Secret of Monkey Island opening music - Adlib vs Roland MT-32

MT-32 version starts at 1:37
The title music from Secret of Monkey Island played using both Adlib and the Roland MT-32 sound module.

[@hickstar2k]

doesn't matter what version is better this song is just epic anyway love it

[@cryohellinc]

Roland is simply amazing

[@davidtaylor9999]

Loving it in 2019! Wooo!

[@speedyblupi]

Actually the MT-32 might sound more like real instruments, but it's the wrong instruments! It's MEANT to sound dingy like steel drums or tubular bells or something, rather than sound whistley.

[@pc-sound-legacy]

Thank you for this nicr comparison! Both versions sounding great, btw.

[@The77Game]

i friggin love this game and the music

[@pathduck]

MT32 is definitely better to my ears, but the adlib sounds more like the old Amiga version. Best VG music ever!

[@barmazu]

Awsome theme!

[@raxikus1]

great Version :)

[@HipHopNobby]

Yeah! greets from East Germany Beach!

[@panathatube]

Only the Roland MT32 version can compete with the Amiga... I still cant' decide which is the better version...

[@Szederp]

I'm here to help you. The MT-32 is the better version :)

[@panathatube]

Alonso de Hojeda Well MT-32 was a professional midi synthesizer and certainly has "fuller" sound i assume due to its multitude of sounds channels. However, i urge you to listen to the Amiga version carefully. The Amiga sound channels sound how shall i put it? More "elaborate"? Due to it's sampling capabilities? i don't know...

[@diamondburned5229]

The Amiga has a stereo dual channel sampling system. Which basically means you can record samples and play them.

[@bimbumbam6305]

amiga is better

[@MightyBowser]

aah me luv that music :D

[@toutagamon]

@mrteemumilto Only 24 hours? You are lucky! It's been raving in mine since it first came out, lol! Actually it's my alarm clock theme! :D

[@robertcarlson8867]

I think you had the emulation speed too low for the Adlib take. Maybe it was because I always played SMI on a pentium machine (!), but I swear it's supposed to go faster than that.

[@jordanrodrigues1279]

I agree. They should be the same tempo and the AdLib is quite a bit slower.

[@Jon4270]

On the other hand, I did feel the energy on the Adlib version of Monkey Island 2's intro, so take it how you may.

[@guepardiez]

I'm confused. Are both versions included in the original game? Or do both versions use the same music files but play different on different sound cards? And, if so, how does it sound with modern sound cards? Can they emulate both versions?

[@owenwexler7214]

Same music file, just different hardware to synthesize said music file and translate it into music your ears could hear. Only very rich people owned Roland MT-32s back in the day so the Adlib way was the way most of us grew up hearing this music.

[@guepardiez]

@@owenwexler7214 Interesting, thanks.

[@amytant]

I think all versions win.

[@hyznth]

Everybody wins with this game existing so - yeah your're on point!

[@amytant]

@@hyznth I've since come around to preferring the MT32 soundtrack, but Adlib's still classic as well. :)

[@GrahamBessellieu]

Agreed, both are beautiful!

[@Flackon]

No, but I'm comparing it to the redbook audio version. I will take that as the "intended" sound Michael Land wanted.

[@Da6Omen]

@toutagamon Alarm clock? That's one great idea. Might just steal it... :D

[@KingLich451]

roland is simply beautiful, no chance

[@stonent]

I remember when I had my Gravis Ultrasound, I could select MT-32 and it would work.

[@toutagamon]

@6MDMaster6 Go right ahead mate! :D

[@offensivejerk]

can someone send me the file for this song (roland version)

[@vanishy0urself]

MT-32 is better! Adlib has its place with other songs, but this isn't one of them. Death Gate's songs sound good in Adlib.

[@speedyblupi]

that "AdLib" sounds more like a sound blaster than a real AdLib.

[@ultimateman1234]

Ah...this is the version I was looking for. Original is best. :D

[@BlobcraftLP]

AdLib vs Roland MT-32 vs ESI Maya44 XD (If you dont know it, google it)

[@Flackon]

Man, the adlib murders the theme.

[@noopdles]

For all LucasArts adventures, Adlib is the way to go. All the others are heresy.

[@onkelmonokkel]

Most things sounded better with the MT-32. That's why it was so fricking expensive too. ;)

[@Jon4270]

This is one of the few songs I actually liked the PC speaker version better than the Adlib, and I usually like Adlib. I don't know why, just couldn't catch the rhythm or energy on the Adlib version. The credits just felt long and boring. I first appreciated this song when hearing instrumental covers of it.

[@Flackon]

You are mistaken, I believe.

[@jordanscherr6699]

Here's the thing, Adlib and Roland are basically the same thing. "Synthesized" "Instrumental" "Sounds." The result can only depend on the individual song itself and what one does with those instruments. So in that case Roland MT-32 fits monkey islands more mysterious Caribbean feel. Where it doesn't work as well is something like space quest 2, where Adlib instruments are a better fit. It goes on like that in numerous cases.

[@Enchurito]

Adlib sounds like crap compared to the Mt-32 and the CD version is even better

[@FreidenkerDeluxe]

Spoiler: Adlib wins.

[@toutagamon]

Great video laffer! For all true MI fans, I'd like to share this video with many different sound outputs watch?v=_NJuEzHuKuQ

[@Flackon]

Fair enough. Doesn't change the fact that in this particular case, the adlib sounds bland and boring and doesn't do the original theme justice.