The general consensus seems to be that the best way to connect the MT-32 to a modern PC is via a USB midi interface, and in particular, the Roland/Edirol UM1-EX (and by default, other members of the UM-EX family) seems to get the nod from experienced forum members, both here and at Quest, for its proprietary advanced driver.

My first MT-32 rev0 arrived and I tested it using dosbox, with the midi signals being sent from a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz (an unmanly name for a soundcard if there ever was one), and then a UM-1EX. Titles included the Bitmap Bros classics gods and The Chaos Engine, Ultima 6, and a non-playable demo of Space Quest 3 (in this case, both devices sounded a little "jerky" in places, but I have no reference point).

I much preferred the music when connected via the TBSC (perhaps influenced by the fact that the TBSC cost only pocket change, and serves as a general purpose sound card, where as the USB device cost AU$90! and is good for nothing else...)

My understanding is that SQ3 requires the midi signals to be sent via Intelligent / Normal mode, rather than UART mode. If this is indeed the case, and applies to the NPD version of SQ3 that I tried, then the Santa Cruz appears capable of sending signals in Intelligent mode.

Am I correct or is dosbox doing some of the work here?

Can someone recommend a readily obtainable game known to run only in with intelligent mode, to run further tests?

Either way, such a wonderful card becomes even more valued, and the need to go out and buy a pricey (and not so easy to find) cable is diminished...