midiori - MIDI card for the X68000

[Max]

Installed my card today (needed some force, and used the supplied cover to push the card in). Tried it only with Ghouls & Ghosts and Munt (MT 32 / CM 32 emulator) on my PC, but yes it works and it's really awesome!!!

Next step is try the SC55 emulator

great job Spud!!!! I have been waitng for mine and I'd like to do the same on my laptop and use it as a synthetizer!!! if you have any suggestion and/or links for the emulation of the above mentioned synth, please let me know through pm

Ps: which midi to usb adapter did you use? any good link on amazon?

[spud]

So far I have only tested MT/CM 32 emulation. It all worked pretty much out of the box really.

MIDI interface I use: TIE MIDI 1i1o USB MIDI-interface
But your best bet is always go for the Roland USB-MIDI interface (at least that's what I'm told ), especially if you wanna do more with MIDI and music creation.

CM/MT 32 emulation: MUNT: free at https://sourceforge.net/projects/munt/ You do need to source your own ROM files for it though.

SC-55 emulation: https://www.roland.com/nl/products/sound_canvas_va/ Paid software (free trial i believe), still have to try this one

[Max]

So far I have only tested MT/CM 32 emulation. It all worked pretty much out of the box really.

MIDI interface I use: TIE MIDI 1i1o USB MIDI-interface
But your best bet is always go for the Roland USB-MIDI interface (at least that's what I'm told ), especially if you wanna do more with MIDI and music creation.

CM/MT 32 emulation: MUNT: free at https://sourceforge.net/projects/munt/ You do need to source your own ROM files for it though.

SC-55 emulation: https://www.roland.com/nl/products/sound_canvas_va/ Paid software (free trial i believe), still have to try this one

Thank you Spud for your prompt reply,...what do you mean with "source your own ROM files"? I simply want to plug the midiori board from my X68K  to my pc and the load a software, both ones you mentioned I think would work.....So to play o my real Hardware Sharp Pro II and then enjoy the midi sound for each enhanced game!!

P.S: for the midi to usb adapter  I have thought about this cheap but very good one: https://www.amazon.com/Converter-Interface-Indicator-Processing-Electric/dp/B07FP5M9BF/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_3_sspa?keywords=Asmuse%E2%84%A2+MIDI+To+USB&qid=1553518076&s=gateway&sr=8-3-fkmrnull-spons&psc=1

[spud]

With source your ROMs I mean:
The MUNT software does not come with the Roland MT/CM 32 firmware, but is needed for the emulator to work. This firmware is still copyright material of Roland. So formally you'll need to grab it from a real MT/CM 32 you own. If you don't have such a device, you'll have to be "creative"

[Max]

With source your ROMs I mean:
The MUNT software does not come with the Roland MT/CM 32 firmware, but is needed for the emulator to work. This firmware is still copyright material of Roland. So formally you'll need to grab it from a real MT/CM 32 you own. If you don't have such a device, you'll have to be "creative"

....wise words!!!

[spud]

Update, also tried Roland Sound Canvas VA SC-55 emulation software (with Geograph Seal). This worked fine as well.
I also used some info on this forum to get Bahnwelt working with Munt (MT-32) and also that went smoothly, and was actually quite an enjoyable soundtrack.

However it confirms my opinion I had back in the nineties about this midi music. I'm a fan of electronic music (synth pop, industrial, ebm), so I love hearing sounds that cannot be produced by traditional instruments. I'm not a fan of electronically reproduced music with traditional instruments by means of synthesizers. So I'm pretty happy with my setup now and will keep using the SC-55 and MT-32 emulation and cannot justify for myself spending cash on real Roland hardware. But hey that's just my personal opinion, no judgment whatsoever of people who do have an awesome X68000+MIDI setup. I'm actually very happy I can have a (near real) X68000 MIDI experience thanks to the midiori and these software tools for a lot cheaper.

[Max]

I agree with you man since I think it is a good experience all the same through emulation and my set up is pretty good as well having my laptop close to my Pro II X68000 ready to be connected with.....
I have just received my Midi Board and soon I'll test it with the canvas program....
cheers

[neko68k]

Just FYI for anyone but the emulated MIDI modules in Windows or whatever introduce so much latency that they are unusable for games that use both internal and external sound for music. MUNT has specific issues in some games, notably Dracula, where it gets swamped and the music lags.

[Max]

thanks neko68k for your precious opinion,  I'll take it into consideration when I test all games and their concerning latency. Hope it will not alter them much just in case I'll consider to get a Synth by one of my friends who might sell his at a reasonable price around 100$......

[spud]

Thanks neko68k.

Haven't really played many games yet. When I encounter lag indeed and consider it to be too annoying I guess I still have to go look for real devices after all.

Update:
I spend some time with Dracula, both in MT-32 and SC-55 mode. Apart from some slight difference in instruments sounds with the real thing I checked in youtube videos I couldn't hear anything really wrong using Munt and Sound Canvas emulation (on a relatively powerful Win10 machine). I checked the sound test screen with those level meters and played some of the songs. I could not really hear/see any noticeable delay/latency. During gameplay music changed almost instantly when dying etc.

So, so far, still no reason for me to go look for real hardwarde

[SuperDeadite]

Well, MUNT can only emulate CM-32L.  Nothing emulates the 32P.  So the CM-64 games still need the real deal.

Also the lag issue is with ganes that mix FM with MIDI.  Parodiusda, Etoile Princesse, Choujin, etc.

[Max]

Hello SuperDeadite,

thanks for your suggestion too,  Just to go for the real hardware which one is the most compatible with all games? Would Roland Sound Canvas SC-55 be a good choice though?

Cheers

[SuperDeadite]

Best all in one unit is the CM-500.  But it doesn't support the 32P Expansion cards, and is really expensive these days. 

A CM-64 and SC-88 combo will make you very happy and run everything but a few oddities. 

Personally I prefer Yamaha for GM, but everyone has different ears.

[Max]

I see mate, a guy  could give me a roland SC-55 at a reasonable price, it might worth getting it as for the other models I haven't found anything yet....what  about?
Cheers

[comp1demon]

I would like one of these cards please.

[argniest]

I would like one of the midi cards !!!! thanks

[amigo-mexicano]

Is it true that these are no longer in production due to no chips available anymore?

[TD-Linux]

Is it true that these are no longer in production due to no chips available anymore?

Yes, I have extra stock of everything but the chip, so if more chips do appear at sane prices I will do more.

I am also working on version without the chip, which I can produce in unlimited quantities.

[bartre]

Would you be willing to sell just the pieces you do have minus the ym3802-x?

[TD-Linux]

Yes, drop $20 from the price, with the large caveat that it will be untested.

[chris_jh123]

Thanks @TD-Linux for designing this board, it works great.

[TD-Linux]

I've found another source for the ICs - they should be here by the end of the week. I have no idea if they will work though...

I've also been working on a FPGA based version of the card, which can be found in the fpga branch of the repository. I'm looking for a few testers of this card who can reflash new bitstreams onto a SPI flash.

[huggyone76]

...
I've also been working on a FPGA based version of the card, which can be found in the fpga branch of the repository. I'm looking for a few testers of this card who can reflash new bitstreams onto a SPI flash.

Hi ! Is there a possibility to flash the fpga by jtag ? Or do the card need a real spi flasher ?
On the first case I can help !

[TD-Linux]

Hi ! Is there a possibility to flash the fpga by jtag ? Or do the card need a real spi flasher ?
On the first case I can help !

There is no jtag. You need to be able to program SPI flash.

Unfortunately, my batch of chips from a different seller was also fake So no more cards until I finish the FPGA version.

[TD-Linux]

Any comments about the physical fit of v1.1? I sized it rather conservatively, and could make some small tweaks before ordering v2.1.

[spud]

The only thing I can think of is the connector. It needed an extreme amount of force to get fitted, so maybe make them a little pointy (don't know the proper english word for it).

[rkrenicki]

Any comments about the physical fit of v1.1? I sized it rather conservatively, and could make some small tweaks before ordering v2.1.

What board thickness are you using?  I had good luck with 1.2mm instead of the default 1.6mm.

[TD-Linux]

What board thickness are you using?  I had good luck with 1.2mm instead of the default 1.6mm.

1.6mm. Do you know how thick the official boards are?

I already get beveled edges... I've considered doing a V-shaped edge connector like some x68k cards have, but I think my board house would kill me if I attempted to have that beveled.

[rkrenicki]

What board thickness are you using?  I had good luck with 1.2mm instead of the default 1.6mm.

1.6mm. Do you know how thick the official boards are?

I already get beveled edges... I've considered doing a V-shaped edge connector like some x68k cards have, but I think my board house would kill me if I attempted to have that beveled.

I believe the official spec is 1.5mm, but I cannot find my source for that at the moment.   I find that 1.2mm thickness is still a good fit and is MUCH easier to insert than 1.6mm.   

[spud]

And making it bevelled will indeed help as well I think!

[vanpeebles]

Now everyone has midi cards, is there a midi file player?

[neko68k]

Now everyone has midi cards, is there a midi file player?

I use MCDRV and MCDISP. There are definitely other options but I haven't explored them.

There are also quite a few ZMusic songs that are MIDI or contain MIDI and FM. There's a bunch of RCP MIDI data floating around too.

[Jehuty]

 No, i don't have a midi card yet.
Is it possible to order this or the other?
A DIY Kit avaiable?

[mattsoft]

I have a board all soldered up and populated except for the YM3802-X chip! AAGGHH!! Been waiting for months to locate a reliable source for 1 chip, I ended up buying an original MIDI board from YAJ.

[emerald danjon]

That kind of projects are fantastic,bring new life to this machines.

[TD-Linux]

I have the new v2.1 hardware ready, I'm still working on the gateware to improve compatibility. A compatibility list is here: https://github.com/tdaede/midiori/blob/master/docs/GAMES.md

[swisstoni]

Interested in one of these if you have anymore for sale.

[khyrox1]

I would also be interested in one when they are available!

[spud]

Maybe for some I'm continuing the blasphemy But now I turned my Raspberry Pi 3 in a Roland Sound module (emulator) running Munt and Q/FluidSynth for MT32 & GM respectively. Very acceptable for my requirements and much more compact than a PC I also have a Hifiberry  DAC+ADC GPIO hat so I run the SoundFX in the Pi too which mixes it together with the midi music.

[Max]

Maybe for some I'm continuing the blasphemy But now I turned my Raspberry Pi 3 in a Roland Sound module (emulator) running Munt and Q/FluidSynth for MT32 & GM respectively. Very acceptable for my requirements and much more compact than a PC I also have a Hifiberry  DAC+ADC GPIO hat so I run the SoundFX in the Pi too which mixes it together with the midi music.

It's not blasphemy it's a good try like someone did in the past inventing Rugby for the first time..ehehe!!!
I'm interested in every kind of hacking and "nerding" so if you want show here all the step in a guide or pm....
thanks