Considering buying a MT-32

[Dustin]

Hi all,

 I am new to the forum, but have been coming here for quite some time to
listen to Sierra midi files. I am seriously considering buying a MT-32 for playing my old DOS games (I am an avid Sierra/LucasArts DOS game enthusiest) With a great interest in Midi.

My system consists of:

Acer 133Mhz Intel

36MB of RAM
 
Sound Blaster 16 CT1740

DOS 6.2


I can see that eBay is the only place to get one. And thats what I plan to do.

I know that I have to use a Midi cable in the joystick port on my Sound Blaster 16 what I am unsure of is how.

What other uses does the MT-32 have?

I always loved Jan Hammer's music (from Miami Vice and PQ3)and would like to emulate that style if possible.... can I get those sounds with the MT-32 using my computer keyboard like a synthesizer?.

any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Dustin

[Tom]

You'll need a Sound Card MIDI Port cable to work with your SB16's joystick port; they're available at any music store.  One end connects to your sound card, and an IN and OUT MIDI cable runs to the MT-32.

The MT-32 is a MIDI instrument used for composing music, so its uses are unlimited in the realm of music production.  By allowing the use of Patch Banks, virtually any sound can be produced by the unit, though some better than others.

If you're planning on composing music with the MT-32, you may need to add a better MIDI interface than what's on the SB16.  You'll most likely need two-way communication with the module, and most DOS-based sequencing/music software won't recognize the SB16's MIDI port as a MIDI interface.  A Roland MPU-401 or equivalent may be required.

[Dustin]

Tom,

  Thanks so much for the quick reply.......At this point I think I am just going to use the MT-32 for playing the old sierra classics. I am going to install DOS 6.22 and Windows 3.1 on my 486, and set it for up for use with the MT-32.

[Dustin]

Well......I am sort of faced with a bit of a problem. Right now on Ebay there is an LAPC-1 ISA sound card. I was contemplating on buying it but I wanted to check with you guys first. What I am looking to do is play the old Sierra\Lucasarts games with an MT-32 or equivelent, and make my own compositions. Will I be able to do this with a Sound Blaster 16 and an MT-32?

So far, all the MT-32's on Ebay have been quite expensive ($60-$75).

I don't know how much the LAPC-1 is worth, but I think the MT-32 is worth the money.

I am leaning towards buying an MT-32 and running with that, But I  want feedback from you guys first about what I should do.


Please chime in with any advice,

Thanks,
Dustin

[laxdragon]

Nice thing about the MT-32 is that it does not require an ISA slot like the LAPC-1 does. If you have a newer computer, the LAPC-1 is not even an option. I use the MT-32 myself. I have it hooked up via a nice USB MIDI interface since I don't have a joystick port on my sound card. Works well through that.

What I did when I got mine is I used the eBay saved search feature to notify me daily of new MT-32 auctions via email. I then found one for 40 bucks using the "Buy It Now" feature.

[raif]

I am actually bidding on an mt-32 over on ebay.

In order to fully utilize the box, you will need a "smart" mpu-401 interface card, which will end up taking that same isa slot that the lapc-1 would take.

From the last few hours of research, I have determined that the only reason for going mt-32 over lapc-1 is either the card won't fit in the case, or the coolness factor of the midi box.

If I loose that mt-32 auction, I am going to hop right over and try to pick up that lapc-1, so watchout!  

My master plan is to buy a scc-1 and hook the mt-32 up through its midi port to get the best of both mt-32 and general midi.

[Dustin]

Nice thing about the MT-32 is that it does not require an ISA slot like the LAPC-1 does. If you have a newer computer, the LAPC-1 is not even an option. I use the MT-32 myself. I have it hooked up via a nice USB MIDI interface since I don't have a joystick port on my sound card. Works well through that.

What I did when I got mine is I used the eBay saved search feature to notify me daily of new MT-32 auctions via email. I then found one for 40 bucks using the "Buy It Now" feature.

Thats what I'm thinking too, The MT-32 does not require an ISA slot. Thus making it quite easy to move from one computer to another. But I do have a fast 486 with 4 ISA slots and (I think) enough room to fit an LAPC-1. So the LAPC-1 is still in the air at the moment. I think I will end up going with an MT-32. Now forgive the dumb question, but what is an MPU-401? is it a card that supports MIDI? or is it a deticated MIDI card?

[Ari]

The MPU-401 cards are interface cards to which you can connect external midi modules. There are all kinds of MPU-401 interface cards but if you're looking for something that supports the MT-32 completely, you should get a Roland MPU-401 card such as the "Roland MPU-401/AT" or "Roland MPU-I-PC" cards. The Non Roland cards do not generally support the MT-32's Intelligent Mode which is used in several earlier Sierra games.

[laxdragon]

I'm not familiar with the MT-32's "intelligent mode". Every game I have tried has worked just fine using the Edirol USB MIDI adapter I picked up.

[Laust]

Intelligent mode is not a property of the MT-32, but a property of the MIDI interface. I might add, that the LAPC-I already has an MPU-401 interface on board, so it automatically gives you the best MIDI support.

It's pretty hard to say which is better, MT-32 or LAPC-I, because each has distinct advantages:

LAPC-I:

• Built-in MPU-401 MIDI interface. This is the standard interface, ensuring optimal compatibility with old games.
  
• No buffer overflow problems (this is an annoying, but usually solvable issue with the MT-32)
• It has the extra CM-32L sound effects and features, which some games take advantage of.
[/list:u]

MT-32:

• Is portable, since it's an external unit. You're not tied to an ISA slot, big advantage.
  
• Has a display, which is useful if you want to see what's happening while composing (plus a few games take avantage of it, which is amusing)
• Has front panel controls. This is great if you want to play around while composing, and don't want to use a PC application to change instruments, etc.
[/list:u]

Overall, if you're a gamer, the LAPC-I is probably the best bet, especially for the lower price and the built-in MIDI interface. If you plan on using it for composing, and hooking it up to a modern PC (with no ISA cards), well, the MT-32 is obviously more attractive...

[Zemus]

Doesn't the LAPC-I require a breakout box for the MPU-401 interface? If I remember correctly that was sold separately, so the auctions may not have it included.

[Laust]

It might, but needless to say the on-board L/A synth is connected to the MPU interface internally without the need for extra cables. It's only for games that having a true Roland MPU-401 interface really matters. For composing or listening to MIDIs, UART mode on any sound card will be sufficient, and what drivers for most OSes these days use anyway.

I realise some older sequencers might want to use intelligent mode, but Tom is probably the only one that still uses such programs

[Doctor Creep]

I
LAPC-I:

• It has the extra CM-32L sound effects and features, which some games take advantage of.
[/list:u]

BTW: Is there a list somewhere of the "special" LAPC-I games?

Lutz

[Ari]

Intelligent mode is not a property of the MT-32, but a property of the MIDI interface. I might add, that the LAPC-I already has an MPU-401 interface on board, so it automatically gives you the best MIDI support.

I stand corrected.

Anyway, you only need the LAPC-I's breakout box if you want to connect it to other midi cards or modules or the like...

For gaming and listening purposes only, the card alone is sufficiant.

[Dustin]

Well... The LAPC-1 is looking to be quite appealing for my application. Though I still want a MT-32.

[HondaSiR]

Well... The LAPC-1 is looking to be quite appealing for my application. Though I still want a MT-32.

I'll go for the MT-32 if I were you. It has the cool LCD display/buttons, and it has the capability to work with newer PCI computers via a joystick-to-MIDI cable...something an ISA based LAPC-1 cannot do. Granting that an MT-32 does not have a built-in "intelligent" MPU-401, software patches can be downloaded in order for the MIDI to work in UART mode. Early Sierra EGA games needed "intelligent" mode but a patch can be downloaded here in QS to enable an ordinary Sound Blaster/MT-32 combo to work.

[laxdragon]

Or in my case, on my 3.2 Ghz P4 I run all my old sierra games in DOSbox which emulates the "intelligent" MPU-401 perfectly. All my old Sierra games see the MT-32 and work great. Since DOSbox can be throttled there isn't any speed issues on modern hardware.

I was just playing Dark Forces on DOSbox and loved the Star Wars soundtrack coming through on my MT-32.

[Dustin]

Well based on some of the research I did. An MT-32 is what I'll be getting.

Thanks for all your input guys.....Really appreciate it


One more thing... Will I be able to play (using the MT-32) the early EGA games like King's Quest IV, Leisure Suit Larry 2-3, Police Quest 2 and Space Quest 3 on my 486 with a soundblaster 16? Or do I need this patch to enable "intelligent mode"?

[HondaSiR]

One more thing... Will I be able to play (using the MT-32) the early EGA games like King's Quest IV, Leisure Suit Larry 2-3, Police Quest 2 and Space Quest 3 on my 486 with a soundblaster 16? Or do I need this patch to enable "intelligent mode"?

You will be able to play all those games using the abovementioned hardware. However, the software patch does not enable intelligent mode in a SB16 since it does not have one. Rather, the patch enables the game software to initialize the MIDI using UART mode. Nevertheless, you will still hear the game's MIDI score as intended by the musician.  

Oh, and by the way...as laxdragon has said earlier, you definitely must have DosBox if you have a fast computer. It is by far the best DOS environment emulator and the best slow-down program IMO. I have tried MoSlo and it does not even compare to DosBox. And it gets even better...its free and you can download it from the net.  :wink:

[Dustin]

I have been using DOSBox for about 3 years now and it really is the best thing you can do to get older games running on new PC's.


Thanks for all your advice. I am sold on a MT-32.

Will pick up a nice one on ebay.


Now I do have a question on composing music with the MT-32.
 Am I going to need a midi keyboard? or can I use my computer keyboard to compose my own music? or is there another way around that all together?

thanks,
Dustin