Look at the list of MT-32 games. It's a fairly short and old list - but longer than say Gravis Ultasound's list. Do you want to play any of those games? Do you think that either SC-55's MT-32 emulation mode, or using AdLib would spoil your playing pleasure? Or missing the sysex messages on the MT-32 display? If you answer 'yes' to those questions and you have the money for an MT-32, then you should. If not, not.

Note that the SC-55 does have an MT-32 emulation mode which at least means the regular instruments will be played correctly. It doesn't support the MT-32's options for custom instruments/sounds, but will do a better job of playing back MT-32 music than other GM devices without the mode. Give it a try with the games you like before deciding to shell out for an MT-32.

If I choose MT-32 in a certain game, would SC-55 then *automatically* choose the correct mode? Or do I need to manually put it in MT-32 mode (which I am not familiar with)

Thank you in advance, I really appreciate it!

You change to MT-32 mode by pressing instrument left button when you turn it on.

I think the games that will suffer most from using the MT-32 compatible mode on the SC-55 will be those from Sierra since many if not all of those required the use of custom instrument patches that would get loaded to the MT-32. Dyanmix as well would be the other.

I used to have a .mid file that would remap my SCB-55 daughterboard to make it MT-32 compatible. It didn't sound correct then either because that was initially how I played through Willy Beamish back in the day. It wasn't until about 6 months ago when I finally got an MT-32 of my own that I heard what it was supposed to sound like and I was totally blown away!!

Your other alternative is MUNT.

jesolo wrote:

Your other alternative is MUNT.

I see. Well, I am using it on my emulation machine, connected to a Sony PVM, and all that, but this is for my real Win98SE box.

I will give SC-55 MKII's MT-32 mode a shot!

Just run a midi cable to another machine that can run Munt.

Only a real MT-32 or compatible, like a CM32 or CM64 MIDI module or a LAPC-I ISA card will work correctly. The SC-55 is not compatible with the MT-32. It only has samples that sound like an MT-32, but otherwise, it's not compatible since it does not do LA synthesis, nor does it understand MT-32 commands. The result is music that sounds quite butchered at best, and completely different (random instruments) at worst.

You can use Munt (near perfect MT-32 emulation) running a Pi though, and connect to your machine using a USB to MIDI cable. Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvuncHhza5A

This is the cheapest way, and for all intents and purposes, the resulting sound is indistinguishable from a real MT-32.

If you you're not familiar with configuring this stuff with Linux, you can get a more expensive. x86 based, Windows capable alternative, but of course it's more expensive than a Pi:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSk9S1bkRS8

You can just use any older Windows based laptop or desktop that can run MUNT for you and connect it via a USB to MIDI cable.