Roland CM-500 VS SC-55 + MT-32

[menkau_ra]

I was searching WiKi for Roland MIDI devices and found CM-500. I know some of you already has CM-500, can you tell me, is it a good tone generator? I mostly need it for games and only sometimes for karaoke. I know that I need a SC-55 and MT32, but CM-500 looks like an all-in-one stop. But I don't know if CM-500 plays all sounds in games as good as SC or MT modules? What will you recomend me to buy?

[shad0wfax]

Hi menkau_ra,

In general terms, and if you're not very picky, the CM-500 is equivalent to the combination of a SC-55 and a MT-32. To be more exact, it's the combination of a CM-300 (very simmilar to a SC-55) and a CM-32L (very simmilar to a MT-32). Soundwise, the differences are minimal.

In an ideal world, I think that most people in this forum would say that the best option is to have a SC-55 MkII and a second-generation MT-32. But if all that you want is to be able to play classic games and listening to GM/GS and MT-32 midi files, a CM-500 will do the job very well. The downside is that CM-500s are quite rare and difficult to find, and the price is usually quite high.

[MusicallyInspired]

The CM-32L portion of the CM-500 DOES generate sounds differently from a regular MT-32. Sometimes with better results and sometimes not. Mostly I prefer the regular MT-32, though.

[endre1952]

I still say that a second-generation MT-32 is only the best option if you intend to play only games made by Sierra, and nothing else made by other companies. And isn't LSL5 a CM-32L composition? So I would consider a CM-32L the best option. Does it sound inferior to a second gen. MT-32? Do you really need all those buttons and the LCD display just for gaming?

Regarding the CM-500: I do notice the higher noise floor, compared to other modules. Otherwise, it's just fine for me, and that's what I usually use to play games. I would use a CM-32L or a first gen. MT-32 for recording purposes, though.

[Salient]

The CM-32L portion of the CM-500 DOES generate sounds differently from a regular MT-32. Sometimes with better results and sometimes not. Mostly I prefer the regular MT-32, though.

A real CM-32L does generate sound differently from a normal (first gen.) MT-32 as well.
In the case below (Dune II) I prefer the MT-32:

Dune II - Credits on a CM-32L
Dune II - Credits on an MT-32 first gen.

[MusicallyInspired]

Yeah. That's pretty much what I said. Or meant to say, I guess.

[jharris01]

I still say that a second-generation MT-32 is only the best option if you intend to play only games made by Sierra, and nothing else made by other companies. And isn't LSL5 a CM-32L composition? So I would consider a CM-32L the best option. Does it sound inferior to a second gen. MT-32? Do you really need all those buttons and the LCD display just for gaming?

Don't forget some people here claim to have bought a MT32 and a CM32 just for that.

[endre1952]

I actually sold my second gen. MT-32, because from what I've heard, it uses about the same hardware as the CM-32L, but does not work properly with the majority of games made by others than Sierra between 1990-1993.

I have kept my first gen. MT-32, because early games were obviously composed on that version. There is another MT-32 coming to me from Japan, it's a gamble I took, I have not seen whether it had the headphones jack, but it was cheap, about 300 YEN and no commission.

[Cloudschatze]

...does not work properly with the majority of games made by others than Sierra between 1990-1993.

...?

Sounds like you've heard wrong.

[endre1952]

Actually, I think you don't play the games I'm talking about. Only Sierra, Lucasarts and Legend adventure and RPG games, huh?

It's you guys on the board who say that an MT-32 will do fine in most cases. I prefer to use a module which will produce at least acceptable/tolerable results in every game that supported LA synthesis.

Most arcade titles do use the additional 33 sound effects of the LAPC-I, and also tend to send sysex faster than what a first gen. MT-32 can handle.

I used to have a real blast with a C64, so even on a PC, I didn't just play adventure games and RPG's.

[Cloudschatze]

From your statement, I assumed you were referring to games that "work" with a CM-32L, but not a second-gen. MT-32. "Does not work properly" is a bit ambiguous.

[menkau_ra]

I just got a CM-64 from ebay. But still want CM-500, which is hard to find.
How many other games will sound better on a MT-32 then on a CM-32L (like DuneII)? If there are only a few of 'em, maybe I'll safe money from buying MT-32 first gen?

What is for a CM-32P in my CM-64? Does it work like a regular sound card in some games like DuneII?

[endre1952]

Congrats on getting the CM-64, I'm sure you will be pleased with it!

The CM-32P part is not used by any dos game that I know of. It was only used by some Japanese games for their X68000 computer.

If you really want a CM-500, your best bet is to look for it on "Auctions.yahoo.co.jp". A service like "www.fromjapan.co.jp" or "rinkya.com" (rinkya never got back to me actually) will help you get the stuff, but remember, you'll have to pay quite a lot of money for shipping outside Japan.

[menkau_ra]

Everybody says that LAPC-I is a perfect option to play MT-32 games. But in the same time everybody says that CM-32L, which is a LAPC-I in a box, doesn't work well in all games. I didn't get it.

[Great Hierophant]

Everybody says that LAPC-I is a perfect option to play MT-32 games. But in the same time everybody says that CM-32L, which is a LAPC-I in a box, doesn't work well in all games. I didn't get it.

I can understand the confusion, this is truth:

1.  The synthesis engine of the LAPC-I and CM-32L (the circuitry that makes the music), is the same.  Whatever the strengths and weaknesses of the LAPC-I will be equally present in the CM-32L. 

2.  The LAPC-I has a Roland MPU-401 Midi Processing Interface on the card.  Many DOS Games that had music composed for the MT-32/LAPC-I/CM-32L will not work without a Roland MPU-401 Midi Processing Interface card in the system.  The LAPC-I has this functionality built in, making it easy to work with DOS games.  The CM-32L, being an external box, needs to connect with a card inside the computer to make playing DOS games as easy as on the LAPC-I.  Roland MPU-401 Midi Processing Interface cards are not easy to find. 

I hope that clears things up. 

[menkau_ra]

Thanks! Now I'm straight
Would a MPU-IPC-T help me? I've never seen a MPU-401 before on ebay.   

[endre1952]

Yes, it would. I've got an MPU-IPC-T card in my retro 386 system, and it works with every single dos game supporting Roland devices.

[Great Hierophant]

It would work perfectly, but you need both the internal ISA card AND the external connector breakout box. 

[menkau_ra]

I've read here, that AWE64, which I already have, has a very good MPU-401 and it should work perfect in all games. Is it? Or you would reccomend me to buy real Roland?

[endre1952]

I don't think it has "intelligent" mode. So it will not work with all games. Correct me if I'm wrong.