Shponglefan wrote on 2024-12-05, 15:19:

You'll need a joystick (DB15) to MIDI adapter. These come in a variety of form factors. […]
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DustyShinigami wrote on 2024-12-05, 14:18:

It looks like it's only going to include a power cable/pack, but I wanted to check if I need any other cables for it? I know a joystick serial cable is often mentioned, but will that be needed if I'm using an ISA sound card with MPU-401 output? Or do I need to get a MIDI cable of some sort?

You'll need a joystick (DB15) to MIDI adapter. These come in a variety of form factors.

SerdaShop has one that is basically a board that plugs in the joystick port and has two MIDI out ports: https://www.serdashop.com/DB15MIDI You'll need a separate MIDI cable to connect the adapter and the SC-55. Note that this particular adapter means the joystick port cannot be used for a joystick at the same time.

There are also other adapters that include a DB15 pass-through for joystick connections in addition to MIDI connections. Some of them will have MIDI cables that would plug directly into the SC-55. Others (for example, MediaVision's MIDI Mate) would require an additional MIDI cable to connect to the adapter.

Whether you need a separate MIDI cable comes down to how the adapter is designed.

Sorry, totally forgot you already linked to that adapter. ^^; But with that, would I still need the mixer you mentioned?

megatron-uk wrote on 2024-12-05, 14:41:

You need a DB15 to MIDI adapter. Something like: […]
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You need a DB15 to MIDI adapter. Something like:

https://www.rapidpcs.co.uk/store/11/56/product/1428/

One end goes into your (Soundblaster?) joystick port and the MIDI OUT cable goes to the MIDI IN of your SC-55. You then either need to plug some headphones/speakers into the SC-55, or connect the left/right phono OUT of the SC-55 to the line-IN of your soundcard (to mix the SC-55 audio with that of your soundcard - MIDI cables do not transmit sound).

The better long-term, more-flexible option is an external desktop mixer, that you connect your soundcard, SC-55 and anything else you want to use, and THEN to your speakers/headphones.

Be aware that the Soundblaster cards are not 100% compatible with all games featuring MIDI soundtracks. They have various bugs. The use of something like SoftMPU can mitigate this to an extent for some titles, but not entirely.

Sorry.... legacy PC audio is not entirely a simple topic to summarise!

So, disregarding a mixer for the time being, what would I need to connect the speakers into the SC-55? Specifically to connect the left/right phono out of the SC-55 to the line-in of the sound card? I could be wrong, but I might have white and red cables, or an adapter, for the job, but I need to know specifically what I need. 😀

DustyShinigami wrote on 2024-12-09, 19:47:

Sorry, totally forgot you already linked to that adapter. ^^; But with that, would I still need the mixer you mentioned?

No worries.

For mixing audio, you can either connecting the SC-55 to your sound cards line input and mix it that way. The other option is to use an external mixer.

The main reason to use an external hardware mixer is if you wanted more direct control over mixing levels from the SC-55 and sound card, or wanted to use more than two devices (e.g. if you added another sound module or sound card in the future).

Shponglefan wrote on 2024-12-09, 20:29:

No worries. […]
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DustyShinigami wrote on 2024-12-09, 19:47:

Sorry, totally forgot you already linked to that adapter. ^^; But with that, would I still need the mixer you mentioned?

No worries.

For mixing audio, you can either connecting the SC-55 to your sound cards line input and mix it that way. The other option is to use an external mixer.

The main reason to use an external hardware mixer is if you wanted more direct control over mixing levels from the SC-55 and sound card, or wanted to use more than two devices (e.g. if you added another sound module or sound card in the future).

Okay. The mixer does sound like a better option. But what would be a good mixer to use? And an affordable one? ^^;

DustyShinigami wrote on 2024-12-09, 20:48:

Okay. The mixer does sound like a better option. But what would be a good mixer to use? And an affordable one? ^^;

The two mixers I've used are the Rolls MX42 Mini Mixer and the Edirol (Roland) M-10MX.

The Rolls Mini Mixer can connect up to 4 stereo devices. It is unpowered so you do lose a bit of gain using it, but it otherwise works well enough.

The Roland M-10MX can connect up to 5 stereo devices and is powered, so it works better with quieter audio sources.

Whether you consider these affordable options, YMMW. 😉

Shponglefan wrote on 2024-12-09, 20:59:

The two mixers I've used are the Rolls MX42 Mini Mixer and the Edirol (Roland) M-10MX. […]
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DustyShinigami wrote on 2024-12-09, 20:48:

Okay. The mixer does sound like a better option. But what would be a good mixer to use? And an affordable one? ^^;

The two mixers I've used are the Rolls MX42 Mini Mixer and the Edirol (Roland) M-10MX.

The Rolls Mini Mixer can connect up to 4 stereo devices. It is unpowered so you do lose a bit of gain using it, but it otherwise works well enough.

The Roland M-10MX can connect up to 5 stereo devices and is powered, so it works better with quieter audio sources.

Whether you consider these affordable options, YMMW. 😉

Okay, thanks for the recommendations. Yeeeaahhh, they're not something I'm prepared to splash out on at the moment. ^^; I think it's something I'd have to invest in at a later date. So if I can hook the speakers/sub-woofer and SC-55 up via an adapter/cable as a cheaper method for the time being, I think that's what I'd prefer to go for. 😀

DustyShinigami wrote on 2024-12-09, 21:11:

Okay, thanks for the recommendations. Yeeeaahhh, they're not something I'm prepared to splash out on at the moment. ^^; I think it's something I'd have to invest in at a later date. So if I can hook the speakers/sub-woofer and SC-55 up via an adapter/cable as a cheaper method for the time being, I think that's what I'd prefer to go for. 😀

The cheapest solution is to get a 2xRCA to 3.5mm adapter cable. Something like this.

You plug the red and white RCA ends to the corresponding output ports of the SC-55, and you plug the 3.5mm end to the Line In port of your sound card. Note that Line In needs to be unmuted in the sound card mixer.

Joseph_Joestar wrote on 2024-12-09, 21:20:

DustyShinigami wrote on 2024-12-09, 21:11:

Okay, thanks for the recommendations. Yeeeaahhh, they're not something I'm prepared to splash out on at the moment. ^^; I think it's something I'd have to invest in at a later date. So if I can hook the speakers/sub-woofer and SC-55 up via an adapter/cable as a cheaper method for the time being, I think that's what I'd prefer to go for. 😀

The cheapest solution is to get a 2xRCA to 3.5mm adapter cable. Something like this.

You plug the red and white RCA ends to the corresponding output ports of the SC-55, and you plug the 3.5mm end to the Line In port of your sound card. Note that Line In needs to be unmuted in the sound card mixer.

Perfect! Thank you. 😁 And I do believe I may have one of those in my box of cables. I think I used one with my Xbox 360 for something.

I just need to clear up some confusion when connecting up the SC-55 to a Windows 10 PC. Looking at the video for it, the image shows one of those RCA adapters, but they're female connectors. And then there's another one that look to be male.

I have both, I believe. But I want to make sure I understand the right setup and that I don't need to buy any additional cables/adapters. I don't quite get why it's showing a female RCA cable, which is meant for digital pass-thru? The connectors at the back of the SC-55 are female too. So surely that needs to be male? The 3.5mm jack goes into the sound card and then the male RCA cables go into the SC-55. And then I'd need another male RCA cable to go from the SC-55's output into the subwoofer/speakers?

You are correct, no need for the female RCA cable.

You want to plug the male RCA connectors to the SC55's output, other end of the cable has the 3.5mm connecter attached to the soundcards line in.
Only other cable is the Gameport to MIDI cable, but think you have that in hand

chinny22 wrote on 2024-12-11, 23:46:

You are correct, no need for the female RCA cable.

You want to plug the male RCA connectors to the SC55's output, other end of the cable has the 3.5mm connecter attached to the soundcards line in.
Only other cable is the Gameport to MIDI cable, but think you have that in hand

Awesome. Again, thank you for clarifying. And yeah, the gameport to MIDI adapter is on its way from Serdashop. 😀 And a USB to MIDI adapter arrived yesterday for my Windows 10 PC.

No. There's still something I'm missing. Something I've overlooked. Looking at that diagram again, the RCA on the far right is RCA-RCA. I think they're all male. I'm probably wrong, but wouldn't the other two left and right male RCA cables go into the second RCA outputs on the back of the SC-55 and then the other two RCA males go into my subwoofer?

Just using the one jack to RCA isn't doing anything. The module is playing a test track, but I can't hear anything.

You can ignore the left most RCA ports on the SC-55 labelled "input" Thats for creating music and we are just using it as a playback device.

For testing you can use the front headphone port labelled "phones"

- Attach some headphones and you should hear the test track.

- Replace the headphones with a cable going into "Line In" on your sound card, you should hear the test track.
If not check your mixer settings and make sure Line In is not muted or volume is set really low.
If it does work check/replace the 3.5mm to RCA cable.

chinny22 wrote on 2024-12-12, 23:18:

You can ignore the left most RCA ports on the SC-55 labelled "input" Thats for creating music and we are just using it as a play […]
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You can ignore the left most RCA ports on the SC-55 labelled "input" Thats for creating music and we are just using it as a playback device.

For testing you can use the front headphone port labelled "phones"

- Attach some headphones and you should hear the test track.

- Replace the headphones with a cable going into "Line In" on your sound card, you should hear the test track.
If not check your mixer settings and make sure Line In is not muted or volume is set really low.
If it does work check/replace the 3.5mm to RCA cable.

Okay, thanks for the suggestion. When you say 'mixer settings', do you mean in the volume properties? Or an actual mixer? I don't have the latter at the moment.

DustyShinigami wrote on 2024-12-12, 23:43:

chinny22 wrote on 2024-12-12, 23:18:

You can ignore the left most RCA ports on the SC-55 labelled "input" Thats for creating music and we are just using it as a play […]
Show full quote

You can ignore the left most RCA ports on the SC-55 labelled "input" Thats for creating music and we are just using it as a playback device.

For testing you can use the front headphone port labelled "phones"

- Attach some headphones and you should hear the test track.

- Replace the headphones with a cable going into "Line In" on your sound card, you should hear the test track.
If not check your mixer settings and make sure Line In is not muted or volume is set really low.
If it does work check/replace the 3.5mm to RCA cable.

Okay, thanks for the suggestion. When you say 'mixer settings', do you mean in the volume properties? Or an actual mixer? I don't have the latter at the moment.

Yep, volume properties 😀

chinny22 wrote on 2024-12-13, 00:25:

DustyShinigami wrote on 2024-12-12, 23:43:

chinny22 wrote on 2024-12-12, 23:18:

You can ignore the left most RCA ports on the SC-55 labelled "input" Thats for creating music and we are just using it as a play […]
Show full quote

You can ignore the left most RCA ports on the SC-55 labelled "input" Thats for creating music and we are just using it as a playback device.

For testing you can use the front headphone port labelled "phones"

- Attach some headphones and you should hear the test track.

- Replace the headphones with a cable going into "Line In" on your sound card, you should hear the test track.
If not check your mixer settings and make sure Line In is not muted or volume is set really low.
If it does work check/replace the 3.5mm to RCA cable.

Okay, thanks for the suggestion. When you say 'mixer settings', do you mean in the volume properties? Or an actual mixer? I don't have the latter at the moment.

Yep, volume properties 😀

Okay, thanks. Fingers crossed then. I've also set up GZDoom so I can quickly set it to SC-55 to test it. 😁

Okay, I've discovered why it's not working. For some reason, and it's been this way for some time now, but my Line-In is marked as Unavailable.

EDIT: Got it. 😁

So getting it to work under Windows 10: check

Next I'll be looking into getting it to work with ScummVM. The other thing that I've overlooked, but I learnt from the Windows 10 adapter, is I need two MIDI cables, right? That original serial to MIDI even has two of them. I naively bought just one. ^^;

Okay, got all the needed cables and I’ve hooked up the SC-55 and it’s working without issues. It’s just the balancing act of getting volume levels just right with DOS games. Sound effects in Doom 2 were much louder than the music. 😬

One thing I did notice is that the music for Simon the Sorcerer was just using standard General MIDI. The same as what I always got/get with the basic GS Synth Wavetable from most sound cards. Not the music I was expecting from the Roland sound canvas I’ve listened to on YouTube, or that I get on my Windows 10 PC with the USB MIDI cable.

Simon the Sorcerer actually has an odd MIDI soundtrack - with functionality for both GM (i.e. SC-55) and Roland MT-32 - an earlier device than the SC-55, and something that isn't really replicated correctly by any other hardware MIDI device. Often games with MT-32 optimised soundtracks actually programme new sounds into the device when the game loads... you won't find a similar playback on anything other than an MT-32 (or equivalent Roland device: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_MT-32).

My guess is that you've played it with the GM soundtrack using a cut-down version of the Roland soft-synth previously. It won't sound massively different on a real SC-55 in that case. Perhaps you've heard the MT-32 version elsewhere? It would sound quite a bit different to the GM mode.