Sierra Soundtrack Classics

Extended GM, or XG for short, is Yamaha's answer to the General MIDI definition. XG goes far beyond the limitations of General MIDI by offering hundreds of additional voices and sound characteristics not available under GM Level 1 or GM Level 2. And since Sierra soundtracks are filled with lots of custom sounds, XG is a superb alternative for Roland MT-32 conversions.

These files are not for everyone. They're designed to take advantage of the capabilities only available with Yamaha XG compatible MIDI devices and most will not play properly under General MIDI or Roland GS. Browse on down and take a look at what's currently available in XG format.

 

  • Betrayal At Krondor XG Soft
    "Introduction" by Jan Paul Moorhead. An excellent conversion to Yamaha XG by Ari Stone.
  • The Adventures of Willy Beamish
    "Spider!" by Don Latarski and Christopher Stevens. The school bully. This is a great alternative to the original MT-32 version.
  • The Adventures of Willy Beamish XG Soft
    "Carbuncle Park" by Don Latarski and Christopher Stevens. Been there. Done that. This made for a very nice transition from the MT-32, to XG...even if I do say so myself.
  • Conquests Of Camelot
    "Ship To Gaza" by Mark Seibert. As with the MT-32 version of this soundtrack, I took a few liberties in the arrangement. Birds, waterfalls, and lots of reverb.
  • Conquests Of The Longbow XG Soft
    The Legend of Robin Hood
    "Watling Street"     by Aubrey Hodges. This melody conveys some interesting moods. Trecherous and bold. Nice job, Aubrey.
  • Code-Name: Iceman
    "Introduction" by Mark Seibert. Complete with the typewriter keystrokes! Another of Mark's first for Sierra.
  • Code-Name: Iceman
    "Iceman Theme" by Mark Seibert. Well, I think I have this one available in about every version possible.
  • Colonel's Bequest XG Soft
    "Tulane University" by Ken Allen. This song seems to do better under XG than on the MT-32. (Too many instruments for the MT-32 to handle at once.)
  • Colonel's Bequest
    "Spying" by Ken Allen. Not far different from its General MIDI counterpart as far as instrumentation, but the track volumes have been ultimately mixed for XG playback.
  • Colonel's Beques XG Soft
    "Victrola Music #221"     by Ken Allen. Here's one that's made a very nice transition from the Roland MT-32 to Yamaha XG. And yes, the 'scratchy record' sound effect is represented as well.
  • Eco Quest 1 - The Search For Cetus
     "Introduction/Opening Theme" by Chirs Brayman. Okay, the MT-32 version produces better bubbles and splashes, but musically...this is right on target!
  • Eco Quest 1 - The Search For Cetus
    "Delphineus" by Chirs Brayman. Everyone's favorite dolphin. Or was that 'Flipper?' Nah. This dolphin has a better theme song.
  • Eco Quest 1 - The Search For Cetus
    "Toxic Waste Dump" by Chirs Brayman. Just too many varying sounds for General MIDI, but nothing that XG can't handle.
  • Eco Quest 1 -The Search For Cetus XG Soft
    "The Final Battle" by Chirs Brayman. Power guitars, Feedback guitars, certainly something XG isn't in short supply of. A very powerful track IMHO.
  • Gabriel Knight - Sins Of Fathers XG Soft
    "Dixieland Drug Store" by Robert Holmes. Presented in XG simply because I like this theme. Also makes a great loop.
  • Gabriel Knight - Sins Of Fathers
    "Wolfgang Ritter" by Robert Holmes. This soundtrack was requested by many visitors in the past, so why not post an XG version.
  • Heart Of China
    "Finale" by Don Latarski and Christopher Stevens. Wow! You gotta love those XG French horns, and this is the perfect score to show them off. Every bit as good as its MT-32 counterpart.
  • King's Quest 1 - Quest For The Crown
    "Introduction/Opening Themes" by Ken Allen. A good example of why I chose to support XG! Beautiful French horns and rich brass rival its MT-32 counterpart.
  • King's Quest 3 - To Heir Is Human XG Soft
    "Closing Theme" by Margaret Lowe and Tom Lewandowski. A translation of the original Roland SC-8820 version. See the SIERRA AGI page for complete details.
  • King's Quest 5 - Absence Makes The Heart Go Yonder
    "Oasis" by Ken Allen. A pretty song in any format. Am I the only one who took forever to learn the "pattern of 5's" from one oasis to another?
  • King's Quest 6 - Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow XG Soft
    "The Village" by Chris Brayman. I seem to remember spending a lot of time in the Village -- probably trying to figure out what to do next. This file is playable on the XG softsynth, but that tambourine comes across with a bit too much 'clunk'.
  • Leisure Suit Larry 1 - In The Land Of The Lounge Lizards
    "The Casino Lounge" by Chris Brayman. The General MIDI version of this is heard while visiting the SIERRA LOUNGE. It's a beautiful rendition of "The Larry Theme." 
  • Leisure Suit Larry 3 XG Soft
    Passionate Patti In Pursuit Of The Pulsating Pectorals
    "For Your Thighs Only" by Al Lowe and Mike Dana. Some of my favorite Sierra music came from this game. Unfortunately, Mr. Dana had a short musical career with Sierra.
  • Leisure Suit Larry 3
    Passionate Patti In Pursuit Of The Pulsating Pectorals
    "Cheri Tart" by Mike Dana. I had to convert this one for XG. Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful soundtracks of any Sierra game.
  • Leisure Suit Larry 3
    Passionate Patti In Pursuit Of The Pulsating Pectorals
    "Chip 'n Dales" by Mike Dana. Though I love the music heard in this Nontoonyt establishment, I don't think I'll miss seeing Dale's ... performance.
  • Leisure Suit Larry 5
    Passionate Patti Does A Little Undercover Work
    "Hard Rock You" by Craig Safan. One of three "Hard Disk Cafe" soundtracks.
  • Leisure Suit Larry 5 XG Soft
    Passionate Patti Does A Little Undercover Work
    "Michelle's Song" by Craig Safan. Quite a pretty number that also renders well on Yamaha's software synths.
  • Leisure Suit Larry 6 - Shape Up Or Slip Out
    "Big Band Larry" by Dan Kehler. No matter how many times this theme is reworked, it always comes out sounding great!
  • Leisure Suit Larry 6 - Shape Up Or Slip Out XG Soft
    "Air For Your G-String" (a.k.a., "Merrily") by Dan Kehler. This MIDI also plays well on Yamaha's S-YXG50 software synth.
  • Police Quest 1 - In Pursuit Of The Death Angel
    "Introduction" by Rob Atesalp. From the VGA remake - naturally. Lots of feedback...really a lot! 
  • Police Quest 2 - The Vengeance
    "Caribbean Flight" by Mark Seibert. As heard on the "Live From The Sierra Lounge" demonstration cassette.
  • Police Quest 2 - The Vengeance
    "Silver Commondation Award" by Mark Seibert. This mix is better suited for XG playback, and is actually my favorite of the four versions available on this site.
  • Police Quest 2 - The Vengeance
    "The Revolver" by Mark Seibert. A nice transition to XG by Ari Stone.
  • Police Quest 3 - The Kindred
    "Introduction & Opening Theme" by Jan Hammer. Which leads me to ask, "whatever became of Jan Hammer?"
  • Police Quest 3 - The Kindred XG Soft
    "The Crackhouse" by Jan Hammer. This was a bit of a stretch for XG, but it works and manages to capture the feel of the original MT-32 soundtrack used in the crackhouse. The song "kind of" works with the Yamaha XG software synth...enough so that I've included the logo.
  • Quest For Glory 1 - So You Want To Be A Hero
    "Introduction" by Mark Seibert. Probably one of Mark Seibert's most recognizable themes.
  • Quest For Glory 1 - So You Want To Be A Hero
    "Erana's Peace" by Mark Seibert. No quester worth their weight is unfamiliar with the beauty of Erana. XG does this wonderful melody proud!   
  • Quest For Glory 2 - Trial By Fire
    "The Wizard's Institute Of Technocery" by Mark Seibert and Chris Brayman. You're gonna love this -- guaranteed!
  • Space Quest 1 - The Sarien Encounter
    "Introduction" by Ken Allen and Mark Crowe. A shortened version, though a good one. From the VGA remake. 
  • Space Quest 1 - The Sarien Encounter XG Soft
    "Closing Themes" by Ken Allen and Mark Crowe. Yamaha XG doesn't contain the MT-32's "Space Alvin" patch, but one makes do with what one has. No "Plastic Xylophone", either, but XG's xylophone sounds pretty much like plastic, anyway.  However, all in all, I'm pleased with the conversion. Although I've pasted the "SoftSynth" logo below, it just barely cuts it.
  • Space Quest 3 - The Pirates Of Pestulon
    "Opening Theme" by Bob Siebenberg. Updated!. I sat down for hours trying to improve this one, and I've finally come up with a version I can more than live with.. I must say the MT-32's Doctor Solo patch is quite a unique patch. Very hard to find an XG equivalent. This theme is no longer S-YXG50 compatible, but there's an Ogg Vorbis version available too.
  • Space Quest 4 - Roger Wilco And The Time Rippers XG Soft
    "Our Hero!" by Ken Allen. Converted from the original, EGA MT-32 soundtrack version.
  • Space Quest 4 - Roger Wilco And The Time Rippers XG Soft
    "Estros Submarine Ride" by Ken Allen. Converted from the original, EGA MT-32 soundtrack version. I expected something to happen while in the sub, enabling Roger's escape. Guess I was wrong. This will play on the XG Softsynth, but the balance is slighly off; most notibly, the percussion is too loud.
  • Space Quest 5 - The Next Mutation XG Soft
    "The Academy Exam" by Christopher Stevens and Tim Clarke. This MIDI plays well on Yamaha's S-YXG50 software synth.