you can use the THRU/THROUGH port to go from the mt32 to the 55 but you do need a stereo selector or a mixer to select the desired output.

remember the mt32 has 1/4trs out jacks, the 55 has rca jacks, so you will need to do some conversion. you can probably use old AV selector box and ignore the svideo and just use it for audio selection

Yeah, I've noticed the jacks are different sizes for the two units. The AV selector box is a great idea, thank you!

Note that if the sound card is a number of SB16 or SB AWE32 models, the 'hanging note' MIDI bug may happen if digital sound and MIDI are played at the same time.

(Also, Tie Fighter is a real arse to configure)

ynari wrote:

Note that if the sound card is a number of SB16 or SB AWE32 models, the 'hanging note' MIDI bug may happen if digital sound and MIDI are played at the same time.

(Also, Tie Fighter is a real arse to configure)

I've got the MT-32 connected to the audio in on my Sound Blaster Audiligy soundcard, works great. Why is TIE Fighter an arse to configure?

Also, a friend suggested a midi cable plugged into the thru ports, and the audio out in the MT-32 connected to the audio in on the SC-55. Might that work as well?

Thanks!

Yes you can do that.

The SC-55 has RCA inputs at the back that get mixed together.

Because both will play at the same time, when you want to hear the SC-55, you got to mute the MT-32 (turn volume to 0), and when you want to hear the MT-32, you got to mute the SC-55 (Mute all parts through the menu).

That should work.

The only downside with the thru method is that you can't power off any of the parent units.

I have a CM64, MT32 and an SC55 chained and have them all on one power switch so I only turn them on when I actually need them...

Here's a little guide a copied from an internet site at one point.

If you care about sound quality and noise level you must not forget that chaining analog audio through several devices adds to the noise level.
Each device in the chain has an op-amp (amplifier) at the input and the output, the PC sound card will convert the sound yet again with input and output amplifier and two digital-to-analog/analog-to-digital conversions.
MT32 (output) -> SC-55 (input) -> SC55 (output) -> PC (input) -> PC (ADC) -> PC (DAC) -> PC (output).

The amount of amplifiers in each stage will elevate the noise floor even if nothing is playing, noise is also an audio signal.
Unbalanced cables pick up interference noise, and chaining different audio devices may create ground loop problems and a "buzz" on the audio signal.

I suggest a small mixer (Behringer 1002 for example), this will parallel the op-amp chain instead of chaining it in series.
Your speakers should be connected to the mixer outputs, all the devices (PC, MT32, SC55) should connect to the mixer inputs and mixed to your liking (make sure you don't clip).

Also you do not want to attenuate the signal and then amplify it again, this is the worst thing you can do to deteriorate signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
So turn your PC output to full, MT-32 volume to full (but not clipping) and SC-55 to full (but not clipping) and attenuate at the mixer.

Cheers.

I'm always wondering what the smallest active mixer there is that is good and provides 4 line ins (not necessarily mic in, don't care about those).

Dominus wrote:

I'm always wondering what the smallest active mixer there is that is good and provides 4 line ins (not necessarily mic in, don't care about those).

Hmm, not small, but when I was researching I ended up with a model from Phonic. It's quite hard finding one with 4 Stereo inputs, most are mic / mono only.

PhilsComputerLab wrote:

Dominus wrote:

I'm always wondering what the smallest active mixer there is that is good and provides 4 line ins (not necessarily mic in, don't care about those).

Hmm, not small, but when I was researching I ended up with a model from Phonic. It's quite hard finding one with 4 Stereo inputs, most are mic / mono only.

Yeah, Mic/Mono I could without. Currently I'm using a little box that has mechanic switches for whichlines should go together... Not very audiophil 😉

Behringer 1002, it's an exact copy of the Phonic AM 105, even the same power supply connector.
I bet it even uses the same general purpose 4580 op-amps in all mixers from cheapest to the most expensive.

Dominus wrote:

PhilsComputerLab wrote:

Dominus wrote:

I'm always wondering what the smallest active mixer there is that is good and provides 4 line ins (not necessarily mic in, don't care about those).

Hmm, not small, but when I was researching I ended up with a model from Phonic. It's quite hard finding one with 4 Stereo inputs, most are mic / mono only.

Yeah, Mic/Mono I could without. Currently I'm using a little box that has mechanic switches for whichlines should go together... Not very audiophil 😉

AudioPhil 😊

Here is a 2 channel stereo for 48 Teuros: http://www.thomann.de/at/phonic_am_55.htm

And here a 4 channel stereo for 74 Teuros: http://www.thomann.de/at/phonic_am125.htm

An audio mixer is pretty simple to make. One op amp per channel with matching resistors (for fixed gain summation). You also need a power supply for the op amp.

http://wiredworld.tripod.com/tronics/mixer_mixer.png

Fixed gain has the added benefit of no scratchy potentiometers.

Dominus wrote:

I'm always wondering what the smallest active mixer there is that is good and provides 4 line ins (not necessarily mic in, don't care about those).

Nady MM-242.
4 stereo channels active mini mixer.
Probably the best (compact) solution for a retro rig with 3 synth modules.

jesolo wrote:

Here's a little guide a copied from an internet site at one point.

Ah, this is perfect, so connecting the USB Midi interface I already have to the SC-55, I use this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000068NTK/ … d=ATVPDKIKX0DER

To connect the midi thru ports on both devices, then this:

https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CPR-202-Stereo-In … ch+to+rca+cable

To connect the output from the MT-32 to the input on the SC-55, then this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000068O3A/ … d=ATVPDKIKX0DER

To connect the output on the SC-55 to the line-in on my Sound Blaster sound card.

Does that sound right? I don't mind turning both units on if that's what's needed.

James-F wrote:

If you care about sound quality and noise level you must not forget that chaining analog audio through several devices adds to t […]
Show full quote

If you care about sound quality and noise level you must not forget that chaining analog audio through several devices adds to the noise level.
Each device in the chain has an op-amp (amplifier) at the input and the output, the PC sound card will convert the sound yet again with input and output amplifier and two digital-to-analog/analog-to-digital conversions.
MT32 (output) -> SC-55 (input) -> SC55 (output) -> PC (input) -> PC (ADC) -> PC (DAC) -> PC (output).

The amount of amplifiers in each stage will elevate the noise floor even if nothing is playing, noise is also an audio signal.
Unbalanced cables pick up interference noise, and chaining different audio devices may create ground loop problems and a "buzz" on the audio signal.

I suggest a small mixer (Behringer 1002 for example), this will parallel the op-amp chain instead of chaining it in series.
Your speakers should be connected to the mixer outputs, all the devices (PC, MT32, SC55) should connect to the mixer inputs and mixed to your liking (make sure you don't clip).

Also you do not want to attenuate the signal and then amplify it again, this is the worst thing you can do to deteriorate signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
So turn your PC output to full, MT-32 volume to full (but not clipping) and SC-55 to full (but not clipping) and attenuate at the mixer.

Cheers.

So wait, I'd have them go each to a separate mixer, which would then go to the PC sound card?

Midi Chain (2 cables):
PC midi output -> SC-55 Midi Input,
SC-55 Midi Thru -> MT-32 Midi Input.

The mixer blends and adjusts all the audio inputs, and outputs a combined (mixed) signal to your main speakers.
No need to go back to your sound card.