discoDSP have updated OPL AUv3 FM Synth, currently available for $9.99.
What’s new in version 2.7:
- Oversampling switched to 8x for better CPU performance and similar sound quality.
- New menu button adds Export button with Load/Export options.
- Modern popup menus with improved styling.
- Per-project window size memory.
- Reduced CPU usage during parameter automation and GUI processing.
- Smart processing only affects active channels.
- Optimized voice management eliminates audio dropouts.
- Enhanced oversampling initialization and memory management.
- Improved plugin state management and build system updates.
- Major framework update.
OPL, a software synth that emulates a digital sound synthesis chip developed by Yamaha in the mid 1980s that was used in sound cards for PC, including the Ad Lib card and early Sound Blaster series.
At a technical level: the emulator has channels comprised of 2 oscillators each. Each pair of oscillators is usually combined via phase modulation (basically frequency modulation). Each oscillator can produce one of eight waveforms (sine, half sine, absolute sine, quarter sine, alternating sine, camel sine, square, logarithmic sawtooth), and has an ADSR envelope controlling its amplitude. The unusual waveforms give it a characteristic sound.
Each instance of the plugin emulates an entire OPL chip, but with this plugin, essentially you are just working with two operators: the carrier and modulator.
SBI files are an instrument file format developed by Creative Labs back in the day for the Sound Blaster. Essentially they work as presets for this plugin. Just drag and drop them into the plugin window.
Percussion mode is now supported! This mode is not very well documented, even in the original Yamaha documentation. Here are some tips on using it based on experimentation and looking at the DOSBox source code. Also, some much more detailed notes on percussion mode based on experimentation with real hardware!
- Bass drum: Uses both operators. Essentially just doubles output amplitude?
- Snare: Uses carrier settings. Abs-sine waveform recommended.
- Tom: Uses modulator settings. Sine waveform recommended.
- Cymbal: Uses carrier settings. Half-sine recommended.
- Hi-hat: Uses modulator settings. Half-sine recommended.
For more information on OPL, click here:
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