Dream DreamBlaster X16 User manual

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 4th 2023

DreamBlaster X16/X16GS User Manual 1
Table of contents
Introduction .............................................................................................................................2
X16 and X16GS : The differences explained........................................................................3
X16 - Standard/musician’s edition :..................................................................................3
X16GS - gamer's edition: ....................................................................................................3
Resources..................................................................................................................................4
Specifications ...........................................................................................................................5
X16 Board Overview...............................................................................................................6
Using the X16...........................................................................................................................7
As a USB MIDI device........................................................................................................7
As a wavetable board .........................................................................................................9
Mixer settings ....................................................................................................................10
X16 connectors pinout..........................................................................................................11
J4 : Stereo 3.5mm line out.................................................................................................11
J13: ‘X16 WaveBlaster’ Connector pinout.....................................................................11
J2 : Expansion IO connector pinout................................................................................12
Connector positions and mechanical layout .................................................................12
Dip Switch settings ...............................................................................................................13
X16Manager software...........................................................................................................14
Available SoundBanks .....................................................................................................14
Available Presets...............................................................................................................15
Uploading Presets and Soundbanks ..............................................................................15
DXP Preset Editor .................................................................................................................18
Using DXP Preset Editor..................................................................................................18
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 2
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the DreamBlaster X16 or X16GS. The company behind
this product is Serdaco BVBA in Belgium. Serdaco was founded in 2011 by Roland
and 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. We have
developed software tools that let the user upload Dream soundbanks, presets and
firmware updates to the on-board flash memory. X16 and X16GS support switching
between up to 7 different soundbanks, using a flash slot mechanism.
In the rest of the manual, I will refer to X16 when describing common functionality
that applies to both X16 and X16GS. When needed, i will explain the difference for
X16GS.
I very much hope you are satisfied with this product and enjoy it

DreamBlaster X16/X16GS User Manual 3
X16 and X16GS : The differences explained
This manual describes both the X16 and X16GS soundcards. It is important to
understand the licensing differences between these 2 products. While the boards are
technically similar, X16 cannot be converted to X16GS or vice versa. It is important to
make the correct choice before purchasing.
X16 - Standard/musician’s edition :
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).
X16GS - gamer's edition:
X16GS is intended for DOS gamers, that enjoy the classic Dream/Roland midi sound.
It features a preloaded officially licensed, read only 16mbyte GS bank. This bank is
Figure 1 - DreamBlaster X16
Figure 2 - DreamBlaster X16GS

DreamBlaster X16/X16GS User Manual 4
used with the express permission of Roland Corporation. The bank must be used
conforming a license agreement with Dream.
The X16GS product may not be installed in any musical instrument. Using this
product in the manufacture of musical instruments or selling this product for use in
a musical instrument is a violation of the intellectual property rights of Roland
Corporation and will result in liability for infringement.
So if you want to use the soundcard in a musical instrument project, you should
order 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.
Resource
URL
X16 product page
https://www.serdashop.com/DreamBlaster-X16
X16GS product page
https://www.serdashop.com/DreamBlaster-X16GS
X16/X16GS downloads
https://serdaco.com/downloads/X16/

DreamBlaster X16/X16GS User Manual 5
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
•1 GByte Flash for soundbanks
•2x13 Waveblaster header for integration on DOS sound cards and custom
projects
•Up to 400mA current consumption at 5V, when using all DSP cores.
•USB-MIDI interface (Class compliant), USB mini connector
•Stereo out, high quality 24 bit 112 dB DNR DAC
•Expansion header for future expansion / OEM projects
•High quality Dream synth engine, compatible with Dream 5000 SDK for
custom soundbank design
•High quality GS compatible reverb and chorus
•3 Stereo Insert Multi-Effects blocks (s (Distortion, Equalizer, Compressor,
Chorus/Flanger/Phaser/Tremolo/Rotary, Delay), controllable by MIDI.
•4-bands Equalizer controllable by MIDI.
•Multi slot soundbank support, fast bank uploading over USB to flash using
Serdaco X16Manager multi slot upload tool
•Bootloader for updating firmware over USB
•Supports DreamBlaster DXP Presets
•Preloaded soundbanks (For X16GS: preloaded licensed GS bank)

DreamBlaster X16/X16GS User Manual 6
Figure 2 : Bottom of DreamBlaster X16 PCB
Figure 1 : Top of DreamBlaster X16
X16 Board Overview
Mini USB interface
used for flashing the
X16 and as a MIDI
interface.
3.5 mm stereo port
with line-out level
signal.
Wavetable connector to
connect the X16 to your
sound card.
Expansion
header for
custom projects
Dip Switch for
configuring
bootloader mode
and default
soundbank

DreamBlaster X16/X16GS User Manual 7
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.
Figure 3 - Windows 10 detecting X16
Windows supports several MIDI devices, so it’s important to configure the software
so that the X16 is actually being used, rather than the default Microsoft GS SoftSynth.
To ensure that the X16 is the default MIDI device it is recommended that you’re
using applications that let you select the MIDI device. Examples of such applications
are:
•DOSBox
•Falcosoft SoundFont Midi Player
•Midibar midi player (included with MIDI-OX)
With newer versions of Windows, applications are supposed to offer the selection of
MIDI device, however not every application supports this. In such a case you need
to use a tool, often referred to as MIDI Mapper, to select the default MIDI device of
your system. We recommend the CoolSoft MIDIMapper:

DreamBlaster X16/X16GS User Manual 8
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. It will then also work with DOSBox and
ScummVM without having to change the MIDI device internally.
Note that the X16 will output music through the 3.5 mm stereo line out port. You can
route it through the line-in of your computer or use external speakers or an external
mixer.
USB usually doesn’t supply a stable 5V supply and ground connection. The X16
sound quality is best when powered from a stable supply, through the waveblaster
connector. For high end external use, an interface board like Serdaco CHiLL
Interface can be used. This is available at https://www.serdashop.com/chill .

DreamBlaster X16/X16GS User Manual 9
As a wavetable board
Attaching the DreamBlasterX16 to a sound card with wavetable connector is straight
forward, but to be 100% sure of the correct orientation, pins 1 and 2 on the top right
side (see arrow –align the indicated pin to pin1 on your soundcard)
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