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DreamBlaster
X16/X16GS User
Manual
User Manual
The DreamBlaster X16 and X16GS are newly developed wavetable modules. They
are fully General MIDI compatible, come with 1Gbyte of flash memory, have an USB
interface and are software configurable with multiple soundbanks. Additionally
X16GS features a GS compatible Dream/Roland licensed bank.
Revision 1.00 SERDACO BVBA June 4
th
2023
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Table of Contents
Related Manuals for Dream DreamBlaster X16
Summary of Contents for Dream DreamBlaster X16
- Page 1 X16/X16GS User Manual User Manual The DreamBlaster X16 and X16GS are newly developed wavetable modules. They are fully General MIDI compatible, come with 1Gbyte of flash memory, have an USB interface and are software configurable with multiple soundbanks. Additionally X16GS features a GS compatible Dream/Roland licensed bank.
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
DXP Reverb Acoustic Settings ..................19 DXP Chorus Acoustic Settings ..................19 DXP Equalizer / Amp Settings ..................19 Firmware updating ....................... 20 Synth Architecture ........................ 22 MIDI Specifications ....................... 22 Soundbank slot selection through NRPN commands ..........23 DreamBlaster X16/X16GS User Manual... -
Page 3: Introduction
Serge Defever, specializing in software and hardware development and consulting. We also produce MIDI related products, having launched products such as the DreamBlaster X1, X2, S1, S2,… The DreamBlaster X16/X16GS is our latest and greatest MIDI wavetable board. It is fully General MIDI compatible, comes with 1Gbyte of flash memory, has a USB interface and is software configurable. -
Page 4: X16 And X16Gs : The Differences Explained
Figure 1 - DreamBlaster X16 This X16 can be used for any purpose including making musical instruments. This X16 does not have the Dream GS license sticker, and does not come with the protected soundbank and licensing restrictions as X16GS (see below). -
Page 5: Resources
X16 instead of X16GS. Resources The DreamBlaster X16 is an advanced wavetable board, having features and functionality not found in other wavetable modules. Because the flash memory is user upgradable, check the Serdaco product page for any updates, information and support. -
Page 6: Specifications
Specifications • High End 16 core Dream 5000 series synth chip (SAM5716B), with up to 256 voice polyphony • Compact high-quality green, gold-plated PCB, 53mm x 77mm • Super low latency < 1ms • 8 MByte SDRAM for high quality effects •... -
Page 7: X16 Board Overview
Figure 1 : Top of DreamBlaster X16 Expansion header for custom projects Wavetable connector to connect the X16 to your sound card. Figure 2 : Bottom of DreamBlaster X16 PCB DreamBlaster X16/X16GS User Manual... -
Page 8: Using The X16
Using the X16 As a USB MIDI device The USB interface of the DreamBlaster X16 is a class compliant USB MIDI interface. Connect the X16 to a USB port to your PC and after a short while the X16 will appear as a MIDI device. - Page 9 Figure 4 - CoolSoft MIDI Mapper Windows 10 64 bit DreamBlaster X16 provides 3 USB midi port, you can choose any of these 3 (X16 allows playback of up to 3 USB MIDI Streams in parallel.). Once you have configured the DreamBlaster X16 as the default MIDI device, you can use most media players to play MIDI files.
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Page 10: As A Wavetable Board
Figure 5 – X16 pin 1 and 2 location Most sound cards have pins 1 and 2 marked as well, so it’s easy to attach the X16 correctly: Figure 6 - Marking for pin 1 Figure 7 - Marking for pin 1 and 2 DreamBlaster X16/X16GS User Manual... -
Page 11: Mixer Settings
• Connect a line input to the on-board 3.5mm jack and confirm that the X16 is outputting sound • Consult the documentation of your sound card as to how to access the mixer to unmute the wavetable DreamBlaster X16/X16GS User Manual... -
Page 12: X16 Connectors Pinout
The +12V pin is not used by X16, it is passed through to the IO expansion header, for future/project use. The /Reset pin must be pulled high (to 5V or 3.3V) to boot up the board. DreamBlaster X16/X16GS User Manual... -
Page 13: J2 : Expansion Io Connector Pinout
This connector is intended for future use, for developers only. If you have a project that would need to use the IO header, contact me at https://www.serdashop.com/Contact for discussing the options. Connector positions and mechanical layout DreamBlaster X16/X16GS User Manual... -
Page 14: Dip Switch Settings
Figure 11 : Dip switch setting 0000 : Bootloader mode Figure 12 : Dip switch at 0001 seting = soundbank slot 1 selection Figure 13 : Dip switch at 0010 setting = soundbank slot 2 selection DreamBlaster X16/X16GS User Manual... -
Page 15: X16Manager Software
Available SoundBanks X16 supports uploading of multiple soundbanks to the flash memory. DreamBlaster X16 compatible soundbanks are Dream specific binaries with the .B16 extension. At the time of this publication, several soundbanks are available that are compatible with the DreamBlaster X16 : •... -
Page 16: Available Presets
DreamBlaster DXP Preset Editor (see the description in the next chapter). Uploading Presets and Soundbanks Plug the X16 in an USB port, and the USB MIDI driver ‘DreamBlaster X16’ will become available. Start up X16Manager.exe and you will see an overview of the contents in your X16’s flash memory. - Page 17 Press the browse button to select the file you wish to upload. Highlight the slot you wish to upload to. Figure 16: X16 Manager - highlight slot Then press the upload button. The uploading to the slot will start, the progress bar will indicate. DreamBlaster X16/X16GS User Manual...
- Page 18 Figure 17 X16 Manager - upload in progress After the upload is complete, the new bank will appear in the slot : Figure 18: X16 Manager - upload done DreamBlaster X16/X16GS User Manual...
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Page 19: Dxp Preset Editor
• Boombastic (Factory default Preset with bass boost applied) • GS Effects Preset by Appiah4 (Tuned for classic GS sound characteristics) To get the most out of the DreamBlaster X16, your own custom presets can be created with the provided DXP Preset Editor : Figure 19 - Preset Editor with default settings With this utility you can create, read and edit preset files. -
Page 20: Dxp Reverb Acoustic Settings
You can use this option to swap them around and correct this behaviour. Equalizer: This lets you adjust the low and high frequencies (bass and treble), further adjusting the sound signature to your taste. DreamBlaster X16/X16GS User Manual... -
Page 21: Firmware Updating
X16 will not play midi sound, but it will be possible to update the firmware. Figure 20 : Dip switch setting 0000 : Bootloader mode Now connect your X16 to USB, and start X16Manager.exe. It will show the following overview : Figure 21: X16 Manager - firmware update screen DreamBlaster X16/X16GS User Manual... - Page 22 X16. In less than 1 second, your X16 will be upgraded to the new firmware. Change the dip switches and power cycle the board to try out your new version. Figure 22 : Change the dip switches to 0001 to test the new firmware with soundbank 1 DreamBlaster X16/X16GS User Manual...
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Page 23: Synth Architecture
X16Slot4.mid Select soundbank in slot 4 X16Slot5.mid Select soundbank in slot 5 X16Slot6.mid Select soundbank in slot 6 X16Slot7.mid Select soundbank in slot 7 X16Next.mid Cycle to the next soundbank X16Prev.mid Cycle to the previous soundbank DreamBlaster X16/X16GS User Manual... -
Page 24: Soundbank Slot Selection Through Nrpn Commands
CC#96 NRPN Data +1 CC#97 NRPN Data -1 CC#98 NRPN ID LSB CC#99 NRPN ID MSB NRPN MSB NRPN LSB Value MSB Meaning 0x53 0x00 1 - 7 select slot slots can be cycled CC#96 CC#97 DreamBlaster X16/X16GS User Manual...
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