SOFTMPU - MPU-401 Not Detected (Roland SC88) \ VOGONS

SOFTMPU - MPU-401 Not Detected (Roland SC88)

Topic actions

Post a reply

First post, by 32kofdata

Posted on 2021-05-06, 09:01

32kofdata Offline

Rank Newbie

Rank: Newbie
Posts: 11
Joined: 2020-12-29, 09:49
Location: Greece

Hey all... I've been using softmpu with a ROLAND MT32 hooked up to a SoundBlaster Pro 2.0 (CT1600) quite successfully. /OUTPUT:SBMIDI at address 330. Most of the games I've used this setup with work well always under pure DOS.

Recently I got my hands on a ROLAND SC-88 in order to play later DOS games but unfortunately I don't have much success.
For example Doom and Duke Nukem 3D report MPU-401 not detected regardless if I choose General Midi or Sound Canvas. What could I be doing wrong with games that support General Midi or Sound Canvas?

The SC-88 is working properly, I've tried older games with it like Budokan, Sam n Max, Prince of Persia, etc and even though the compatibility is not perfect (CM64mode/SC55map) at least I get the software to communicate with the device.

Reply 1 of 6, by Bondi

Posted on 2021-05-06, 09:15

Bondi Offline

Rank Oldbie

Rank: Oldbie
Posts: 777
Joined: 2019-04-01, 11:45

SoftMPU works with real mode games only, and also with games that use Miles Sound System drivers (HOMM2, for instance).

PCMCIA Sound Cards chart
archive.org: PCMCIA software, manuals, drivers

Reply 2 of 6, by 32kofdata

Posted on 2021-05-06, 09:34

32kofdata Offline

Rank Newbie

Rank: Newbie
Posts: 11
Joined: 2020-12-29, 09:49
Location: Greece

Bondi wrote on 2021-05-06, 09:15:

SoftMPU works with real mode games only, and also with games that use Miles Sound System drivers (HOMM2, for instance).

Makes sense... so I'm guessing there are no software options for what I'm trying to do - need to go to a hardware solution?

Reply 3 of 6, by keropi

Posted on 2021-05-06, 09:57

keropi Offline

Rank l33t++

Rank: l33t++
Posts: 9263
Joined: 2003-09-08, 06:45
Location: Greece

Well you can always use a SB16 or similar card that has a normal UART MPU-401 interface so that the SC-88 will work fine with GM/GS games and use softmpu for mt-32 gaming like you do now.

🎵 🎧 ⏳ ⚡ PCMIDI MPU , OrpheusII , Action Rewind , Megacard and 🎶GoldLib soundcard website

Reply 4 of 6, by 32kofdata

Posted on 2021-05-06, 10:11

32kofdata Offline

Rank Newbie

Rank: Newbie
Posts: 11
Joined: 2020-12-29, 09:49
Location: Greece

keropi wrote on 2021-05-06, 09:57:

Well you can always use a SB16 or similar card that has a normal UART MPU-401 interface so that the SC-88 will work fine with GM/GS games and use softmpu for mt-32 gaming like you do now.

Is the Soundblaster Pro 2.0 any different from an SB16 in that respect? (normal UART MPU-401 interface?)

Reply 5 of 6, by Oetker

Posted on 2021-05-06, 11:02

Oetker Offline

Rank Oldbie

Rank: Oldbie
Posts: 669
Joined: 2019-10-27, 09:35
Location: Netherlands

32kofdata wrote on 2021-05-06, 10:11:

keropi wrote on 2021-05-06, 09:57:

Well you can always use a SB16 or similar card that has a normal UART MPU-401 interface so that the SC-88 will work fine with GM/GS games and use softmpu for mt-32 gaming like you do now.

Is the Soundblaster Pro 2.0 any different from an SB16 in that respect? (normal UART MPU-401 interface?)

It has a MPU401 compatible, but buggy, interface. I would recommend a clone card such as an Aztech, Opti, ESS. Many topics can be found on that - matching your SBPro's features is easy.

Reply 6 of 6, by 32kofdata

Posted on 2021-05-07, 08:40

32kofdata Offline

Rank Newbie

Rank: Newbie
Posts: 11
Joined: 2020-12-29, 09:49
Location: Greece

Did some more testing with the SoundBlaster Pro 2.0 (CT1600) . In intelligent mode SC88 works just fine but whenever a game requires UART nothing. Will not detect MPU-401. I guess I'm stuck.

Go to top of page Go to top of page

Back to SoftMPU

Main menu

Common searches