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PRIVMT32.ZIP
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1993-10-05
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PRIVMT32 Version 1.0
10-05-93
Converts Privateer XMI music files from General MIDI into a format
that the MT-32/LAPC-1/CM-32L can play.
By: Mike "Newt" Cornelius
Requires: DOS 3.3 or higher
This program is PUBLIC DOMAIN and can be passed along and changed
with no restrictions. (As long as it is not sold for profit or the
program is not misused)
Purpose:
------------------
To change program change/patches from the embedded XMI files within the
Origin Systems game PRIVATEER from their native General MIDI format into
MT-32 compatable sequences.
Commentary:
------------------
General MIDI is the new standard patch set used by many synthesizer
manufacturers, and is the standard on which MIDI is set in the Windows
Multimedia enviroment and used by many DOS games with the requirement of a
Roland MPU-401 or compatable interface. General MIDI is just a "map" of
sounds. Patch 1 always represents a piano, for example. Patch 124 is a bird.
The MT-32 and LAPC-1 use a different standard "patch set". But the MT-32 can
be remapped or rewritten to better accept General MIDI music information.
With certain utilities a MT-32 can rewrite its sounds and emulate General MIDI
but the standard John Miles AIL driver "resets" the MT-32 upon startup. (The
command to do that is unique to the MT-32... Coming to the conclusion that
the version of the AIL (Audio Interface Library) that OSI is using still uses
the "old" Roland MT-32 driver. (Which is basically an MPU-401 driver that
sends MT-32 exclusive commands that are ignored by most GM devices at startup
that reset and thus thwart the "emulators".) If Privateer didn't use this old
MT-32 driver as a "General MIDI" driver, the emulators should have worked to a
degree. By this I mean, even though the MT-32 is capable of emulating General
MIDI it still has the limitation of 8 melodic channels. (Or only 8 DIFFERENT
musical instruments can be played at the same time. This doesn't include the
drum set.) Since AIL does this the second way to emulate would be to enter
into the file itself and change the patch assignments, and along with that,
the channels. PRIVMT32 alters the "SOUND.TRE" file which has the XMI (Which
is basically a Standard MIDI file with a different header) information by
changing the General MIDI patch assignments to the closest natural MT-32
sound to it. Since there is also the limitation of the channels (The MT-32
only supports 2-9 as melodic and 10 as percussion), it also changes the
channel assignments to all note and controller data on a first come first
assigned basis. So that if some channels from 2-9 are skipped in favor of the
high channels (>10) or channel 1 it will automatically reassign the channels
until it reaches the maximum of 8, after that it ignores the rest. There is
bound to be a few quirks in this. Also George Alistair Sanger "The Fat Man"
has created a GM patch set for the MT-32 that works with the AIL system. Why
they can't use that, I don't know. In any case Privateer is an EXCELLENT game,
and the music is not done justice with Soundblaster sound. (Neither the MT-32
really-- but it's still better than SB sound). People with MT-32s and LAPC-1s
should start to think of getting a truly GM compatable card, as it is the de
facto standard now. It is worth it. Right now there are a few Wave-table
GM cards that I could recommend:
The Roland SCC-1 or SC-55/SC-155 (Sound Canvas GS series)
No doubt about it, if you love your LAPC-1 or MT-32, this is the next step
up. It is a GS card, which has General MIDI with plenty of grand extensions.
Built in reverb, and Roland quality. I HIGHLY recommend this card over many
other MIDI cards. Note that it doesn't support Digital audio, since they are
professional MIDI equipment. The SCC-1 is the on-board form (like the LAPC-1)
and the SC-55 and SC-155 are the external modules (like the MT-32) all have
the same sounds & features. The only other differences are the front panel
controls. Retails for $500. Street Price over $350.
The Roland RAP-10:
The Roland Audio Producer is a new card from Roland that is GM compatable
and also has 16 bit digital audio capabilities. (Unfortunately it isn't
compatable with the Soundblaster standard) Retails for $600
Roland Corp. US
7200 Dominion Circle
Los Angeles, CA 90040-3696
(213)685-5141
Waveblaster:
The Waveblaster is an add on daughterboard for the Soundblaster 16 and
Soundblaster 16 ASP. It gives General MIDI support and MPU-401 UART
compatability. It works with Privateer. It lacks the features of the
roland cards, but is a less expensive alternative, and still sound good.
Retails for around $250. (but it needs a SB16 which is also $250!)
Creative Labs
1901 McCarthy Boulevard
Milpitas, CA 95035
(408)428-6600
Gravis Ultrasound:
The favorite sound card of the "hackers". Reason being you pretty much
have to be one to get it to work right. It has a plethoria of TSR
emulation programs that you need to emulate the Soundblaster and General
MIDI cards with. It is a 16 bit digital audio card with 32 channels. All
patches can be rewritten with it, which is a bonus. But its sounds aren't
quite up to the SCC-1's. SBOS is the Soundblaster emulator, which does its
job ok. (But the current version doesn't work with Privateer) this comes
with the Ultrasound. There is a shareware General MIDI/MT-32 emulator
called MEGA-EM which DOES work with Privateer, but at the cost of digital
sound effects. Supposedly, the author of the protected mode port
redirector has "signed on" with Gravis to create a version that Gravis will
send out which will allow use of the SB digital sounds and the General MIDI
music. It has quirks, though. I know a few full-fledged Gravis supporters.
and have even written some supporting programs for them. (Dave Redfern)
Right now the Ultrasound has an uncertain future, but possibly a promising
one. (They promise a "3-D" sound system which goes far beyond QSOUND in
its realism) This remains to be seen. I recommend keeping a close eye on
this one, but avoid it currently. The Gravis camp claimed that OSI would
support it starting with Privateer; obviously the Gravis people were going
with a lot of hot air. The nutty ASM "Demo" groups seem to like it. It
may or may not fly. Also it is the least expensive of the bunch, so it may
be worth the gamble. Retail Price $200.00. Street $150.
Advanced Gravis
#101 3750 North Fraser Way
Burnaby, B.C., Canada, eh
V5J 5E9
(604)431-5020
Also a rumored card from Ensoniq called the "Soundscape" may be worth
looking into.
The file "PATCHPRV.TXT" can be rearranged so that it can convert the
Privateer music files to ANY type of patch set for melodic channels only.
Read the end of the file for info.
Notice:
-------
There may be some quirks with the PRIVMT32.EXE program! In such a case the
program creates a backup of the SOUND.TRE file which can overwrite the
converted file in case of a problem. To do so, you must copy "SOUND.OLD"
over "SOUND.TRE". Please report any problems you come across to me if
possible.
Included Files:
------------------
PRIVMT32.DOC The file you are reading now
PRIVMT32.EXE The executable file
PATCHPRV.TXT The file with the patch conversion data. (user-editable)
FILE_ID.DIZ Description of Program
DESC.SDI Description of Program
If you find any other files besides these in the archive, please delete them.
Quick Start:
-------------------
To convert Privateer into allowing the use of an MT-32 type the following:
PRIVMT32 C:\PRIVATER
Note: You must change "C:\PRIVATER" to the exact drive & directory to which
you have installed privateer.
The program will query you to continue and then proceed to convert the file.
The garbage that pops up on screen was intended to be debugging information,
but is left to give an idea of the progress of the conversion.
More On Commands
-----------------------
PRIVMT32 [d:]\privateerdirectory\
words in '[ ]' are optional.
Custom Patch Maps
-------------------------
Information about editing the standard patch remapping data can be found
at the end of the PATCHPRV.TXT file.
History
--------
Version 1.0 First Released version
-------
If you have questions or comments I can be reached on the Prodigy
service at ID# KBND17B
The Outdoor Sportsman BBS (407)635-9590 - 24 hours @ 14.4k.
I am not positive that the Prodigy Internet gateway is open or if it is not,
but you could try sending a note to "kbnd17b@prodigy.com", although my
ability to respond may not quite be there. <G>
Enjoy,
Mike "Newt" Cornelius
New Smyrna Beach, Florida