skate323k137
Enlightened
I recently dove into this rabbit hole. Previously all I knew really was that the Atari ST and Sharp X68k could utilize midi [type] modules for music, and it sounded pretty awesome. Once I learned/recalled that many DOS games could use them, it was on. I'll sum up a lot of what I learned to save you guys time should you decide to venture down this path.
Prior to the "true" Midi Standard, many games used the Roland MT-32 sound module. Loosely called CM (Computer Music), the standard was used in a surprising number of games. In addition to the MT-32 sound module, a few compatible PC cards were also made, as well as some "CM-###" series modules.
Comparison is quite impressive. 1:45 for those with little patience
MT-32 Games list:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_MT-32-compatible_computer_games#IBM_PC_compatibles
After that the General Midi (GM) standard came around. Some further standards (Roland GS and Yamaha XG) are just expanded GM and thus sound modules that use them are, for the most part, perfectly suited for video games that used or contained GM soundtracks. Some suitable and popular models are the Roland Sound Canvas series, namely SC-55 (rom 1.21 for best compatibility but 2.0 works quite well too), SC-55 mk2, SC88, and variations thereof. Also yamaha sound modules like the MU series are suitable but of course sound slightly different than Roland. For the most part I like Roland but regardless it's interesting to hear how different synths handle the same midi input.
Doom of course is not the best show of a GM sound module. Lucas Arts games like Sam and Max, DOTT, and Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis sound awesome.
(skip in a few minutes)
GM Games list:
http://www.mobygames.com/attribute/sheet/attributeId,47/p,2/
Now, how do you use this today?
For a Roland GM module expect to shell out about 100-120 dollars, closer to 160 for a MT-32 module. While you have many GM modules to choose from, for CM / MT-32, you really need an MT-32 or one of the few Roland compatible devices (see wikipedia). While the SC-55 has a MT-32 mode, the MT-32 mode on it (and the few other modules with a mt-32 or CM "mode") does not work well. It really only works for the default instrument set (some games do use this but the only one widely known is the original floppy disk version of the first Monkey Island). In short for GM games, for modules you have a lot choices, for MT-32 unfortunately you have many less [at least for hardware].
However, if you want to do software emulation, that is an option.
I own an SC-55 so I'm not the best person to ask for GM handling on the local machine, but I know virtual synths using sound sets from roland modules can be done. To use a real SC-55 you simply need a USB to MIDI cable. Set up ScummVM or DOSBox to use the USB MIDI port, and you're good to go. As a bonus the sc55 has audio input in the back to accompany MIDI IN. You can connect your speech synthesis via the computers line out, into the SC55, and it will mix it into the MIDI music for you.
I don't own an MT32 (at least yet...). However, MUNT is an MT-32 emulator which makes itself a choice for midi input on your system just like the USB to MIDI cable for a real GM module would. While it's not perfect, it certainly sounds better than an emulated ad-lib or soundblaster. If you have an extra monitor you can see the LCD messages and everything.
I have a Yamaha XG compatible module on the way to experiment with, in the mean time I'm enjoying playing Fate of Atlantis with the SC55.
Prior to the "true" Midi Standard, many games used the Roland MT-32 sound module. Loosely called CM (Computer Music), the standard was used in a surprising number of games. In addition to the MT-32 sound module, a few compatible PC cards were also made, as well as some "CM-###" series modules.
Comparison is quite impressive. 1:45 for those with little patience
MT-32 Games list:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_MT-32-compatible_computer_games#IBM_PC_compatibles
After that the General Midi (GM) standard came around. Some further standards (Roland GS and Yamaha XG) are just expanded GM and thus sound modules that use them are, for the most part, perfectly suited for video games that used or contained GM soundtracks. Some suitable and popular models are the Roland Sound Canvas series, namely SC-55 (rom 1.21 for best compatibility but 2.0 works quite well too), SC-55 mk2, SC88, and variations thereof. Also yamaha sound modules like the MU series are suitable but of course sound slightly different than Roland. For the most part I like Roland but regardless it's interesting to hear how different synths handle the same midi input.
Doom of course is not the best show of a GM sound module. Lucas Arts games like Sam and Max, DOTT, and Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis sound awesome.
(skip in a few minutes)
GM Games list:
http://www.mobygames.com/attribute/sheet/attributeId,47/p,2/
Now, how do you use this today?
For a Roland GM module expect to shell out about 100-120 dollars, closer to 160 for a MT-32 module. While you have many GM modules to choose from, for CM / MT-32, you really need an MT-32 or one of the few Roland compatible devices (see wikipedia). While the SC-55 has a MT-32 mode, the MT-32 mode on it (and the few other modules with a mt-32 or CM "mode") does not work well. It really only works for the default instrument set (some games do use this but the only one widely known is the original floppy disk version of the first Monkey Island). In short for GM games, for modules you have a lot choices, for MT-32 unfortunately you have many less [at least for hardware].
However, if you want to do software emulation, that is an option.
I own an SC-55 so I'm not the best person to ask for GM handling on the local machine, but I know virtual synths using sound sets from roland modules can be done. To use a real SC-55 you simply need a USB to MIDI cable. Set up ScummVM or DOSBox to use the USB MIDI port, and you're good to go. As a bonus the sc55 has audio input in the back to accompany MIDI IN. You can connect your speech synthesis via the computers line out, into the SC55, and it will mix it into the MIDI music for you.
I don't own an MT32 (at least yet...). However, MUNT is an MT-32 emulator which makes itself a choice for midi input on your system just like the USB to MIDI cable for a real GM module would. While it's not perfect, it certainly sounds better than an emulated ad-lib or soundblaster. If you have an extra monitor you can see the LCD messages and everything.
I have a Yamaha XG compatible module on the way to experiment with, in the mean time I'm enjoying playing Fate of Atlantis with the SC55.
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2 66 with an intelligent MPU card (again MusicQuest IH9MQ9 Clone), one P233/MMX with a HardMPU card and one K6-2-400 using the internal AWE64 MPU401 port.
