broken, but keep in mind that this is the nature of the FM-synth, so don't worry! There are also quite a few bugs in the program, and it supports no stereo. (The MIDI handling doesnt work perfect, for example). [SHORT EXPLANATION] As usually on FM synthesizers, there are several elements that builds up the sound. In this case one on the left and one on the right side. The controllers are almost identical on both sides. Every time you change some- thing the sound will be updated and you can test the new sound. * Frequency multiple: This determines the frequency of the sound, where 0 is the lowest (one octave below normal) and 15 is the highest (three octaves and a major seventh above normal). * AM mod This turns on/off amplitude (volume) modulation, a kind of vibrato. * Vib This turns on/off vibrato. * EGtype This switch makes the envelope work in different ways (which I can't explain...) Try it to see (hear?) what it does. * KSR Keyboard Scaling Rate makes the sound shorter and softer in high pitches. * Scaling level Here you can set different levels of Keyboard scaling. * Level This is the very important level of the sound. * Attack / Decay / Sustain / Release (0 is slowest, 15 is fastest) If you've ever programmed a synthesizer before, you probably already know what these mean. Otherwise, Attack is how fast the sound should start, decay is how fast the volume will decrease to the sustain level an release is how fast the volume will decrease to zero when the key is released. The best way to understand this is to try it. * Alg This switch, if on, lets the FM-synth use another algorithm to make sounds. There seem to be less harmonics when this is on. Usually useless... * Feedback This sets the level of feedback. In general, feedback makes the sounds sharper and harder. Experiment with this one, and you'll get some nice effects sometimes. * Waveform If this is more than 0, the waveform will be distorted. This will make the sound more thin and sharp. * Vib depth If this switch is turned on, the vibrato will be much heavier (if turned on). * AM depth This will make the Amplitude modulation heavier if on. [OTHER FEATURES] Midi input. When switchen on, this will let you play the notes on a MIDI keyboard insted of with the Play button. It's only monophonic, but it's better anyway. (note that this has only been testen with my own keyboard, a Yamaha PSR500, but I guess it will work with any MIDI device connected to the MPU401-interface on e.g. the Soundblaster. I'm not sure that the MIDI-input works under Win95, either). There are some bugs in the MIDI handling, and I'm aware of that, but they're not too big. There will just be some unwanted sounds and noises sometimes, but as the FM-synth sounds about like that anyway, I'm not planning to improve this part of the program. Save and Load. You can of course save and load your sounds that you've created with the program. Just press save and type in a nice filename ending with .FM1, and the program will save all sound parameters. To load it back, just press load, and type the filename (don't forget the .FM1-suffix) and the sound will be loaded into the editor. Simple, eh? (Note that the file handling also is far from perfect, so please don't do anyting nasty. It just about works...) Quit Never use this button! [SOURCES] The information on programming the FM-synth on Soundblasters/AdLibs was found in PCGPE, written by Jeffrey S Lee. If anyone know where to get information on programming the more 'advanced' OPL3-synth on Soundblaster 16 then PLEASE write me a letter. [THAT'S ALL] This program is of course freeware, but I'd be glad if you send me an e-mail or anything to let me hear from you. At least if you use the program (or maybe even like it..?) If you beg me hard enough, you can maybe even get the C source if you need it (it isn't too pretty, but anyway, it works). Lars Ahlzen lars.ahlzen@swipnet.se visit my Soundblaster AWE32 page at http://home2.swipnet.se/~w-26913/awe/awe.htm