An IT/XM/S3M player would be a long way into giving OPL4 a shot in the arm
Not practical for games/demos though. Too much of a CPU-hog due to all the effects, and when making it/xm/s3m-files on a PC, you don't get to hear how it actually sounds on an OPL4. It may be practical for simple music disks though, but I'm not so sure it's a good idea.
The best is really yet to come.
First, it will depend on the hardware developers. Without new MSX-Audio cartridge on sale, there's little chance of that changing. Most flash card interfaces do not support it. And I don't think the MSX3 will support MSX-Audio internally.
Yamaha could have used the MSX as a springboard. It would have benefited both. However, it preferred to take care of its image of pro equipment for the OPL1 the longest time possible.
I don't think hardware is the problem. A lot of MSX Audio compatible devices are already widely available. The problem imho is that developers nowadays are purists who like to 'imitate' the commercial Japanese titles. PSG, FM Pac and SCC were the norm in these titles so everyone sticks with that. And yes, Compile had some games that were MSX Audio compatible but they just emulated the FM Pac with it. The MSX Audio is capable of so much more!
Both that, and in general sub-par/limited trackers for the MSX-Audio. The hardware can indeed do much more than the few things we've heard so far.
One thing that's worth mentioning is that the simple structure of trackers also leads to songs that aren't all that big nor heavy for the CPU. When music tools are allowed to do more, then cpu-load and RAM-size will likely go up for traditional replayers. With the advent of VGM-streaming (e.g. Bengalack's game) I'd think it's interesting to find out what can be done when memory isn't much of a barrier (coming from multi-MB ROMs).
An IT/XM/S3M player would be a long way into giving OPL4 a shot in the arm
Not practical for games/demos though.
I agree, but I feel a bit frustrating that so far the only practical way to make OPL4 music is still Moonblaster. I'm aware there are alternatives, but are they as practical? I think most MSX solutions suffer from arcane UI and weird design choices (mostly understandable, and related to MSX limitations). Forgive my rant, but I'd really like to be able to play my XM music on the MSX.
Too much of a CPU-hog due to all the effects, and when making it/xm/s3m-files on a PC, you don't get to hear how it actually sounds on an OPL4.
Fair point, but on a PC you also don't get to hear how it actually sounds on a PC. I mean, every player and every tracker sounds a bit different from each other. I personally like to make my music with Skale Tracker, but I use XMPlayer to render it since it sounds a bit better (although the stereo panning is a bit different). For the MSX I'd just do the relevant adjustments.
It may be practical for simple music disks though, but I'm not so sure it's a good idea.
For me it's the difference between being able to make a music disk and not being able. Of course I can adapt myself to a different workflow, but it's difficult being used to PC tools and later trying to use a MSX tool, usually with many more limitations, mostly related to memory but some also related to processing performance. I was personally intrigued by the possibilities raised by processing VGM files in order to make them leaner and more appropriate for MSX applications.
I agree, but I feel a bit frustrating that so far the only practical way to make OPL4 music is still Moonblaster.
I’ve been working on OPL4 support for Furnace Tracker. Hopefully in a month or so it should be ready. Thanks for mentioning it to me the other day!
I agree, but I feel a bit frustrating that so far the only practical way to make OPL4 music is still Moonblaster. I'm aware there are alternatives, but are they as practical? I think most MSX solutions suffer from arcane UI and weird design choices (mostly understandable, and related to MSX limitations). Forgive my rant, but I'd really like to be able to play my XM music on the MSX.
Don't forget, there's always MoonDriver if you want to forego any interface entirely: https://github.com/BouKiCHi/moondrv :P
I’ve been working on OPL4 support for Furnace Tracker. Hopefully in a month or so it should be ready. Thanks for mentioning it to me the other day!
Wow, I'm looking forward to it. I knew there was interest in supporting OPL4, but I feel even more excited now that I know you're working on it. Can't wait!
Don't forget, there's always MoonDriver if you want to forego any interface entirely: https://github.com/BouKiCHi/moondrv :P
That would certainly be a solution for that particular problem. :D
