Ambivalent on whether to keep SCB-55 + MPU-401 combo -- should I?

[Galahad]

Some time ago, I ended up purchasing a first-ed. SCB-55 + MPU-401 combination in sealed/mint condition except for some wear to the box, with all accessories and manuals included.  The only interaction I have had with it so far though is opening the box to make sure everything was OK with it.  However, I only have 2 ISA slots in my PC, with one connected to my Sound Blaster and the other with an LAPC-I / MCB-1 attached as an MPU-401 interface to my CM-500.  So I must admit that since it is currently lying unused on the shelf, I 'm a little ambivalent on whether to keep it.

I am aware that the CM-500 has fewer patches than the SCB-55, but since my MIDI setup is primarily for GM/GS/LA gaming purposes, I am 100% happy with the CM-500 -- also I don't mind the excessive LA vibrato that others have documented with the CM-500.  I could theoretically install the SCB-55 on one of my spare gaming computers, but not sure if it's worth it because I don't have the space needed in order to actually use it.  What would you do -- would you keep it for its collector's appeal?

[EDIT]

Also:  I briefly considered the idea of replacing the LAPC-I/MCB-1 used as the MPU-401 in my gaming PC with the SCB-55+MPU-401, but ultimately decided it wasn't as flexible as the current setup (since I like the way the MCB-1 breakout box has 2 MIDI OUT DIN connectors, and I don't have to turn my PC around to re-install or remove the MIDI cables like I would with the SCB-55).

[Great Hierophant]

What I would do if I were you is to buy a Roland MPU-IPC or MPU-IPC-T and sell both the LAPC-I and SCB-55 + MPU-401 cards (the second advertise as an improved SCC-1.)  That way you could still have a Roland MPU-401 interface with two midi outs.  (I wonder if they make \"midi splitters.\")  Your net profit will be well worth it. 

The real disadvantage of the CM-500 vs. the SCB-55 is not the lower number of patches, games don\'t really use extended GS patches.  The disadvantage is the lower polyphony, because the CM-500 hardware can only output 24 simultaneous voices vs. 28 simultaneous voices of the SCB-55 or any other SC-55mkII offspring.  Midi composers back in the day found that 24 voices were not really a lot of voices, even the AWE32 can boast 30. 

What other midi modules are you using or plan to use with your gaming PC?

[davesedg]

Are you going to advertise it here if you do decide to sell the combo? 

[Galahad]

Thanks for the helpful feedback Great Hierophant.  The good news is that I do have a Roland MPU-IPC and breakout box handy in the event I decide to get rid of the LAPC-I/MCB-1 (the reason the LAPC-I ended up installed to begin with rather than the MPU-IPC was because I acquired the LAPC first).  If I remember right on how my MIDI configuration is set up, I actually do need the 2 MIDI OUT connectors as a minimum in order to use my Phat.Boy real-time MIDI controller in conjunction with the CM-500.

In response to your question about other MIDI modules I plan on using with the PC, actually fortunately I think I'm all good with what I have now     Between the CM-500 and the Sound Blaster, I have everything I need for gaming, and although admittedly not on the scale of the SC-8820 or SC-8850, enough to keep me happy enough when occasionally dabbling on the MIDI music side.  Before the CM-500, I had tinkered with both the LAPC-I and SCC-1, but the CM-500 removed the need for these except as a spare MPU-401 interface.

One other question for you:  how large would you say the difference in sound/quality is between SC-55mkI and SC-55mkII?  Would there be any web-based samples you could point to for comparing the difference between them?

What I would do if I were you is to buy a Roland MPU-IPC or MPU-IPC-T and sell both the LAPC-I and SCB-55 + MPU-401 cards (the second advertise as an improved SCC-1.)  That way you could still have a Roland MPU-401 interface with two midi outs.  (I wonder if they make \"midi splitters.\")  Your net profit will be well worth it. 

The real disadvantage of the CM-500 vs. the SCB-55 is not the lower number of patches, games don\'t really use extended GS patches.  The disadvantage is the lower polyphony, because the CM-500 hardware can only output 24 simultaneous voices vs. 28 simultaneous voices of the SCB-55 or any other SC-55mkII offspring.  Midi composers back in the day found that 24 voices were not really a lot of voices, even the AWE32 can boast 30. 

What other midi modules are you using or plan to use with your gaming PC?

[Galahad]

Would certainly be happy to consider if I end up deciding to sell.

Are you going to advertise it here if you do decide to sell the combo? 

[Great Hierophant]

I would have happily kept my SCB-55 if it weren't for the fact that its tied to the waveblaster interface, and there are no feasible means to use it without an ISA or PCI card.  It is probably better in terms of sound quality than my SC-55ST.  Unfortunately, there is no easy to your question. 

[Galahad]

After considerable thought, I have decided to keep the SCB-55 + MPU-401 combo -- what I finally ended up doing was removing the MPU-IPC card and installing the SCB-55 + MPU-401 together.  I think this way will be give me the best flexibility, since I can use either the CM-500 or SCB-55 to play MIDI, by simply changing the RCA cables that are connecting to my speaker input #2.  To avoid mixing which MIDI cables go where, I purchased color-coded cables to make switching the cables between the Phat.Boy real -time controller easier.

[zipurman]

I have a SCB-55 + MPU-401 combo along with Cake Walk Home Studio 7. I am going to be listing on ebay next week if I cant sell at this weekends garage sale (unlikely) ... any interested parties?