Zerker on 3/10/2014 at 21:27
So I figured I'd revive this thread a bit to update now that I've been using a Roland SoundCanvas SC-88VL for a couple weeks on games that actually use General Midi (gasp!). Rather than crowding my post with a bunch of links, I actually cooked up a quick web site with some samples and photos:
(
http://zerker.ca/misc/sc.html)
The hookups are the same as the MT-32, though I picked up a Roland UM-One mk2, since I was getting some lost notes and weird artefacts with the M-Audio adaptor. Plus I needed one for each computer ;). The SoundCanvas actually has a headphone jack on the front, so you can use double-ended audio cables to hook it up as well.
From my sample page, some of my favourites are East Road, 'Shawn's Got the Shotgun' (especially the drums at the start) and the Descent 2 Credits.
Dethtoll, if you're around, I also included your namesake.
For the second set of samples, the SC-88 can use the sound samples for the SC-55, or its newer upgraded samples. Most games were designed for the SC-55 in particular (since the SC-88 came later), so I usually used that as the baseline for the recordings. I included some with the SC-88 samples for comparison. The Duke Nukem 3D title screen (grabbag) is noticeably different. Shadow Warrior may have been targetted towards the SC-88, though the registered version uses CD audio... which sounds somewhat similar :D.
Al_B on 4/10/2014 at 08:33
Those sound good :). The SC-88 samples do seem quite a bit nicer and the tracks have more depth so if I had the hardware that's the set I'd probably choose to go with.
I meant to reply before that this thread motivated me to dig out my MT-32 and I bought a UM-One as well as it was a bit more available than the one you mentioned and seemed more stable according to review opinions. Been very happy with it although I need to pick up a proper power supply for the MT-32 as it uses a centre negative power input and all my flexible DC power supplies are either centre positive or have gone missing somewhere.
Zerker on 4/10/2014 at 11:17
I actually had to buy a power adaptor for the SC-88 as well (it came with a Japanese adaptor, which is tuned for 100 V). Anyways, you'll want to pick up a Roland PSB-120; that's compatible with most Roland synths, including the MT-32, and is easily available.
Though with flexible DC power supplies, can't you usually detach the connector end and reverse it to get center negative?
