MT-32/CM-Series Differences Thread

[MusicallyInspired]

I'd like to request that this thread be stickied. It'd be nice to have some audio examples of different soundtracks from Sierra, LA, and other games that could maybe be hosted here on Quest Studios for people who are wondering what the differences are when trying to decide which model to buy for optimal Sierra/LA/other DOS game soundtrack experiences. I'd post some myself as I have a first-gen MT-32 and a CM-500, but I don't know which tracks would be the best to choose to really showcase the more jarring differences between the models.

Anyone know of any obvious examples?

[endre1952]

There are some games that clip on a CM-32L or CM-500, because you have no external control over the digital volume on those units. Some examples are the fireworks in the intro of Wing Commander, Prehistorik and Wrath of the Demon.

I found a solution: I execute a sysex file that reduces the midi/digital volume before loading a problematic game.

[Salient]

An obvious example is the credits tune of Dune II

Here is the CM-32L version
Here is the MT-32 first gen version

[endre1952]

Guess what, I do hear the difference! I do have a first gen. MT-32 packed away, and intend to keep it.

[Alistair]

I wonder if a first gen MT-32 has any advantages over the CM-32L for games that were composed on a first gen. As in, with the weird vibrato/etc it sounds 'right' on a first gen and not on a second gen or CM device.

- Alistair

[Salient]

For Dune II, I prefer the first gen MT-32.
For the rest (as far as I know/tested) either it doesn't really matter or the CM-32L is better.
Try, for example, 4D Sports Boxing on a first gen. MT-32. You will find the track go out of tune at some point whereas on the CM-32L it plays alright.

And of course in some games, like Temptress of the lure, the extra soundeffects are utilized which makes the mt-32 first gen (and also second gen in that matter) quite useless.

The game TFX requires a CM-32L (or LAPC-I) as well to play correctly.

[endre1952]

Some of you here have said that Police Quest 2 only sounds right on a first gen. MT-32. Can I hear an example?

[Salient]

I just recorded the intro tune of Police Quest II on both my MT-32 first gen and my CM-32L. I don't really hear any difference actually.

Police Quest II Introduction on MT-32 first generation.
Police Quest II Introduction on CM-32L.

[MusicallyInspired]

You mean the CM-32L doesn't have the annoying super-vibrato?

[NewRisingSUn]

No, it doesn't, and you should know that. I don't mean to be rude, but all of these questions have not only been discussed extensively on this very forum in the past, but the results have been summarized in the Wikipedia articles on the subject, including games that benefit from a first-generation MT-32.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_MT-32
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_MT-32-compatible_computer_games

[MusicallyInspired]

The topics about MT/CM differences were made so long ago I couldn't remember the details (and I couldn't find them on the forum) and my day-to-day life doesn't revolve around the technical details of Roland synths. I also didn't realize it had a Wikipedia entry. Honestly, as natural as it seems to most peope to immediately revert to Wikipedia it's never been my first inclination. Plus it's been wrong about many things in the past so I don't fully trust it.

That said I was SURE I remember hearing comparison examples of a KQ5 track on the MT-32, CM-32L, and the CM-500 and I was sure that both CM modules had the vibrato issue. Clearly I'm wrong. But that's why I wanted a thread like this stickied.

[NewRisingSUn]

The MT-32 Wikipedia article in its current form was mostly written by members of this forum precisely for the purpose of summing up what was discussed in the various threads here, so that people whose "life doesn't revolve around the technical details of Roland synths" would find the information without looking for sticky threads in web forums that they don't know.

[MusicallyInspired]

Granted. But that doesn't change the fact that I didn't know it existed and I DO know these forums exist.