VOGONS


First post, by TheMobRules

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I've acquired what seems to be an early version of the well known Music Quest PCMIDI interface cards. The ID on this one is "MQ-1" and I've been unable to find any documentation on the Internet so far, so maybe we can use this thread to compile all known info about it.

Now, judging by the date codes on the chips and PCB it has been manufactured in early 1989. The overall design is very similar to the later PCMIDI cards, with a Z8 microcontroller, 2K x 8 SRAM, 27C64 ROM and a bunch of logic chips. Notable differences are the use of a DIP switch block instead of jumpers and no PAL/GAL:

The attachment MQ-1.jpg is no longer available

The card is in good condition and running the Music Quest Utilities and Diagnostics utility v4.20 detects the card as an "MCC" interface with firmware v120-029 (this version matches the label on the ROM chip, which I've dumped and attached to this post). Also, it seems that the current DIP switch configuration (switches 4 and 6 closed, the rest open) is the usual default for MPU-401 MIDI interfaces on port 330h and IRQ 2/9:

The attachment MQ Utilities and Diagnostics 1.jpg is no longer available
The attachment MQ Utilities and Diagnostics 2.jpg is no longer available

I haven't tested the card with my MIDI modules yet, but I think it's safe to assume it supports intelligent mode. It probably has the same problems with Wing Commander as the later interfaces with ROM versions older than 010, but it can still be a good option if it has good compatibility with most games. So, here are my questions and requests:

  • I assume the breakout cable from later PCMIDI cards is compatible with this one, are there any tests I can do on the DB9 port to verify this before attempting to connect it?
  • What games are considered to be picky about MPU-401 compatibility that I can use to test this card?
  • Of course, if anyone has any documentation/software or other info for this particular card, feel free to share it in this thread!

Reply 1 of 2, by Baleog

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I am surprised that nobody has commented on this. To me this seems like a very interesting find! Have you had any possibility to try this card out? more specifically how/if intelligent mode works? It would be great to have a card where the PAL could be replaced by a couple of 74-series chips and the card reverse engineered so that we can have an open source hardware intelligent interface.

Regarding the games a good start would Space Quest III or Silpheed. Or check Dosdays. Otherwise I belive there is a list on mobygames and several thread on Vogons.

Im happy to help you to find out more about this card!

Mixed PCs - Midi racks - Micros and more

Reply 2 of 2, by TheMobRules

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I wasn't going to post any further updates about this since there seemed to be no interest at all in this card, but I can confirm that the DB9 pinout is 100% the same as the later PCMIDI cards.

I haven't been able to bring out my MIDI modules to test some games yet as my desk is kind of a mess right now, as soon as I tidy things up I will give it a try. I also read that Gateway is a good one to test intelligent mode.

I will update once I have new info, and may post additional pictures of the back of the card.