CM-300

[endre1952]

Most of you may prefer the SC-55. I prefer the CM-300. Why? I hate the stand-by mode of the SC-55. I don't have the nerve to leave such vintage hardware in stand-by mode for several months, and it automatically turns itself on after a power shortage. I want my hardware to last for a long time.

I currently own a CM-300, an SC-55, as well as an SC-55 MKII. I have one remote that works with both SC-55's.

Used to own an SCC-1A back in the 90's.

[jharris01]

Sounds like the ideal model to have. They go for a lot on Ebay.

About the stand by: ever thought about getting one of those smart strip power outlets?

[endre1952]

Actually, I've got several switchable power outlets. The CM-300 is a simplified version of the SC-55 (not MKII), but it sounds the same, you don't need those buttons to listen to game music.

[Mau1wurf1977]

Hey at least we have a choice which is a good thing ;-)

There is something for everyone...

Personally I like that LCD display, the compact size and the convenient headphone socket and volume dial!

Some games require the unit (SC-55 that is) to be initialized in "GS mode" in order to sound correct. So in these rare case it's handy to have the buttons as well.

Does the CM-300 have a line-in / mixer? If find this feature quite handy on the SC-55 as you can route your Soundblaster or something else through it.

But your comment about the standby mode is certainly valid. I always switch off power at the power board in my retro PC corner...

[endre1952]

Yes, the CM-300 does have a line-in, but in the form of two 3.5mm mono jacks. I use a pair of jack to RCA converter plugs in order to use easily obtainable audio cables. It works just like on the SC-55, but you have to use sysex to mute the CM-300's midi output.

Can you give me an example of problematic games? I'm sure it can be done by sysex on the CM-300. I use the Dos utility Scmode.exe to reset GS mode. It can also switch to the rather useless MT-32 emulation mode.

[Mau1wurf1977]

Nice!

This thread has more info about one such game: http://queststudios.com/smf/index.php/topic,2483.0.html