Having acquired two rev1 MT-32s, one working and one in need of repair (they have not arrived to me yet), I've begun thinking up of a project for a new way to utilize the MPU-401 interface. Here's some reasons for doing this:
#1 Mainly so I can save an ISA port on my Pentium 1 and just use one of the USB ports instead. I need both ISA slots for an SB16 and Gravis.
#2 To use in other 98 computers that lack ISA ports.
#3 Work around the common issues that seemingly plague rev1/rev2 MT-32s, problems with genuine and clone MPU-401 interfaces, etc etc etc.
#4 Not having to buy an MPU-401 ISA interface for unfair prices.

So my plan is to use a USB-to-MIDI adapter (Roland still makes them with windows 98 drivers, too). This will be used for the primary communication between the MT-32 and windows 98 & its DOS strapper.

After I do a few tests, I'm going to see if I can write a driver to act as an active software MPU-401 which can hopefully:
#1 be persistent for the so-called "intelligent mode".
#2 act as a wrapper around sysex data so it can change the way it behaves in regards to a new/old MT-32 to prevent buffer overflows in either rev1 or rev2.

The main idea here is that Windows 98 is going to intercept the MT-32 software driver onto DOS-- tricking the games that they "think" it's a real MPU-401, like DOSBox.

Any comments or criticisms welcome. It's been awhile since I did any programming... soo.. may take awhile to sort this out. I can't make any guarantees, but I want to give it a shot. I really do NOT want to sacrifice the spot for the gravis ultrasound.

PS-- I'd like to state two final things:
Because I am not a HOARDER, I plan on selling the 2nd MT-32 after I repair it. I also dislike MT-32s being sold for $100 and over. Because of this, I'll most likely be selling it privately for $50. Hoarders and sellers that take advantage of retro electronics take out all of the fun.