Crank9000 wrote:Hamby wrote:So the other day I was looking to get an SC-55 or a second MT-32 (I love my MT-32...)
And I came across a little thing called a […]
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So the other day I was looking to get an SC-55 or a second MT-32 (I love my MT-32...)
And I came across a little thing called a Roland "PMA-5".
Did some research... it's like an SC-55 only newer. Also smaller and portable.
The MT-32 and SC-55 were hovering between $150 and $250 on ebay. plus shipping.
There were some PMA-5s around $100...
saw one for $60... and won the auction.
Been playing with it today. It works like my MT-32 only it's GM/GS compatible.
It works off of ac adapter or 6 AA batteries.
How similar does it sound compared to SC-55 and especially MT-32? I've been under the impression the MT-32 compatibility on SC-55 isn't fantastic and one really should have both.
I can't compare it to the SC-55, but it sounds great. I have it connected to a generic Alsa sound card. As for compatibility... well it sounds okay on games like Space Quest 3 & 5, but it at times sounds really bad in Wing Commander. I haven't learned yet how to invoke MT-32 compatibility mode. But as I learn more I'll post messages about it. There are some interesting videos on it on YouTube, including a "video manual" from the 90s. In one video, a guy composes an entire song just on the PMA-5.
Down side; this one didn't come with a stylus, but I put a bit of velcro on an old phone stylus and it stays in the holder.
The worrisome part is that the MIDI-in jack is loose; at some point I'm going to have to open it up and re-secure it. The plug fits in tightly, but the socket itself wiggles. The scary part about that for me will be opening the case without breaking it. I figure if nothing else I can re-secure the jack with hot glue. But I'm guessing it's just loose screws.
I spent yesterday afternoon listening to midi files on it, and they do sound better than they did just off the sound card (I have it plugged into a Linux PC). I have a Win7 PC sitting next to this one, and I think I'll try a sound comparison between the Linux/PMA-5 and Win7 on the built-in audio. I need to order a USB-MIDI cable so I can connect it to my Win7 machine, too.
I've also begun looking for a DB9F-3 cable; basically rs232 at one end and mini-din at the other.