just got an mt32, can't get it to work

[Great Hierophant]

Do we really know that the SCC-1 is 100% MPU-401 compatible, for that matter? Wink

It must be, even though it had to use epoxy chips instead of plastic ones to save board space.  It even gives a diagram of it being connected to a CM module in the manual!  The manual also refers the user to the MPU-401 Reference Manual.  Of course, it does not provide the "extra ports" that a ful MPU-401 interface can provide, but that would not affect the interface's ability to accept and transmit midi messages.  

Here is an idea: Turn the machine with the SCC-1 card on and send GM/GS midi data to it from another computer using the mini-din and midi cables.  If you can hear the music from the SCC-1's audio ports, then the midi in port is OK.  

[Note this is not a perfect solution to use a midi card from another computer.]

[Scythifuge]

When you select the roland mpu401 out driver as your midi output, does your scc-1's internal sound generator at least play the notes?

Yes, when I have it selected, I can hear the midi files that I have been using for testing. Space Quest 3's music plays as well.

Has anyone actually tried the same SCC-1 -> MT-32 setup? I've not stumbled across any reference to a working example.

Do we really know that the SCC-1 is 100% MPU-401 compatible, for that matter?

I spent a long time yesterday surfing the net, and couldn't find any example.

Here is an idea: Turn the machine with the SCC-1 card on and send GM/GS midi data to it from another computer using the mini-din and midi cables.  If you can hear the music from the SCC-1's audio ports, then the midi in port is OK.  

[Note this is not a perfect solution to use a midi card from another computer.]

I tried this, but I'm going to try it again, just in case I had it hooked up wrong (it was late, and I had been messing with the SCC-1/MT-32 for hours). When I tried it, I heard nothing. I'm going to try it with my Audigy 2 Drive this time. I'll post back in a while with the results.

[Zemus]

Has anyone actually tried the same SCC-1 -> MT-32 setup? I've not stumbled across any reference to a working example.

Do we really know that the SCC-1 is 100% MPU-401 compatible, for that matter?

I have my CM-500 hooked up to the SCC-1 and I've never had any problems with getting games to work. The older Sierra EGA games, which supposedly needs a 100% MPU-401 compatible interface, work fine.

[Cloudschatze]

Cool. Thanks for the answer to that question, Zemus.

Does Roland's SCC check utility provide any useful information? (I'm not familiar with it).

[Zemus]

The floppy comes with two programs.

The first is a check program which checks whether or not the card is installed. You can use it to play 6 demo songs that's also on the floppy in MIDI format, send a GS reset and an MT-32 emulation sysex. I guess you could use it to check if the MIDI interface works as well by attaching an external module.

The second program on the floppy is called MPUPLAY and it's a command line MIDI player. You can use it to play one or more MIDI file in order. You have to input I/O port address and IRQ manually so it would probably work with other MIDI interfaces as well.

The floppy itself is labeled Roland Utility Disk Ver 2.0.

My card also came with a floppy labeled Roland SMF Bonus-diskette. It contains 18 MID-files.

The guy I bought it from included a few more floppies with MPU-401 drivers for Win3.11 and Win95 and Musicator 1.00. No idea if that program was originally bundled with the card.

[Scythifuge]

Ok. I moved the computer with the SCC-1 closer to my main system with the Audigy 2 Platinum. My MT-32 plays midi fine from the Audigy 2 Drive, and games communicate with the A2 drive\MT32 with DOSbox, so thats all working fine.

I connected the midi ports on my SCC-1 to the Audigy 2 drive, and still had no sound. I tried swapping cables (just in case), and switching between "MPU-401 compatible interface" and "Roland MPU Midi Out Port". I tried playing a midi file on my main and have it play through the SCC-1, and heard nothing. I tried playing a midi with the SCC-1 and have it output to my A2 drive, and heard nothing.

At this point, unless there is a step that has been overlooked, I assume that somehow the MIDI IN and OUT ports went bad. I emailed the guy that I won the auction from, and he said that he only ever used the MIDI IN and that it worked fine. Of course, all sales final, so I am out $40+ (except that I can still use the card for games that support it natively). I am assuming that either he overloaded the ports, or the card somehow got damaged in shipping.

So now I am looking for another SCC-1 or alternative. I have been looking into Midiman Portmans or Winmans, but I'm unsure if/how they work with the MT-32. Maybe even a SB Live with daughter board, though I am unsure if the DB has MPU intelligent mode. I have a chance to get a Roland MPU-401 with breakout box for $50 bucks, not sure if its worth it. The Winman is a little more. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you all again for your help, tips, and support.

[Great Hierophant]

I have a chance to get a Roland MPU-401 with breakout box for $50 bucks, not sure if its worth it.

If it is the large box with the almost component-less interface card, then only if you are using a computer with an XT bus running at 4.77MHz.

[HondaSiR]

Scythifuge: Cloudschatze mentioned earlier that the Ensoniq cards offered true MPU-401 compatibility. You might try to get one from him for a modest fee (or for free if you record some scores for him after delivery, pretty good offer if you ask me).

As for the SCC-1, as a last resort...physically remove it from its slot. Clean the connectors with a pencil eraser then put it back...if possible in a different slot or computer. Also check if the circular MIDI connectors at the back of the card is dirty. Clean it with a soft dry brush. We might as well leave no stone unturned.

[Cloudschatze]

Scythifuge: Cloudschatze mentioned earlier that the Ensoniq cards offered true MPU-401 compatibility. You might try to get one from him for a modest fee (or for free if you record some scores for him after delivery, pretty good offer if you ask me).

Sorry, the spare Elite was previously claimed...
I'm not sure that this is the best solution, in this case, anyhow.

There's got to be something being overlooked..
Just for grins, do the MIDI adapters for the Audigy 2 also work with the original Audigy? I've used the adapters from the Audigy with an MPU-401/AT, and had no issues, but wonder if something might have changed between versions.

Scythifuge, you've tried booting straight into DOS right? While games should reset the MPU, if they're not, it could be that the Windows driver is changing a setting on the card, which is left in effect if you do a warm boot into DOS.