keropi wrote on 2025-06-26, 20:45:

we have opened pre-orders for the MK1869 XTREME soundcard, anyone interested in this the details are on the card's page: https://pcmidi.eu/xtreme.html
thanks!

Just placed a preorder request for two cards. Might finally get around to building yet another classic PC build, and this card seems like it would be fantastic for the job. Well done keropi!

mattrock1988 wrote on 2025-06-27, 01:36:

Just placed a preorder request for two cards. Might finally get around to building yet another classic PC build, and this card seems like it would be fantastic for the job. Well done keropi!

it is quite the compliment for the xtreme card to make you build a real system again, thanks! 😁

I placed my preorder as well. I'm glad that you staggered the MK1869 and the XTREME releases; it gave me some extra time to save up. Always happy to lend my support. 👍

Woahaa good news the XTREME is open for pre-order 😀

Can someone explain me what for I might need the pcmidi addon card that can be attached on the XTREME?
As standalone card I see the point to drive an external Midi device.

crusher wrote on 2025-06-27, 07:52:

Can someone explain me what for I might need the pcmidi addon card that can be attached on the XTREME?
As standalone card I see the point to drive an external Midi device.

MIDI ports found on sound cards aren't fully compatible with the MPU-401, as they lack the Intelligent mode.
PCMIDI, however, does support the Intelligent mode.

So, you need it if you want to connect MIDI devices, and use them with software listed here - Looking for a list of dos games that require an intelligent mode MPU-401

OK thank you.
So the pcmidi addon card and the standalone pcmidi card are both the same?
The difference is that with the addon card you can save 1x ISA-Slot, right?

I'll add that it's not just intelligent mode. People talk about that like it's the only difference, but there's also significant differences around timing and buffering which have an impact. Case in point- Monkey Island. That game does not require intelligent mode, and doesn't appear in any of these threads. MT-32 playback is totally broken unless you're on a proper MPU-401 compatible device though. I think it's the buffering that it needs. Other games are probably in the same boat.

crusher wrote on 2025-06-27, 12:02:

So the pcmidi addon card and the standalone pcmidi card are both the same?
The difference is that with the addon card you can save 1x ISA-Slot, right?

Yes, exactly.

DivByZero wrote on 2025-06-27, 12:06:

I'll add that it's not just intelligent mode. People talk about that like it's the only difference, but there's also significant differences around timing and buffering which have an impact. Case in point- Monkey Island. That game does not require intelligent mode, and doesn't appear in any of these threads. MT-32 playback is totally broken unless you're on a proper MPU-401 compatible device though. I think it's the buffering that it needs. Other games are probably in the same boat.

Pertinent information, but I think I'd still be good without because I have a Roland LAPC-I thus no need to connect an external module for games using LA MIDI (please correct me if I'm wrong).

BaronSFel001 wrote on 2025-06-27, 13:57:

Pertinent information, but I think I'd still be good without because I have a Roland LAPC-I thus no need to connect an external module for games using LA MIDI (please correct me if I'm wrong).

with a LAPC-I you are covered for any mpu need you might have - there is no need to get pcmidi or any other interface 😀

I also wanted to mention that the LAPC-I is a CM32L, which is similar to but not exactly like the MT32 (old) due to some games sounding differently with the buffer overflow bug.

MK1869 EXTREME Pre-Order deposit made today.

Kahenraz wrote on 2025-06-28, 03:15:

I also wanted to mention that the LAPC-I is a CM32L, which is similar to but not exactly like the MT32 (old) due to some games sounding differently with the buffer overflow bug.

That fact is more generally known, but as I am a fan of LucasArts & MicroProse who tuned more of their Roland LA support to CM32L ( not so much Sierra & Origin who experimented earlier and more frequently) the LAPC-I has me covered.

just a reminder, anyone that declared interest in the XTREME card and has not seen any email from us please check your SPAM folder
I've had some reports that our emails were wrongly put there (at least on gmail)
thanks 😀

BaronSFel001 wrote on 2025-06-28, 14:50:

Kahenraz wrote on 2025-06-28, 03:15:

I also wanted to mention that the LAPC-I is a CM32L, which is similar to but not exactly like the MT32 (old) due to some games sounding differently with the buffer overflow bug.

That fact is more generally known, but as I am a fan of LucasArts & MicroProse who tuned more of their Roland LA support to CM32L ( not so much Sierra & Origin who experimented earlier and more frequently) the LAPC-I has me covered.

That is until it explodes into a fireball of molten electrolytes and metal due to its age. Then you have no intelligent mode.

shan2752 wrote on 2025-07-03, 21:43:

That is until it explodes into a fireball of molten electrolytes and metal due to its age. Then you have no intelligent mode.

Is that kind of cynicism really necessary?

BaronSFel001 wrote on 2025-07-08, 14:03:

shan2752 wrote on 2025-07-03, 21:43:

That is until it explodes into a fireball of molten electrolytes and metal due to its age. Then you have no intelligent mode.

Is that kind of cynicism really necessary?

Yes, it’s a joke that the electrical components will eventually fail so a new option is a good option. I have CRTs that will eventually explode into a fireball of molten lead and solder. So I have stocked up on newer LCDs with VGA inputs. Sorry that you don’t get the joke.

To be fair, the LAPC-I has a lot of capacitors on it.

In that case, sorry if I overreacted: it is difficult to tell in writing sometimes when one is joking. The fact is working LAPC-Is, however high the Japanese build quality, are getting rarer and rarer. I know at some point mine will die which may leave emulation as the only viable replacement, not something I look forward to due to my preference for authenticity (not to mention legitimacy: pretty much impossible to make the emulation option work aside from a little *ahem* helping oneself to ROMs).

That being said, a licensed hardware reproduction (even FPGA-based) is something I would be interested in; though I suspect Roland has little interest in such a niche market as retro gaming, the fact that they granted a Sound Canvas license to Serda for their X-GS cards leaves hope open.

BaronSFel001 wrote on 2025-07-10, 14:04:

In that case, sorry if I overreacted: it is difficult to tell in writing sometimes when one is joking. The fact is working LAPC-Is, however high the Japanese build quality, are getting rarer and rarer. I know at some point mine will die which may leave emulation as the only viable replacement, not something I look forward to due to my preference for authenticity (not to mention legitimacy: pretty much impossible to make the emulation option work aside from a little *ahem* helping oneself to ROMs).

That being said, a licensed hardware reproduction (even FPGA-based) is something I would be interested in; though I suspect Roland has little interest in such a niche market as retro gaming, the fact that they granted a Sound Canvas license to Serda for their X-GS cards leaves hope open.

No problem, the trick is for the hardware to out live you. Then your significant other or kids will just place all of it out for pickup on garbage day. True story, I bought an Amiga 500, 1084 monitor, and accessories several years ago from a nearby seller who noticed it being put out for garbage by the wife of the deceased neighbor!

Getting new components, where possible, increases the odds of that happening. I would get the PCMidi Add on just in case the LAPC fails. I have an SCC-1 in my P3, so I am preparing for that to eventually die. It is approaching 30 years old now, and capacitors degrade over time even without use.

I have been trying to open the remote that came with the SC-55 I bought off EBay several years ago, but I can’t get it off. It must be because the lithium battery leaked.

All of this may be cynical but that is entropy for you. I feel a bit better about it by thinking that we are living in a simulation anyway.