brk102@leah.albany.edu (Brian King) (04/07/91)
Well, here's the summary concerning the MT-32, LAPC-1, and midi for PCs in general. Even after all of your responses, I am still not quite sure about which music module I am going to get, but as it stands right now, I am definately leaning towards the LAPC-1. It basically suits my needs the best. I am now looking into sequencing software, in particular, Cakewalk 4.0a, Voyetra Sequencer Plus Gold 4.0, and Master Tracks Pro. I have very little information about them, so therefore I will not ask any questions concerning them yet. (I just called their respective companies last week asking them to send me information, so it will be a while.) However, do you know of any other sequencing software that I should look into? Here are some of the questions I asked, and the clips of the responses I received. Please note that I did not include excerpts from everyone's responses. It would have simply been too much redundancy. However, all of you were extremely helpful. Thank you very much. -Brian King (brk102@leah.albany.edu) /*------- Summary ---------*/ I asked: >> I am very interested in the MT-32, but I heard rumors that it has been >> discontinued. Is this true? If so, why? Some responses follow: >I don't know. But Roland is now making at least the CM-32L, CM-32P >and CM-64 sound modules. The CM-32L is basically the MT-32 with some >added effects. The CM-32P has PCM-coded sounds, and the CM-64 >incorporates the functions of 32L and 32P (so you get LA-synthesis and >PCM sounds). >Regarding your question about the MT-32, as far as i know, it has just >been discontinued, and replaced by the CM-32, which is basically an >MT-32 without the display panel, and some extra sound effects. As far >as i gather from talking to someone at roland, the difference in the >MT-32, and the CM-32 is that the CM-32 has better sound quality, plus >as i said extra sound effects that the MT does not have. >Yes the MT module has been discontinued and replaced with CM-32L. The >newer module provides better whistles for the same price. MIDI >capability, digital reverb, headphone, and stereo jacks are standard. >The new CM is compatible with the L/A PC-1. I asked: >>I'm also interested in the LAPC-1. What >>can the Roland MT-32 do that the LAPC-1 can not? Some responses to this were: >The LAPC-1 is a card which plugs into the ISA bus and which contains >both sound generating (L/A synthesis) capability and the equivalent of >an MPU-401 MIDI interface (without the external box which is necessary >to connect to the MIDI ports, and I think, the FSK synch ports). >Basically, it shares a good deal of architecture with the MT-32 and >the D-110. It is much quieter than the old MT32 and it has more PCM >samples, like the D-110. It seems that the D-110 pcm loops are >replaced by sound-effect loops like footsteps, thunder, etc. >Otherwise, from a functional and wiring standpoint it looks a lot like >a D-110. >What are the differences? The CM uses the same sound system (referred >to as L/A) as the PC card. The card lacks the MIDI connectors and >varies sync and metro- nome jacks. All sound libraries and editors >that are MT compatible, will work with either. The card was Roland's >answer to people who wanted an all-in-one module, but no immediate >need for MIDI processing. To use MIDI systems with the card, you must >purchase the MBC-1. This exteral connector box gives your exteral >keyboard or sequencer control of the L/A module. >The LAPC-1 is a sound generator and a MIDI interface. What >happens is that the LAPC-1 has 9 sound modules and 1 percussion module, >the sound modules have 128 sounds each - all preset (the exact same >technology that the standard Rolad sound modules so). The way that the >modules are controled are through the MPU-401 standard built in MIDI >interface, so basically you send MIDI information to the card. In >essence you are mimicing purchasing a MIDI interface and 10 sound >modules. BTW the unit can do a max of 32 sounds at once - from all the >modules - I don't know the max on each module, probably 32 as well. If >you want to use the LAPC-1 as a MIDI interface then you purchase a >connector box that tacks onto the back and give you the MIDI out, in. >and through. So you get a MIDI interface, and lots of sound modules on >one card. I wrote: >>What would you recommend? Responses were: >I'd recommend that you go for the LAPC-1 board, because it's cheaper >than separate MIDI board and CM-32L together. But you could also get a >MIDI board and the CM-64 sound module, if you're going to do serious >music stuff. >I would buy a D110, D10, or D5. The reason being is that the D series has >everything the MT and CM series has with cleaner sound. A D-5 can be had >for $549 from Sam Ash and you get something that the MT and CM boxes don't >have, a Keyboard. For all except the LAPC-1 you will need a midi card to >connect them to your computer. >In my mind the LAPC is a good investment, but to utilize its >potential, a keyboard is a must. Here are some other miscellaneous facts I received: >I heard a rumor that a new card from Roland is coming out soon, that >will compete directly with the Soundblaster (i.e. $200 range). Anyone know anything about this? Some also mentioned that Creative Labs is working on a new card that WOULD support the MPU-401 MIDI interface, plus some other additions. It doesn't really surprise me that they are doing this, considering all of the negitive comments I heard about the lack of this feature on the SoundBlaster. Any info? Thanks again!