My project : DreamBlaster X2 : 81 voice synth PCB

[DreamBlaster]

Hi,
a few months ago, I designed a synth pcb . I am now selling a first batch in my small webshop : http://www.serdashop.com/DreamBlasterX2


You can simply plug it in USB or on your soundblaster, and play MIDI to it.
But I think it is very suitable for integrating in DIY projects, as well !
(I did some experiments with arduino nano, with it, you can easily make a drum computer, for example)

The price is approx 80 euros, and the specs are :

- Small formfactor midi PCB : 65mm x 38mm size
- Black color PCB
- Dream 5000 series synth chip with 81 voices polyphony, high quality effects engine
- Waveblaster compatible connector for use on soundcards and DIY projects.
- Super low latency <1ms
- 64mbyte flash for soundbank data
- USB MIDI in (Class compliant midi device, works on windows XP without drivers)
- stereo line out using a high quality 24 bit DAC
- Preloaded with a high quality 16 megabyte Dream General MIDI soundbank (http://dream.fr/pdf/Serie5000/Soundbanks/GMBK5X128.pdf)
- DreamBlaster Acoustic Preset editor / USB uploader tool for advanced customization/tweaking.

Phil from philscomputerlab, a retro gaming enthousiast, made a video review :

What do YOU think ?

[jxalex]

the editor -- works it under win98se too?

what about firmware source code and programming tools? are they available for personal modifications?
(i would want about possibility to expand with individual outputs and several other different routings)


waveblaster connector... so it is ok with SB Awe64 too??

[DreamBlaster]

hey,
yeah it could work on win98se as well, if this has decentusb support.
It uses standard usb midi (no special driver).
I only tested as low as windows XP, myself.

Firmware and uploader source code is not available, as this is partly under NDA of dream (the DSP chip manufacturer).

It should work on any soundcard that has waveblaster connector.
I also designed a small adapter pcb so you can plug it on DB15 midi connector externally for soundcards that don't have a waveblaster connector.
And finally it should work on any modern pc with usb, windows, mac, linux, raspberry pi,... using the usb connection.

I recorded a complete hour of duke nukem MIDI files played on X2 today :

this gives a better idea of the sound

[DreamBlaster]

Thanks ! But is the MIDI game soundtrack composers who are talented.
It is really great how their music can sound, the old soundblaster synths don't do it justice.

We're working on a new soundbank, it is in beta stage now, size is currently 28mbytes.
You can hear it in action here : https://soundcloud.com/user-919839499/d ... m-x2-gud05