Thanks to both of you. For developing it and for mentioning it here. I recently purchased a SC-88 Pro and I am very happy with it but the MT-32 currently trades around 230 euros in Germany and I am not yet sure I am willing to spent that much for the handful of games I am interested in. So I am really, really happy to have learned that this option exists and I am looking forward to try it out as one of my next projects 🙂
@@PatricksRetro Hi Patrick, and thanks for the kind comment. There are some big enhancements coming to mt32-pi very soon which will make it even better. I'll be covering them in an upcoming video so watch this space!
Amazing video. During my time as a PC gamer 1989~1999, never seen any Roland or Yamaha sound card sold in my country. I enjoyed immensely the following sound cards: Adlib, SB 8 bit, SB 16 bit, SB Wave Blaster, SB AWE32 and SB AWE64 sound cards. I spent considerably amounts of money buying new hardware just to be able to play latest PC Games, I'd have bought all Roland sound card/sound module products in a breeze, if I find a store in my city selling them.
Outstanding video. Loved it as I love this era of computers. Sadly my experience with anything other than internal sound cards is lacking which is one reason I love this content.
@@ctrlaltrees I think when you started Monkey Island in MT32 on SC-55 ST was not well setup or the SC-55 ST don't have MT32 mode or need a program to send the initialisation first . My SC-55 in MT32 sounds more to the real MT32 because MI 1 don't have extra instruments who require to be reprogrammed :) me I hold when is off instruments left or right and then power unit on (one is for MT32 and one is for GS to init) and if i reckon your SC-88 or the pro version you need to test he have CM64 mode
This video deserves many more likes and views! Thank you for all the time and work to put this info together! I can only imagine the amount of efforts necessary. You've got a new subscriber!
This is a great intro video that helped me clarify many things I didnt know and gotnme confused about whole pc/midi world. Thank you so much, good job! Cheers from Argentina
thanks for showing hanging note bug. I never heard of this before in person. so now I know what it is. thank you! I bought Orpheus 1 and SC-55. I plan to get Software emulation solution for MT-32 too. It is so exciting time to hear classic DOS games altogether.
Thanks! Everyone needs a DOS rig in their lives. There's a story behind why I went with this particular machine with the DX4/100, but I'm saving it for a future video. I'm really pleased with my little collection of MIDI devices, I'm just worried I might be heading down a very expensive path...
Really enjoyed this Rees. The games all sound "wrong" of course lol as it's not what we heard from our beloved SB16's, but it makes more sense understanding the intended sound, and they do sound soooo much better.
I totally agree. Playing Doom with the SoundCanvas really took some getting used to as that's not how I remember it sounding, but I prefer it now! I think Dark Forces is the real standout game here, technically it's a really impressive game for its day anyway but what they did with the soundtrack is pretty jaw dropping even now.
@@ctrlaltrees I must say when you fired up Dark Forces, the music to me sounded movie quality (almost). Most impressive. I recall playing X-Wing after installing my first SB16 in my 386DX, and feeling a little disappointed. Very tinny and some instrument sounds didn't seem to even play correctly at all.
Great video. Bit of a late reply, on the topic, I got a Dreamblaster X2 from Serdashop for my DOS midi needs and it's excellent. Absolutely worth the money. It even has an MT-32 soundfont available to make it sound very close. It's a device I can warmly recommend you take a look at.
@@ctrlaltrees I was disappointed at first, the included "Buran" has some pretty harsh instruments. But once I tested the GUD soundfont from Serda the X2 completely won me over. Definitely test and compare the fonts to find the one you like.
As far as I know, the first release of SC-55 had an LCD. The ST is a budged version released later, and I think it equal to Sound Canvas SC-55 Mk II sound wise. Legend of Kyrandia is one of the great games to show how SC-55 can sound very similar to MT-32 as well. Also, the hanging note bug applies to those cards connected to a wavetable header, or Wave Blaster port, in addition to modules connected to the gameport.
This is a interesting piece of hardware and info that was overlooked back then because it was really expensive and for audiophiles. Recently I put on place a 486 and I'm researching for audio since mine it hasn't. The pi for a midi replacement seems a good solution. But still I can't do it for now.
Thank you for mentioning me yet again. 😀 You seem to be going down a slightly different rabbit hole than myself, but be careful, they're expensive deep holes! I've got some devices:- Roland MT-32 v1 Roland CM-C64 (From what I understand - Gives the fun of the CM-64 and a MT-32 v2) Roland SC-55 Roland SC-55mkII Roland SC-88 Pro Yamaha MU80 KORG NS5R (I've added a DREAMBLASTER X2 internally to it) I hope that gives you and your followers a quick look how deep this hole can go. I only wanted a MT-32 to play some old point and click games! LOL Once you've heard the "real" thing, it's hard to want to hear anything else! 😀
would be nice if you got a higher-quality audio out on the mt32-pi since the ordinary jack output is notoriously poor on those things, and you can hear that reflected in the output. I'm sure it will sort out most of those weak bass issues heard in the comparison
I bought a Roland SC-88 Pro in March 2010 ( I was going to originally get an SC-88vl in January 2010 but was outbid ). In April 2014 I boguht a Roland SD-35 mainly to use with the SC-88 Pro so I could use the SC-88 Pro to render midi files.
hi, is there any reason to buy sc-88 Pro instead of SC-88 ? my question is that if I use SC-88 for DOS MIDI games only does it make much difference by buying SC-88 Pro instead of just SC-88 ? I actually considering buying a SC-8820 since it is reasonable price to support SC-88 pro map so I am debating myself to get real SC-88 or SC-8820.
@@overdriver99 The SC-88 Pro is basically an SC-88 with double the amount of sounds. The SC-88 Pro uses exactly the same DAC as the SC-88 and S88vl which I believe is a Burr-Brown so SC-88 playback on an SC-88 Pro is no different than if it was played on an SC-88 or SC-88vl. The SC-8820 also has Burr-Brown DAC, it's basically an SC-88 Pro with extra GS sounds and extra drum kits.
@@LittleRichard1988 Ok thanks for info. I would probably buy SC-8820 since it has SC-88 pro map but I would consider SC-88VL instead since it is cosmetically pleasing to my eyes LOL
I'm currently using an old ESS Solo-1 sound card with Roland CM-300 via MIDI cables. Works great for all DOS games with SB compatibility and General MIDI. Recently, I have decided to convert an old ThinkPad R60 into a portable retro gaming for the CM-300 using a Ronald UM-One USB MIDI adaptor. Sounds great too with zero lag. Now I wonder if the Atari 520STFM will work with the CM-300 since I have plenty of MIDI cables lying around.
Hey man, this video is tons of good information. But. Now that the Orpheus and others are out (like the mt32-pi), could you do an update to this, and maybe go over the current status, what's changed, and what's the best direction, or more specifically the best hardware to go for, for us who are into real metal DOS gaming - not the dosbox stuff or any of it, but the real things, CRT's and all. Is it worth it to go SC-88 or Orpheus in your opinion, or the mt32pi maybe, then how to hide it? Big part of the appeal for me at least is that there's no raspberry pi's or 3d printed enclosures to fiddle with.
Thanks! Yes, I've covered the Orpheus and MK8330 separately, I really should do an update on this as it's still one of the most popular videos on my channel and like you say, things have come on a long way!
Thanks! Yes, this was a bit of an oversight that I didn't really consider until after the video went out. I use a USB to MIDI cable connected to the MIDI port on the PC MIDI card (or the joystick port on a soundcard).
I watched a Phil's lab video on MT-32 emulation. I am currently building a MT-32/General MIDI emulator running Munt and Bassmidi on an old Lenovo Thinkcenter Tiny Form Factor PC that i got for 25 quid off ebay. I think all in it's cost around 60ish quid. I'm hoping to interface with my AWE64 ISA card that's in my PIII machine. Hoping to one day be able to do both MT-32 and Midi on a single Pi. I haven't been able to find a good solution for running both and being able to switch between them thus far though
Great video. I have a question: providing I do not connect an external MIDI device to the gameport, will I still experience the dreaded hanging note bug with a Sound Blaster 16 or Roland SC-55 sound card? If yes, can the PC-MIDI ISA MPU Card help me overcome this issue and does it come with full instructions?
I had hanging notes with my [musicQuest] PC-MIDI card, which I suspect were due to > 8MHz ISA bus speed. MPU-401 never seemed to run into the same issues, but is likely it hasn't been tested as thoroughly. Something for a possible YT video I suppose. :)
The Roland CM modules came out in 1990 although I thought they were 80s. Last summer I bought a CM-32L and a CM-32P as part of a job lot. The CM-32 was 2 modules intended to be used in tandem. The CM-32L is the LA Synthesis module which is based on the MT-32 and the CM-32P is the PCM module which adds 64 instruments from the U-110 plus 1 slot to use a PCM card. The CM-64 is both CM-32s combined into 1. The SC-55 in this video is an SC-55ST, it's basically a lower cost SC-55 without the display and buttons.
I would love to know how what percentage of DOS gamers actually owned MT-32s back in the day. I, like you, never even knew what they were, let alone knowing anybody that owned one. It was enough of a novelty, in the early 90s, to own a Sound Blaster, in my circle of friends...
Sounds like your channels are reversed on the MT32-pi. I've found this is a common "bug" in cheaper 3.5mm-to-RCA cables/adapters; I have several whose channels are reversed.
Thanks Josh, I think you might be right. You have a good ear! It's too late to edit this one now but I'll definitely keep an eye (or an ear) out for this issue in future. 👍
Yeah, you're right. The harpsichord (I believe that's the instrument?) is the most noticeable. I also think the pi is a little sharper, but still very very good. I personally don't think I'd even notice if it wasn't for listening to them side-by-side. I think it's something I'll have to look into myself so I can have a "MT-32 v2". Like you say though, sadly I've had lots of cheaper cables/adapters wire up in reverse. I've even had it happen with not so cheap cables. These days with cables/adapters, I do a left/right channel test, before just being happy that both channels are getting audio.
@@ctrlaltrees Hmm... it would be interesting to know if the MT32-pi is pushing the audio out the wrong way around then? If it is, "There's ya problem!" 😜
@@RetroBoxRoom @ctrl-alt-rees: I've just confirmed the channels are the wrong way round when using the internal headphone jack, but not on my DACs. You've just discovered a bug! I'll get this fixed for the next release. 😃
I remember I used to have a Sound Blaster 32, that was, I think, a Sound Blaster AWE 32 but without memory to load external soundfonts. Some time after, Sound Blaster AWE 64 was released. These sound blasters had an OPL-3 chip plus a dedicated chip with more realistic sounds, like the Roland MT-32 or Roland Sound Canvas. They also had the digital recording capabilities of a Sound Blaster 16 cards, everything in one piece of hardware. I think the difference between Sound Blaster AWE 32 and AWE 64 was the number of simultaneous voices (32 vs 64, respectively). There were some games compatible with these two cards, but not too many, because they were relatively new pieces of hardware. Do you have any way of making a comparison between these two cards, Roland MT-32 and Roland SC-55 and SC-88? I would be wonderful!
At least AWE64 did not have a real OPL3 anymore, not even a cloned one embedded in a Creative Labs chip. Instead it had an OPL emulation called CQM. In case of the AWE 32 it depends on the CTxxxx model number. Only early ones do have real OPL AFAIK.
Have a Awe32, they're better in some regard in that you can get more RAM on those cards than a Awe64. Granted don't know if the actual extra RAM is actually ever utilized by any soundfont. Other than that the difference between the 2 is minimal. Early 32's had a real OPL3 rather than a cloned copy, 64's had better noise reduction and are smaller, and required a propriatary RAM to increase RAM While the 32 accepted normal RAM sticks. And the 64 had more voices, but only through software so it would hurt performance if those where used. Basically the 32 is somewhat better in someways and worse in others.
@@relo999 Yep, true. As I wrote previously though I think that the AWE64 doesn't even have a cloned copy of the OPL3 but Creative's CQM instead, which is known as pretty awful.
@@armorgeddon If I remember correctly AWE64 only does CQM, but the Awe32 (and SB32) can do both CQM and OPL3 as those use a licences core in the CT-1747 for the PNP variants and can use the EMU8000 effects. But AWE32's with a Yamaha chip can't use the EMU8000 on OPL, which I believe where only the early Awe32's. AWE64 if better if you mainly run newer stuff while Awe32 is better if you run older stuff.
@@relo999 I can't remeber which exact model had an external OPL3 chip, but the original (CT2760) already had the CT1747 with the licensed integrated OPL3. Many later models come with a different chip using integrated CQM instead. There are no cards with *both* CQM and OPL3, it's either or, but you can indeed apply FX to the real OPL3 on the CT1747 boards. Annoyingly, it only seems to work in DOS, the Windows control panel only affects the midi side.
9:30 It seems it can sound a lot closer going by this vid: /watch?v=TSdDABdnvcw Why is it that it sounds so bad here and in LGR's example? He mentions SCUMMVM so maybe that tweaks something to correct the instrument choices. Do any SC-55 OSTs actually use the cut back LA synthesis engine that it comes with or is it just for MT-32 backwards compatibility? Thanks for the vid!
The MT-32 emulation of SC-55 only handles the stock patches, and doesn't emulate any MT-32 sysex which a lot of games (including a lot of sierra and monkey island) use to load custom patches.
I just got a SC-55 MKII and all setup and running. Now when messing with setting on Dark Forces, is there supposed to be a sound canvas option that pops up? I tried general midi and it works and plays the midis from my SC-55. Just wondering if sound canvas is supposed to appear in the options.
Hmm, it's been a long time since I looked at Dark Forces but I think the General MIDI option is the one you need. There may be a "Roland" option as well but that's designed for the MT-32.
The SC-55 MT-32 emulation at 09:17 is not correct. You need to turn your SC-55 into MT-32 compatibility mode before running the game to have the correct instruments. To do this, you should play the MT32EMUL.MID file from the Roland SCC1 Utilities Disk before launching the game and it will sound quite close as a true MT-32.
@@BrunoFonsecaPT Take a look at the Custom Hardware section of the README, there are a couple of options. PI-MIDI is nice but in high demand and stock is limited, clumsyMIDI might be nice if you are OK with DIY: github.com/dwhinham/mt32-pi#-custom-hardware
Hi there - mt32-pi developer here! This is an extremely well-done video, thankyou for covering mt32-pi :)
No, thankyou for all of your hard work on mt32-pi! I'll definitely be covering it in more detail in a future video. 🙂
Thanks to both of you. For developing it and for mentioning it here. I recently purchased a SC-88 Pro and I am very happy with it but the MT-32 currently trades around 230 euros in Germany and I am not yet sure I am willing to spent that much for the handful of games I am interested in. So I am really, really happy to have learned that this option exists and I am looking forward to try it out as one of my next projects 🙂
@@PatricksRetro Hi Patrick, and thanks for the kind comment. There are some big enhancements coming to mt32-pi very soon which will make it even better. I'll be covering them in an upcoming video so watch this space!
@@ctrlaltrees I already subscribed and I am looking forward to the video. Big thank you for the work you‘re doing here!
Fantastic work! The MT32-pi is somewhat bass light compared to the original MT-32; maybe a matter of EQ?
Amazing video. During my time as a PC gamer 1989~1999, never seen any Roland or Yamaha sound card sold in my country. I enjoyed immensely the following sound cards: Adlib, SB 8 bit, SB 16 bit, SB Wave Blaster, SB AWE32 and SB AWE64 sound cards. I spent considerably amounts of money buying new hardware just to be able to play latest PC Games, I'd have bought all Roland sound card/sound module products in a breeze, if I find a store in my city selling them.
3 years and still a valuable piece of info here ♥
Outstanding video. Loved it as I love this era of computers.
Sadly my experience with anything other than internal sound cards is lacking which is one reason I love this content.
Awesome video, really interesting to hear the SC55 MT32 emulation mode and MT32 in comparison with a software solution. Keep up the good work! 👍🏻
Thanks, will do!
@@ctrlaltrees I think when you started Monkey Island in MT32 on SC-55 ST was not well setup or the SC-55 ST don't have MT32 mode or need a program to send the initialisation first . My SC-55 in MT32 sounds more to the real MT32 because MI 1 don't have extra instruments who require to be reprogrammed :) me I hold when is off instruments left or right and then power unit on (one is for MT32 and one is for GS to init) and if i reckon your SC-88 or the pro version you need to test he have CM64 mode
I still have my old MT32. I got it for Christmas back in 1988. I think I about cried. Kings Quest 4 was the first game I played on it.
MIDI is a "rabbit hole" Yeah, found that out the hardway! XD
This video deserves many more likes and views! Thank you for all the time and work to put this info together! I can only imagine the amount of efforts necessary. You've got a new subscriber!
This is a great intro video that helped me clarify many things I didnt know and gotnme confused about whole pc/midi world. Thank you so much, good job!
Cheers from Argentina
Thanks Ariel, there has been a huge amount of development on mt32-pi since I made this video, I really should put together an update!
@@ctrlaltrees looking forward to it! Thanks
thanks for showing hanging note bug. I never heard of this before in person. so now I know what it is. thank you! I bought Orpheus 1 and SC-55. I plan to get Software emulation solution for MT-32 too. It is so exciting time to hear classic DOS games altogether.
You're welcome. I agree, I have the Orpheus now and it's great! A very exciting time for DOS gaming indeed.
Great video. A nice 486 or Pentium MMX Dos rig is something I’ll be looking building in the new year. MIDI is something I’d really like to add to it.
Thanks! Everyone needs a DOS rig in their lives. There's a story behind why I went with this particular machine with the DX4/100, but I'm saving it for a future video. I'm really pleased with my little collection of MIDI devices, I'm just worried I might be heading down a very expensive path...
This is awesome - such a piece of art and very informative - thanks for such a great work!
Really enjoyed this Rees. The games all sound "wrong" of course lol as it's not what we heard from our beloved SB16's, but it makes more sense understanding the intended sound, and they do sound soooo much better.
I totally agree. Playing Doom with the SoundCanvas really took some getting used to as that's not how I remember it sounding, but I prefer it now! I think Dark Forces is the real standout game here, technically it's a really impressive game for its day anyway but what they did with the soundtrack is pretty jaw dropping even now.
@@ctrlaltrees I must say when you fired up Dark Forces, the music to me sounded movie quality (almost). Most impressive. I recall playing X-Wing after installing my first SB16 in my 386DX, and feeling a little disappointed. Very tinny and some instrument sounds didn't seem to even play correctly at all.
Great video. Bit of a late reply, on the topic, I got a Dreamblaster X2 from Serdashop for my DOS midi needs and it's excellent. Absolutely worth the money. It even has an MT-32 soundfont available to make it sound very close. It's a device I can warmly recommend you take a look at.
Thanks! Yes, I actually have one on order along with an Orpheus ISA card 😁
@@ctrlaltrees I was disappointed at first, the included "Buran" has some pretty harsh instruments. But once I tested the GUD soundfont from Serda the X2 completely won me over. Definitely test and compare the fonts to find the one you like.
As far as I know, the first release of SC-55 had an LCD. The ST is a budged version released later, and I think it equal to Sound Canvas SC-55 Mk II sound wise. Legend of Kyrandia is one of the great games to show how SC-55 can sound very similar to MT-32 as well. Also, the hanging note bug applies to those cards connected to a wavetable header, or Wave Blaster port, in addition to modules connected to the gameport.
11:53 yes, the Sound Canvas SC-55 and SC-55 Mk II had an LCD! 9:05 The here shown SC-55st is NOT the Standard model.
This is a interesting piece of hardware and info that was overlooked back then because it was really expensive and for audiophiles. Recently I put on place a 486 and I'm researching for audio since mine it hasn't. The pi for a midi replacement seems a good solution. But still I can't do it for now.
Amazing video :) Gave me a lot of insight into the history of MIDI and perspective on what gaming was like back in the day.
Thank you for mentioning me yet again. 😀
You seem to be going down a slightly different rabbit hole than myself, but be careful, they're expensive deep holes!
I've got some devices:-
Roland MT-32 v1
Roland CM-C64 (From what I understand - Gives the fun of the CM-64 and a MT-32 v2)
Roland SC-55
Roland SC-55mkII
Roland SC-88 Pro
Yamaha MU80
KORG NS5R (I've added a DREAMBLASTER X2 internally to it)
I hope that gives you and your followers a quick look how deep this hole can go. I only wanted a MT-32 to play some old point and click games! LOL
Once you've heard the "real" thing, it's hard to want to hear anything else! 😀
Oh, I'm well one my way down the MIDI rabbit hole... I'm a bit worried about how deep it goes (as is my wallet!)
Monkey Island's intro sounds absolutely amazing with the Roland MT-32
Really Cool video. The mt32-pi looks interesting, these midi modules are very expensive here in Oz :)
Excellent informative and easily digestible video. Thank you!
Great video! Looking forward to the mt32-pi one...
Thanks Bruno! Should hopefully be along shortly.
would be nice if you got a higher-quality audio out on the mt32-pi since the ordinary jack output is notoriously poor on those things, and you can hear that reflected in the output. I'm sure it will sort out most of those weak bass issues heard in the comparison
Yes, it's compatible with the various Raspberry Pi DACs, I really need to do a follow up to this as I have some new hardware to show off now.
@@ctrlaltrees looking forward to it!
Thanks for the video! Was really interesting.
Now, I need to go play Monkey Island again...
I bought a Roland SC-88 Pro in March 2010 ( I was going to originally get an SC-88vl in January 2010 but was outbid ).
In April 2014 I boguht a Roland SD-35 mainly to use with the SC-88 Pro so I could use the SC-88 Pro to render midi files.
hi, is there any reason to buy sc-88 Pro instead of SC-88 ? my question is that if I use SC-88 for DOS MIDI games only does it make much difference by buying SC-88 Pro instead of just SC-88 ? I actually considering buying a SC-8820 since it is reasonable price to support SC-88 pro map so I am debating myself to get real SC-88 or SC-8820.
@@overdriver99 The SC-88 Pro is basically an SC-88 with double the amount of sounds. The SC-88 Pro
uses exactly the same DAC as the SC-88 and S88vl which I believe is a Burr-Brown so SC-88 playback
on an SC-88 Pro is no different than if it was played on an SC-88 or SC-88vl. The SC-8820 also has
Burr-Brown DAC, it's basically an SC-88 Pro with extra GS sounds and extra drum kits.
@@LittleRichard1988 Ok thanks for info. I would probably buy SC-8820 since it has SC-88 pro map but I would consider SC-88VL instead since it is cosmetically pleasing to my eyes LOL
I'm currently using an old ESS Solo-1 sound card with Roland CM-300 via MIDI cables. Works great for all DOS games with SB compatibility and General MIDI. Recently, I have decided to convert an old ThinkPad R60 into a portable retro gaming for the CM-300 using a Ronald UM-One USB MIDI adaptor. Sounds great too with zero lag. Now I wonder if the Atari 520STFM will work with the CM-300 since I have plenty of MIDI cables lying around.
Hey man, this video is tons of good information. But. Now that the Orpheus and others are out (like the mt32-pi), could you do an update to this, and maybe go over the current status, what's changed, and what's the best direction, or more specifically the best hardware to go for, for us who are into real metal DOS gaming - not the dosbox stuff or any of it, but the real things, CRT's and all. Is it worth it to go SC-88 or Orpheus in your opinion, or the mt32pi maybe, then how to hide it? Big part of the appeal for me at least is that there's no raspberry pi's or 3d printed enclosures to fiddle with.
Thanks! Yes, I've covered the Orpheus and MK8330 separately, I really should do an update on this as it's still one of the most popular videos on my channel and like you say, things have come on a long way!
Nice overview! This isn't an area I have any experience with whatsoever lol 👍
Thanks! I didn't either until very recently so I just had to share.
Fantastic video. I know you'll be covering the MT32 pi in more detail in the future but just quickly, how do you hook it up the the computer?
Thanks! Yes, this was a bit of an oversight that I didn't really consider until after the video went out. I use a USB to MIDI cable connected to the MIDI port on the PC MIDI card (or the joystick port on a soundcard).
Great video. Was the MT-32 pi playback coming from the pi's built in sound output, or did you use a hat DAC?
You might have showed us an SC-55ST instead of the SC-55 I seen before on the internet.
Yes, the model shown is the SC-55ST, apologies for any confusion. 🙂
You can send sysex to the MT32 to add GM support, only 8 channels though but Doom sounds great.
I watched a Phil's lab video on MT-32 emulation. I am currently building a MT-32/General MIDI emulator running Munt and Bassmidi on an old Lenovo Thinkcenter Tiny Form Factor PC that i got for 25 quid off ebay. I think all in it's cost around 60ish quid. I'm hoping to interface with my AWE64 ISA card that's in my PIII machine. Hoping to one day be able to do both MT-32 and Midi on a single Pi. I haven't been able to find a good solution for running both and being able to switch between them thus far though
Great video. I have a question: providing I do not connect an external MIDI device to the gameport, will I still experience the dreaded hanging note bug with a Sound Blaster 16 or Roland SC-55 sound card?
If yes, can the PC-MIDI ISA MPU Card help me overcome this issue and does it come with full instructions?
Really Great Video Rees 👍
I had hanging notes with my [musicQuest] PC-MIDI card, which I suspect were due to > 8MHz ISA bus speed. MPU-401 never seemed to run into the same issues, but is likely it hasn't been tested as thoroughly. Something for a possible YT video I suppose. :)
SC-55 Had a display too! Isn't it? By the way, when did Roland CM64-32 Series came?
The Roland CM modules came out in 1990 although I thought they were 80s. Last summer I bought a CM-32L and a CM-32P as part of a job lot.
The CM-32 was 2 modules intended to be used in tandem. The CM-32L is the LA Synthesis module which is based on the MT-32 and the CM-32P
is the PCM module which adds 64 instruments from the U-110 plus 1 slot to use a PCM card. The CM-64 is both CM-32s combined into 1.
The SC-55 in this video is an SC-55ST, it's basically a lower cost SC-55 without the display and buttons.
@@LittleRichard1988 Wow! Now I get it.
I would love to know how what percentage of DOS gamers actually owned MT-32s back in the day. I, like you, never even knew what they were, let alone knowing anybody that owned one. It was enough of a novelty, in the early 90s, to own a Sound Blaster, in my circle of friends...
Awesome roland
Sounds like your channels are reversed on the MT32-pi. I've found this is a common "bug" in cheaper 3.5mm-to-RCA cables/adapters; I have several whose channels are reversed.
Thanks Josh, I think you might be right. You have a good ear! It's too late to edit this one now but I'll definitely keep an eye (or an ear) out for this issue in future. 👍
Yeah, you're right. The harpsichord (I believe that's the instrument?) is the most noticeable. I also think the pi is a little sharper, but still very very good. I personally don't think I'd even notice if it wasn't for listening to them side-by-side. I think it's something I'll have to look into myself so I can have a "MT-32 v2".
Like you say though, sadly I've had lots of cheaper cables/adapters wire up in reverse. I've even had it happen with not so cheap cables. These days with cables/adapters, I do a left/right channel test, before just being happy that both channels are getting audio.
For what it's worth, I think the 3.5mm -> RCA adapter I'm using actually came with the official Xbox 360 component cable!
@@ctrlaltrees Hmm... it would be interesting to know if the MT32-pi is pushing the audio out the wrong way around then? If it is, "There's ya problem!" 😜
@@RetroBoxRoom @ctrl-alt-rees: I've just confirmed the channels are the wrong way round when using the internal headphone jack, but not on my DACs. You've just discovered a bug! I'll get this fixed for the next release. 😃
I remember I used to have a Sound Blaster 32, that was, I think, a Sound Blaster AWE 32 but without memory to load external soundfonts. Some time after, Sound Blaster AWE 64 was released. These sound blasters had an OPL-3 chip plus a dedicated chip with more realistic sounds, like the Roland MT-32 or Roland Sound Canvas. They also had the digital recording capabilities of a Sound Blaster 16 cards, everything in one piece of hardware. I think the difference between Sound Blaster AWE 32 and AWE 64 was the number of simultaneous voices (32 vs 64, respectively). There were some games compatible with these two cards, but not too many, because they were relatively new pieces of hardware. Do you have any way of making a comparison between these two cards, Roland MT-32 and Roland SC-55 and SC-88? I would be wonderful!
At least AWE64 did not have a real OPL3 anymore, not even a cloned one embedded in a Creative Labs chip. Instead it had an OPL emulation called CQM. In case of the AWE 32 it depends on the CTxxxx model number. Only early ones do have real OPL AFAIK.
Have a Awe32, they're better in some regard in that you can get more RAM on those cards than a Awe64. Granted don't know if the actual extra RAM is actually ever utilized by any soundfont. Other than that the difference between the 2 is minimal. Early 32's had a real OPL3 rather than a cloned copy, 64's had better noise reduction and are smaller, and required a propriatary RAM to increase RAM While the 32 accepted normal RAM sticks. And the 64 had more voices, but only through software so it would hurt performance if those where used.
Basically the 32 is somewhat better in someways and worse in others.
@@relo999 Yep, true. As I wrote previously though I think that the AWE64 doesn't even have a cloned copy of the OPL3 but Creative's CQM instead, which is known as pretty awful.
@@armorgeddon If I remember correctly AWE64 only does CQM, but the Awe32 (and SB32) can do both CQM and OPL3 as those use a licences core in the CT-1747 for the PNP variants and can use the EMU8000 effects. But AWE32's with a Yamaha chip can't use the EMU8000 on OPL, which I believe where only the early Awe32's.
AWE64 if better if you mainly run newer stuff while Awe32 is better if you run older stuff.
@@relo999 I can't remeber which exact model had an external OPL3 chip, but the original (CT2760) already had the CT1747 with the licensed integrated OPL3. Many later models come with a different chip using integrated CQM instead. There are no cards with *both* CQM and OPL3, it's either or, but you can indeed apply FX to the real OPL3 on the CT1747 boards. Annoyingly, it only seems to work in DOS, the Windows control panel only affects the midi side.
Seems like there isn't an open-source Roland SC-55+ or a Yamaha MU-80+ emulator.
Any sites you can recommend to get Sound fonts for MT32 PI?
9:30 It seems it can sound a lot closer going by this vid: /watch?v=TSdDABdnvcw
Why is it that it sounds so bad here and in LGR's example? He mentions SCUMMVM so maybe that tweaks something to correct the instrument choices.
Do any SC-55 OSTs actually use the cut back LA synthesis engine that it comes with or is it just for MT-32 backwards compatibility?
Thanks for the vid!
Obe thing missed here is the Roland virtual VST software that kinda badly but good enough emulates the SC series.
Midi was a mystery to me until I watched this, now I'm watching a MT32 on eBay.......
I love my MT32! But I really can highly recommend mt32-pi.
Does the Roland SD-20 Studio Canvas work with old PC games?
The MT-32 emulation of SC-55 only handles the stock patches, and doesn't emulate any MT-32 sysex which a lot of games (including a lot of sierra and monkey island) use to load custom patches.
I just got a SC-55 MKII and all setup and running. Now when messing with setting on Dark Forces, is there supposed to be a sound canvas option that pops up? I tried general midi and it works and plays the midis from my SC-55. Just wondering if sound canvas is supposed to appear in the options.
Hmm, it's been a long time since I looked at Dark Forces but I think the General MIDI option is the one you need. There may be a "Roland" option as well but that's designed for the MT-32.
The SC-55 MT-32 emulation at 09:17 is not correct. You need to turn your SC-55 into MT-32 compatibility mode before running the game to have the correct instruments.
To do this, you should play the MT32EMUL.MID file from the Roland SCC1 Utilities Disk before launching the game and it will sound quite close as a true MT-32.
The mt32-pi in Simon the Sorcerer has audible aliasing artifacts. Ugly :\
Yeah, the Pi's headphone jack sounds like that. A DAC sounds much better :)
Not to mention that the genuine MT32 isn't brilliant as far as sound quality goes. Particularly the MkI like I have.
@@d0pefish Is there a recommended Pi hat to benefit from the full mt32 experience? I.e: DAC+screen?
@@BrunoFonsecaPT Take a look at the Custom Hardware section of the README, there are a couple of options. PI-MIDI is nice but in high demand and stock is limited, clumsyMIDI might be nice if you are OK with DIY: github.com/dwhinham/mt32-pi#-custom-hardware