Adlib Patch Resource Format Specification

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Revision 1
Ravi I.
Mar. 11, 2002


Preface

The Adlib patch resource defines instruments for the Yamaha OPL2 FM synthesis chip. Other cards, including the original SoundBlasters, that had the same or compatible chips also used the Adlib patch. The patch is traditionally numbered PATCH.004 or 4.PAT.

Sierra does not seem to have changed the format of its Adlib patch resource through the entire life of SCI. This file format applies to all IBM games.

You can contact me personally at ravi.i@softhome.net, but I would prefer that SCI messages be posted on the webboard so everyone can see them.

File Format

The first two bytes of an extracted patch file contain the bytes 89h 00h identifying a patch resource. These are not actually part of the resource data.

Patch files contain a block of 48 instrument definitions followed optionally by the magic number ABh CDh (CDABh when read into a little endian machine) and 48 more definitions. Each instrument definition is 28 bytes containing data for an Adlib channel composed of two operators.


Instrument Definitions

An instrument definition has the following fields, each 1 byte long:

offset description values
0h op 1 key scaling 0 - 3
1h op 1 frequency modulation 0 - 15
2h channel feedback 0 - 7
3h op 1 attack rate 0 - 15
4h op 1 sustain level 0 - 15
5h op 1 envelope generator true, false
6h op 1 decay rate 0 - 15
7h op 1 release rate 0 - 15
8h op 1 amplitude 0 - 63
9h op 1 amplitude modulation true, false
Ah op 1 vibrato true. false
Bh op 1 keyboard scale rate true, false
Ch algorithm (reversed) 0, 1
Dh op 2 key scaling 0 - 3
Eh op 2 frequency modulation 0 - 15
Fh unused  
10h op 2 attack rate 0 - 15
11h op 2 sustain level 0 - 15
12h op 2 envelope generator true, false
13h op 2 decay rate 0 - 15
14h op 2 release rate 0 - 15
15h op 2 amplitude 0 - 63
16h op 2 amplitude modulation true, false
17h op 2 vibrato true. false
18h op 2 keyboard scale rate true, false
19h unused  
1Ah op 1 waveform 0 - 3
1Bh op 2 waveform 0 - 3

Note that the sense of the algorithm field is switched. A value of 0 means that the two operators are in synthesis while a value of 1 means that operator 1 modulates operator 2.

Revision history

Revision 1 - Mar. 11, 2002

  • First release of the specification