Roland MT-32 CM-32L upgrades? \ VOGONS

Roland MT-32 CM-32L upgrades?

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First post, by SkyHawk

Posted on 2023-05-26, 18:18

SkyHawk Offline

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There's a bunch of these having been sold on eBay

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/285243529321?hash=ite … ABk9SR8abkpSLYg

System Board view - https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/JfcAAOSwI6tkQEbx/s-l1600.jpg

Seller claims to have "upgraded" MT-32s to the CM-32L PCM ROM and control logic.

I was under the impression that was not possible. I'm not interested in buying one of these, but I am very curious how this was done and what the implications are for compatibility of these devices.

I'd guess this is just a CM-32L system board dropped into an MT-32 chassis, but this guy appears to be selling many of these, so probably not? I do spy a headphone jack, so this particular listing at least is not an MT-32(old) board.

Reply 1 of 6, by SkyHawk

Posted on 2023-05-26, 18:24

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And here's a different listing that *is* a rev0 MT-32

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/285261478572?hash=ite … ABk9SR8abkpSLYg

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/eBkAAOSwav1kTpgR/s-l1600.jpg

Reply 2 of 6, by keropi

Posted on 2023-05-26, 19:24

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Interesting, I thought it was only possible to do in the newer version MT-32 with the headphone jack...

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Reply 3 of 6, by Tiido

Posted on 2023-05-26, 21:24

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This is for 2nd generation MT32s without the PGA LA32 chip, for these you simply use CM32 or LAPC program ROM and burn a new sample ROM with the extra sounds and you get all the fun. You might have to solder a wire to bring in the highest address line to the sample memory chip. 27C801 and one wire should be all that is needed for that.

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Reply 4 of 6, by keropi

Posted on 2023-05-26, 21:46

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Turns out the 2nd unit is just a 2nd gen mt32 without the headphone jack. Apparently they exist.

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Reply 5 of 6, by SkyHawk

Posted on 2023-05-26, 23:33

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So where would one of these frankensteins end up?

Audio quality and game compatibility comparable to CM-32L? Just with a nice front panel interface?

Reply 6 of 6, by keropi

Posted on 2023-05-27, 04:47

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This mod essentially turns a suitable mt32 to a cm32l , I doubt there are compatibility issues different from a real cm32l
it is nice to get the extra sfx and screen if you have a new-version mt32 , can't see any drawbacks to it (except the modification work needed)

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