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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Desktop Audio and Video => Topic started by: commodorejohn on November 22, 2011, 11:46:08 PM

Title: OPL FM on the Amiga?
Post by: commodorejohn on November 22, 2011, 11:46:08 PM

I've heard bits and pieces about some Amiga software using a bridgeboard plus an Adlib or Sound Blaster to get Yamaha FM on the Amiga. Being a fan of FM chips, I'd like to find out more about this, especially if there's information I could use to incorporate that capability into my own programs. I thought I saw an MSX emulator that did on Aminet, but it turns out it actually uses a Picasso IV addon with an OPL3 chip; what software, if any, actually did this?

Title: Re: OPL FM on the Amiga?
Post by: nicholas on November 22, 2011, 11:49:50 PM

You could probably port this in a few hours or so.

http://adplug.sourceforge.net/

Title: Re: OPL FM on the Amiga?
Post by: commodorejohn on November 23, 2011, 12:04:33 AM

Well, yes, but A. that would require much more CPU horsepower, and B. Adplug's emulation is...so-so. Most OPL2/3 emulators vary significantly from the sound of an actual chip, for some reason (it's particularily evident in the percussion sounds, but lots of things differ noticeably.)

Title: Re: OPL FM on the Amiga?
Post by: J-Golden on November 23, 2011, 12:36:20 AM

I'm in kind of a hurry or I'd look it up for you, but there is a thread from about 5-6 months ago that talks all about the use of bridgeboards, which ones did what and what other things you can use them for...

Title: Re: OPL FM on the Amiga?
Post by: commodorejohn on November 23, 2011, 12:43:05 AM

There's this one (http://amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=58422) from July, but the only reference to OPL capability is in regards to a mega-multifunction ISA card that includes an OPL3 chip, which apparently didn't even work :/

Title: Re: OPL FM on the Amiga?
Post by: J-Golden on November 23, 2011, 04:40:14 PM

Yeah, that's the thread.  It explains which bridge boards can allow access to PC cards and what not.  I was hoping that would point you in the right direction...

Title: Re: OPL FM on the Amiga?
Post by: Ral-Clan on November 23, 2011, 04:59:21 PM

Did you know there is a software FM synthesizer for Amiga?

http://aminet.net/package/mus/misc/fmsynth37

Not real-time, but you can use the samples in other stuff.

Also, it might be easier just to buy an old Yamaha FB-01 for $50 and a $5 Amiga MIDI interface from eBay and then use that.  There is even an FB-01 editor available on Aminet.

I know you probably want to go the hardware route, but it seems like it might be more convoluted than the above solutions.

Title: Re: OPL FM on the Amiga?
Post by: commodorejohn on November 23, 2011, 05:03:20 PM

Well, yeah, that would work. My thought, though, was more along the lines of having it as an obscure little option for music output in future game releases, not so much because I need FM on my Amiga.

Title: Re: OPL FM on the Amiga?
Post by: Khephren on November 23, 2011, 05:18:44 PM

The Amiga can do FM synthesis, though I'm not sure it was used much, if at all.

interesting thread:
http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?p=575655&highlight=synthesis#post575655