Willy: Difference between revisions
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OPL3 offers 18 FM 2-op chans in its standard mode, but that can be configured: | OPL3 offers 18 FM 2-op chans in its standard mode, but that can be configured: | ||
* One setting converts 3 of the FM chans into a 5-chan FM percussion set | * One setting converts 3 of the FM chans into a 5-chan FM percussion set | ||
* Another setting pairs 12 of the FM chans into 6 FM 4-op chans | * Another setting pairs 12 of the FM chans into 6 FM 4-op chans | ||
* Both settings can be used at the same time, to obtain 6 FM 4-op chans + 3 FM 2-op chans + 5-chan FM percussion set | * Both settings can be used at the same time, to obtain 6 FM 4-op chans + 3 FM 2-op chans + 5-chan FM percussion set | ||
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=== FM Percussion Set === | |||
The OPL3 synthesizes drum sounds using a combination of frequency modulation (FM) synthesis and bit manipulation, which works as follows: | |||
*Bass Drum: Uses FM synthesis between operators to generate a low-pitched percussion sound | |||
*Tom Tom: Direct output of a single operator, with no modulation | |||
*Snare Drum: Combines the phase of a single operator with random noise, mimicking a snare's sharpness | |||
*Cymbal: Created by XOR-ing six bits from the phase of two operators, producing a noisy waveform | |||
*Hi-hat: Similar to the cymbal, but with added random noise for a sharper, metallic sound | |||
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Revision as of 01:30, 14 October 2024
Willy - MIDI and OPL3 Soundcard adapter for CPC
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Demonstrations
- Willy OPL3 on a real CPC demoed by Prodatron
- Willy MIDI and Willy OPL3 emulated on ACE demoed by Offset
- Willy OPL3 emulated on ACE-DL demoed by Roudoudou
- OPL3LPT soundcard reviewed on PC by ChinnyVision
Weblinks
- https://pulkomandy.github.io/shinra.github.io/willy.html
- OPL3 Player Pack Huge pack containing 3887 OPL2/OPL3 tunes to be played on Amstrad CPC
Cost
The cost for a Willy soundcard adapter is 10€. This does not include any soundcard, you have to buy those separately.
Technical information
2 ports are used to control the MIDI soundcard: &FEAC for data, and &FEAD for control and status.
3 ports are used to control the OPL3 soundcard: &FEBC and &FEBE are register select ports, and &FEBD is the data port.
OPL3 is register compatible with OPL2, with twice the number of signal sources, 4 new operator modes, 4 new selectable waveforms (including square wave) and stereo output.
OPL3 offers 18 FM 2-op chans in its standard mode, but that can be configured:
- One setting converts 3 of the FM chans into a 5-chan FM percussion set
- Another setting pairs 12 of the FM chans into 6 FM 4-op chans
- Both settings can be used at the same time, to obtain 6 FM 4-op chans + 3 FM 2-op chans + 5-chan FM percussion set
FM Percussion Set
The OPL3 synthesizes drum sounds using a combination of frequency modulation (FM) synthesis and bit manipulation, which works as follows:
- Bass Drum: Uses FM synthesis between operators to generate a low-pitched percussion sound
- Tom Tom: Direct output of a single operator, with no modulation
- Snare Drum: Combines the phase of a single operator with random noise, mimicking a snare's sharpness
- Cymbal: Created by XOR-ing six bits from the phase of two operators, producing a noisy waveform
- Hi-hat: Similar to the cymbal, but with added random noise for a sharper, metallic sound
Compatible Serdaco soundcards
- S2P soundcard aka Roland MT-32 or General MIDI Wavetable Synth - Datasheet
- OPL3LPT soundcard aka AdLib Gold or Sound Blaster 16 - Datasheet
- OPL2LPT soundcard aka AdLib or Sound Blaster - Datasheet
- CMSLPT soundcard aka Creative Music System or Game Blaster - Datasheet
- TNDLPT soundcard aka PCjr or Tandy Sound - Datasheet
- CVX4 soundcard aka Covox Speech Thing - Technical analysis