your system is so fast that any softmpu overhead would be negligible
in fact your system is so fast that any compatibility issues you will face will first come from the system's speed and then potential softmpu issues
please remember that MT-32 games are mid-80s to early 90s titles and in some cases even a 486 can cause speed issues
all you need for softmpu would be a joystick->midi cable and a soundcard that is supported , then you can test stuff for yourself

getting a dedicated MPU-401 interface for your system would most likely mean that you would have to use an IRQ other than 2 (which is the "gold standard" for mpu-401 resources alongside port 330) and then use some patch (if available) to free games from baked-in IRQ2 usage (probably all known patches for this purpose are available here: https://pcmidi.eu/files.html)

personally for such a system I would get a gameport-midi cable and test things out with softmpu and see how the games I want to run behave

Check on this list which of the intelligent mode games you're going to play. https://www.vogonswiki.com/index.php/List_of_ … _computer_games

If there's none, then you don't need it. If there are a few, then research if those work with SoftMPU. There's a good chance they'd be CPU speed sensitive and not suitable for your system anyway, unless there are speed patches/fixes for them (although there are ways to slowdown the system with varying degrees of success).

If you decide to buy MPU-401 hardware, there are three main options:

1) A simple interface card (MIF-IPC, MIF-IPC-A, or a clone) that the MPU-401 box connects to.
2) A card that has the MPU-401 processor on-board (meaning you don't need the MPU-401 box) but requires a specific breakout box to provide the ports (MPU-IPC or MPU-IPC-T).
(EDIT: I guess stuff like HardMPU sort of fall in this category, but I don't know enough about it and can't speak about its game compatibility.
EDIT 2: Don't know why keropi didn't mention it, but his team offers a fully compatible intelligent card, which is available from the posted website, pcmidi.eu)
3) Similar to 2 but doesn't need a breakout box; the ports are on the back of the card (MPU-401AT).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPU-401

Thank you @keropi and @eddman ! You both provided a lot of helpful information.

I didn't know about the IRQ thing so that's something I'll definitely keep in mind.

I checked the MT-32 games and there are some I'm interested in that require Intelligent Mode.

I think I'll start with trying to get a MT-32 and the cable and use SoftMPU and build off of that.

The only other issue now is I see there is an 'old' and a 'new' model of the MT-32. To be honest, the Wiki page is a bit confusing for me so I'm not really sure. Would it be better for me to get an old or new version or it just really depends on the game? I'm wondering if many people have 2 MT-32s to cover all their bases?

Thanks again for the info. This has been very helpful and even though it's a bit of a rabbit hole, I'm very excited and hopeful 😁

Paranoid_Andy wrote on 2025-07-25, 20:56:

Thank you @keropi and @eddman ! You both provided a lot of helpful information. […]
Show full quote

Thank you @keropi and @eddman ! You both provided a lot of helpful information.

I didn't know about the IRQ thing so that's something I'll definitely keep in mind.

I checked the MT-32 games and there are some I'm interested in that require Intelligent Mode.

I think I'll start with trying to get a MT-32 and the cable and use SoftMPU and build off of that.

The only other issue now is I see there is an 'old' and a 'new' model of the MT-32. To be honest, the Wiki page is a bit confusing for me so I'm not really sure. Would it be better for me to get an old or new version or it just really depends on the game? I'm wondering if many people have 2 MT-32s to cover all their bases?

Thanks again for the info. This has been very helpful and even though it's a bit of a rabbit hole, I'm very excited and hopeful 😁

You should also consider if you want CM-32L support or not. Ultima Underworld for example makes good use of it's additional SFX.

Ah crap! I specifically bought UU recently as it looked like a fun game, so now I HAVE to get a CM-32L too 🤣.

I think I'm just gonna have to buy 1 of everything at this point 🤣

https://imgur.com/a/1skpjEZ

Thanks for the heads up on that @SuperDeadite!

MT-32 old is the way to go for most games, as it's what composers used and they exploited 'bugs' in the firmware that are then fixed in the new version, CM-32L etc.

It's important to understand that some games were composed for the newer one, and some with the CM-32L as well. And that more than a few MT-32 games have polyphony issues, meaning using multiple chained synths can be beneficial..

MT-32 old - Pros = compatibility, Cons = polyphony
MT-32 new - Pros = sound quality, Cons = MT-32 old compatibility, polyphony
CM-32L - Pros = extra sound effects, sound quality, Cons = vibrato (I think this is what it is?), incorrect panning, MT-32 old compatibility, polyphony

So it's not as simple as saying "I'll use a CM-32L for all my games", for example.

Perhaps also consider an mt32pi device, such as the MP32L? If you don't mind emulation. You can load up ROMs for all the different variations of mt32 and switch between them as needed.

Given the costs associated with a real Roland MT-32/CM-32L, I'd suggest dedicating a build to it rather than trying to fit a round peg into a square hole with a vastly newer system. Yes, you can use software to slow down your PC to something like the levels MT-32 games want, you can use SoftMPU to emulate intelligent mode in most cases - but then you try and run Ulitma 7 and find the game has just undermined all software tweaks...

Instead, go for a late 386, early 486 - preferably one with a 'turbo' mode to drop the system to XT performance at the press of a button. Get a hardMPU or compatible solution, put it on A330/I2, pair it with an original Sound Blaster (or replica) on A220 I7 D1. That would let you cover the whole MT-32 range without compatibility issues - and be great for other really old, speed-sensitive DOS titles too. I have a 486SX-33 for this purpose and it's so much better than trying to clock down my late DOS box.

Paranoid_Andy wrote on 2025-07-26, 03:27:

I think I'm just gonna have to buy 1 of everything at this point 🤣

There are many threads on vogons covering MT-32 extensively that provide all the needed information. Better research it more before buying anything.

From the 696 games listed, only 80 require the old model. 258 don't care about the model. The rest can be covered by the CM series.

Paranoid_Andy wrote on 2025-07-26, 03:27:

Ah crap! I specifically bought UU recently as it looked like a fun game, so now I HAVE to get a CM-32L too lol. […]
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Ah crap! I specifically bought UU recently as it looked like a fun game, so now I HAVE to get a CM-32L too 🤣.

I think I'm just gonna have to buy 1 of everything at this point 🤣

https://imgur.com/a/1skpjEZ

Thanks for the heads up on that @SuperDeadite!

It gets worse if you are into computers like the Sharp X68000 , some games benefit from a CM64(or a 32L+32P) and a very tiny handful of games use the additional add on PCM cards , so the need to have all the things can get really bad 😆

Spikey wrote on 2025-07-26, 06:56:

CM-32L - Pros = extra sound effects, sound quality, Cons = vibrato (I think this is what it is?)

Isn't the vibrato issue only present on the CM-500?

Ya'll are trying to kill me 🤣

@Spikey Noted, I'll see about getting both types as it looks like there's games that I want to play that I think would need both. Thank you.

@RockstarRunner Nothing against other people using emulation, but I've come to realize it's not for me. Thank you though for the suggestion!

@dionb That totally makes sense and I have been giving that some thought. I'd like to try a PC with the ability to change speeds to cover a large spectrum if possible so that's something I'm currently looking into as well. Thank you for the sound advice. (Accidental pun but I'm leaving it 😜 )

@eddman Sure, took a hard look and I think I have a pretty good idea now thank you.

@AppleSauce I see that now 🤣 🤣 🤣 . I have a X68 XVI with either a SACOM SX-6 8 M or a SACOM SX-6 8 M-2 in it but I'm not sure as I haven't taken too much time to identify it, so I think I can't do MT-32, but I can do the other kind that I can't recall the name of... I'm kinda back burnering that atm since the DOS/98 PC is so much work right now and my brain is melting 🤣. Thank you!

Once again, thank you everyone. I really appreciate all the input. I'll be trying to obtain several sound midi thingys and seeing how it goes. And here I thought my Turtle Beach card was all I needed when I first started all this 🤣.

Paranoid_Andy wrote on 2025-07-28, 23:21:

Ya'll are trying to kill me lol […]
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Ya'll are trying to kill me 🤣

@Spikey Noted, I'll see about getting both types as it looks like there's games that I want to play that I think would need both. Thank you.

@RockstarRunner Nothing against other people using emulation, but I've come to realize it's not for me. Thank you though for the suggestion!

@dionb That totally makes sense and I have been giving that some thought. I'd like to try a PC with the ability to change speeds to cover a large spectrum if possible so that's something I'm currently looking into as well. Thank you for the sound advice. (Accidental pun but I'm leaving it 😜 )

@eddman Sure, took a hard look and I think I have a pretty good idea now thank you.

@AppleSauce I see that now 🤣 🤣 🤣 . I have a X68 XVI with either a SACOM SX-6 8 M or a SACOM SX-6 8 M-2 in it but I'm not sure as I haven't taken too much time to identify it, so I think I can't do MT-32, but I can do the other kind that I can't recall the name of... I'm kinda back burnering that atm since the DOS/98 PC is so much work right now and my brain is melting 🤣. Thank you!

Once again, thank you everyone. I really appreciate all the input. I'll be trying to obtain several sound midi thingys and seeing how it goes. And here I thought my Turtle Beach card was all I needed when I first started all this 🤣.

Lol, if I had known you had an X68k, I would have just said "Get a CM-64 or CM-500." The real 64 is technically superior as it contains the real 32P and can use PCM expansion cards. Note though, there are only two games that support the expansion cards (Gemini Wing and Choujin.) The 500 lacks the expansion cards, but it's 64 simulation is quite decent and also gives you SC-55 in the same box...

The Sacom cards are easy to identify. If it has full size din5 ports, it's the old board. The 2 uses the mini-din5 ports. I hope you have the 2 as it's compatibility is basically 100%, while the 1 is only supported by about half the game library.

X68k games use their own sound drivers, there is no "intelligent mode" on this system. Just plug your module to the midi board, and you are good to go. Just need to know how to enable MIDI in each game, as their was no standard way of doing so.

Paranoid_Andy wrote on 2025-07-28, 23:21:

Ya'll are trying to kill me lol […]
Show full quote

Ya'll are trying to kill me 🤣

@Spikey Noted, I'll see about getting both types as it looks like there's games that I want to play that I think would need both. Thank you.

@RockstarRunner Nothing against other people using emulation, but I've come to realize it's not for me. Thank you though for the suggestion!

@dionb That totally makes sense and I have been giving that some thought. I'd like to try a PC with the ability to change speeds to cover a large spectrum if possible so that's something I'm currently looking into as well. Thank you for the sound advice. (Accidental pun but I'm leaving it 😜 )

@eddman Sure, took a hard look and I think I have a pretty good idea now thank you.

@AppleSauce I see that now 🤣 🤣 🤣 . I have a X68 XVI with either a SACOM SX-6 8 M or a SACOM SX-6 8 M-2 in it but I'm not sure as I haven't taken too much time to identify it, so I think I can't do MT-32, but I can do the other kind that I can't recall the name of... I'm kinda back burnering that atm since the DOS/98 PC is so much work right now and my brain is melting 🤣. Thank you!

Once again, thank you everyone. I really appreciate all the input. I'll be trying to obtain several sound midi thingys and seeing how it goes. And here I thought my Turtle Beach card was all I needed when I first started all this 🤣.

Oh nice , the XVI seems pretty cool and has that turbo feature , I've only got the original CZ-600 which has some weird quirks.

@SuperDeadite

Much appreciated! From what you're saying, it sounds like a CM-64 is the way I would like to go and I'll just get a separate SC-55 for everything else.

Here's some pictures of my card on the back of the X68. From what you described it looks like it might be a 2?

https://imgur.com/a/VLgxvMo

@AppleSauce The XVI has treated me pretty well, so I'm very happy with it. I have 12 megs of RAM in it so it makes it quite nice for different ways of running games too which is helpful.
Also, if you don't mind, what is your avatar picture from? Just looks like an interesting scene in a movie or something.

Paranoid_Andy wrote on 2025-07-29, 16:11:

@SuperDeadite […]
Show full quote

@SuperDeadite

Much appreciated! From what you're saying, it sounds like a CM-64 is the way I would like to go and I'll just get a separate SC-55 for everything else.

Here's some pictures of my card on the back of the X68. From what you described it looks like it might be a 2?

https://imgur.com/a/VLgxvMo

@AppleSauce The XVI has treated me pretty well, so I'm very happy with it. I have 12 megs of RAM in it so it makes it quite nice for different ways of running games too which is helpful.
Also, if you don't mind, what is your avatar picture from? Just looks like an interesting scene in a movie or something.

The card looks like a SACOM version 2.
Yeah i don't mind , the avatars from jay and silent bob strike back, its the good will hunting 2 scene.

@AppleSauce Ohhh how lucky if that's the case. When I initially bought the machine I didn't really even know exactly what that was.

Thanks, that sounds like a pretty silly movie and I'll have to check it out!

I think I'm starting to get an idea of what items I'll be needing to go after to get a pretty good audio setup. Here's my list so far:
Roland MT-32 (old)
Roland MT-32 (new)
Roland SC-55 (or maybe just get a SC-88 since that seems to act as a CM-64 & SC-55 if I understand correctly or SC-D70 as I saw a video saying it has SC-55, SC-88, SC-88Pro & SC-8820)
Roland CM-64 (pretty much same as above)
Roland CM-32L
Roland MPU-401 Input Selector (useful for selecting multiple devices I think)

This is nuts 🤣.

As an owner of way too many sound modules (about 50 or so), there are really only four that I would recommend having:

• Roland MT-32 (old)
• CM-32L or CM-64
• Roland SC-55 or equivalent daughtercard with Roland samples
• Yamaha XG module (either a MU-series module or daughtercard)

With the above you've covered with everything that is worth having in MIDI land.

There is also a practical reason to keep things limited and that is the logistics of MIDI and audio setups. More modules means needing more cable routing for MIDI and audio sources. Many compact devices for mixing or multiplexing MIDI signals tend to be limited to 4 or 5 devices at most. Going beyond that involves getting into biggest hardware requiring more physical space.

For example on my main retro PC setup, I have three external modules (MT-32 (old), CM-64, and Yamaha MU2000). I rely on internal daughtercards for Roland samples. I route MIDI output through an audio switcher and then everything into a compact 10-channel (5 device) mixer.

If you don’t mind the MT32 hw emulation and would like to cover games in broader range, I highly recommend WP32 McCake + PCMidi isa card combination.
This way, all Mt32 games are covered and no (external) cables needed.
The only potential issue and thing to check first is the IRQ 2/9 that may not be available on >486 systems.