A software MIDI synthesizer for Windows, which functions as a VSTi plugin. Supports both the Yamaha XG and the Roland GS extensions, which is a unique feature of the S-YXG50. The VSTi was a part of the Yamaha SOL2 package. Yamaha discontinued support of this software synthesizer in 2003. As it is abandonware now, a portable version of the VSTi was created (installation and registry keys are not required). It uses embedded (into DLL resources) official 4MB wavetable files, which is the best version of wavetable files for the S-YXG50.

Download: yamaha_syxg50_vsti.7z (3.0MB).

What's new in this patch

• Installation isn't required. SYXG50.DLL reads files from its directory.
• Wavetable files are decrypted and stored in the resources of the DLL file.
• If you remove them from the resources, VSTi will find them in its directory (SXGBIN41.TBL, SXGWAVE4.TBL).
• Antidebug, S/N checking and trial mode code is removed.
• Hidden settings are read from the ini file with the same name as the dll file, but with the ini extension.
• Polyphony limit is 128 by default.
• More frequent updates of information in the GUI.
• Help button will be hidden if SYXG.CHM is not present.
• VST meta information is stored in the resources (String Table), so it can be changed easily if it is needed.
• GUI can be disabled and GUI resources can be removed, as the result this VSTi will work as the SGP.DLL.

The patch doesn't affect sound synthesis of the original VSTi. It was tested on hundreds of MIDI files to ensure that the output is bit-identical to the original S-YXG50 VSTi with the same settings.

How to use

You have to set up some VST host to play MIDI using this synth. It can be your favorite player, but you need to find a plugin, which allows to play MIDI files through VSTi. Some instructions are provided below. Use the bi2_polkovnik.mid (35KB) for checking your setup, it has to sound exactly as the bi2_polkovnik_syxg50.ogg (2.0MB).

VSTi MIDI Driver (as a system MIDI synth)

VST MIDI Driver allows to use any VSTi as a global system MIDI synth. In this case every game or MIDI player, which uses the default system MIDI synth, will use Yamaha S-YXG50.

1. Install the Falcosoft VSTi MIDI Driver.
2. If you are on Windows 8 or newer, also install the Coolsoft MIDI Mapper.
3. Copy the syxg50.dll from the yamaha_syxg50_vsti.7z into any directory.
4. Open VSTi MIDI Driver settings, click “Load VSTi” button and choose the syxg50.dll.
5. Open MIDI Mapper, choose “VST MIDI synth” as the default MIDI synth.
6. Ready! Now Yamaha S-YXG50 VSTi will be used as the default system MIDI synth.

Yamaha S-YXG50 WDM (an official driver for the Windows XP only)

VSTi MIDI Driver supports Windows XP/Vista/7+, but on the Windows XP it is better to use the official Yamaha S-YXG50 WDM driver, which you can download from the Microsoft Windows Update servers: 4MB version (better quality, consumes more RAM), 2MB version (worse quality, consumes less RAM). This WDM driver can be installed manually using Add Hardware master in the Control Panel. Don't forget to set Yamaha S-YXG50 as the default system MIDI synth in the Sound settings. VSTi version of this synth is not needed when Yamaha S-YXG50 WDM is used.

foobar2000 (the best player for ones who loves music)

foobar2000 doesn't use the system MIDI synth, but it is not a disadvantage. It allows to use Yamaha S-YXG50 VSTi witout installing any system drivers, which is much more safe.

1. Download and install the foo_midi plugin from the foobar2000 website.
2. Create a new subdirectory in the foobar2000 directory and name it “vsti”. Copy the syxg50.dll from the yamaha_syxg50_vsti.7z into that directory.
3. Open foobar2000, Preferences → Advanced → Playback → MIDI Decoder → VSTi search patch, and set the full path to your vsti subdirectory. Apply changes and reopen the Preferences window.
4. Preferences → Playback → Input → MIDI synthesizer host. Choose “Yamaha S-YXG50” in the “plug-in” combobox. Apply changes.
5. Ready! Now foobar2000 will play MIDI files using the Yamaha S-YXG50 synth.

Links

• yamaha_syxg50_vsti.7z (3.0MB) — a version with the embedded 4MB wavetable, for general usage.
• yamaha_syxg50_vsti_ext.7z (4.0MB) — a version with external 2MB and 4MB wavetables, for experiments.
• bi2_polkovnik.mid (35KB) and bi2_polkovnik_syxg50.ogg (2.0MB) — demo MIDI file and how it has to sound.