Have you configured Wing Commander to use Roland sound?

I don't know about the softmpu program, but some programs need the MPU interrupt to be set as 2 or 9 (depending on PC type XT or AT), so you could try using irq9 for the midi interrupt parameter.

Wing Commander needs full intelligent mode, because it uses sysex messages to load samples into the mt32.

Your emulated device needs to support that.

(Also, the mpu401 interface on many soundblasters and clones dont like intelligent mode.)

megatron-uk wrote on 2025-10-27, 15:42:

Have you configured Wing Commander to use Roland sound?

I have yes

Rwolf wrote on 2025-10-27, 15:44:

I don't know about the softmpu program, but some programs need the MPU interrupt to be set as 2 or 9 (depending on PC type XT or AT), so you could try using irq9 for the midi interrupt parameter.

Thank you I will try that!

wierd_w wrote on 2025-10-27, 18:35:

Wing Commander needs full intelligent mode, because it uses sysex messages to load samples into the mt32.

Your emulated device needs to support that.

(Also, the mpu401 interface on many soundblasters and clones dont like intelligent mode.)

Correct me if wrong but I thought the MT32 McCake and SoftMPU do support that

Rwolf wrote on 2025-10-27, 15:44:

I don't know about the softmpu program, but some programs need the MPU interrupt to be set as 2 or 9 (depending on PC type XT or AT), so you could try using irq9 for the midi interrupt parameter.

Adding /IRQ:9 to auto exec bat line for softmpu after /mpu:330 didn't help. Softmpu loads with no complaints and still says mpu detected at 330

I've verified too thatusing the mt-32 control program in dos I can change modes and ROMS for the mt32-pi so I don't know what's going on.

I also get no sound blaster sound effects

9646gt wrote on 2025-10-30, 01:02:

I also get no sound blaster sound effects

You won't.

Wing Commander 1 is either Roland MT-32 or Adlib/Soundblaster. You cannot configure MT-32 and Soundblaster at the same time; effect noises will be made using instruments on the MT-32. At least, this is the only possibility using the vanilla game.

Wing Commander 2 does allow you to have MT-32 and Soundblaster, but in a specific configuration that uses MT-32 for music/effects and Soundblaster for sampled voices (e.g. with the speech pack add on).

megatron-uk wrote on 2025-10-30, 08:02:

You won't. […]
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9646gt wrote on 2025-10-30, 01:02:

I also get no sound blaster sound effects

You won't.

The attachment wc1.png is no longer available

Wing Commander 1 is either Roland MT-32 or Adlib/Soundblaster. You cannot configure MT-32 and Soundblaster at the same time; effect noises will be made using instruments on the MT-32. At least, this is the only possibility using the vanilla game.

Wing Commander 2 does allow you to have MT-32 and Soundblaster, but in a specific configuration that uses MT-32 for music/effects and Soundblaster for sampled voices (e.g. with the speech pack add on).

So is my sound card interfering here or something? I can't figure out how in the world to get the sound working and I really want to play this for the first time

I recommend trying out a different game that requires MT32 intelligent mode as see if that works or not. It'll let you know if it's a system issue or something with Wingcommander.

https://www.vogonswiki.com/index.php/List_of_ … _PC_compatibles

SScorpio wrote on 2025-10-30, 19:58:

I recommend trying out a different game that requires MT32 intelligent mode as see if that works or not. It'll let you know if it's a system issue or something with Wingcommander.

https://www.vogonswiki.com/index.php/List_of_ … _PC_compatibles

Tried installing Gods since I also always wanted to play that one and can fit on a single floppy for easy testing but the installer is only giving me the option of adlib or PC speaker. Does this indicate a problem with my setup? I did configure the McCake for cm32l even to test it.

What's another one of the compatible games I should try and test with the requires intelligent mode but will fit on a single floppy and be easy to find online?

9646gt wrote on 2025-10-31, 02:03:

Tried installing Gods since I also always wanted to play that one and can fit on a single floppy for easy testing but the installer is only giving me the option of adlib or PC speaker. Does this indicate a problem with my setup? I did configure the McCake for cm32l even to test it.

What's another one of the compatible games I should try and test with the requires intelligent mode but will fit on a single floppy and be easy to find online?

I'd suggest loading a Soundfont on your McCake next, and then trying some general MIDI. That will let you know there's do issues with your physical setup or interface.

If that checks out, try one of the MT32 games that doesn't require intelligent mode.

If that also checks out it sounds like there's an issue with getting the IRQ for intelligent mode, but you have to verify the other things aren't an issue first.

Police quest 3 and pals are pretty small, and use sysex messages in intelligent mode to make the mt32 say 'Insert Buckazoid', and to load some samples.

One of those [Sierra point-click with mt32 support] would work after doing the GM test.

Thank you guys I'll try those. I can say for sure it seems to work just fine inside windows 3.11