dionb wrote on 2024-08-06, 12:44:

Kordanor wrote on 2024-08-06, 12:14:

[...]
Alright, I think what I missed / didnt get before is that I assumed that the LAPC-I was just another MPU-401 interface, while in fact, it's a completely integrated solution which would not need any additional external device.
So coming from MM3 which "requires" a Roland LAPC-I, I would basically "mimic" the device by having MPU-401 and a CM-32L / MT-32 separately.

To perfectly 'mimic' the LAPC-I you would need either that card or a CM-32L or CM-500 module.

I'd add the CM-64 to this list, since it has the CM-32L module built-in.

One thing to note about the CM-500 is it has a different speed crystal which creates different speed vibrato compared to the MT-32 or CM-32L. Therefore the CM-500 will sound different depending on the music track.

Alright guys, that helps a lot.

So I am going to summarize the thread so far:

Either use a LAPC-I which is a "all in one solution"
or:
A card with MPU-401 support. Which for older games (like MM3) would need support intelligent mode support (which can also be done with software)
+
One of the following devices: CM-32L, CM-64, MT-32, MT-100 or MT-500 (with reservations)

alternatively to these devices, one could use emulation hardware based on rhapberry Pi, however the soundfiles can not be obtained in an official way:
Options are:
- mt32 pi (optionally HardMPU for an interface)
- WP32 McCake

It seems like for the M32 Pi some nice 60€ Solutions exist with everything assembled in a box (not just a lose PCB) in case you need it for the mister fpga: https://ultimatemister.com/product-category/mt-32-pi/
Not sure if you could just drill a hole in these cases and then connect it to Old hardware while keeping it USB powered.
I also found the MP32L which (when everything combined) would cost 133€: https://www.serdashop.com/MP32L

For the WP32McCake you can buy it here: https://www.serdashop.com/WP32-McCake for 148€ (incl front panel).

I am not sure if the McCake offers any advantage besides of not having an additional box. As I don't have a spare front panel in my rather compact case I guess the MP32L would be the better choice for me.
That is, If I can't get any of the original hardware (CM-32L, CM-64, MT-32, MT-100 or MT-500) for a similar pricepoint.

if you connect a McCake or MP32-L (or other similar device but NOT the mister-specific devices as these are specifically made for the mister fpga project) to your Orpheus2LT board and use the LAPC-I/CM-32L firmware files then you have essentially created a "faux" lapc-i setup
you do not need any other midi interface with the LT, the onboard pcmidi is made just for these purposes

keropi wrote on 2024-08-06, 14:29:

if you connect a McCake or MP32-L (or other similar device but NOT the mister-specific devices as these are specifically made for the mister fpga project) to your Orpheus2LT board and use the LAPC-I/CM-32L firmware files then you have essentially created a "faux" lapc-i setup
you do not need any other midi interface with the LT, the onboard pcmidi is made just for these purposes

Yep understood. Thanks 😀
Though I am not quite sure how the soundboard works technically but I guess the cards just have an alternative output for the MPU 401 on the card itself (besides of the PCI slot).

imagine MPU401 as a special serial port
the computer talks to that special port and sends data to a midi device (internal or external it does not matter) and then said midi device produces music that goes directly to speakers or passes through your soundcard and then speakers

now some devices like the MT-32 family are snobs and only talk to extra-special serial ports 🤣 (the so called "roland intelligent mode")
thus you either have a hardware-based extra-special port or you emulate one with software/drivers
new midi devices that are "general midi" compatible do not need such an extra-special port and are happy to talk to simpler ones - like the ones that are included in the vast majority of soundcards

btw LAPC-I is just a roland mpu401 with a cm32-L connected to it and all soldered on an ISA card

Something that hasn't been explained clearly enough of that MM3 needs a CM-32L, NOT a MT-32. The CM-32L adds digital sound effects to the MT-32. So a LAPC-I *does* have those sound effects. The MT-32 and its many variants that are not the CM's.. do not.
You don't need a LAPC sound card, and they're extremely expensive. It's probably in the setup because it was the consumer level option most would have (CM-32L maybe more prosumer). But you DO, should you want to get the SFX, need a CM-32L/CM-64/CM-500/other Roland device such as E-30 keyboard that has the extra sound effects.
And then hooked up to a sound card that can talk to it, as mentioned by others.

Of course, you can do all this with MUNT, as previously mentioned.

Spikey wrote on 2024-08-11, 03:48:

Something that hasn't been explained clearly enough of that MM3 needs a CM-32L, NOT a MT-32. The CM-32L adds digital sound effec […]
Show full quote

Something that hasn't been explained clearly enough of that MM3 needs a CM-32L, NOT a MT-32. The CM-32L adds digital sound effects to the MT-32. So a LAPC-I *does* have those sound effects. The MT-32 and its many variants that are not the CM's.. do not.
You don't need a LAPC sound card, and they're extremely expensive. It's probably in the setup because it was the consumer level option most would have (CM-32L maybe more prosumer). But you DO, should you want to get the SFX, need a CM-32L/CM-64/CM-500/other Roland device such as E-30 keyboard that has the extra sound effects.
And then hooked up to a sound card that can talk to it, as mentioned by others.

Of course, you can do all this with MUNT, as previously mentioned.

Oh, good to know, thanks. I guess for the Pi Emulator Cards it also won't really matter as you can just upload whatever sounds you need.

Kordanor wrote on 2024-08-11, 11:33:

Oh, good to know, thanks. I guess for the Pi Emulator Cards it also won't really matter as you can just upload whatever sounds you need.

Yes, you can just load the various ROM and sound back files to switch between what hardware it's emulating.

dionb wrote on 2024-08-06, 12:44:

Kordanor wrote on 2024-08-06, 12:14:

[...]
Alright, I think what I missed / didnt get before is that I assumed that the LAPC-I was just another MPU-401 interface, while in fact, it's a completely integrated solution which would not need any additional external device.
So coming from MM3 which "requires" a Roland LAPC-I, I would basically "mimic" the device by having MPU-401 and a CM-32L / MT-32 separately.

To perfectly 'mimic' the LAPC-I you would need either that card or a CM-32L or CM-500 CM-64 module.
An MT-32 or MT-100 would come very close, just might miss the odd instrument. I've personally never been able to hear the difference tbh, so for me "good enough". CM-500 would also come very close but different vibrato.

I hear the difference easily. Not in the samples, but in the processing. LAPC-I got more effects applied to their instruments.