[comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc] MT-32 and LAPC-1 -- summary

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!