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Audio configuration recommendations

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John Novak edited this page Aug 10, 2024 · 27 revisions
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Introduction

Many people go for the "best" supported audio device when playing DOS/Windows 3.1 games, which is often the Roland MT-32 or the SC-55. While this is a perfectly valid choice and there's no arguing with taste, of course, it would be a mistake to outright dismiss all other audio options supported by these games, labelling them as "inferior".

First of all, some people have fond memories of the AdLib, CMS or Tandy soundtracks as they experienced the games on these devices in their youth (remember, the Roland MT-32 was prohibitively expensive for the vast majority of home computer users for a long time, especially outside of the USA).

Secondly, some people feel that music written for these relatively simple synthesizers exudes a certain charm that is missing from the much more polished MT-32, General MIDI and CD-DA soundtracks.

And finally, for someone even just remotely interested in video game and synth music, experimenting with the variety of audio options and listening to different representations of the same soundtrack can be tons of fun!

Taking advantage of the advanced sound enhancement features of DOSBox Staging, such as accurate analog output filter emulation, spatial effects (chorus & reverb) and stereo crossfeed can certainly elevate these synth soundtracks to a whole other level. The below sound related configuration snippets contain such settings that should serve as useful starting points, and will hopefully kickstart your imagination to come up with your own custom configs for other games. All config snippets assume the default DOSBox Staging configuration.

As always, have fun and experiment! 😎

OPL2

688 Attack Sub

[sblaster]
sbtype = sbpro1
sb_filter = auto

[mixer]
reverb = medium
chorus = normal

Alone in the Dark

You need to configure the game for Sound Blaster / Sound Blaster (DMA) sound with this config (it would before starting the intro if you select the Sound Blaster Pro option).

[sblaster]
sbtype = sbpro1
sb_filter = auto

[mixer]
reverb = large
chorus = normal

[autoexec]
mixer sb 85 /noshow

Budokan — The Martial Spirit

[sblaster]
sbtype = sbpro1
sb_filter = auto

[mixer]
reverb = large
chorus = strong

Conquest of Camelot

[sblaster]
sbtype = sbpro1
sb_filter = auto

[mixer]
reverb = large
chorus = normal

Darkseed

[sblaster]
sbtype = sbpro1
sb_filter = auto

[mixer]
reverb = medium
chorus = normal

[autoexec]
mixer master 150 /noshow

Drakkhen

[sblaster]
sbtype = sbpro1
sb_filter = auto

[mixer]
reverb = small
chorus = strong

Eye of the Beholder I

[sblaster]
sbtype = sbpro1
sb_filter = auto

[mixer]
reverb = small
chorus = normal

Eye of the Beholder II

[sblaster]
sbtype = sbpro1
sb_filter = auto

[mixer]
reverb = small
chorus = normal

Gods

[sblaster]
sbtype = sbpro1
sb_filter = auto

[mixer]
reverb = small
chorus = normal

Inca (floppy version)

[sblaster]
sbtype = sb16
sb_filter = auto

[mixer]
reverb = huge
chorus = normal

[autoexec]
mixer master 60 sb 70 /noshow

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

[sblaster]
sbtype = sbpro1
sb_filter = auto

[mixer]
reverb = medium
chorus = strong

Laser Squad

[sblaster]
sbtype = sbpro1
sb_filter = auto

[mixer]
reverb = large
chorus = normal

Prince of Persia

[sblaster]
sbtype = sbpro1
sb_filter = auto

[mixer]
reverb = large
chorus = normal

Secret of Monkey Island, The (floppy version)

[sblaster]
sbtype = sbpro1
sb_filter = auto

[mixer]
reverb = medium
chorus = normal

Ultima VI — The False Prophet

[sblaster]
sbtype = sbpro1
sb_filter = auto

[mixer]
reverb = medium
chorus = normal

Vinyl Goddess from Mars

[sblaster]
sbtype = sbpro1
sb_filter = auto

[mixer]
crossfeed = on
reverb = medium
chorus = normal

X-COM — UFO Defense

[sblaster]
sbtype = sb16
sb_filter = auto

[mixer]
reverb = huge
chorus = normal

[autoexec]
mixer master 200 /noshow

[Top]

Dual OPL2

Dungeon Master II — The Legend of Skullkeep

[sblaster]
sbtype = sbpro2
sb_filter = sb16

[mixer]
crossfeed = on
reverb = huge
chorus = normal

Elvira — Mistress of the Dark

[sblaster]
sbtype = sbpro1
sb_filter = auto

[mixer]
crossfeed = on
reverb = medium
chorus = normal

Knights of Xentar

[sblaster]
sbtype = sbpro1
sb_filter = auto

[mixer]
crossfeed = on
reverb = medium
chorus = normal

[autoexec]
mixer sb 40 /noshow

Legend of Kyrandia Book 1

[sblaster]
sbtype = sbpro2
sb_filter = auto

[mixer]
crossfeed = on
reverb = large
chorus = normal

[autoexec]
mixer fm 150 sb 70 /noshow

Quest for Glory II — Trial by Fire

[sblaster]
sbtype = sbpro1
sb_filter = auto

[mixer]
crossfeed = on
reverb = large
chorus = strong

Space Quest III — The Pirates of Pestulon

[sblaster]
sbtype = sbpro1
sb_filter = auto
opl_filter = off

[mixer]
reverb = small
chorus = subtle

Ultima Underworld — The Stygian Abyss

[sblaster]
sbtype = sbpro1
sb_filter = auto
sbmixer = false
opl_filter = off

[mixer]
crossfeed = on
reverb = large
chorus = subtle

[autoexec]
mixer master 160 sb 40 /noshow

[Top]

OPL3

Cybersphere

[sblaster]
sbtype = sb16
sb_filter = auto

[mixer]
crossfeed = on
reverb = small
chorus = normal

Darkseed II

[sblaster]
sbtype = sb16
sb_filter = auto

[mixer]
crossfeed = on
reverb = large
chorus = normal

KGB

[sblaster]
sbtype = sb16
sb_filter = auto

[mixer]
reverb = small
chorus = normal

[autoexec]
mixer master 150 /noshow

WarCraft — Orcs and Humans

[sblaster]
sbtype = sb16
sb_filter = auto

[mixer]
reverb = huge
chorus = normal

[autoexec]
mixer fm 85 x50 /noshow

[Top]

Tandy

688 Attack Sub

[dosbox]
machine = tandy

[mixer]
reverb = medium
chorus = normal

Arkanoid

[dosbox]
machine = tandy

[mixer]
reverb = medium
chorus = normal

[autoexec]
mixer master 60 /noshow

Budokan — The Martial Spirit

[dosbox]
machine = tandy

[mixer]
reverb = large
chorus = strong

Defender of the Crown

[dosbox]
machine = tandy

[mixer]
reverb = tiny
chorus = normal

[autoexec]
mixer master 60 /noshow

King's Quest I — Quest for the Crown

[dosbox]
machine = tandy

[mixer]
reverb = tiny
chorus = normal

[autoexec]
mixer master 60 /noshow

King's Quest II — Romancing the Throne

[dosbox]
machine = tandy

[mixer]
reverb = tiny
chorus = normal

[autoexec]
mixer master 60 /noshow

Leisure Suit Larry 1 — Land of the Lounge Lizards

[dosbox]
machine = tandy

[mixer]
reverb = tiny
chorus = normal

[autoexec]
mixer master 60 /noshow

Manhunter I — New York

[dosbox]
machine = tandy

[mixer]
reverb = tiny
chorus = normal

[autoexec]
mixer master 60 /noshow

Maniac Mansion

[dosbox]
machine = tandy

[mixer]
reverb = tiny
chorus = normal

[autoexec]
mixer master 60 /noshow

Maniac Mansion Enhanced

[dosbox]
machine = tandy

[mixer]
reverb = tiny
chorus = normal

Police Quest 1 — In Pursuit of the Death Angel

[dosbox]
machine = tandy

[mixer]
reverb = tiny
chorus = normal

[autoexec]
mixer master 60 /noshow

Skate or Die!

[dosbox]
machine = tandy

[mixer]
reverb = tiny
chorus = normal

Ski or Die!

[dosbox]
machine = tandy

[mixer]
reverb = tiny
chorus = normal

Space Quest I — The Sarien Encounter

[dosbox]
machine = tandy

[mixer]
reverb = tiny
chorus = normal

Space Quest II — Vohauls Revenge

[dosbox]
machine = tandy

[mixer]
reverb = tiny
chorus = normal

[autoexec]
mixer master 60 /noshow

Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders Enhanced

[dosbox]
machine = tandy

[mixer]
crossfeed = on
reverb = tiny
chorus = normal

[Top]

Creative Music System (CMS)

Budokan — The Martial Spirit

[sblaster]
cms = on

[mixer]
reverb = medium
chorus = strong

Laura Bow 1 — The Colonel's Bequest

TODO

Secret of Monkey Island, The (floppy version)

[mixer]
reverb = medium
chorus = normal
crossfeed = strong

[sblaster]
cms = on

Times of Lore

TODO

EcoQuest

TODO

[Top]

SoundBlaster DAC

Pinball Dreams

[sblaster]
sbtype = sb16
sb_filter = auto

[mixer]
reverb = medium
chorus = normal

[autoexec]
mixer master 60 sb x34 r54 /noshow

[Top]

Gravis Ultrasound

Dark Sun — Shattered Lands

[gus]
gus = on

[mixer]
crossfeed = on
reverb = medium
chorus = normal

[autoexec]
mixer gus r54 /noshow

[Top]

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