First post, by thecrankyhermit
So, I just got my MT-32 working nice and proper. First, I want to make sure my understanding of MIDI is accurate. As far as all of my MIDI-enabled games go, I am under the impression that most/all of them can be fit into one of two categories - games that sound best on an MT-32, and games that sound best on a GM device.
Next, I have the following understandings about MT-32:
Games with Adlib support work on an MT-32.
Games with MT-32 support work on an Adlib.
Either way, they sound better on an MT-32.
Adlib modes work on Sound Blaster cards and sound pretty much the same.
DOSBox has a very good quality Adlib emulator.
MT-32 emulation exists, but is crummy, development is stagnant, and is for all intents and purposes illegal.
And the following understandings about GM:
Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth is a pretty good GM player.
MT-32 does not support GM, and hacks which basically remap instruments to GM sets are fairly crummy.
Roland's Sound Canvas line are better than MS Synth, and are the de facto standard for GM DOS games. I have no idea what the differences between SC-55/SC-88/etc. are as far as DOS game playback goes, and suspect they are all overkill.
Also, how's Roland Virtual Sound Canvas? I *might* be able to legitimately acquire a copy of the 2001 package. Is it a big improvement over MS Synth? How does it compare to a real SC for game music?
Finally, the big one. I have made a list of all of my games, minus the ones that I know for certain do not use MIDI. I am trying to divide this list in two - a list of games I should play using MT-32, and a list of games I should play using a GM device (software or otherwise). In addition to corrections, I'm also looking for confirmations, because I'm not totally sure on most of these.
If a game has a CD-ROM version available, assume I have that one.
The list:
http://pastebin.com/XCWhd6x4
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