Bad Apple (Adlib Tracker - OPL3)

After months and months of barely being able to work on it, this track is finally done.....and just in time for Christmas, too. Thank goodness.
This track was a lot of fun to make. Early on, I decided to make it an exercise in using square waves for FM. Toward the end, I started adding in sawtooth waves for various things. I would say about 80% of the sounds in this track use the square or the sawtooth wave one way or the other.
OPL3 for life ♥
SoundCloud:
/ bad-apple-opl3
Downloads:
www.mediafire.com/folder/nme52...

[@stevenclark2188]

I just love adlib tracker sound labels. "UFO there's a UFO OMG!"

[@markpenrice6253]

I had to play the tune a second time just because I wanted to figure out what sound it actually was. And I'm still not entirely sure. Possibly the odd, high pitched, rapid, really wide ranging vibrato sine thing that is subtly in the background in certain places in the original and I didn't actually notice myself until playing about with it as an example file for a timestretching tool, which suddenly made it a lot more obvious both audibly and on the spectrogram? It's too quiet to really make out on my crappy laptop speakers, here.

[@virtueisdead]

Kikc, Bang Boom Raptor Jesus

[@DeltaR9A2]

I'MA CHARGIN MY LASER

[@no_service429]

Tom and Jerry....

[@KarjamP]

Apparently, the song composer got bored when he was naming some of the instruments.

[@NAB622]

A.D.H.D. is a wonderful thing.

[@ryanplayzxdd931]

Well acually one was named ton and jerry

[@Juzimaster]

@@NAB622 Isn't it more OCD than ADHD?

[@NAB622]

@@Juzimaster Nah, OCD is about neatness and orderliness. A.D.H.D is more of a relentless sugar rush and HEY LOOK A SQUIRREL

[@btrplay]

What are you talking about? I played a Tom and Jerry in an elementary school band competition and made it all the way to the finals at the Gensokyo Principal’s Office.

[@andystandys]

I just downloaded Adlib Tracker II about a month ago and installed in on my newly restored 486 I've been listening to this song as part of the Adlib Tracker package, and thought it was great. I realize that you created this a decade ago, but thought that you might like to know that it is still being enjoyed. I wasn't even into retro computing back when you first created this song.

[@NAB622]

You are very kind, thank you. I hope to continue making music very soon, but God only knows when that will be. Good luck in your own endeavors as well!

[@seamonkeys12y]

I like how I could just tell it was a Japanese song even though it's in 8 bit, 1980's sound

[@charles9655]

we need more opl3 covers

[@NAB622]

OPL3 is gaining a small fanbase back, and I'm certainly not done making covers, so there will definitely be more in the future!

[@charles9655]

NAB622 that's good to hear can't wait. I Might even try to make a remix as well if I can get it working

[@charleswesthoff5954]

NAB622 general midi made the opl3 sound bad but it's honestly pretty good sounding

[@MadameSomnambule]

Ikr! I'd love to hear some opl3 covers of 80s songs or something like Tong Poo by YMO. I think tracks like that would sound amazing on opl3.

[@alvaroacwellan9051]

After many years I've just got into FM music so I'm hoarding vintage SB's and listening the hell out of them in retro rigs. I'll get this one listened on real hardware too - as soon as I find the oldest mobo Adlib Tracker is fine with. I have a few of them :) Touhou series is another big thing for me so this piece is definitely love!

[@mattm7220]

Can we all take a moment to appreciate the track "Bang Boom Raptor Jesus" in amongst all the normal sounding ones 😂

[@NLRevZ]

I only see this now, but.. I have to give you credit man, it is amazingly well-made! Extremely good job, keep it up!

[@angrodNumenesse]

Holy bang boom raptor jesus is this good! Really like the 'distorted' sound too! Totally going in mah faves! Need an OPL metal piece now :P

[@kolamik2]

gave me goosebumps.. awesome

[@AntSimpson]

This is insane .... I love it !!

[@segatouringcar3738]

Outstanding track!

[@Manawyrm]

this is really really great.

[@NathanDarkson984]

I can imagine The Ultimate DOOM, with this song in only one map.

[@Wuerfel21]

Gotta love "square screetchy"... sounds like a good ole' dialup modem. Ahh, good times. Damn you shitty compressed VoIP, you cant even get a 300 baud modem to work.

[@markpenrice6253]

Also pretty close to a weird screech noise that's on the original ;)

[@YuutaTogashi0707]

The original OPNA song got covered by Alstroemeria Records and is now returned to FM form

[@I_SEE_RED]

Best variant of this ever made

[@NininininimoCP]

Very good!. Too bad people don't know what FM shynthesis is. What tracker did you use?

[@NAB622]

Adlib Tracker II. It's back in active development now, and has a lot of modern features. I can't recommend it enough!

[@markpenrice6253]

I'm trying to work out if I know you better under a different pseudonym, now... :D

[@mirabilis]

Gorgeous

[@ACoolestNinja]

It's really good

[@carl_the_]

Thank you, very cool!

[@pvc988]

I'MA CHARGIN MAH LAZOR

[@anthonybrett]

Brilliant. Takes me back to the days of my Amiga and Noisetracker lol (f#ck Im gettting old). Great track, well done.

[@NAB622]

Aww, you flatter me. Thanks.

[@Alianger]

Very cool!

[@ShwappaJ]

This is a very good representation of 8-bit capabilities. I love it

[@NAB622]

16-bit, actually. Glad you liked it, though!

[@ShwappaJ]

@@NAB622 Still impressive tho

[@ssg-eggunner]

To be fair it's impossible to label something by bits Because like bits of what? CPU? Volume Depth? Pitch Depth? Sometimes it can be partially something bits and other part other bits

[@Kippykip]

Holy fucking shit dude this sounds amazing

[@thefunnychiptuneman]

how can anyone dislike this touhou is good no matter what

[@lev7509]

Epic!

[@SilentSinnerInScarlet]

I respect you for your skills. Who can match you in this business?

[@Raemey]

0:30 always gonna be my fav part.

[@emmanueloverrated]

OPL3 chip was an awesome chip.

[@markpenrice6253]

What a strange ride I've been on through the internet the last few days ... it actually started off by fetching up on the original video for the first time in ages... from there a whole sprawl through info on the games, the computer, its chips (partly to do with wondering if the ol' Atari ST 640x400 mode and its custom monitor was in any way related to the Japanese standard... after a lot of figuring out, our survey said [farty buzzer noise, enormous X drawn on the billboard] ... partly because I'd been looking up stuff around the OPN chips and musing on their suitability for use in some kind of upgraded-retro computer that would have, oddly enough, about 4x the graphics of the ST, and finding out that there _actually were machines that were specced that exact way_ blew my mind a little and I had to know more), considering the actually entirely-made-up lyrics added by the remixer, the multiple different English translations which vary between "singable gibberish" to "very poetic descriptions of the experience of major depression but in no way useful as song lyrics" and wondering if I could square that particular circle, then ending up in a gallery of PC98/PC88/FMT/FM7/X68k/X1 artwork... some in-between steps that I can't really remember or understand because I was half asleep... then back through youtube looking at different videos, and ....... this comes up on the sidebar. Yay for tracking cookies, I guess? Question: If I click on enough other of these AT2 links, will it stop trying to get me to watch that sodding Young Dumb And Living Off Mum episode with the really annoying thumbnail of someone who appears to be the world's most doped-up teenage girl? ....headache now. Need fluids. Need food. Paracetamol. And a strong consideration of whether or not to indulge in one last "emergency" low strength venlafaxine capsule-let thingy because I'm not ensurely tire that things are 100% normal night row.

[@ColgateLP]

i tend to get jealous about when Bronies have the same musical interests like i have... But damn.... You did it just too good ;)

[@NAB622]

Awww thanks. More than anything, I hope you feel inspired and maybe even want to make your own music. By similar interest, are you referring to this particular song, or to sound blaster music in general? I've noticed there are quite a few bronies into sound blaster music.

[@ColgateLP]

+NAB622 Well, i was referring to Sound-Blaster Music, but FM-synthesis in general. i did'nt know there were other bronies who do that. thought im the only one^^ I do make music myself, sometimes i upload on to my channel. at the moment mostly Sega MegaDrive covers with my Little Yamaha DX100. It has many similarities to the megadrive soundchip. Do you make all the patches by your own? They sound more than very nice! and the composition...nice (And with a little detuning....just FM heaven ;) ) Keep it up! (I got to spend more time with my dx100 for sure...) Greetings from switzerland.

[@NAB622]

Sound blaster music is very niche. There's a few other bronies into it. I think I'm the only one actively composing music for it, though. CDiFan237 comes to mind, as well as a smattering of subscribers from my other channel that sport pony avatars. I love classic Yamaha FM. This stuff can't be beat. I've never looked into the DX100 before, but it sounds pretty cool. I have an SY99 and SY22.... But i haven't had a chance to use them, since they both need repairs. Very beautiful sounds, though. Yeah, the patches are all original. I never borrow patches from anywhere. Most of this track abuses the square and sawtooth waves, resulting in some highly unique sounds. It took forever to do but it was fun and worth it. I noticed you're into undertale, too. That's kind of funny, actually...... Keep going, Yamaha FM is amazing stuff and deserves a fresh look! Greetings from the US. ;)

[@njsynthesis]

This is the "fullest" OPL3 track I've ever heard.

[@alicestellaris8035]

As a fan of PC-98 games and FM synthesis, I love your work! Those old Yamaha chips sound so great when put in the right hands I'm currently working on a Bad Apple demo for the IBM PC and I was wondering if you would be okay with me using your track? With your permission, I will modify it slightly for compression purposes, and will credit you and link back to your video :)

[@AC-zv3fx]

It is so beautiful! Please make Lagtrain, it'd be great!

[@Schule04]

Well, this sounds really different on real hardware.

[@markpenrice6253]

If you mean the actual game, then it's essentially a totally different piece of music ... so, yeah.

[@jmusicman]

Really excellent! Wasn't expecting that key change :) Do you have a link to a complete collection of your .A2M files? Would love to listen to them all on the actual hardware.

[@NAB622]

James Medeiros I do not, actually. I intended for all of them to be included with Adlib Tracker, but then I got behind sending them in. I'll be releasing a few more tracks over Christmas, so I'll get caught up then.

[@hermanncavalcante7616]

I wonder how it would sound on wingroove

[@markpenrice6253]

NB do you mind awfully if I replay this at 25% speed, starting and stopping on a regular basis, or order to take down the notes for the melody and bassline? I've found a squillion different scores for it and they all sound like crap in different ways. Whereas you've nailed it, and it's showing the piano key values and even the frequency divider value, like, right there on the screen, in time with the sounds. Oh, and is there a lot more bass I'm not hearing here? My laptop speakers are terrible and I see a lot of things on the list that suggest some deep bits of bassline, but nothing is heard... the sound is a bit thin as a result. :/ (I'll have to come back and play it through the phone maybe, as that has, inexplicably, much better bass response even though its speaker is a 5mm square NXT chip, vs the actual rather later cones in the lappy...) PS mash it up with MLP and Steven Universe, you know you want to.

WOW!!!!

[@FeelingShred]

how does the "OMG there's an UFO" thingy sounds by itself? 🤣🤣🤣

[@alvaroacwellan9051]

...then it took me a while to find the option of relaxed OPL timings because Adlib Tracker II sounded all scrambled up on CT1740, CT2230 and CT2290 too. Then it miraculously worked on a CT3600 SB32 which doesn't have an original OPL3 chip. Does it depend on the mobo I used, I wonder...? It didn't work on any 386 I tried then I took a huge step and put together a Tualatin P3... Maybe something in between...

[@NAB622]

I'm really not sure, but I think it is motherboard related, yes. I have an AdLib card and it also doesn't work unless the latency setting is on.

[@alvaroacwellan9051]

Yup! I've tried it with 2 more boards. Socket 7, with the same ALI chipset, because one of these was the earliest I could find here with a PS/2 header for a mouse. One of them (Acorp 5ALI61) works without the delay option, the other (Asus P5A-B) doesn't. So it really depends.

[@pentiummmx2294]

I have a CT2830 and it works on my pentium 3 katmai slot 1 pc and Adlib Tracker II works on it flawlessly. my packard bell pc died so its in my pentium 3 pc, i might put my soundblaster Live! 5.1 sound card back in it if i get my hands on a pentium 1 pc.

[@markpenrice6253]

I am so confused by all these words... Can't you just find a dumpster-spec 486 with an ISA SB16 or something? Should cost you very little, still have more than enough horsepower for anything AT2 can challenge it with (or if you're really concerned, get a Pentium...), and I can't say I ever heard anything about timing problems or the like back in the day. Whereas a classic soundcard with an actually OPL on it is a bit of a weird combination to find with a Pentium III... which would be massively overpowered for the task of firing register updates at an FM chip that can only accept about 100kbyte/s of data at the absolute max anyway.

[@EvilTurkeySlices]

@@alvaroacwellan9051 I have that same acorp board.

[@P3PPRMNT]

“Bang boom raptor Jesus” I-

[@yahirthevyond]

I just like how it sounds similar to a Genesis

[@santiagovalentine8294]

That's because the Genesis has 4 operators in each channels, an the opl3 also has 4 operators... But i think that this song is running only with 2

[@ssg-eggunner]

More like YM2413

[@ghb323]

full version.

[@NAB622]

Almost! There's a few elements from the short version in here, and this version is also missing a few segments from the full cut. I just took my favorite parts from both and mashed them together.

[@GeraldreiDaniel]

YMF262 a.k.a the OPL3 OPL3 means fm OPerator type-L version 3

[@ltva8781]

After this video I decided that my planned 8 bit computer would definitely have 2 these chips. Also, in OPL3 datasheet it is stated that it generates 4-channel output, but stereo requires only 2 channels. What's the point?

[@NAB622]

I was not aware of 4 channel output... Are you sure it's not referring to 4 operator instruments? Regardless, there isn't a single sound card from the 90s that'll make use of more than two channels, since as you mentioned, they're all stereo. Extra channels are great for effects, like reverb tanks or distortion. If they're there, that was probably the intent, but nobody implemented them on the hardware level.

[@ltva8781]

@@NAB622 I checked, OPL3 actually had 4 channel output, but only 2 of them were used in stereo, so it is possible to have quadro sound

[@NAB622]

@@ltva8781 Neat, didn't know that!

[@evilrainbow]

Key change = head change.

[@simonebernacchia]

How come c64 cam come with much better drums than FM? AFAIK is modulated white noise at a low pitch: is it feasible?

[@NAB622]

Simone Bernacchia Modulated white noise at a low pitch doesn't sound very appealing. FM drums are a tricky subject, as there are a lot of different static sounds that can be generated. If you're following the base parameters, the only real option you have for making a complex drum sound is the ADSR, particularly on the modulator wave. It's just one of the many reasons FM music is so unique. For the record, Adlib Tracker has a macro editor, and by far, it has produced the best FM drum sounds I've ever heard: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXLaoIaLnZiDn68

[@simonebernacchia]

NAB622 Yeah, those are very impressive, i just have in mind the usual bland pinch done by standard instruments library and wondered whether was laziness of the musician (ok unlike Amiga and 64 we are talking about real music composers here) or simply lack of tools to create better drums for nontechnical people

[@NAB622]

Simone Bernacchia There is a percussion feature on OPL chips that gives a few extra channels and some unique features to help with drums, but most people don't use it because it seems prohibitively difficult. If you've heard MIDI played through an OPL3 chip, it uses the percussion extensions, albeit not very well. I presume this is the kind of drums you were saying doesn't sound very good? kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpOmkJt6qtl-b6c

[@simonebernacchia]

Yup thats what comes to my mind :)

[@BlazeRhodon]

+NAB622 I've heard in original japanese video games soundtracks composed on YM3812 or YMF262 rhythm sound samples (these rare japanese soundtracks can be played by Hoot sound emulator) but I have not heard it in worldwide soundtracks. I guess most composers were lazy in programming music for Sound Blaster sound cards.

[@amoledzeppelin]

*K I K C*

[@SeltsamerAttraktor]

Hi, newb here, what's the name of the tracker program? Got my dos machine set up and ready to play some sick fm synth tunes.

[@NAB622]

SeltsamerAttraktor The program is Adlib Tracker II.

[@SeltsamerAttraktor]

Thanks. Now that you say it, it really looks a lot like Adlib Tracker II, only in black, duh. ^_^ Do you know any good source for tracks that come as am2 files? You seem to be one of the only few people actually offering their works for download.

[@NAB622]

SeltsamerAttraktor Yeah, I recolored AT2 for the video as a nod to the famous black and white fan video for Bad Apple. If you haven't seen it, check it out. It's impressive. There must be at least 150 modules included with Adlib Tracker. I recommend going through the Encore and Madbrain folders for a sample of what it can do. There are also a couple great modules in the ben folder. O2star and diodema are current artists, although sadly I haven't kept up with them. I can't remember the location of the other great modules but that's the fun of exploring. Also, I did a cover of Corridors of Time that has some interesting sounds. dretz/corridor.a2m

[@SeltsamerAttraktor]

Oh well, Adlib Tracker doesn't even start on my currently set up dos machine. Welp. ": Requirements for performance of the computer needed to run Adlib Tracker are very moderate. The main criteria is that the computer can handle ISA-cards to be able to use those Soundblaster cards that contain the OPL3-chip. Here is a preferred setup: Pentium processor" Herp derp, guess a 386 ain't equipped for that.

[@NAB622]

SeltsamerAttraktor Probably a bit slow. Try the SDL version on whatever computer you're accessing the Internet on. The emulation is almost perfect.

[@rajaanquarza8553]

it's lacking in the drums department, tho keep in mind i have almost no idea how the OPL3 generates sound, so ill take this as good

[@NAB622]

I'm new to instrument design and have a long ways to go. Thanks for the honest feedback, I do appreciate it. :)

[@user-bs2bh1hj9z]

Haha. Classic.

[@markpenrice6253]

Those instrument names, tho

[@shalpp]

LFOPORNOOOOOO

[@hypnoshypnos4755]

Ah, this is based off the pop song version. I was kinda hoping for an arrange a little closer to the PC98 original. Still very good, though.

[@NAB622]

Hypnos Hypnos It's actually a cross between the two pop song versions (Short and long). There are elements I liked from both, specifically the transition at 3:00.

[@hypnoshypnos4755]

Cool stuff :)

[@themelancholyofgay3543]

✔

[@lesharkoiste]

Square Screechy

[@NAB622]

Lcsmxd Bang boom raptor Jesus

[@eptio9849]

I thought the adlib and soundblaster only had 5 instrument channels oh yeah i noticed the reference to raptor jesus

[@NAB622]

Adlib has 9 channels, SB16 has 18, and ESFM has 24 IIRC. Yeah i like having fun with instrument names. Because why not? :D

[@NAB622]

+Eptiomism Awwwwwww..... yeah the trolls are kind of ruthless. The internet can be a cruel place sometimes. that said, I've been insulted/attacked just for using a pony avatar many times in the past, and I will admit those people are quite fun to toy with. The constant porn posts/comments are getting old, yes. People just love giving themselves a bad name, or else they're using it as troll bait. Either way, I would rather shake my head and walk away. XD Even with the pony content I make here and there I don't want to be too annoying with it. *Shrug* I would rather make everyone laugh than just make myself laugh. There are actually many others that feel the same way, and they're really sweet people, although they're overshadowed by the loud ones.

[@eptio9849]

I actually trolled a hater today NAB622

[@NAB622]

+Eptiomism Well, I mean...... if they have nothing better to do than hate people...... it's often irresistible to do something back at them. XD

[@eptio9849]

Trolling trollers is a fun thing to do when you aren't in a killing spree mood NAB622

[@bergerfonkoenig6997]

"Not so bad"...(!). 😆☑...But, by truth.., I'm interesting more in this program... ☝

[@slendi9623]

420

[@sparky4insano]

vomits like crazy

[@animegame100]

they forgot tg16 version!!

[@side2sideful]

Do people really not know what FM synthesis is, and why it sounds so bad? Nobody at all can make it sound better without faking it, and not doing on real hardware.

[@NAB622]

side2sideful I'm a little confused by your statement. For the record, though, this video is done with real hardware on a real Sound Blaster 16. Everything here is real FM, and there are no software enhancements or maximizers whatsoever.

[@side2sideful]

NAB622 Many people in the comments think that the video is made on a modern sound card in a modern tracker, and are surprised at the sound quality and capabilities being bad.

[@NAB622]

side2sideful One of the "Haters" is actually a buddy of mine being silly. The others, I don't know, and I couldn't care less. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that most people have no taste and just follow the trendy masses. *Shrug* As far as the sound capabilities, I don't think there's anything "Bad" about the sound at all.....even compared to modern music. It certainly sounds different, but it hardly sounds as bad as what most people expect from a SB16. Most people have only heard the default Win98 MIDI sounds. Kind of amusing how far off it is from the truth.

[@side2sideful]

It's "bad" in their standards. I dig it. Rock on, man. EDIT: Speaking of which, may I have the module file? I would really want to examine it and see what it takes to make a great track on Adlib Tracker.

[@NAB622]

side2sideful​ Awww thanks. Already am and always will. There are downloads in the description, but actually, this module is included with the latest version of AdLib tracker as well. You can find it in Modules/Dretz/Badapple.A2M. Do whatever you please with it. There are many other great modules from other artists as well, so it's worth looking through them all!

[@Demonat865]

I hate this so much, it's all off and doesn't sound real AT ALL

[@NAB622]

I know. I can't imagine how i could have possibly made such an abomination. Guess I'll have to delete it.

[@Demonat865]

NAB622 yea just delete your channel brony weirdo

[@NAB622]

Demonat865 I sure will. Thanks for the tip!

[@Demonat865]

it'll never save him from me

[@NAB622]

Oh noes I'm scared. I Guess I can always punch him later.