basically you are correct, the optimal solution would be a SCC-1 or a MPU401-AT card ... I even used my LAPC-I for connecting an external module... even a RAP-10 would work if I am not mistaken...
I am under the impression though that the AWE64 mpu is fine for games, I am sure someone here will verify or correct me on this as I never used one...

Would be nice if there was a pci card that had DOS support that I could plug the cm-32p into. Then I can use the music from the cm-32p and the sound from the awe64 instead of having to use the scc-1 for sound.

If you get a scc-1 it will just take an irq+address for midi, there is no "sound" capabilities on it, only midi.
I have used a SCC-1 with various sb cards, from SB1.5 to SB16 , you just disable or alter the address of the SB MPU to something less standard and you give #330 to the roland card... and games use SB for "sound" and roland for midi

Ah ok I see. But I think my mobo only has 1 ISA slot, I'll check when I get home.

Having only 1 ISA slot does indeed limit the choices quite a bit.

For such a fast machine (compared to what was around when the MT-32 was at its prime) I would go with the AWE64GOLD and a external Roland Sound Canvas (General MIDI).

This will give you good sound and music, no hanging note bugs for many many games.

And some games would also work with an MT-32 through the AWE64GOLD. There are patches for many Sierra games.

If you get a MPU401 or SCC-1 then you won't have any digital sound I'm afraid.

The only other option I can think if is a Ensoniq Soundscape card. While they aren't fully intelligent mode compatible they do implement some functions through the driver and many MT-32 games will work. There are existing threads on this topic.

And another option is going with an ISA MIDI card and a PCI card for digital audio. Older games might give you trouble with this though.

And one more option is using DOSBox or ScummVM on a modern PC with a USB MIDI adapter.

How about going with a Roland LAPC-I instead? Will that give me digital audio?

trist007 wrote:

How about going with a Roland LAPC-I instead? Will that give me digital audio?

No it won't I'm afraid.

The only roland ISA card that will give you digital audio is the RAP-10 (digital + midi + you get an mpu for external devices) but it requires specific hardware support , not a great solution for gaming...

How does the wiring work? Soundblaster 64 AWE64 in one ISA, then the external roland sound canvas plugs into where?

you need a joyport->midi adapter so you can connect the awe64 and the external module , see here: external mpu401 and mt32: confused

Awesome thank you. Also would you recommend a certain sound canvas model? sc55? sc-7?

If you are looking for MT32 compatibility you should really get a MT32 or a CM-32L or a CM-64 IMHO
Unless I am wrong SC-7 is a normal General Midi device and SC-55 has GM and Roland GS modes... neither sound the same as a Roland LA synth like the mt-32 and it's siblings.

I just purchased a CM-32P. That should do nicely no? Have it going in through my awe64gold gameport.

I was specifically trying to get wing commander 1 to work with mt-32.

well the CM-32P "emulates" the MT-32 , you can read and hear more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_SC-55

trist007 wrote:

I just purchased a CM-32P. That should do nicely no? Have it going in through my awe64gold gameport.

I was specifically trying to get wing commander 1 to work with mt-32.

That won't work for two reasons:

1. The CM-32P is not compatible with MT-32 or General MIDI.

2. Wing Commander is on the list of games that require an intelligent mode MPU-401. The MIDI port on the AWE64 isn't capable of this.

I stand corrected. I was always under the impression that the CM-32P is at least GM compatible... thanks 5u3 for the clarification!

I just checked and my mobo does have 2 ISA slots 😀. What do you guys recommend? SCC-1, SC-55? LAPC-I?

First you will need some real roland mpu (or equivalent that supports said intelligent mode) , I would really suggest you either get a LAPC-I (hitting 2 birds with one stone - mpu+mt32 - but it's pricey) or a SCC-1 or MPU-401AT + MT-100/MT-32/CM-32L/CM-64/CM-500 ...
The SCC-1 combo is somewhat easier to find IMHO but it will still be a bit on the pricey side of things...

Thank you very much, you guys have been very helpful.