SCI0: Soundblaster / Adlib music

[robbo007]

Hi Everyone,
I'm having some issues getting Adlib/Soundblaster music working with my SCI0 game. I've tried the MTBLAST.DRV and SNDBLAST.DRV from Eric's SCI0 templates Redux. The Roland MT32 music works fine and I've selected a track from LSL3 to test (299), which has the Adlib channels selected: 2,4,6,15. I've tried on real hardware also (Sounblaster Pro2) as well as DOSBOX with a Soundblaster defined. Any ideas why I'm not getting music?

Code: [Select]

(gTheMusic number: 299 loop: -1 play:)
Could it be the driver files I'm using. Does anyone have the link with the SCI0 drivers that work?

Thanks,

[Kawa]

MTBLAST.DRV, as I recall it, is an MT-32 driver with some digital audio support. For the AdLib tracks, you'd use ADL.DRV, right?

[MusicallyInspired]

MT32.DRV - MT-32 music and MT-32 MIDI-based sound effects
MTBLAST.DRV - MT-32 music and digital sound effects (if any)
ADL.DRV - Adlib music and Adlib MIDI-based sound effects
SNDBLAST.DRV - Stereo Adlib music and digital sound effects (if any)

You will also need the PATCH file for the Adlib instruments (PATCH.003). If the sound file you are playing back is being played with the wrong patch bank the instruments may sound wrong and some may not sound at all. Ditto for MT-32 (which uses PATCH.001).

[robbo007]

Rocking.... thanks for clearing that up. I removed the patch file that came with the SCICompanion SCI0 template and added the LSL3 patch.003 file and its now working. Maybe the patch.003 had issues?

I'm testing this on real hardware and it seems when using MTBLAST.DRV on a 286 (IBM 5170) locks up when starting. The midi data does not reach MT32 either. When I use the MT32.DRV only it works fine. Loads the music and runs. Sames also when using the SNDBLAST.DRV.

On a 486 the MTBLAST.DRV works fine no lockups. Do I need to define CPU's etc in my SCI  code? I remember seeing something in the LSL3 source about defining CPU cycles or CPU's. Maybe a 286 does not have enough grunt for sound effects and MT32 at the same time?

I'm going to test on a 386SX-25 and see if that runs it. I'll post results.

[Kawa]

Do I need to define CPU's etc in my SCI  code? I remember seeing something in the LSL3 source about defining CPU cycles or CPU's. Maybe a 286 does not have enough grunt for sound effects and MT32 at the same time?

Nope, that's not it at all. What you're probably talking about is the start-up speed test that the game uses to reduce and remove certain visual effects (animations and such) so it'll run nicely, and determines how many reps you have to do in Fat City. I think in SCI1 games, a similar test decides the starting value of the Details slider. Neither of these have any bearing on sound.

[robbo007]

ok.

It works fine also on my 386SX-25. I think the reason why its not working on the 286 is due to the Sound Blaster card that it has installed. Its not using the PNP drivers only the environment in the autoexec.bat. It may require a non PNP dos driver not sure. Not going to waste time troubleshooting it as I know it works now.

That's good to know for compatibility.