Did you try a different version of WMP? Or any other software at all? I use WinAmp even for MIDI, as it has the option to send a MIDI reset before each song.

You can also try FSMP. It can also send midi resets (GM, GM2, GS, XG, NX, MT-32) and supports much other things that other players do not. E.g it supports the HW soundfont synth of your Audigy natively (so you can load soundfonts real time and can see the real instrument names of the soundfont):
http://falcosoft.hu/softwares.html#midiplayer
Topic if you have questions:
Falcosoft Soundfont Midi Player + Munt VSTi + BassMidi VSTi

derSammler wrote:

Did you try a different version of WMP? Or any other software at all? I use WinAmp even for MIDI, as it has the option to send a MIDI reset before each song.

VLC i have installed but i think VLC will want a Soundfont regardless. now this is the first time i've used this card in Win 98 so i cant say i never had a problem w/ it playing MIDIs

Falcosoft wrote:

You can also try FSMP. It can also send midi resets (GM, GM2, GS, XG, NX, MT-32) and supports much other things that other playe […]
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You can also try FSMP. It can also send midi resets (GM, GM2, GS, XG, NX, MT-32) and supports much other things that other players do not. E.g it supports the HW soundfont synth of your Audigy natively (so you can load soundfonts real time and can see the real instrument names of the soundfont):
http://falcosoft.hu/softwares.html#midiplayer
Topic if you have questions:
Falcosoft Soundfont Midi Player + Munt VSTi + BassMidi VSTi

i'll haveto give it a shot.

EDIT: 3/24
for whatever Reason, when this card is installed yea MIDI playback breaks along w/ onboard USB in Windows 98. "Due to multiple hub transfeer request failures, a hub has been disabled" *Sigh* when i thought i HAD the perfect card w/ an OPL-3 for this system 😒