Do you miss that sound?
Modern computers (1999-2000+) feature sophisticated midi wavetables, they have different soundfonts built-in and different sound quality than what old sound cards used to have.
7 years ago I've thrown away a perfectly working old pc(purchased in 1996). What a mistake that was. Well, I just couldn't know that my favourite midi sound tracks will never sound the same, could I? I had a "made in china" sound card which was called "Pro 16 PnP Sound Card" by some anonymous hardware manufacturer. I will probably never get to hear that sound again.
I was searching the web for a solution, with no success whatsoever. Recently I installed "Time Commando" again, and my quest for the good old midi sound started once more.
I ACCIDENTALLY discovered how to make those midi files sound like in the good old times.
Therefore I present my solution.
*I would like to purchase an old soundcard through eBay which features the following:
MUST HAVE:
-16 bit digital to analog and analog to digital converter.
-(!!!) 22 Voice music FM Music synthesizer
Should have (but not must):
-Wave Audio
-D/A mixer
-MIDI interface
-If it is based on the "OPTi 82c931 PnP Integrated Audio controller chip" I'll pay 100$ for it.
1)Using WarDraft convert your midi file to .xmi format (tools->music converter) and save the file as test.xmi
2)Next, open the "Drivers.zip" file and extract the files into a single folder.
3)Now move your "test.xmi" to that folder and overwrite.
4)Open the "setsound.exe" files, choose a sound card that works with your pc, and run the midi test.
5)Listen to your file the way it used to sound!
*If you hear no sound in the midi test redo steps 1,2 and then open the "setsound.exe" file and try to find a sound card that works. Try launching the midi test again, wait 5-6 seconds for the music to play. If you wait more than 10 seconds and there is no sound try picking a different sound card.
1) Wardraft
2) "Time Commando" Setsound files (drivers.zip)
3) My favourite midi and others
-earn money on the web here.