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Will any one of these give the best sound on the older Sierra games? And if I buy one of those second generation modules (like the CM-32L or the CM-64), will they have full backwards compatibility with the original Roland MT32?MusicallyInspired wrote:I'm posting again because for some reason my PS3 is limiting the number of characters I type in a text box at once.
The LAPC-I is simply for convenience. It's an alternative to the external counterparts. It's basically just an internal version. I believe it shares its specs with the CM-32L.
Alternatively, if you want to hear ALL Sierra games the way they were meant to be heard you'd need an SC-55 Sound Canvas for all later games (SC1.1 and up). This is a General MIDI module and not meant for the earlier Sierra games (SCI1.0 and earlier) though there are fanmade drivers that allow you to play those games with the SC-55. But you miss out on a lot of instruments and sound effects and altogether general awesome MT-32-ness.
There is a box that will do both (MT-32 and SC-55) but it's very rare. The CM-500 contains a CM-64 (MT-32 counterpart) and a CM-300 (SC-55 counterpart). There's a switch in the back that lets you switch between CM-64 and CM-300 modes. Very handy. Like I said, rare and probably expensive.
It's going to be a challenge. a-Yes. The CM-300/SC-55 portion of the CM-500 is exactly the same as a standalone SC-55 (or CM-300). I've never heard a difference.pbpb33 wrote:Ok, I am determined now. I must find one!!!!
Also, just to clarify:
1) If someone had both an MT-32 and a SC-55, then they would be able to hear all the games just as well as if they had one CM-500? Any exceptions? Is the big draw for the CM-500 just the convenience of having only one module, as opposed to two?
The MT-32 and the CM-32L/CM-64 actually differ in some ways. Some consider the CM-series inferior to the original MT-32 and others prefer the opposite. Most prefer a first generation MT-32, though. I'm one of those people. The CM-series (and the LAPC-I as well, actually) were built slightly differently from the original MT-32 and as a result many sound effects and instruments may sound slightly different between each model because of the difference in the way each model produces its sound. It doesn't break the soundtrack or anything but there are small things that are noticeable. The vibrato chip on the CM-series models are not the same as the MT-32. The MT-32 has a more natural, slower vibrato (on instruments that use it) and the CM-series models have a much faster and a little more annoying vibrato. Some sound effects like birds chirping are also not produced the same resulting in a quieter and a bit more cut-off sound than as an MT-32 would produce the same sound. But more or less the soundtrack will remain the same. Other than the vibrato issue you probably won't notice a difference. Although again, there are one or two Sierra games (LSL series) that were composed on the CM-32L. But those are the only exceptions. Everything else was written for a first-gen MT-32 (except for the later Sierra games, SCI1.1 and up which were made for the SC-55).2) And is the first gen MT-32 better sounding than the CM-32L? Or is the only difference between the two that the 32L makes a couple games sound better, but otherwise is identical to the MT-32? Is the 32L in any way inferior to the first gen MT-32?
I would recommend getting an MT-32/SC-55 combo.3) If we can't find a CM-500, would you recommend getting a MT-32+SC-55 combo, or a CM-32L+SC-55 combo?
By the way, I kind of like the LCD screens in front (and, is it just me, or does the MT-32 box just look cool in that black color and sleek design), so maybe not being able to find a CM-500 wouldn't be such a terrible thing, after all... since it appears to lack the screen in front.In the CM-32L version one of the instruments is significantly quieter than the MT-32 version. It's honestly not the best example I was hoping for. Someone at one point showed differences in KQ5 which were much more illuminating.pbpb33 wrote:I'm having trouble telling the difference between the MT-32 and the CM-32L in those Dune II clips... both sound great, of course. Thanks for those links!! Yeah, it does seem like the MT-32 is the better choice for vintage gaming (pre-SCI1.1 era).
No. Just personal preference. I'd suggest one of the external modules just for portability's sake. You can put it into any computer you wish. And the front displays are coolAs for SCI1.1 and SCI32 games, do you think that there would be any advantage at all to going for a SCC-1 over a SC-55MKII? Or would they both play most DOS games' music equally well (I'm assuming in the "General Midi" standard)? Would one produce the game music sounds any better or have additional music sounds in the games?
.Yes, that's what DOSBox was always meant to be. Play your games simply with no trouble at all. Always select Sound Blaster for digital audio. I don't know what these people are talking about. You don't need any extra drivers or anything. DOSBox is a virtual machine and has everything it needs to play games no matter what computer or operating system you're using or what physical media or hardware you have. Everything is emulated for your convenience. You may have to jump through a couple hoops to get your external devices working with DOSBox but it's nothing too crazy. And DOSBox was designed to work with whatever devices you may have.Also, can you always get the modules to work properly when playing the games through DoSBox? And ever any trouble selecting a different piece of equipment for digital sound effects (with games that have them)? Would I just select "Sound Blaster" or something similar in the game's setup? I have a Windows 7-based PC. I keep reading here and there about having to install special drivers or patches for particular games when using DosBox. Is it generally pretty easy to get the games to work at their best and in all their audial and visual glory when using DosBox?
Yes. And you also get the interesting LCD messages when launching and quitting games! Space Quest has some funny ones...Here are a few Sierra and LucasArts clips of some MT-32 and Sound Canvas music, which you've probably heard before. I love it... awesome music. I want mine!
