Difference between revisions of "MT-32"
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− | The Roland '''''MT-32''''' Multi-Timbre Sound Module was originally marketed as a budget synthesizer for amateur musicians. However, [[Sierra On-Line]], wanting to push the limits of multimedia support, took an interest in the Roland MT-32, and decided to utilize the synthesizers potential, even to the point of distributing the MT-32 themselves. This led to the MT-32 becoming popular in the PC gaming market. The MT-32 had a much higher quality sound than the competing [[AdLib]] and [[Sound Blaster]] cards of the day, especially in regards to percussion and brass instruments. However, the Roland MT-32 was considerably more expensive than other sound devices, so few could afford to experience the richness of it's sound. Also, unlike the Sound Blaster, the Roland MT-32 could not process PCM audio making it terrible for sound effects, and useless for voice. | + | The Roland '''''MT-32''''' Multi-Timbre Sound Module was originally marketed as a budget synthesizer for amateur musicians. However, [[Sierra On-Line]], wanting to push the limits of multimedia support, took an interest in the Roland MT-32, and decided to utilize the synthesizers potential, even to the point of distributing the MT-32 themselves. This led to the MT-32 becoming popular in the PC gaming market. The MT-32 had a much higher quality sound than the competing [[AdLib]] and [[Sound Blaster]] cards of the day, especially in regards to percussion and brass instruments. However, the Roland MT-32 was considerably more expensive than other sound devices, so few could afford to experience the richness of it's sound. In 1990, Sierra was selling the [[Game Blaster]] for $130, the [[AdLib]] for $175 ($245 with [[AdLib Visual Composer]], the [[Sound Blaster]] for $240, the [[LAPC-I]] for $425, and the MT-32 for $550 ($650 with a MIDI micro channel). Also, unlike the Sound Blaster, the Roland MT-32 didn't have a [[Digital-to-Analog Converter|DAC]], so it could not process PCM audio making it terrible for sound effects, and useless for voice. |
There were three generations of Roland MT-32s, each one upgraded the synthesizer and fixed problems with the earlier models. | There were three generations of Roland MT-32s, each one upgraded the synthesizer and fixed problems with the earlier models. |
Revision as of 01:01, 7 January 2014
MT-32 (Multi-Timbre Sound Module) | |
200px | |
Developer: | Roland Corporation |
Released: | 1987-??-?? |
Type: | External Device |
Icon: |
The Roland MT-32 Multi-Timbre Sound Module was originally marketed as a budget synthesizer for amateur musicians. However, Sierra On-Line, wanting to push the limits of multimedia support, took an interest in the Roland MT-32, and decided to utilize the synthesizers potential, even to the point of distributing the MT-32 themselves. This led to the MT-32 becoming popular in the PC gaming market. The MT-32 had a much higher quality sound than the competing AdLib and Sound Blaster cards of the day, especially in regards to percussion and brass instruments. However, the Roland MT-32 was considerably more expensive than other sound devices, so few could afford to experience the richness of it's sound. In 1990, Sierra was selling the Game Blaster for $130, the AdLib for $175 ($245 with AdLib Visual Composer, the Sound Blaster for $240, the LAPC-I for $425, and the MT-32 for $550 ($650 with a MIDI micro channel). Also, unlike the Sound Blaster, the Roland MT-32 didn't have a DAC, so it could not process PCM audio making it terrible for sound effects, and useless for voice.
There were three generations of Roland MT-32s, each one upgraded the synthesizer and fixed problems with the earlier models.
The Roland MT-32 uses a proprietary MIDI structure. Before the creation of General MIDI as a universal MIDI standard, it was frequently targeted by game composers. The most important difference between MT-32 and GM is the different instrument list.
Instruments
Number |
Instrument name |
Number |
Instrument name |
Number |
Instrument name |
Number |
Instrument name |
0 | Acoustic Piano 1 | 32 | Fantasy | 64 | Acoustic Bass 1 | 96 | Brass Section 2 |
1 | Acoustic Piano 2 | 33 | Harmo Pan | 65 | Acoustic Bass 2 | 97 | Vibe 1 |
2 | Acoustic Piano 3 | 34 | Chorale | 66 | Electric Bass 1 | 98 | Vibe 2 |
3 | Electric Piano 1 | 35 | Glasses | 67 | Electric Bass 2 | 99 | Synth Mallet |
4 | Electric Piano 2 | 36 | Soundtrack | 68 | Slap Bass 1 | 100 | Windbell |
5 | Electric Piano 3 | 37 | Atmosphere | 69 | Slap Bass 2 | 101 | Glock |
6 | Electric Piano 4 | 38 | Warm Bell | 70 | Fretless 1 | 102 | Tube Bell |
7 | Honkytonk | 39 | Funny Vox | 71 | Fretless 2 | 103 | Xylophone |
8 | Electric Organ 1 | 40 | Echo Bell | 72 | Flute 1 | 104 | Marimba |
9 | Electric Organ 2 | 41 | Ice Rain | 73 | Flute 2 | 105 | Koto |
10 | Electric Organ 3 | 42 | Oboe 2001 | 74 | Piccolo 1 | 106 | Sho |
11 | Electric Organ 4 | 43 | Echo Pan | 75 | Piccolo 2 | 107 | Shakuhachi |
12 | Pipe Organ 1 | 44 | Doctor Solo | 76 | Recorder | 108 | Whistle 1 |
13 | Pipe Organ 2 | 45 | School Daze | 77 | Pan Pipes | 109 | Whistle 2 |
14 | Pipe Organ 3 | 46 | Bellsinger | 78 | Sax 1 | 110 | Bottleblow |
15 | Accordion | 47 | Square Wave | 79 | Sax 2 | 111 | Breathpipe |
16 | Harpsichord 1 | 48 | String Section 1 | 80 | Sax 3 | 112 | Timpani |
17 | Harpsichord 2 | 49 | String Section 2 | 81 | Sax 4 | 113 | Melodic Tom |
18 | Harpsichord 3 | 50 | String Section 3 | 82 | Clarinet 1 | 114 | Deep Snare |
19 | Clavinet 1 | 51 | Pizzicato | 83 | Clarinet 2 | 115 | Electric Percussion 1 |
20 | Clavinet 2 | 52 | Violin 1 | 84 | Oboe | 116 | Electric Percussion 2 |
21 | Clavinet 3 | 53 | Violin 2 | 85 | English Horn | 117 | Taiko |
22 | Celesta 1 | 54 | Cello 1 | 86 | Bassoon | 118 | Taiko Rim |
23 | Celesta 2 | 55 | Cello 2 | 87 | Harmonica | 119 | Cymbal |
24 | Synth Brass 1 | 56 | Contrabass | 88 | Trumpet 1 | 120 | Castanets |
25 | Synth Brass 2 | 57 | Harp 1 | 89 | Trumpet 2 | 121 | Triangle |
26 | Synth Brass 3 | 58 | Harp 2 | 90 | Trombone 1 | 122 | Orche Hit |
27 | Synth Brass 4 | 59 | Guitar 1 | 91 | Trombone 2 | 123 | Telephone |
28 | Synth Bass 1 | 60 | Guitar 2 | 92 | French Horn 1 | 124 | Bird Tweet |
29 | Synth Bass 2 | 61 | Electric Guitar 1 | 93 | French Horn 2 | 125 | One Note Jam |
30 | Synth Bass 3 | 62 | Electric Guitar 2 | 94 | Tuba | 126 | Water Bell |
31 | Synth Bass 4 | 63 | Sitar | 95 | Brass Section 1 | 127 | Jungle Tune |
Because of these different instrument mappings, games that play General MIDI through the MT-32 will play the wrong instruments. For example the main theme of Ultima Underworld II (DOS) will have its harmonious "cello 2" solo replaced by a cacophonous series of orchestra hits.
Other differences exist, such as the MT-32's support for reprogramming sounds. For this reason, merely translating instrument number values to their closest GM equivalent, or using an MT-32 soundfont, is often not enough to faithfully play an MT-32 song.
Emulation
The project MUNT, which is incorporated in ScummVM and in foobar2000's MIDI Component, although unfinished, is the most accurate MT-32 emulator available. However, it requires ROM images from the original MT-32 in order to work.
Games
Image Gallery
- Roland MT-32.jpg
The Roland MT-32.
- Roland MT-32 Turned On.jpg
Powered on at the main menu.
- Roland MT-32 - Connectors.jpg
The rear jacks.
- Roland MT-32 - Internal.jpg
The internal circuit board.
See Also
Links
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_MT-32 - Wikipedia.
- sourceforge.net/projects/munt/ - Munt project homepage.
- github.com/munt - Munt GitHub repository.
- vogons.zetafleet.com/viewforum.php?f=29 - VOGONS MT-32 forum.