SC-88: Recommended PC connection?

[bzyphk]

This might apply to the SC-55 family as well...

On the SC-88 family of synthesizers, there are two modes to connect the module to the PC.  One is the traditional 5-pin DIN MIDI connection to either a 15-pin or USB connector.  The second is a serial connection 8-pin on the module to 9-pin on the PC.

First, do GM-based games send a SYSEX to the module like the MT-32?  From my understanding, instruments are not remapped like the older LA-based modules.  If that is true, I wouldn't need an intelligent MPU-401 connection on the sound card.  It would also allow for a USB-based connection as well.

Second, I saw in one of the Roland manuals the specs for the construction of an 8-pin to 9-pin serial cable.  While I'm capable and have the connectors for making one, I'd much rather use a pre-made cable.  Does anyone have a purchased cable they'd recommend that will work?

Thank you in advance.

[jharris01]

Keep it simple. If playing on a modern PC (with DOSBox), then use a USB MIDI cable. If using on an old retrogaming machine, use a joystick to MIDI cable.

[dvwjr]

Second, I saw in one of the Roland manuals the specs for the construction of an 8-pin to 9-pin serial cable.  While I'm capable and have the connectors for making one, I'd much rather use a pre-made cable.  Does anyone have a purchased cable they'd recommend that will work?

You might wish to read this VOGONS post about the Roland SC-88 if you have a PC workstation running a Win32 OS and have a real serial port.  Also checkout this other VOGONS thread for additional SC-88 MIDI information.


Hope this helps,

dvwjr

[Ari]

DOSBox and a USB MIDI cable work for me too.

[bzyphk]

All,

Thanks for the feedback.  I found this post on Vogons that I believe answers my question: 

http://vogons.zetafleet.com/viewtopic.php?t=17586&sid=35f956c589819861c8832e28200b724a

What I am planning on doing is using the MT-32 on a 386 (MPU breakout to MIDI) and the SC-88 on a P200 (AWE64 Joystick to MIDI).  My only concern is the timer issues in the Sierra VGA games, but I haven't spent the time applying the patches from sierrahelp.com to see if that will be an issue.  I currently use a SB Live! (Joystick to MIDI) connection on a P4 with DOSBox and that works fine.