OST vs Emulated Sound Format

I think this thread'd be interesting if the concept was expanded.

To explain what I mean, consider the "Tales of Phantasia" OST CD. The SNES soundtrack is a world away from the OST CD, although technically the original soundtrack was the SNES one (I think the OST CD is the PSX one?).

We're also not just talking the original tunes upgraded, but there are quite a few differences- take Alvanista, Venezia (for those of you who like ludicrous titles, Vigorous Town and Hydropolis). I to be honest don't really like the new OST. In fact, my favourite is the GBA versions of the tunes.


Anyway. To come back to the point of this thread- aren't the emulated formats only as good as the quality of your sound card? And your speakers or headphones for that matter, but that's subjective mainly.

Also, the emulated formats aren't the same as playing the tracks on the original device (he says not being quite sure of what he's talking about).

Someone stop me if I'm wrong. I'm still new to SPC et al, and would like to know more.


As for Eriol's question, I'd need a SPC and a MP3 equivalent.

- Spike

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I presume you were replying to Eriol and not me.

Yeah, I agree. I don't mind enhancing, in fact, that's what I do- what I don't like is the tunes being altered or a part of a track being altered in such a way that they're quite different from the original, usually in terms of feel. If an instrument's pitch (for example) doesn't get as high as the original's, or doesn't feel as full, etc- which is the piece we love and want to hear on the OST- then it's kind of a let down. I felt that way about a lot of TOP OST tracks (for example).




On quality, does using WinAmp with the relevant plugins provide good emulated sound quality?


EDIT: As for Taisai's comment, I think that's what Niki and I are getting at. I agree with Taisai though- using both to comment on is probably more useful than saying one is better than the other or that you prefer one format/type over another. A mixed CD could be better than the originals, and vice versa.

- Spike

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Quote:

The quality of your sound card has nothing to do with the quality of emulated sound formats; that's MIDI you're thinking of.

Not at all, MIDI is what I work with all the time.

I was more confusing it with old Adlib Fm Synthesis, old tracker formats that play back based on a certain sound hardware. Since the sound chips on say my Pentium 4's Santa Cruz/Audiophile cards aren't the same as the SNES's/etc, I thought maybe that'd result in a difference.

But I get the logic, I was just asking- I'm trying to understand better since VGM is important to me.

Quote:

And your speakers and headphones would also apply the exact same "quality" onto OST's anyways, so I fail to see the point of whatever it is you thought was supposed to be.

Dude, rude post alert.

Ignoring that, I was merely saying the quite valid point that the quality of Mp3's you hear (i.e. in OST's) will be affected by the quality of your headphones, you might for example infer the invalid assumption that a soundtrack sounds 'tinny' or not bassy or whatever, when in reality you have a poor sound card or poor headphones or both, a common VGM listening problem (because most folks have poor gear, like crappy Ipod's with earbud phones).

- Spike

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.