Help! Naff synthesizers on sound cards

Subject: Help! Naff synthesizers on sound cards
From:
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 03:45 AM

I've seen a thread on this subject recently, but now I can't find it. The problem basically is this: my pc has a sound card (a cheap SoundBlaster clone) but all the instrument voices sound almost exactly alike; I don't have a keyboard instrument - I'm a guitar player - so I can't produce any decent sounds from Noteworthy Composer or any other software I've got. So, I need to know: (a) if I get a new sound card, will it be any good; or (b) am I missing out on something else that will do the trick?

Steve

Subject: RE: Help! Naff synthesizers on sound cards
From: Musicman
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 04:15 AM

steve,

I was using a Media Magic sound card at first, then i got a Yamaha OPL3 for my birthday. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!! The piano sound even almost sounds like a piano!

If you can afford it, I would recommend changing your sound card 1st. I don't know enough about them to recommend one to you, but I like my Yamaha. I'm sure there are better ones, depends I guess, on how good you need it to be, ie professional, or just so it sounds better for your ears only.

Good luck.

paul

Subject: RE: Help! Naff synthesizers on sound cards
From: Alan of Australia
Date: 10 Jan 99 - 08:35 PM

G'day,
For good instrument sounds you need a card which stores the voices in a WAVETABLE. These store samples of real instruments (although they don't always sound like real musicians playing them). Roland Sound Canvas is a good example. Some cards which don't have this feature built in have a connector for a daughter card.

Your card probably uses FM synthesis which was a nice try when it first appeared but not worth having these days.

Cheers,
Alan