Setting up Roland/MIDI stuff \ VOGONS

Setting up Roland/MIDI stuff

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First post, by Ahrle

Posted on 2026-07-06, 11:14

Ahrle Offline

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Rank: Newbie
Posts: 82
Joined: 2023-04-09, 00:37

So, after 15 years dreaming of these things, this pile is finally collected.
No prior MIDI experience, and can't get this to work properly.

The attachment 731323484_4491325421113999_352329552178424168_n.jpg is no longer available

I've chosen MT-32 and SC-55 MK1 to begin with (same region i.e. no hassles with voltage, SC-55 MK2 and SC-88 are both Japanese so may look into that)

Setup as follows:
486 with CT3900 and Lo-Tech MIF-IPC-B
Straight cable from MIF-IPC-B to MPU-401
Midi cable from MPU-401 to the MIDI module

Result with SC-55 + headphones:
Simcity 2000: No MIDI at all.
Doom: No MIDI at all.
Keen 4: No MIDI at all.
Windows MIDI, such as Canyon.mid: Playing, but missing notes and wrong instruments.
Full Tilt Pinball: Same as above - playing, but missing notes and wrong instruments.

Result with MT-32 + 2x6.3 to 3.5mm:
No MIDI at all in any application. Line unmuted and games set up for MT-32.

What am I doing wrong?

Last edited by Ahrle on 2026-07-06, 14:05. Edited 1 time in total.

Project 357575: ECS UC4914-G | i486DX2-66 | ET4000/W32 | CT3900
Main: IBM PC300PL | PIII 750 | Viper AGP + V2 SLi | CT4500

Reply 1 of 3, by keropi

Posted on 2026-07-06, 11:40

keropi Offline

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missing and wrong instruments sound like a port conflict to me, are you sure the CT3900 has the MPU active (or disabled) and on a different port than the roland mpu?
anything changes if you remove the CT3900 completely?

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Reply 2 of 3, by Ahrle

Posted on 2026-07-07, 11:44

Ahrle Offline

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Rank: Newbie
Posts: 82
Joined: 2023-04-09, 00:37

keropi wrote on 2026-07-06, 11:40:

missing and wrong instruments sound like a port conflict to me, are you sure the CT3900 has the MPU active (or disabled) and on a different port than the roland mpu?
anything changes if you remove the CT3900 completely?

Thanks, was easier than I thought!
Removing ct3900 indeed got mpu going, also Windows found and installed it.
Soundblaster initially refused port 300, but now took it out and realized it was a jumper problem.
Even mt-32 is playing now! First time hearing one in person.

I know the sc-88 needs resoldering due to being Japanese (different voltage).
How about Sc-55 mk2?
Is it ok to just stick in mk1 EU adapter in there?

Project 357575: ECS UC4914-G | i486DX2-66 | ET4000/W32 | CT3900
Main: IBM PC300PL | PIII 750 | Viper AGP + V2 SLi | CT4500

Reply 3 of 3, by keropi

Posted on 2026-07-07, 11:58

keropi Offline

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Posts: 9847
Joined: 2003-09-08, 06:45
Location: Greece

Ahrle wrote on 2026-07-07, 11:44:
Thanks, was easier than I thought! Removing ct3900 indeed got mpu going, also Windows found and installed it. Soundblaster ini […]
Show full quote

keropi wrote on 2026-07-06, 11:40:

missing and wrong instruments sound like a port conflict to me, are you sure the CT3900 has the MPU active (or disabled) and on a different port than the roland mpu?
anything changes if you remove the CT3900 completely?

Thanks, was easier than I thought!
Removing ct3900 indeed got mpu going, also Windows found and installed it.
Soundblaster initially refused port 300, but now took it out and realized it was a jumper problem.
Even mt-32 is playing now! First time hearing one in person.

I know the sc-88 needs resoldering due to being Japanese (different voltage).
How about Sc-55 mk2?
Is it ok to just stick in mk1 EU adapter in there?

great, glad you solved the issue
the SC-55 can use the same psu as the mt-32 , these operate on 9v unlike the sc-88 that has the psu internally

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