Discrete_BOB_058 wrote on 2021-06-23, 17:36:

Thanks for the explanation, folks! I have a better understanding now. I will be playing early 90s games, do I need an MPU-401 for that? My card for choice is SB Pro 2.0.

MPU-401 is only needed for external midi device like a Roland. If your not getting one of those (they aren't cheap) then you have no need for a MPU-401
If/when you do get a external device then dionb's reply comes into play

dionb wrote on 2021-06-23, 23:56:

How early is "early"? […]
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Discrete_BOB_058 wrote on 2021-06-23, 17:36:

Thanks for the explanation, folks! I have a better understanding now. I will be playing early 90s games, do I need an MPU-401 for that? My card for choice is SB Pro 2.0.

How early is "early"?

In early 1990s the question is: does your MIDI controller need to support intelligent mode, or is UART (serial) mode sufficient? And what MIDI devices do you intend to use?

SBPro2 doesn't have either, so you need something additional in any case. Early MIDI games support MT-32 (pre-General MIDI) and frequently need intelligent mode. If you don't have that but do have MPU-401 UART MIDI, or indeed the Creative proprietary Sound Blaster MIDI on the Pro 2., you can use SoftMPU to emulate intelligent mode in software.

As for the device, later General MIDI devices can partially emulate the MT-32, but don't do a great job of it. If you don't have a (rare expensive) MT-32, a Raspberry Pi running MUNT emulation of the MT-32 would be a better choice.

Truly original hardware would involve the SBPro 2.0 (sought-after and pricey), an MT-32 (downright expensive) and an MPU-401 or MusicQuest clone (all scarce and pricey to downright expensive, unless you happen to find a musician dumping old hardware for low prices)

But this is only needed for really early games that support MT-32 and need intelligent mode. Fast-forward to 1993 and life gets much simpler, with General MIDI and no need for intelligent mode.

I am planning to use Sound Blaster 16 and SoftMPU for the small no of "intelligent mode" required games. Should 16MB RAM and 486 DX suffice SoftMPU?

Discrete_BOB_058 wrote on 2021-06-25, 17:36:

I am planning to use Sound Blaster 16 and SoftMPU for the small no of "intelligent mode" required games.

Note that SoftMPU is primarily used for MT-32 devices. If you only plan to use a SC-55 or a wavetable daughterboard, you likely won't need it.

Also, SB16 cards have a number of bugs with regards to their MPU-401 functionality, so they are not the best choice if you want to use an external MIDI device.

chinny22 wrote on 2021-06-24, 10:00:

MPU-401 is only needed for external midi device like a Roland. If your not getting one of those (they aren't cheap) then you have no need for a MPU-401

Are people still using smartphones as an alternative, or was that just a flash in the pan?

Jorpho wrote on 2021-06-25, 18:28:

chinny22 wrote on 2021-06-24, 10:00:

MPU-401 is only needed for external midi device like a Roland. If your not getting one of those (they aren't cheap) then you have no need for a MPU-401

Are people still using smartphones as an alternative, or was that just a flash in the pan?

Didn't know that was a thing?
Not that I would, I like to keep things real. Only have a SC-55 myself and even that's put away at the moment. I need a bigger house!

chinny22 wrote on 2021-06-28, 08:54:

Jorpho wrote on 2021-06-25, 18:28:

chinny22 wrote on 2021-06-24, 10:00:

MPU-401 is only needed for external midi device like a Roland. If your not getting one of those (they aren't cheap) then you have no need for a MPU-401

Are people still using smartphones as an alternative, or was that just a flash in the pan?

Didn't know that was a thing?
Not that I would, I like to keep things real. Only have a SC-55 myself and even that's put away at the moment. I need a bigger house!

Never heard of using phone as MPU-401. I assumed he meant MPU-401 synthesizers's playback on any phone soundfonts loader.

This is what I was thinking of:
Ultimate MIDI Emulator Project