SC-8820 or similar

[MichalN]

Based on information available on this board and elsewhere, I figured that a Roland Sound Canvas device might be a good way to enhance the oldie gaming experience. The SC-8820 looked like a good choice because: It has very good sound quality; it is small; it can be powered via USB and is portable (of interest to me for possible laptop use); it can emulate the SC-55 and SC-88/Pro modules. I have at least five (if not more) AWE32/SB32/AWE64 cards which are good for DOS gaming, but their MIDI support is not so great and they're ISA only; not that I don't have plenty of old 386s, 486s and Pentiums, but an external MIDI device can be used with both old and new systems.

The catch is that the SC-8820 is no longer made. I can't find it new and it doesn't seem to be available used either, unlike the older SC models; presumably the first owners are still happy with their SC-8820s. Does anyone know of a source of used SC-8820s, or new units for reasonable price?

Are there other Roland/Edirol models with the same capabilities? I am primarily interested in support for old games and I'm not sure the current models are as suitable as the SC-8820 would be, but then I'm no expert on Roland hardware.

[shad0wfax]

As long as you're interested in game music and not in music composing, I would recommend getting a SC-55 or simmilar, or a SC-88 at most. Virtually all games with GM support don't use more than the basic 128 standard GM patches, and only a few have support for something a bit more sophisticated such as GS -at SC55 level, or at SC88 level at most- or XG). I don't know about a single game which requires something more powerful.

This said, the SC-8820 is a great sounding module and a very interesting gear if you can get one at a good price. But if you don't intend getting a midi module for music sequencing/arranging, save your money and get a SC-55/88. And if you want to "get more serious", I'd recommend getting a basic GS module for gaming and something "new" for composing (such as a Roland XV-2020, a yamaha motif or something simmilar), instead of trying to get a hi-end GS module, which are hard to find and virtually as expensive as new gear.

[MichalN]

Thanks for the response. The 8820 appeals to me because of its form factor, but the SC-55 and SC-88 are certainly more readily available and cheaper.

Is there an appreciable difference in sound quality between the SC-88 and SC-88 Pro? And do any of the older SC modules have USB input? I know there are USB to 5-pin DIN adapters, but I already have way too many gadgets as it is...

[BlueMax]

If you find a "cheap" SC-88 you let me know!!!!

I'm totally behind the idea of the SC-8820 for General MIDI gaming.  The better the basic 128 instruments sound, the better the gaming will be.  Ignore the "purists" who will settle ONLY for the original SC-55.  I think the improved instruments (from french horns to strings to brass and woodwinds) make for a much richer experience.

[shad0wfax]

Is there an appreciable difference in sound quality between the SC-88 and SC-88 Pro?

Well, I had a SC-88 Pro ST and a SC-880 for a short time and I didn't test them very much, but yes, there is a noticeable difference in sound quality. But not only that, but the effects section is much more poweful in the SC-88 Pro/8820/8850 (more effects and more effect units). And I recall having read somewhere that while the SC-88 is the combination of JV-30 (SC-55) and JV-80 waveforms, the "new" 88 Pro waveforms come from the JV-1080 (Roland's flagship synth module at that time).

The downside is that second hand SC-88 Pros are VERY expensive (usually no less than $250), and for the price one could consider getting a JV-1010, a XV-2020 or something simmilar (unless GS compatibility is mandatory).