Setting up a 486 to play older (late 80’s -> early 90’s) Sierra games, and a question…

[Unknown,Unknown]

I’ve just gotten ahold of a 486 with lots of memory, so I think the basic system is taken care of.

But my question concerns sound. I want to get ahold of an MT-32, and I’ve seen a few on eBay, but as I recall, there was an interface card needed. What is the name of the interface card, and does it require software? Somewhere in the back of my mind, I’m thinking of “MPU-401,” but I may not be recalling successfully.

–Josh

[Unknown,Unknown]

(re: Setting up a 486 to play older (late 80’s -> early 90’s) Sierra games, and a question…)

“What is the name of the interface card”

MPU-IPC, MPU-401, anything with “MPU” in it (MPU stands for MIDI Processing Unit).

“does it require software?”

Not for DOS-based computer games; they’ll talk to the card directly. You might need drivers for Windows, but those are included with your Windows distribution. 🙂

Generally, I think it’s pointless to get a seperate MIDI interface card. I’d also advise against an MT-32, because that thing is noisy as hell.
I think the best solutions for perfect old game sound would be either:

1) A LAPC-1; it’s an MT32 on-a-card, including the MIDI interface, OR
2) A Roland SCC-1 (which gives you General MIDI the way it’s supposed to sound, AND also the MIDI interface) PLUS a Roland CM-32L or CM-64.. Those are fully compatible to the MT-32, but have better sound quality.

[Unknown,Unknown]

(re: Setting up a 486 to play older (late 80’s -> early 90’s) Sierra games, and a question…)

You can receive lots of help with the MT-32 from Quest Studios. A SoundBlaster can work, but may not be ideal, especially form pure DOS. My MT-32 seems to work just fine with my Audigy, though from with in Windows with VDMSound.

[Unknown,Unknown]

(re: Setting up a 486 to play older (late 80’s -> early 90’s) Sierra games, and a question…) Josh,
I just did basically the same as you with a Pentium 1 that I’ve underclocked to 75Mhz. I went ahead and bought an MT-32 off E-bay a couple weeks ago. I’ve got it connected to my SB16 using a MIDI cable and am using the MT-32/SB MIDI driver (found on QuestStudios.com). I’ve been very pleased with the results even though the MT-32/SB MIDI driver doesn’t work with all Sierra games. I’m looking for a MPU-401 or compatible to finish out my system as well. I agree with one of the previous posts, the Roland SCC-1 makes a good choice since a lot of the newer games that are General MIDI compliant work well with it from what I’ve read on the Internet.
Edit – The SCC-1 isn’t a good replacement for the MT-32 because it doesn’t “do” LA synthesis…it just has the patches from an MT-32 along with the GM/GS patches. I assume this would work well with some games, but from what I’ve found out (and you may already know), Sierra games typically write out a lot of customizations to the MT-32 that I don’t think will do anything on an SCC-1. Over on QuestStudios forum, I’ve found several that are using the SCC-1 as the MPU-401 interface for their MT-32 so they get the best of both worlds (LA synth and GM/GS compatibility).
I found that I’ve quite enjoyed putting the system together…almost as much as I’ve enjoyed playing all the old Sierra games that I’ve kept all these years (almost, but not quite!).
Enjoy!
GeoffP

[Unknown,Unknown]

(re: re: Setting up a 486 to play older (late 80’s -> early 90’s) Sierra games, and a question…)

Thanks to all for the feedback. I’m going to try to get an LAPC-1, just to save hassle (and, perhaps, money).

This oughta be trippy once I get it going…

Josh

[Unknown,Unknown]

(re: Setting up a 486 to play older (late 80’s -> early 90’s) Sierra games, and a question…) Josh,
There’s currently 3 LAPC-1’s on E-Bay (I’d love to have one myself). I’ve been watching the going rate on them for about a month…it looks like they typically are going for about $60-100. Supposedly 2 of the 3 currently listed are New Old Stock and are still in the original packaging.
HTH,
GeoffP

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