Munt Emulator vs real Roland MT-32 The Secret of Monkey Island

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[@Kenji314159]

Bloody hell, that is one good emulator. I can't make out any differences!

[@philscomputerlab]

It's pretty sweet :)

[@tylerhottes6760]

PhilsComputerLab how did you get the monkey island game on the pc I'm useing dosbox but did you download it or you had a floppy disk of it? and I have munt. On there. So I can play the sounds.

[@KarjamP]

Mastering is subtly different, as well as the way it handles the volume levels of instrumentation.

[@nikgolinar4378]

Kenji314159 i can actually

[@jara1462]

pretty well but much better on original

[@ZanQuance]

The only real difference I can hear is at 5:35 where the Emulation has more stereo separation then the real unit. Other than that hurray for Munt! Makes me want to go play the old MT-32 supported games again with Munt.

[@e8root]

It doesn't sound like a disadvantage for Munt though...

[@MrRanosama]

@@e8root The Amiga soul in me definitely likes that a bit more than is reasonable.

[@MaxiZamac]

Love the Roland MT-32 sound!

[@MrSammy2043]

This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so much for this video. Now I'm off to build my raspberry pi midi appliance.

[@MichaelPohoreski]

The 1 dislike is from a person who doesn't understand _why_ we're comparing real vs emulator -- for accuracy and authenticity.

[@ChrisNova777]

but do u really care? if someone dislikes? who cares?

[@MichaelPohoreski]

i was poking fun of their stupidity :)

[@lt7114]

WHY DON'T YOU!?!?!?

[@cdoublejj]

or on a phone and the finger oils on the touch screen gave them troubles

[@yeffexe2081]

Nice, I have an MT32 also that I bought off a guy on Craigslist for $30, but I'm going to check out the Munt as I don't always feel like wiring it up. Great video!

[@bradsmith8977]

They both sounded great I could not tell witch one was witch thanks for everything everything you do.

[@paulanderson79]

*which :-)

[@morelenmir]

It is so hard to find a real MT-32 these days, at least for a sane price. Luckily going from this we don't actually _need_ to find one! Excellent!

[@nullsmack]

Wow.... that sounds really spot on. I saw a guy on Reddit who had Munt running on a Raspberry Pi and was using it with his MiSTer fpga with AO486 core, I might have to look into that for these games.

[@leighbyford635]

As a child i would always see the roland MT-32 option on the back of boxes and wonder what it sounded like. the answer = fucking awesome :)

[@Korn1holio]

me too. Except finding out what "MT-32" was, was virtually impossible in post-perestroika USSR (much less actually buying one).

[@michaelc4961]

Hey Phil, thanks for the video. It's great to see that I'm not really missing out by having a real MT-32 since they're impossible to find nowadays What kind of software do you use for recording? I tried using OBS to record DOSBOX -- but it only recorded the digital sounds and completely left out the midi soundtrack played from my SC-55. My 'soundcard' is a UR22 Steinberg Audio Interface. As the MIDI and sound mixes through the AI and plays just fine out of my monitors I suspect the issue is software. Thanks in advance for your recommendation!

[@joyman2000]

thanks for this video, there is no difference at all , awesome!!!!!

[@philscomputerlab]

+Santiago Gagliano It's cool, right? :D

[@898doffo]

Munt is great. Great alternative for the rest who may not have the real hardware on hand. King's Quest IV really shines even on Munt.

[@werpu12]

You can get an almost "real" hardware by putting it on a raspberry pi with the MT32-pi project.

[@badrolix]

Отличный подход, великолепное решение. Фил, вы дали мне ответ, который я искал, на вопрос. Ваше видео самое точное из того, что я хотел услышать. Спасибо большое за эту работу.

[@vm8430]

Sounds great!

[@michaelmonson7172]

I have been using MUNT on and off for a few years now, and I love the quality of the emulation. I agree that it is hard to hear any difference between the two. @Phil: I'd be curious to know the differences you hear when you are playing it live, before it is added as compressed audio to a KZbin video file. It's probably easier to hear the reverberation and nuances there, in person. :-) At least from what I have observed, I also notice a very slight pitch increase through MUNT, and agree that the stereo affect of MUNT is more pronounced than the actual Roland MT-32, likely, because a lot of professional audio equipment (especially analogue) has carry-over between the left and right signals. Also, I believe I heard a slight hiss with the Roland MT-32 (expected), whereas the MUNT emulation seemed more crisp. That is probably because MUNT is producing pure digital sound, and the Roland module uses physical audio wires. I had no idea the emulation was that spot on! I expected some differences in the sounds, but since the ROM chips include all the attack sampled partials that the MT-32 uses to construct the instruments that are heard and programmed by the software communicating with the unit. As long as the emulator can construct the sample partials in the same manner, and apply the same affects (such as reverb), it makes sense that the MUNT emulator team could eventually achieve a nearly flawless reproduction. :-) I'm still amazed. At first I didn't believe your setup was possible, and that you were possibly fabricating this whole experiment, using just MUNT to reproduce the sound in both channels, even though you were purportedly switching back and forth between audio channels in the video. Then I realized how clever your solution was. Using the "MIDI through" channel, MUNT was responding in the same way as if the program was calling directly. Because it was on the laptop, it was acting kind of like a MIDI server of sorts. ;-) And you could then realistically run both a real MT-32 and MUNT emulation simultaneous... the source signals were feeding commands into BOTH the real MT-32 and the emulated one. That also explains the very slight delay of just a few milliseconds between the MT-32 and the response of MUNT. Very cool though... great work!

[@thereisacow1337]

now all we need is an sc55 emulator

[@WhoIsLudwig]

I feel like Munt almost sounds a liiittle bit better at times, but maybe it's just me ... I'm listening through a good pair of studio headphones, so it's a great exercise, I think ! The only thing that annoys me is the slight delay there seem to be in Munt, but maybe it's setup related ?

[@sergioalvarez8171]

Really nice man!

[@FlameRat_YehLon]

They sounds identical, but the emulator sounds a bit lagging behind comparing to the real one. Not a big issue for gaming though, but for music production, you know which to choose.

[@chrisfratz]

野龍 might just be because the Mt 32 is receiving the midi sequence first and then the emulator gets it a split second later because it's going through the midi through port on the Mt 32

[@zosxavius]

yeah latency is unavoidable because the sound has to go through the DAC to be processed after the emulator generates it.

[@MrMonkeyCrumpets]

Damn that's a pretty good emulation. Slightly better top end transients and stereo separation on the real thing but its REALLY subtle. I can't imagine many people would be anal enough to be that picky when it comes to DOS game audio, nor running a speaker setup capable of showing the differences.

[@kjakobsen]

Since they don't make anything close to this device anymore, this I very great news.

[@evanparker]

i'm really impressed how much this sounds like the original! it's quite nearly identical.

[@philscomputerlab]

I know, they've done terrific work.

[@illegalquantity]

Unbelievable how close they are.

[@thegeforce6625]

There is a difference, it's very hard to pick up on though. That's some good emulation.

[@Scripture-Man]

Thank you for the excellent comparison. I hear no difference whatsoever!

[@philscomputerlab]

+Lee Bee Glad you found it useful :) Munt has indeed come a long way.

[@Scripture-Man]

:) I really like emulated game music and I use Bridge M1 a lot for Arcade games, as well as various other music emulators. Emulated music is basically the only music I listen to these days! I was looking into Munt today because I really love the original Monkey Island music and I think the Roland MT-32 is the best version I have heard, even better than any of the various re-mixes. I was hoping to be able to emulate the music myself through Munt. Might you, or anyone, be able to tell me where I can get hold of the music files for Monkey Island 1? To be honest I don't even know what kind of files it requires.

[@philscomputerlab]

Lee Bee You would need to find MIDI files. But for MT-32 and not re-arranged for General MIDI.

[@Scripture-Man]

+PhilsComputerLab OK thanks. I'll try to find them. :)

[@omegavv]

I noticed something. MUNT audio has a higher pitch than real MT-32, but I like it.

[@jordanscherr6699]

I can't hear any difference besides what the fellow mentions at 5:35, and as far as I'm concerned it's better for the separation. Looks like I'm getting a Munt unit then! (It's smaller, and that's important for my setup.)

[@Xonatron]

Could you do Space Quest III or King's Quest IV? (Great job!!)

[@philscomputerlab]

I'd love to, but I won't do anything until there is another version of Munt released with some actual changes :)

[@bud389]

The only difference I can tell is that the MUNT Emulator seems to sound slightly more bassy.

[@kamencesc]

I on't know why "my" munt didn't sounds as the MT32, I tested on Windows (7 & 10) and on linux (Raspbian) but I get weird sounds. For example when the title of The Secret of Monkey Island appears... could be the soundcard? I'm using a cheapest sound card with the CMI8738 (in a thin client). IDK about it's limitations, for example I can't play MIDI music and FX at the same time on Doom... Maybe I need to try with a Creative sound card... Thanks!

[@Sol_Solis_]

I have this problem too. I use Linux, and some games sounds so wierd with Munt, that even the Adlib music sounds better. And I have a Sound Blaster Audigy 4 card...

[@djangofett4879]

You, sir... ARE A GOD!!! Just kidding, but this was a great comparison video 👍

[@TheCrazyStudent]

Soundwise, it seems like the Munt is doing a perfect job emulating the MT-32. However the Munt obviously has a lot more latency. The music on the Munt is lagging behind compared to the MT-32, which can be noticed every time he switches between the two audio sources.

[@texmanro]

Genius!

[@SomeOrangeCat]

Munt + Dosbox. It doesn't get much better than that.

[@mOnocularJohn]

Where do you get decent ROMs?

[@Mokgor]

I'm playing this via ScummVM and I have Munt installed, but I can't get it sound like this. The Roland MT-32 emulation used by ScummVM just sounds so off and flat (especially the flute), it's nowhere close to this :I

[@SunCrushr]

The version of Munt code they use in ScummVM is a bit old. Just install the latest Munt and configure ScummVM to output to that instead of the built in MT-32 emulation.

[@chattyinc]

The only difference is that the emulator sounds is slightly delayed from the real mt-32

[@alpharisc]

Wow I can't tell the difference at all :O

[@cromulence]

Wow, that is excellent emulation! Unless my hearing is deceiving me however, MUNT is a few cents higher in pitch. Anyone else hearing the same?

[@paradoxmo]

Yes, I hear this too.

[@nashismox3]

Finally a good comparison! I saw a comparison where the guys uses a pathetic recording from Dosbox (munt) and then plays a really good recording of a real MT32 of the same game! That's cheating! Here both midi players are at the same level, incredible work really!! Tell me, by now do you really think Munt has gotten better? Or was like this from the beginning (forgive my ignorance). Cheers!

[@philscomputerlab]

+nashismox3 Munt has developed tremendously since the first version! But now it really has reached a very high standard. The differences are extremely subtle.

[@nashismox3]

I was trying it today with a x68000 emulator, playing Castlevania. The sound is just beautiful. In fact I always dreamed of having roland sound as a little kid my big brother (only 1 year older) used to tell me how awesome the roland sound was supposed to be. To this day I don't know how he knew that back in 1990. I was 9 and he was 10, and we live here in Chile and Internet got here in 97, so... I still dont know how he knew. Is like the fatalities in the first Mortal Kombat, we got them as kids and we never knew how!! (on the arcades) Those were the days, everything was more magical and mysterious. Cheers!

[@philscomputerlab]

Magical indeed! I can relate to this somehow. I only read about the MT-32 in computer magazines. A few of the reporters had one and raved about it, but I never heard it. There was no Internet back in the day to access information, often the little booklets that came with games, especially from Sierra, were the only source of information...

[@nashismox3]

PhilsComputerLab Yes, actually I guess that is one of the reasons I learned english too, playing the Larry games hehehe. Trying to have sex with a girl on a videogame when you are 9 helps learn faster :) Even if the sound would come from the internal speaker! That is also unique till this day though, I remember the music from Prince of Persia through the internal speakers, the first time I played a PC game, it was beautiful :) And it was a privilege to play it. PC's were so expensive, a couple of thousands at least. Cheers and have a good day.

[@CaptainKeelhaul]

Do you need authentic MT-32 ROMs for Munt to sound like that?

[@Enverex]

Yes.

[@3dmaster205]

I do notice a difference, but it's incredibly tiny. The emulator seems to produce just a tiny hint lower tone, but you only notice it if you can switch to the real thing back and forth. If you just finished listening to the real thing, go over to the next house and listen to the emulator, you would not know the difference. That's damn impressive.

[@philscomputerlab]

Yes they did a brilliant job that's for sure :)

[@LFOSyncToo]

The emulator is doing its job very well I must say

[@philscomputerlab]

Yes. This game used the default MT-32 instruments only. No custom sounds.

[@LFOSyncToo]

ah that's why. It's when the games are using customs sounds that the differences must be more pronounced I suppose...

[@philscomputerlab]

Spot on! It's also the reason why nothing is truly MT-32 compatible. Cards in the past claimed to be MT-32 compatible but this was just for the default Instruments. Very few games use only the default instruments.

[@martinmole6159]

Hello, is it possible to control MUNT with a USB-Controlle-Keyboard?

[@philscomputerlab]

+Martin Mole They keyboard needs to support MIDI.

[@martinmole6159]

philscomputerlab Thanks for reply. My keyboard has a midiout.

[@philscomputerlab]

t should work. MIDI out of the keyboard into MIDI in of a USB MIDI adapter. However I don't think you can change instruments and configure Munt as you can a real MT-32.

[@tylerhottes6760]

Martin Mole I use fl studio to do that 11 or 12 they support midi keyboards Evian typing ones. Even if you're useing munt you have to put your midi out to the port that you put the emulator onto and set the channel 2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9- drums 10 when you do it. Man the standard keyboard sounds like a different type but sometime if you are useing a 32type computer and has low volume you need headphones to hear the audio

[@tylerhottes6760]

PhilsComputerLab 8bit keys showed it off there and you need to be on a different selection if your useing old keyboards usealy the yahama keys can switch midi channels

[@oliverhilton6086]

I wonder how a crappy atom based PC like really old notebooks would handle this emulator, it would be pretty sweet to get one with a broken screen or something and turn it into a dedicated munt machine

[@philscomputerlab]

There will be a video soon, using a Thin Client :)

[@tylerhottes6760]

I played this before and it works with scum vm useing munt 1.1.1

[@cdoublejj]

i feel that i'm hard pressed to hear a difference

[@xorben1981]

Is there any reason to buy a real mt32?

[@xorben1981]

@Love made in Japan did you made a shart?

[@Roflcopter4b]

Is it just me or is the difference barely noticeable?

[@philscomputerlab]

No it's really that close!

[@EllRiver]

To me its night and day... MUNT sounds... off.

[@KarjamP]

I can tell the difference. As I've said within another comment, "Mastering is subtly different, as well as the way it handles the volume levels of instrumentation."

[@kosmosyche]

@@KarjamP There is actually more difference between the different versions of real MT-32 (and its derivatives) than between Munt and the hardware it emulates. In other words, while you think you can hear the difference, a proper blind test will likely show otherwise.

[@BenKirb]

MT-futeh teux?!?

[@Kage5868]

Real Roland have slightly audio filtering

[@mirabilis]

That's quite a big difference! But the emulation is not bad, just different.

[@camartinez6]

munt emulator lacks crisp bright sounds

[@aqueuwoo2565]

I did not hear the difference

[@philscomputerlab]

+aqueu woo Impressive isn't it?

[@Kelesis666]

The real MT32 sounds more punchy and sharp, but still the munt is very impressive!

[@JAFOpty]

10 seconds after you start playing this game, you will not notice the difference (which is minimal)

[@philscomputerlab]

Pretty much :)

[@JAFOpty]

on the other hand, I would love to own the real thing, of course. Or a SC55... I wonder how different is a real SB Pro and the emulation....

[@philscomputerlab]

Yea, nothing beats the real thing :) Not sure what you mean with Sound Blaster Pro? If you mean how accurate OPL3 is, there are additional patches that improve DOSBox greatly.

[@JAFOpty]

Correct, emulating the OPL3 chip as close as possible, I will look into those patches. Thanks!

[@josephfrye7342]

yep thats a simple comparison looks like the real deal one has done right but alas the emulator version lags too much.

[@josephfrye7342]

i do not think emulators was designed or program with insane of stereo or surround sound (the separation or theater environment experience). why well because one you tried it in high quality or resolution it lags too much and audio harshly stutters.

[@camartinez6]

the munt sounds like a 128k mp3 version

[@EllRiver]

The emulation is good but it's just to dull, the pitch is too off and it just feels off. It's a good imitation but getting the real thing still feels worth it.

[@jara1462]

still better on original, more 3D