FF8 DLS v1.39 ready to be uploaded tomorrow (Done!)

[Samuel_Slight]

Since Christmas is in a few days, I'm releasing a new version further more closer to the PSX and more accurate. That version will probably be the last one before the final version (1.40), unless I find more samples.

Aaron, do you think you will have some time to upload it to the site?
It should be uploaded to your ftp tomorrow. (at least the patch)

EDIT: In case someone is new here, you can get the files at FFSF.

[Aaron]

I will most likely be able to upload it to the site immediately, I guess.  Just let me know when its been uploaded to my computer.

[Samuel_Slight]

Ok, I've uploaded the patch, so you can add it to the site mentionning that the full package, the MP3 Previews and the FFAddon file will be uploaded a few days after Christmas (maybe the day after). You know, my upload speed is only 4kb/s.    But I can upload the FFAddon file tomorrow.

Do not transfer the currently uploaded FFAddon file (ff8dls_sgts.zip), it doesn't work with the configurator because winrar 3.00 uses a different compression not compatible with it. Fortunately, I've found a previous version of winrar and recompressed the ffaddon file. I could not upload it because you probably have turned off your computer now.

BTW, Happy Christmas everyone!  

[Aaron]

Uploading now, should be available in about 20 minutes.

[Edit] Done.

[Samuel_Slight]

Thanks!
So now, I've just uploaded the SGTs package for v1.39.
You should add "v1.39" in parentheses just after "SGTs package" just so everyone know it's not for v1.36, and that until the full package of v1.39 is uploaded of course. I don't think it needs to be added into the news, it will only when everything missing will be uploaded (should be december 26 or 27).

[Aaron]

Done... again.

I think I'll go try it out now...

[Smurgen]

Pretty spiffy! i just use the DLS in winamp though ^_^
But me likes anyway!

[Goku7]

Oh, and for the record, I was the one who did the Distortion/Overdrive guitar patch assignments for the last half of the boss theme (assuming you haven't actually changed those patch assignments since the last one I've sent you, long long ago, LOL. ), since IIRC, you said you were gonna go with what I had sent you, at least, patch-assignment-wise....um, waitaminute, you DID include the guitar-wah version in this one, correct?

So, basically I'm saying we had collaborated (a very small, short bit though), for that part.  For everything else, it should be the result of all of Samuel's hard work.

I've yet to try out the new version, since I've been so busy with Metroid Prime......anyway, carry on....

[KojiroTakenashi]

I still say for the missing instruments you should try ripping the waveforms from Legend of Dragoon...

[Samuel_Slight]

Aaron: Everything is uploaded. I splitted the full package with winrar for the same reason as previously. But now you'll need at least winrar 3.0 to extract the big zip, because it uses a new compression engine (it's now 2.9 instead of 2.0). So after everything is uploaded to FFSF, you can announce that the full zip package with the updated previews are uploaded (and remove the "(1.29)" after "SGT package" since everything will be for v1.29 then). Do it when you can, you don't have to urge.    .And thank you again for your help to keep alive FFSF.

Smurgen: Yeah, that DLS can also be useful for people who don't have FF8 for PC. You don't have it, right, or you don't play anymore? just curious . . .  and sorry for my english ignorance but, what means "spiffy"?

KojiroTakenashi: Are you talking about "The Extreme"'s electric guitar? And what is the title of the song you heard the "similar to FF8" one?
I'll try to find a mp3 of that song at least so I can hear it. But I dunno if I can find the CD or someone with the CD at first and dunno if it is correct to borrow samples from a copyrighted game to another one from a different company in addition. Anyway let's hear it first.    (do you know a site where I can get a mp3 of that song?)

Goku7: Yeah, the boss theme now has the wah-wah effect and the new guitar assignment you sent me, except for the last part of the song, because the guitar needs to fade out which I didn't have the time to finish in time for v1.39. Anyway, should I do it for v1.40 or it's ok right now?

[Smurgen]

Spiffy is spiffy! like yay and good and fun and WHEE!
And i have FF8 PC but didn't really get into it so i just use the instruments in Winamp cuz  MIDI sound a lot better that way

[Aaron]

Samuel: For "The Extreme," check your PM.

Anyway, I have all of the files you sent but this is kinda big so I probably won't upload it til Monday.  Well, maybe before then... we'll see.

But they're all here and it looks good and everything.

[Edit] Heck, I figured I might as well go ahead and upload it.  It won't be done for a few hours though.

[Goku7]

Goku7: Yeah, the boss theme now has the wah-wah effect and the new guitar assignment you sent me, except for the last part of the song, because the guitar needs to fade out which I didn't have the time to finish in time for v1.39. Anyway, should I do it for v1.40 or it's ok right now?

It's a mixed bag.  The final sustain part that isn't faded out sounds good if you leave it alone (at least in the prototypes we sent back and forth, I still haven't tried out the new DLS version yet), or with some very slight fading due to the slow feedback effect that occurs when its sustained that far, but the sustain+fade that the OST has after the wah-wah part, but before the main organ bridge of the song, should be done exactly as the OST is in terms of how abruptly it goes into the decay/fade-out phase.

[Aaron]

Ok, well, the upload is done.  Enjoy!

[KojiroTakenashi]

Sam: I'm not sure about where you are (may have a different distributor), but Legend of Dragoon is also made by Squaresoft, so it's logical to assume they would use similar dev kits for the music. I'm not sure what the songs are called, but I know they sound similar (at least I think :\ I prefer that game on my Emulator, so I don't know if the sounds coming from my PC are improved or worse). I believe it's one of the battle themes that has an overdriven guitar. Substitution from other Square games seems like the best candidate to get the proper instruments for FF8, in my opinion.

[Aaron]

LoD was not made by SquareSoft, but by Sony.

[KojiroTakenashi]

I stand corrected, as my memory is either getting worse, or I've skipped into a parallel dimension ^.^;;

Then, wouldn't Crono Cross be the best bet for similar waveforms?

[Smurgen]

any chance someone will convert all those FF8 music files into MIDI so they can be played in winamp with the DLS loaded? I would use the STG player plugin if it didn't cause some pretty hardcore lockups whenever i loaded winamp. It dosen't like my soundcard drivers or something i guess

[KojiroTakenashi]

You can't extract them without losing the original instruments.
:p Sorry Winamp Boi.

[Aaron]

But you CAN extract them into MIDIs, and then load the DLS as a soundfont to be used when playing MIDIs, and play them correctly.  I once came across a ZIP file that contained all of the MIDIs extracted from FF8 but of course, they didn't have their original instruments - it was just the MIDI data.

I prefer to just play them in the FF8Configurator  ... its pretty easy and it works right.

[F-3582]

Hi. First of all, this patch is simply incredible!
But did anybody notice that there are still missing instruments in "041s-field.sgt" ("Blue Fields" - the Worldmap BGM)? To be exact, I still miss the steel drum which should be also a part of the melody.

BTW: Samuel, you spoke of "missing samples". Where did you get your samples?