Roland GM/GS Module Suggestion for games

[bzyphk]

I've scoured the various posts here trying to decide which external sound module to purchase for GM-based games (1993-1998).  I have reached the following conclusions:

1) Most games sound fine on any external device that uses the 127 tones (SC-7)
2) The earlier GM games were written with the SC-55 family in mind
3) The later GM games utilized features best heard on the SC-88
4) Modules such as SC-88Pro, SC-8820, and the Edirol series, while have some backward compatibility, are not very faithful reproductions.

I can only obtain one device.  As 2009 draws to a close, it seems the going rate for a SC-7 is about $50, and SC-55 is about $100 ($15 in shipping).  The SC-55MK2 is about $150, SC-88 for $179 and SC-88VL for $195 (each about $50 shipping). 

I'm leaning towards the latter (SC-88VL), simply because of it's near perfect SC-55 emulation, and $15 is nothing if I'm going to spend that much already.  I also like the fact that they support either the USB-to-MIDI or serial connection.  I listened to the sample GS MIDI file on this site and the SC-88 version was much better (about 1/3 of the way in).

Any thoughts?
 
On a side note, are these modules any good post-1998 in the DirectX era?  Or just get a good soundcard and speakers?  I hate to think I'm missing something when you guys compose the music for AGDI.

[endre1952]

I'm no expert, but the SC-55 works fine for me. I have four GS modules, all are SC-55 compatible:

A real SC-55 together with remote (obtained seperately)
A CM-300, a cut-down, but fully compatible version of the SC-55
Two CM-500 modules, one with and one without the GM logo (both a CM-32L and a CM-300 in one box)

As I recall, the SCC-1 card I used to have, must have had more sounds than the original SC-55, but I didn't know it at the time (I heard some of the LAPC-I sound effects in certain games that I don't anymore in emulation mode).

I have some plans for obtaining an SC-55 MK2, but will probably just keep using a CM-500 in most cases anyway, to save space.

  Endre

[jharris01]

If I am not mistaken the SC-7 lacks some instruments/effects higher models have.

In any case I can see money is no object for you so why ask? Go for the gold! Buy the most high end unit you can get. I know that's what you want...

...but if you are not, then aim for an SC-55.

[Locutus]

The most high-end, up-to-date GM modules don't always sound good with old DOS games.

[jharris01]

I think his choices are just fine.

[Ari]

Being a proud owner of an SC-88ST, I can say it's great with GM games, especially later ones.

[jharris01]

Since we are talking about recommended SC models for gaming I might as well mention the the SC-50 and its variant (the SC-33). Also the SC-155 (tabletop version of the SC-55). These will work fine for gaming and may turn up for less on Ebay.

[bzyphk]

Thank you all for the feedback.

Well I thought I'd have to wait, but I found an SC-88ST for $84 (including shipping).  I downloaded the manuals on the SC-88, SC-88VL and SC-88ST from Roland's site, and the only difference I could tell is the front panel controls.  Since I'm not planning on mixing music, this feature meant little to me. 

Here are the manual links:
http://media.rolandus.com/manuals/SC-88VL_OM.pdf
http://media.rolandus.com/manuals/SC-88_OM.pdf
http://media.rolandus.com/manuals/SC-88ST_OM.pdf

The VL has a CM-64 compatibility mode, but since I have an MT-32 (rev 1), that didn't matter to me.  The ST has an external supply, the others are internal.

[Ari]

84$ for an SC-88ST is quite a bargain, good for you!
I think I paid over 200$ for mine.

Anyway, the SC-88ST is really compact, seeing as how it only has a volume knob, a power button, an SC-55/88 mode switch button and 2 rows of 16 LEDs. The fact that it uses an external power supply instead of an internal one was quite a plus for me, since I live in Israel.