Comments on: Giving up on the MT-32

By: neozeed

neozeed — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 12:46:35 +0000

In reply to Ynari.

I currently have a Roland MT-120, and it sounds great! … playing from the diskettes.. Not so great when connected to my computer.

I also have a Yamaha MU-80, and it sound’s pretty good booked up.

I’ve also just won an auction for a Roland SC-88 pro. After this, I think that’ll be enough sequencers….!!

By: Ynari

Ynari — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 12:25:07 +0000

What you actually need is a CM32L. An MT32 will get you most of the way there, and have an LCD display to boot, but it lacks certain sound samples (the Computer Music moniker of CM32L). They’re expensive, though, whilst an MT32 will get you 95% of the way there and cost considerably less.

If you check out Philscomputerlab videos on Youtube, he has an extensive rundown on the difference between real MT/CM modules, and which games need each.

I do have a CM32L; it cost enough that I winced and looked away when I clicked the buy it now button.

By: Alex Nichols

Alex Nichols — Sat, 28 May 2016 02:01:28 +0000

I’m glad to see you’re playing around with Doom and the MT-32, but you missed a crucial step in using the MT-32 with General Midi games. There are actually patches for the MT-32 to give it “kinda” General Midi compatibility so that Doom doesn’t sound like a NES. Check out what a patched MT-32 sounds like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCe977zw3V4

To apply the patches, you need to actually play some midi files (specifically mtgm.mid and mtr-stnd.mid) in DOS. Playing these files actually reprograms (temporarily) the MT-32. You’ll also want to make sure to change the MT-32 to run on channels 1..8,10 instead of the default 2..10.

I found a website which appears to have all the files you need.
http://www.philscomputerlab.com/ultimate-roland-mt-32-tutorial.html
Playmid.exe is the player, and mtgm.exe is a self extracting executable which contains the midi files I mentioned above. Just create a batch file that has these 2 lines:
playmid mtgm.mid
playmid mtr-stnd.mid

Run it, then adjust Munt to use channels 1..8,10. Doom will sound waaaay better!

By: Peter Godwin

Peter Godwin — Thu, 26 May 2016 03:08:00 +0000

In reply to Peter Godwin. Running MUNT of course...

By: neozeed

neozeed — Thu, 26 May 2016 03:06:14 +0000

In reply to Peter Godwin. apparently the RPI isn't strong enough to run MUNT. I don't have a legacy PC to drive, so 100% software is fine by me.

By: Peter Godwin

Peter Godwin — Thu, 26 May 2016 03:05:06 +0000

Maybe a Raspberry PI and a USB midi adapter as an alternative…?

By: neozeed

neozeed — Wed, 25 May 2016 23:32:30 +0000

In reply to Alex. I've also lost bidding at several mt-100's, 125's and a 200. I seem to have the worst luck, lol

By: Chris M.

Chris M. — Wed, 25 May 2016 21:54:37 +0000

I use MUNT even though I own a real MT-32. Turns out that TFX requires a CM-32L or LAPC-I and its extra patches, so MUNT to the rescue. That game has an excellent sound track and the CM-32L version sounds the best to me. The Roland GS version is a tad flat.

By: Alex

Alex — Wed, 25 May 2016 21:23:00 +0000

The MT-32 is not General Midi (it’s before GM instruments became standardized). That’s why Doom sounds weird on it.
I have several MT-32 but now usually use MUNT as it’s very good now.
Finding an MT-32 is not too tough (depending where you are I suppose). Also keep an eye out for the Roland MT-100. It is a MT-32 + PR-100 all in-one.
Good luck!