Sound cards that support MPU-401 Intelligent Mode? \ VOGONS

Sound cards that support MPU-401 Intelligent Mode?

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First post, by Shponglefan

Posted on 2023-09-14, 21:45

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I'm trying to compile a list of sound cards that support MPU-401 intelligent mode. Included are any cards with audio out in addition to MIDI interface support. I'm excluding MIDI interface cards that don't have audio capabilities.

This is the list I've compiled so far:

Ensoniq Soundscape S-2000 (somewhat compatible?)
Roland LAPC-I
Roland LAPC-N
Roland MPU-401AT
Roland SCC-1
Roland SCC-1A
Orpheus I
Orpheus II
Orpheus II LT
PCMIDI

Any other sound cards that support MPU401 intelligent mode?

Last edited by Shponglefan on 2023-09-15, 00:22. Edited 1 time in total.

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Reply 1 of 8, by badmojo

Posted on 2023-09-14, 23:59

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The Ensoniq Soundscape isn't properly intelligent mode compatible, it just does some trickery to make it a bit more compatible than your standard UART MPU-401. It doesn't work with Gateway for example.

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Reply 2 of 8, by Shponglefan

Posted on 2023-09-15, 00:22

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badmojo wrote on 2023-09-14, 23:59:

The Ensoniq Soundscape isn't properly intelligent mode compatible, it just does some trickery to make it a bit more compatible than your standard UART MPU-401. It doesn't work with Gateway for example.

Good to know. I haven't tested it personally yet and am relying on info I've seen online.

I'm working on a build to include an S-2000, so I may run a test suite of a intelligent mode related games and see which sound correct.

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486 DX-33 with 5 sound cards

Reply 3 of 8, by Jo22

Posted on 2023-09-15, 00:29

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From what remember (vaguely), quite a few games can be made run if an "ACK" (acknowledge) response is received from the MPU-401.
I suppose that's what some semi intelligent mode compatible soundcards do.
Once the intelligent features (metronome etc) are really being used, the games nolonger work as intended.

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