Roland MT-32

[DarkLord]

Thanks, still looking into that...

[DarkLord]

I actually found a replacement P/S specifically for the MT-32 on Amazon
and have ordered it. Looks like it's gonna be a few weeks before it gets
here, despite Amazon Primes' "2 day shipping".

Hopefully this is the issue and the replacement will resolve it. I'll
report back here once it's arrived and in place.

[DarkLord]

BTW, still not been able to get the Ultima games to work with the MT-32.

I attempted to follow the suggested online guides, doing this:

1. While holding down MASTER VOLUME, press and hold PART 5.

2. Press PART 1.

Doing the first part results in this being shown:

Channel 1-8 ? [1]

Pressing PART 1 then returns it to the regular menu.

This is supposed to change the default receive channels from 2-9 and
10, to 1-8 and 10. Apparently the Ultima games use the lower end
channels.

But...still no MIDI sound from the Ultima games.

Thanks all.

[DarkLord]

Okay, got a replacement P/S in and the good news is, it fixed it.

The LCD screen is now clear with a muted background and bright
numbers and letters.

The MIDI message light doesn't stay on all the time.

The hum is gone as well.

I tried it with Space Quest 3 and it sounds absolutely great!

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

[DarkLord]

The bad news is...(you all were just waiting for that, right?)...

I still can't get Ultima III or IV to work with MIDI.

I changed the settings like was mentioned in a couple of places
and videos I found on Youtube but it doesn't seem to make a
difference.

Anyone actually have the Ultima's working with their Roland MT-32
setup?

Thanks.

[RealLarry]

The bad news is...(you all were just waiting for that, right?)...

I still can't get Ultima III or IV to work with MIDI.

I changed the settings like was mentioned in a couple of places
and videos I found on Youtube but it doesn't seem to make a
difference.

Anyone actually have the Ultima's working with their Roland MT-32
setup?

Thanks.

Just checked Ultima 3 and 4 with my Roland RA-50 (MT-32 compatible). While U4 is "just playing" sounds, I've to re-arrange the MIDI channels on my RA-50 for U3, according to https://atariage.com/forums/topic/25802 ... idi-magic/.
Maybe the link helps you too.

[DarkLord]

Okay, so with Ultima III...

I did read that message thread (in fact, I'm in it).

So with the MT-32 on, I do the following.

Press Master Volume.

While holding Master Volume in, I press Part 5.

I then let both buttons up and press Part 1.

This makes no difference here. I also tried
the above with holding Master Volume in
when I press part 1.

Thanks.

[Rarkhaan]

Hi DarkLord,

Sadly nothing special to be done, here is my setup :
ATARI STE Midi out ----> MT32 in
Launch either Ultima 3 or 4
Midi music begins to be played just after the "welcome" screen is fully displayed and during game session.
Just to mentioned that I've upgraded the rom of my MT32 a while ago then I do not need to configure it to listen to midi channel 1.

Cheers

[synthetic242]

You don't have to connect any MIDI or audio-cables to get MT32 lightening up correctly.
I think the power supply is not working correctly, maybe to high voltage...sometimes this could happen.
Also see manual here:
https://www.polynominal.com/roland-mt-3 ... manual.pdf

Try a factory reset first:
While holding MASTER VOLUME, press RHYTHM PART. Press PART 1

[DarkLord]

Hi DarkLord,

Just to mentioned that I've upgraded the rom of my MT32 a while ago then I do not need to configure it to listen to midi channel 1.

Cheers

How do you upgrade the ROM? Thanks.

[DarkLord]

You don't have to connect any MIDI or audio-cables to get MT32 lightening up correctly.
I think the power supply is not working correctly, maybe to high voltage...sometimes this could happen.
Also see manual here:
https://www.polynominal.com/roland-mt-3 ... manual.pdf

Try a factory reset first:
While holding MASTER VOLUME, press RHYTHM PART. Press PART 1

I'm pretty sure I solved my previous problems when I replaced the P/S.

I did do a factory reset. Just to make sure, before you press PART 1,
you let MASTER VOLUME and RHYTHM PART up, correct? You don't
keep holding them down. The MT-32 offers you a screen that says
factory reset.

Same with the channel change - it asks if you want to change, after
you press and hold MASTER VOLUME then, PART 5.

Thanks.

[Rarkhaan]

Upgraded to 1.07 firmware
https://kråketær.com/projects_isa486_en ... s_like.php

[DarkLord]

Okay, but before I attempt this (if I do), what are the advantages of the
new firmware?

Does this have anything at all to do with not being able to get Ultima III/VI
MIDI sound working here, etc,..?

Thanks, appreciated.

PS Is there a way to tell what firmware the MT-32 has?

[Rarkhaan]

Original ROMs should be marked with ROM version number on top of them
See pictures on provided web site (red mark)

Nothing displayed at boot then no way to find the info at power on

Regarding the benefit nothing directly related to Ultima or any other games
It was working back in time when these games were released with original firmware
With 1.07 you do not need to tell MT32 to listen to channel 1 anymore

[DarkLord]

It would appear that only Ultima III and IV have MIDI support.

It seems mine is working now. Apparently, it was just at such a low
level that I couldn't hear it. I turned the Master Volume on the MT-32
up to 100 and then when I turn my speakers volume up, I get that
glorious MIDI sound. Now to figure out how to load that upgraded
UIV MIDI soundtrack into the MT-32...

Also, another question. With the MT-32's output considerably lower
than what my Mega STe is putting out to my speakers, I'm left with
really super loud footsteps and low MIDI background music. Is there
any way to adjust the MT-32's volume aside from Master Volume?

Thanks.

[Rarkhaan]

Hi DarkLord

Happy to read that you are making some progress

Regarding the low volume just found the following discussion:
https://chipmusic.org/forums/topic/4415 ... zy-noises/

Not sure it fits your exact problem but worth investigating grounding issue not only for power plug or audio jack.
If possible also check solder points for audio jacks

Cheers

[DarkLord]

I'll take a look at that - thanks for the link.

Worst case scenario? I buy a 2nd set of speakers
just for the MT-32. One can't go wrong with
*more* speakers, right?

[Rarkhaan]

Worst case scenario? I buy a 2nd set of speakers
just for the MT-32. One can't go wrong with
*more* speakers, right?

In fact it depends, adding 2nd set of speakers including an amplifier will be a workaround.
If the issue (low output volume) is related to MT-32 getting old, sadly it can get worse with time.

Don't know what your objective is, in case you are willing to get your MT-32 back to life and fully operational proper electronic investigation have to be part of the picture.
If not and you are "only" willing to listen to somehow great midi soundtracks from vintage games you may also consider MT32pi as an alternative:
https://github.com/dwhinham/mt32-pi
(you can find sellers on Tindie and get one ready to go for "few" bucks)

[DarkLord]

Of course I'd like to get the MT-32 working 100 percent. I'm just not sure
about my own abilities to do so if it requires a lot of soldering or even
scoping signals.

When I say the MT-32's volume is low, I mean as in "lower" than what the
Mega STe is putting out. I have one set of speakers with multiple inputs.

So the Mega STe's stereo RCA output goes into them as well as the 1/4"
sockets from the MT-32.

There's only one volume control on the speakers though and it controls
*everything* that's fed into it.

So if the Mega STe's output is at a...let's say "8", for the sake of argument
and the MT-32's is a "4", you can see what happens when you turn the
volume up.

This is not to say that I can't crank the sound up from the MT-32 and
shake the walls of my man-cave. I can. It's just that no matter where
I put the volume setting at, the Mega STe is always considerably louder
from the get-go.

Another solution is that when I'm using MIDI games (or anything MIDI
for that matter) I can unplug the Mega STE's RCA output from the
external speakers and just listen to the Mega STe's sound through
the SC1224 monitor.

That works too.

Thanks.

PS Hmm. Just noticed something from my speaker manual. It says
the 1/4" socket's are "balanced" but it doesn't say that about the
RCA jacks. Does that make a difference?

[Rarkhaan]

For me 'balanced" is more related to right/left channels than volume itself, but maybe my understanding is wrong.

Depending on you electronic skills adding a small amplifier like the following can do the job:
https://www.amazon.de/LM386-Amplifier-M ... 31&sr=8-18
(you will need one for each audio channel)

This one is commonly used to fix audio issues with vintage Vectrex console.

[DarkLord]

That's the way I always interpreted balanced too.

I'll look at that, and if one of my other proposed
solutions doesn't meet my needs I may attempt
it.

Just letting you know though, that when I pick up a "hot
iron", men, women, and children run screaming into the
night.

[Rarkhaan]

« Smells like tin spirit »

[DarkLord]

« Smells like tin spirit »

Hahaha, that's good!

[atarian90]

Darklord, if you want to use one set of speakers with two different sound sources, just get a small cheap audio mixer. Then you can adjust the volumes of each sound source to match what you want to hear through your main out speakers.

Here's a good one from Rolls:
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-aud ... 3000000000

$75 is a good price for something like this.

[DarkLord]

Awesome, will definitely look into that - thanks much!