Connecting up the Roland MT-32 and SC-55

Ahh the classic pairing of sound modules for DOS gaming: The Roland MT-32 and SC-55.
This is an in-depth guide to different audio and MIDI connection options for them, ranging from the "so simple I'm almost embarrassed" to "overkill for most people"!
Whether you're just getting started or are looking to expand, with plenty of hardware ideas and all the pros and cons, there's something here for everyone.

[@DhinCardoso]

Wow! Finally KZbin recommended a video really useful for me ♥

[@MOS6582]

This is great. Very authoritative and provides the terminology and context to open up the world of audio devices. All that stuff is pretty impenetrable unless you’ve got the right keywords to look for. Solid video Stu, looking forward to the next one.

[@ReplayPCs]

Thanks - I think you'll like it 👍😊

[@djmidnightwolf]

Nice info. Just got a SC-155 which ended up being cheapest option that guaranteed it works. I was going to buy the cables like you showed but Serdashop(makers of the Dreamblaster wavetable cards) have a gamport2midi dongle that just lets you plug in to the gameport and just plug in midi cables to the other end.

[@ReplayPCs]

Thanks. Yep those dongles are pretty good because they have two MIDI outs (both carrying the same signal as obviously the soundcard only has one out). If you're only running two modules then that negates the need for a MIDI thru box, or the daisy chaining option requiring both modules to be turned on. A little bit more expensive than the normal MIDI adapter cable though once you add in shipping.

[@icesolo8557]

Great info - thanks for your help!

[@mjmonjure]

One other option for MIDI is an MPU-401 (external box), perfect for this precise application. It connects to a PC using a DB 25 cable with a Roland MPU-IPC card. The box itself has two midi outputs, so one for the MT-32 and the other for the SC-55 mk2. I tested it with the one that I wasn't using powered off and it worked as expected. Since many and maybe most games let you choose the midi device, it might be possible for the both to be powered on without any interference from the other, but I did not test this. Unfortunately MPU-401's price and availability is a show stopper for this solution. From an audio perspective, the hardware mixer will definitely be my choice. I will probably go with the new Mackie 5 channels mixer which can be had for around $60--$80 and will do the trick for the 3 stereo inputs.

[@mogouk]

Very Informative, Subbed!

[@nicolasvaillant2583]

Note that Edirol got the same mixer than Rolands MX-5 in black for the full black midi setup.

[@prockrog5219]

Just discovered your channel. Great informative videos, so keep on keeping on! Best regards from Arctic Norway!

[@MrAlan1828]

very informative indeed. I run my games on my NEC PC98 computers via RS232S "com port" pigtail midi in+out and the games are 90% supported. I have to manually remove the midi cables depending on the games I run. I have a few modules; MT-32, MT-120S, Cm-300, Suzuki SMT-1 / ROland MT90s Floppy drive midi player

[@thierrydelage1681]

I got an MT-32 connected to a SC-55 MK II using the audio line inputs but i don't need to switch on the SC-55 to get the sound looped through the line out connected to my computer. My SC-55 can stay in standby mode and still provide audio loop as well as midi bypass connectivity (the midi in signal coming from my computer is available on both midi out and midi through when the SC-55 is in standby). I don't know if it's a normal behaviour or if it's just a characteristic specific to the MK II but i must admit it simplifies a lot the daisy chaining procedure as far as there is no risk that way to get both SC-55 an MT-32 to play at the same time. When i play a game requesting MT-32, i just switch off the SC-55 and when i need to play a game using general midi i switch on the SC-55 and switch off the MT-32 😁

[@ReplayPCs]

Thanks, that's good to know! I've never actually tried it with my SC-55MkII, only the SC-155 for this video. That would certainly make things a bit easier. 🙂

[@zuldanfpv4634]

G’day! Just happened to come across this video when looking for how to hook up a SC-55MKII I just purchased. Unfortunately I purchased the exact eBay midi China cable you showed. I had a look on AusPcMarket and can’t find the one you got. Any chance you have the original link to the product or a make/model I could search? On another note, you have a fantastic channel. You should have over 100K subs like Phil. I’m blown away you only have under 100. I lived in Perth for 10 years. Living in Brissie now. I love restore PC’s too :-)

[@ReplayPCs]

Hi, and thanks for your kind words - I really appreciate that. Unfortunately AusPCMarket don't sell them anymore and I've been unable to find them anywhere else (I should have bought up a heap when I had the chance). Your best option now seems to be either the DB15MIDI from Serdashop, or making your own (those metal backshells look like they should have room inside, so you could probably modify the one you bought).

[@ReplayPCs]

Update... see cablesonline.com.au - I did an online chat just now and they claim to have plenty in stock, and that they'll be a regular item. See how you go if you place an order with them. Hopefully they're the real deal and not just a straight through cable.

[@zuldanfpv4634]

Thanks for the reply! I ordered a couple of midi cables from cablesonline. They look identical to yours (they are even labelled IN/OUT). All work perfectly! Very happy.@@ReplayPCs

[@Dark_Jaguar]

That MIDI cable interests me but I didn't quite catch where you said you got it. (OS PC? US PC?) Would you be able to provide a link?

[@ReplayPCs]

It was AusPCMarket - but I've just checked their site and unfortunately can't see a listing for those cables anymore.

[@Dark_Jaguar]

@@ReplayPCs Thank you! A shame they're out but I appreciate the surprisingly quick answer! I'll likely scrounge something up on eBay and hopefully ones that look like what you showed are engineered to the same standard.

[@ReplayPCs]

@@Dark_Jaguar Looks like prices are up and availability down. Could be worth making your own if you're handy with a soldering iron. There are schematics online... if you only care about MIDI out functionality you just need a 74LS00 and a 220 ohm resistor.

[@elamriti]

where can i find one ebay prices are crazy

[@ReplayPCs]

What, an MT-32? Patience and diligence usually pay off but you need to be willing to wait, sometimes years. Marketplace, sites like Gumtree and Craigslist, keep an eye on secondhand dealers, etc. There's also zenmarket (be aware of voltage differences), but the gap with eBay pricing has narrowed a lot. If you meant a MIDI cable though (referring to the other comment) the cheapest option is DIY.

[@DhinCardoso]

I went straight to MT32pi and a 3D printed shell mimic the original one - no regrets