Bruce Sutherland has introduced JuceOPLVSTi, a freeware FM synthesizer VSTi plugin for Windows and Mac OS emulating the legendary Yamaha OPL sound chip that was used in old PC sound cards.
JuceOPLVSTi is based on the algorithms used in two popular MS DOS emulators, DOSBox and ZDoom. The users can switch between the two emulators on the fly. The plugin features a rather small collection of factory patches (only fourteen factory presets in total), however it is distributed with a huge collection of over one thousand instrument patches that were ripped from old MS DOS games. These are provided as SBI files and they can be loaded into AdlibBlaster simply via drag and drop. This instrument collection is an absolute goldmine for old MS DOS game fans, as well as musicians who are looking for classic 80s FM sounds.
Much like the original Yamaha OPL sound chip that was used in Ad Lib and early Sound Blaster sound cards, JuceOPLVSTi is a simple 2-operator FM/additive synthesizer with eight waveforms per oscillator. The plugin features a simple user interface that is fairly easy to get used to, apart from the fact that the sliders are inverted in the sense that the lowest value is placed on top and vice versa. So, for example, in order to decrease the envelope attack setting, the user should push the appropriate slider upwards instead of downwards. Apart from this slightly confusing feature, the interface works well and programming new patches JuceOPLVSTi is a rather fun process.
JuceOPLVSTi is the Windows version of the instrument that was created by Bruce Sutherland. AdlibBlaster is the Mac OS build created by Jeff Russ. Both versions are virtually the same, apart from platform compatibility. The plugins are available for direct free download, no signup required.
Video Demo
Check out the JuceOPLVSTi demo video (old version):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI7U5XxTSW0
Download
JuceOPLVSTi is available for free download via GitHub: Windows / Mac OS (1.6 MB download size, ZIP archive, contains 1,339 instrument patches in SBI file format, 1 virtual instrument in 32-bit & 64-bit VSTi/AUi plugin formats for Windows & Mac OS).
