MT-32 Sound Bank in Sound Canvases - Useless?

[Laust]

Perhaps comparing the chip markings will tell the difference, but I think its likely that the ROM is stored on those glop-top looking chips towards the bracket.

I couldn't see any glob top chips on my SCC-1, unless you are referring to the elevated print, which is indeed a strange looking beast. I don't know what it's for (My guess is part of the MPU-401 interface), but regardless, the sample ROMs are three clearly marked 32 pin surface mount chips in the lower left corner (when the bracked is the top), with GS.A/B/C silkscreened next to them. 512kb each, so I guess the SCC-1 (this model anyway) has 1.5MB sample space.

[Zemus]

The SCC-1 and SC-55 have 381 sounds btw, not 382.

Just a tiny calculation error.

[Tom]

are said to have 354 patches while they actually have 418

Isn't Roland referring to distinct melodic instrument sounds?  I wouldn't think remapping instruments wouldn't be counted towards new instruments, and I also believe some name changes have taken place.  For instance, the MT-32's nomenclature (SC-55mkII Bank 127) "Acoustic Piano 1" verses GM's "Grand Piano 1" or "Piano 1";  Are these actually the same sound on the SC-55mkII and therefore, counted as only one sound?  I imagine this is true with some of the horns and strings as well.

[Great Hierophant]

I believe that Roland was improperly calculating the sounds.  According to them, 128GM + 128MT-32 + 98GS = 354.  

One correction, according to its manual the SC-55mkII does not have the CM-32P variation bank but the SCB-55 does.  To me that makes the SCB-55 more desirable than the SC-55mkII.  Most others would undoubtedly prefer the display, controls and easy connection options.  

The SCC-1's manual, should you buy an SCC-1 with one, will not tell you if you have an older or a newer SCC-1 because Roland did not update the manual when they released the newer SCC-1s.  They included an addendum sheet in the "B" bundle listing the new tone map.

[Ari]

are said to have 354 patches while they actually have 418

Isn't Roland referring to distinct melodic instrument sounds?  I wouldn't think remapping instruments wouldn't be counted towards new instruments, and I also believe some name changes have taken place.  For instance, the MT-32's nomenclature (SC-55mkII Bank 127) "Acoustic Piano 1" verses GM's "Grand Piano 1" or "Piano 1";  Are these actually the same sound on the SC-55mkII and therefore, counted as only one sound?  I imagine this is true with some of the horns and strings as well.

The thing is, with some (if not most) of the CM-32P patches - they actually are the same instrument. If memory serves me right "Brass1" and "Brass2" or 3 are the same patch only under different names, plus, they're identical to the GM/GS mode's "Brass1".
"Brass5" on the other hand is totally different (and my own personal favorite) than the rest.
The MT-32's patches sound totally different from they're GM equivalents (well, more or less) and are therefore considered 2 different sounds.

Still, it doesn't explain why the CM-32p patches were left out of the calculation.

Great Hierophant: I was not aware the SC-55MkII doesn't have the CM-32p variation bank. I stand corrected.
Makes me appreciate my SCB-55 (or SCD-15) even more now.

[Cloudschatze]

I was not aware the SC-55MkII doesn't have the CM-32p variation bank.

I'll check when I return home later, but it may actually be there.

[HondaSiR]

I am confident that the CM-32P patches are located somewhere in the SC-55 mkII module. Roland probably forgot to include it in the manual. But in case I am wrong, then the SCB-55 will turn out to be more special than we thought before. Makes me feel all the more privileged to own one.  :mrgreen:

[Tom]

I wish I were electronically gifted -- I'd love to turn my SCB-55 into an external module, with MIDI IN/OUT ports.  I was glad to get the CM-500 (for that very reason -- it's an external module), but to these ears, it just doesn't sound as good as the SCB-55.  Plus, it's only 24 voice polyphony, and has less tones.

[Cloudschatze]

I've just confirmed that the CM-32P set (126) DOES exist on the SC-55mkII. Why this is important, I have no idea.

[Ari]

I've d/l a few manuals from Roland's website. It seems they have forgotten to add the CM-32p variation table to the MKII manual, although it does appear in the SC-55ST's manual which is more or less identical to the MKII (specs-wise, that is).

[Laust]

I wish I were electronically gifted -- I'd love to turn my SCB-55 into an external module, with MIDI IN/OUT ports.  I was glad to get the CM-500 (for that very reason -- it's an external module), but to these ears, it just doesn't sound as good as the SCB-55.  Plus, it's only 24 voice polyphony, and has less tones.

Only MIDI-IN actually. MIDI is only routed one way through the wavetable connector

[Great Hierophant]

I've d/l a few manuals from Roland's website. It seems they have forgotten to add the CM-32p variation table to the MKII manual, although it does appear in the SC-55ST's manual which is more or less identical to the MKII (specs-wise, that is).

Really?  I downloaded the manual from Roland's US site and it isn't in the SC-55ST manual I read. You are not confusing it with the "CM-64/32L set" by any chance?

[Ari]

You're right. My bad. Again.  :roll:

[Juho Sippola]

I have SCC-1 manual scans that say there's bank 126 with CM-32P "compatible" sounds. I have printed manuals for SCB-55 and SC-155; SCB-55 has the patches listed and SC-155 hasn't. However, I've tried to set SC-155 for bank 126 from sequencer program and the patches are accessible. From module's user interface they aren't.

[Great Hierophant]

However, I've tried to set SC-155 for bank 126 from sequencer program and the patches are accessible. From module's user interface they aren't.

Very interesting, considering that the SC-155 is based off the SC-55 synthesizer's engine, not the SC-55mkII.  (less sounds and polyphony.)  I cautiously conclude that the sounds are available in the SC-55 and any later synthesizer based off it except, perhaps, the SC-50 and SC-33 (which positively state they do not contain the MT-32 patches and therefore would not contain the CM-32P patches either.)