Interesting.

Try lowering the cycle speed to 3000 before starting the game?

Nope, even starting it on 500 and ramping up to 10000 as soon as an image shows doesn't cut it, unfortunately.

I just tried it with my MT-32 without this issue using normal core/10000 cycles. Perhaps something with your MIDI cables?

I'm using a Roland UM-One (USB-to-MIDI cable) as there is no MIDI-out on my audio card, I can imagine that adds some delay? Are you using normal MIDI cables?

Probably doesn't add any more than an ISA connected UART.

By the way, I have the CD version of Ringworld. Not sure if there are any differences with the diskette version (installs in /CDRING and needs the disc in the drive), but thought I should mention.

edit: just tested it (download, as I only own the CD version): no difference.

Same delay in the install program; when you pick LAPC-I/MT-32 the test music should start playing right away, but in stead cuts in after 1-2 sec.

Could you test with Munt and see if you get the same behaviour?

Ok. I just found out what the real issue is: I used to have a later gen. MT-32, I now have a first-gen. These games (presumably) trigger the overflow error. Added ' delaysysex' to DOSBox' midiconfig and it works like a charm now, on a range of cycles settings. The game now patiently waits on a black screen for the MT-32 to initialize before it starts.

edit: thanks all, for thinking along!

Good you got it sorted. Just for the info my MT-32 is the early version and I am using MIDI cables via my Audigy card. I did try Munt and had no issues with it, either.

Thanks. You do also use the delaysysex flag though?

No. One other possible difference is that I have the CD files copied to the hard drive in a 'CD' subdirectory mounted as a CD. Don't know if a difference in read speed between hard drive and CD-ROM drives might make a difference. I wouldn't think so, but I can test by mounting my physical CD instead, if anyone is interested.

Edit: just tried with my actual CD and no problem. I suspect that the main problem is your USB cable vs the MIDI cable via my Audigy port.

Thanks for trying that out.

Should anyone else have (or not have) this same problem, the complete chain that requires delaysysex to work here is:

i7 @3.4Ghz
W7x64
DOSBox SVN r3950
Ringworld (mounted US retail CD)
UM-One (first version w/o tablet switch, 1.01 driver)
SC-50 (MIDI-thru)
MT-32 (old version)

The main difference that I see is that I was using DOSBox 0.74, not an SVN build. Could you check if you still have the problem with stock DOSBox?

I have a similar system as sndwv with the same UM-One and experience exactly the same issue. midiconfig=delaysysex seems to resolve the issue though.

Ok, just tried a fresh 0.74: same results. Also thanks rcblanke for confirming!