Your Dream MIDI device

[Ari]

If you could design a MIDI card/module for your computer, and had to choose instruments from various cards and modules, what instruments would you take from what card/module?

you can choose whatever you like from Adlib to MT-32 to CM-32P to SB-AWE to SC-55 to Yamaha XG and even SC-88xx or better, though to make things a little more interesting, I'd try to limit it to the older cards.

Naturally, I don't mean you should explain each and every instrument choice, but more in general.

For instance, I'd take most of the Yamaha XG drumsets, though I might prefer the MT-32s drumset as STANDARD. I'd take the CM-32P's brass section. It's the best I've ever heard, the SC-55's Grand Piano, The MT-32's Atmosphere etc.

I'll probably come up with more along the way, but just to get things up and running...

I realize not everybody here owns all the cards and modules I mentioned, or knows what they sound like, but still, it's interesting to hear your thoughts.

[HondaSiR]

I've only had the privilege of using and hearing from the MT-32, SCB-55 and Yamaha YMF-XG. I like the MT-32's orchestral drums and "lute-like" custom instrument from Ultima 7, it cannot be duplicated with the Sound Canvas. The piano from the SCB-55 is the best for me (very close to the actual instrument sound), and the power drum set, very good in my opinion.  I like the "dirty" electric guitars from the XG, much more powerful than the ones on the SCB-55 in my opinion. That's all I can think of as of now.

-Johnny

[web.de]

Currently I have some Sound modules around.
I have a Roland SC-D70 (SC-8820), SC-55, SC-55MKII, SC-155, Yamaha MU-50XG, Roland MT-32.
But I think I'll sell the SC-55 and maybe even the SC-55MKII + Yamaha MU50 modules on ebay in the next few months.
 
For pianos I would use Roland sounds. Most from the SC-8850 (from the normal map).
Piano1 from the SC-8850 or SC-55, not from the SC-88/SC-88pro/SC-8820 cause they sound not so good as the SC-55.
The Yamaha Piano (MU50/Mu80) is too clean and doesn't have the warmth of the Roland Piano.
The guitars from the SC-8850/SC-8820/SC-88pro are equal and sound really good. The older Yamaha MU50 sounds really good but different, but better than the SC-55 guitar sounds.
The String/Orchestra section (Violin, ...)  is really terrible on the SC-55 and Yamaha MU50/80. Once again I like the SC-88pro, ect. much more.
Same with the brass section. But I don't like the French Horns PC61 patch from the newer Roland modules.
Roland even has better GM-SFX than Yamaha.

All in a nutshell I like the Roland sounds better than the yamahas'. Maybe I got used to Roland over the years. (10 years ago I bought the SCB-55 wavetable for adventure games.) But I think the Yamaha MU-100/128 seem to sound quite good or even better than the new Sound Canvas.

[apeman]

...would be a CM-500, with an LCD display like the MT-32 and more importantly, a future-proof interface like USB (so that I don't have to use my MPU-401AT in an ISA slot anymore).

[robertmo]

apeman: you don't have to use that isa card. you can connect your module to any sound card's joystick port

[apeman]

apeman: you don't have to use that isa card. you can connect your module to any sound card's joystick port

Yeah, but then I no longer have true "intelligent" MPU-401 at my disposal...

[Ari]

...would be a CM-500, with an LCD display like the MT-32 and more importantly, a future-proof interface like USB (so that I don't have to use my MPU-401AT in an ISA slot anymore).

What about increased polyphony for the SC unit?

[robertmo]

apeman: you don't have to use that isa card. you can connect your module to any sound card's joystick port

Yeah, but then I no longer have true "intelligent" MPU-401 at my disposal...

and a "future-proof interface like USB" won't help you too

[midiman_midiman]

I think i have the ultimate setup;
I have Roland MT-32, Roland SC-155, Yamaha DB50XG, Roland U-220 all working together.
Problem: to use the good sound from each device sound together.

Sorry my native language is not english...

[Alistair]

Uh, doesn't sound like the ultimate setup to me..

I make no such claims, though I'd say having a Roland Sound Canvas SC-8850 (or any of the various ED devices) is a necessity in the game audio creation department. I also run a Roland MT-32, and have an old SC-55 somewhere. And a variety of Creative sound cards.
Though I do need some sort of XG device or software.

My dream setup would be having an improved sound card or a Delta Midiman or something, and a Yamaha XG device, as well as my existing hardware.

- Alistair

[HondaSiR]

If money were no object to me, there are only three MIDI devices that I would want to have at my disposal...the MT-32, a Yamaha SW1000XG, and a brand new Roland Fantom module. Talk about MIDI overkill...and breaking your bank account.

-Johnny

[Ari]

You guys are kinda' missing the point. The idea was, basically, what would you take from each device, what are the stronger points and weaker points of each standard and each module?

[shad0wfax]

I know that this is a quite old topic, but I haven't seem them until now (I've been very busy) and I'd like to put my opinion.

Well, I think that my dream machine actually exists, and it's called Fantom XR All the instruments I've heard from it are astounding, but sadly I haven't got the 1400 euro that it costs . I've only been able to get a second-hand XV-2020, a kind of 'little brother', but it's nevertheless very good and I like it in virtually all aspects.

Setting aside Fantom/XV stuff, I ¡'d like a lot a machine with the following:

* MT-32 100% compatibility. This is a MUST. Perhaps the MT-32 is not the best sounding module ever, but I think it's simply non-replaceable due its own unique character. And no, it's not enough to get a MT-32 sound map. It has to be a 'real' MT-32.
* High-end Roland module's pianos (far better than Yamaha's and Korg's) and most "acoustic" instruments.
* Korg's (NS5R) electric pianos (brilliant!) and some 'synthy' and 'belly' stuff. Also some percussion kits (they are POWERFUL!).
* Yamaha's DSP effects, the best I've heard so far.
* Some CM-32P/CM-64 sounds (pianos, slap basses, chorus, brass). Also most PCM cards are astounding (the best pipe organ, harpsichord and saxes I've heard. Also excellent electric guitars and orchestral strings).
* Some FM (DX7-style) stuff, to add a bit of color and originality.
* 128-voice polyphony, more than one midi-in and out, and at least one line-in.

As long as a machine like that does not exist, I'll keep on dreaming of getting a Fantom some day