That is great music. Search for the [midi] section in dosbox.conf.
Set it to:
mpu401=intelligent
device=default
config=

This should pass all MIDI data through to the Windows sound driver. For this to work, the MT-32 emulation driver should be the default MIDI driver in Windows' settings. (Use config=1 or another number if it isn't -- check the README for more info).

Thanks, I'll give this a shot when I get home.

For the sake of clarity:
I've got the MT-32 files (2 of them) in my system32 folder in Windows, as well as in the DOSBOX folder.
To change the MIDI settings, I just go to control panel, then Sounds & Audio, then change the default MIDI device to the MT-32 emulator (which should show up there, right?)
Then change the dosbox.conf file to reflect your suggestions, yes?

Like I said, I'll give it a shot when I get home. Is it sad that the prospect of listening to Silpheed once again is more enticing than happy hour with scads of women? A testament to the power of reclaimed childhood, I guess. 😄

That's right.

Silpheed plays pretty well with Munt (with the exception of some slight hissing in the intro). Space Quest 3 has a few parts at too low a volume in the intro. Future Wars and Prince of Persia are pretty faithful too.

BTW, I compared these to a real MT-32 (it does sound better, but emulation is an acceptable alternative in many cases).

About the women... play Leisure Suit Larry and have women with MT-32!

So Munt is a "DOS emulator" as well? I was under the impression that Munt was merely for MIDI stuff, like listening to music, or using a MIDI sequencer. I'll try that, as well. Thanks much!

Nah, Munt is just an MT-32 emulator. It is used by DOSBox.

I meant emulating the MT-32 compared to a real MT-32 (DOSBox doesn't care about which device you use).

Dude! Installing Munt totally worked. I didn't have to futz with dosbox.conf at all. I just installed Munt according to instructions, and - SHAZAM - listened to Silpheed in full MIDI glory. I listened to Future Wars for the first time in more than twelve years, and it sounded exactly as I remember it. Almost brought a tear to my eye. Thanks, Kippesoep, your help is much appreciated.

Can I just geek out for a sec here? I just finished installing every old game that I have that either A) I loved, B) uses the MT-32, or C) both. It's a pretty big list, but suffice to say that I am coming off of twenty minutes with my first love, Space Quest III: The Pirates of Pestulon. What these guys were able to pull off using a paltry sixteen colors and the MT-32 is nothing short of miraculous. Truly, the games from this particular era were works of art. Consider, then, that I am playing SQ3 on my PC using the MT-32 at the tender age of fifteen, an age where all of my peers were playing Mega Man 2 (and rightly so - it is a classic). But whereas Mega Man tickles a particular part of your brain, so too do the Sierra graphic adventures, the SQs and QGs (I still prefer Hero's Quest, though), the LSLs, even the occasional Codename:Iceman. But these games nurtured your brain, they made you read, and ponder, and more often than not, think your way out of a problem, or around an obstacle. With GTA being the pre-eminent "defining" video game of the current generation, it's no wonder these kids are all pretty messed up in the head. 😢

That was really beautiful