Authentic Apple II+Amiga MIDI Music for Ultima V Upgrade
Authentic Apple II+Amiga MIDI Music for Ultima V Upgrade
Ripped, Recorded, Converted, and/or Prepared by Azurfel
MT-32 instrumentation by Azurfel (based on Origin's Instrument Suggestions from the original Apple II release of Ultima V)
To use, extract the XMI files from the "Azurfel MT-32 instrumentation" folder to your Ultima V Upgrade folder, overwriting the originals.
This pack includes all 15 monotimbral Apple II midi tracks, as output by Apple2TS, set to 32 voices, with the Apple2TS GM orchestration by code-bythepound (based on Cloudschatze's Roland U-110 orchestration) bypassed, directly recorded into MIDI files using Reaper.
Gitary Tune (the Amiga track) has been freshly ripped using WinUAE, converted into MIDI using OpenMPT, and recorded into a MIDI file using SoundFont Midi Player and Reaper, for compatibility and consistency with the other tracks. The result was 1 octave too high in pitch compared to direct playback of the track on an Amiga, and has been transposed down 1 octave to match the original. Velocity for all notes was pegged at 127 post conversion. This was far too loud in comparison to the Apple II tracks, so i reduced all note velocity down to 68, matching Stones and Greyson's Tale.
Supposedly, John Romero has said that he was told Ultima V's passport MIDI soundtrack was composed and tested using an "Ensoniq EQ-1". No synth by that name exists, so i presume that was a typo and he meant the Ensoniq ESQ-1. Cherry Audio actually sells a $70USD VST version of the ESQ-1, which can easily be used as a MIDI out via SoundFont Midi Player, but unfortunately, there are no ESQ-1 factory presets that match the recommended instruments for several of the tracks Meaning that, if the ESQ-1 was the original target there were likely custom patches made during Ultima V's development that we do not have access to (if they even still exist). As a result, i think this option is in some ways less authentic than using other contemporary midi devices, at least as things currently stand.
I am therefore inclined to fall back on the trusty MT-32, which was released approximately 6 months before Ultima V, and has satisfactory options for all the recommended instruments. The channels for each track have been adjusted to enable proper playback on the MT-32, and in keeping with the original presentation, my personal selection for monotimbral instrumentation has been added to each track.
Additionally, i have included template files for both the default and MT-32 channel layouts, with all instruments set to program 0, to facilitate others in creating their own instrumentations, orchestrations, arrangements, and remixes.