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MIDI Module Guide for Vintage PC games and Music Creation

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This is a simple guide to help you understand the different MIDI modules that are available for playing PC games. I am working on improving this, I need to take some pictures of the modules I own and add them here as well.

Different types of MIDI modules that you can use with PC games:

  • FM – Frequency Modulation. Only a very few games support FM modules.
  • LA – Linear Arithmetic. Many famous late 80’s and early 90’s games use LA synthesis.
  • GM – General MIDI. The standard for PC game music before CD audio took over.
  • GS – Roland’s extension of General MIDI often labeled as Sound Canvas in games
  • XG – Yamaha’s extension of General MIDI used by Final Fantasy VII and VIII on PC

  • Roland Sound Canvas Variants
  • SC-55 (1991) – Original, GS only model without a GM logo
  • SC-55 (1991) – Updated with full GM support, may or may not have GM logo on the front
  • CM-300 (1991) – Same as first SC-55 version but without a screen, GS only
  • CM-300 (1991) – Updated model with full GM support, may GM logo on the front
  • CM-500 (1991) – Has both CM-300 and CM-32LN hardware
  • Updated and Cost-Reduced Models:
  • SC-55 MKII (1993) – Improved audio quality and more tones
  • SC-55ST (1993) – Same as MKII but without a screen and one less MIDI input. Also sold under the Edirol brand in white.
  • SC-50 (1994) – Same as MKII / without the MT-32 voices
  • Desktop Versions:
  • SC-155 (1992) – A desktop version of SC-55
  • SC-33 (1992) – A desktop version of SC-55 without the MT-32 voices
  • Boss Dr. Synth DS-330 (1992) – Boss branded version of SC-33
  • SC-35 (1993) – SC-33 with an integrated sequencer
  • SC-88 Variants:
  • SC-88 (1994) – Base model
  • M-GS64 (1995) – Rack mount version
  • SC-88VL (1996) – Reduced size version / available in white
  • SC-88ST (1996) – No screen, can switch between SC-55 and SC-88 modes. Also branded as Edirol in white
  • SC-88 Pro Variants
  • SC-88 Pro (1996) – Original base model
  • SC-88ST Pro (1997) – No screen and a button that switches between modes
  • SC-880 (1998) – A rack mount unit
  • SC-8850 (1999) – USB connection and General MIDI 2 support
  • SC-8820 (1999) – Reduced size device without a screen, USB power. Button to change modes
  • SC-D70 (2001) – Works as a USB audio interface with digital outputs

  • Studio Canvas branded (Edirol and Roland):
  • SD-90 (2001) – A larger device with many of Sound Canvas sounds. Multiple options for connectivity
  • SD-80 (2002) – A cost reduced version of SD-90
  • These models support both GM (via GM2 backwards compatibility) and GS. Howver, they don’t have maps for Sound Canvas compatibility.
  • SD-20 (2002) – A cheaper device in an SC-8820 chassis
  • SD-50 (2009) – Midi interface, midi module, audio interface, mp3 player.

Yamaha Synth Modules:

  • TG Series:
  • TG100 (1992) – GM synth
  • CBX-T3 (1993) – Cheaper version with no display or controls
  • TG300 (1993) – Higher quality version of TG100. Better audio quality
  • MU Series:
  • MU80 (1994) – XG synth
  • MU50 (1995) – Cheaper version, lower quality audio
  • MU90 (1996) – Higher quality version of MU80
  • MU90R (1996) – Rack-mount version of MU90
  • MU90B (1997) – No display version of MU90. Power button and volume control
  • MU100 (1997) – upgraded sound engine, support for expansion cards
  • MU100R (1997) – Rack-mount version of MU90, extra expansion slot
  • MU100B (1997) – No display version of the MU100. Power button and volume control
  • MU128 and Desktop MIDI Modules:
  • MU2000 (1999) – USB, optical digital out, SmartMedia card slot, sampler and sequencer
  • MU1000 (1999) – Cheaper version of the MU2000, no sampler, sequencer or SmartMedia card slot
  • MU2000EX (2000) – Firmware upgrade to MU2000 adding Roland GS support
  • MU1000EX (2000) – Firmware upgrade to MU1000 adding Roland GS support
  • MU500 (2000) – Size reduced unit with MU100 sound engine and MU2000 sounds
  • Portable Versions:
  • Yamaha Portable MU Units:
  • MU5 (1994) – Only MU series unit with no XG, buttons double as a small keyboard
  • MU10 (1996) – Beige with no display, XG support
  • MU15 (1998) – An updated MU5 with XG support

  • Drum modules (DTX series)
  • DTXpress (2000) – Similar to older MU series
  • DTXpress II (2002) – Updated drum samples
  • DTXpress III (2003) – Updated drum samples

  • Korg Modules:
  • 05R/W (1994) – First Korg GM module, based on their X5 keyboard
  • AG-10 (1994) – “Audio Gallery” white box.
  • X5DR (1995) – same as 05R/W with improvements for music production
  • NS5R (1997) – GS compatible, could be upgraded with a daughterboard to add XG
  • NX5R (1999) – Upgraded NS5R with XG daughterboard built in

  • Kawai Modules:
  • GMega (1993) – The only model with a screen and controls
  • GMega LX (1993) – a white box with only a power button and volume control
  • GMega L (1993) – Cheaper version of GMega LX, with less MIDI channels

  • Casio Modules:
  • GZ-50M (1995) – Very basic, small GM module
  • GZ-30M (1995) – Cheaper version of GZ-50M with a simpler case and controls, no separate RCA output or headphone jacks. No effects or reverb
  • GZ-70SP (1995) – A GZ-30M stuck inside a speaker

  • Akai Modules:
  • SG01k (1995) Akai’s only GM module. Good sounding unit that emulated Roland sounds and others
  • MIDIPLUS
  • miniEngine Pro (2017) – A tiny GM device that also works as a battery pack
  • miniEngine (2017) – Cheaper version of the Pro, screen replaced by a three-digit display
  • Various Sound Modules:
  • E-Mu Sound Engine (1993) – Similar to the Creative Waveblaster in module form.
  • ENIAC Sound Saurus BH-1000 (1994) – A GM unit that is somewhat rare. Can work with Sound Canvas
  • Ketron SD 2 (2006) – A small, portable module with realistic sound.
  • Alesis Nanosynth (2007) – Compact high quality sound module.
  • Ketron SD 4 (2008) – Rare GM module that has hight quality sound.

  • Roland LA Synth Modules:
  • MT-32 (1987) – The original MT-32
  • MT-32 (1988) – Headphone jack added, internal changes
  • MT-100 (1988) – A combination of the newer MT-32 and a PR-100 sequencer.
  • CM-32L (1989) – White box with power button and volume control only, added sound effects
  • CM-64 (1989) – a CM-32L and CM-32P (a PCM synth not used in DOS games) combo
  • CM-32LN (1992) –CM-32L with a new DAC and a connector for NEC PC-98 computers
  • CM-500 (1991) – combination of CM-32LN and CM-300 (GS synth)

Nintendo’s Mini NES Website

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Nintendo Mini NES console

Nintendo has officially launched the website for it’s new mini NES console. It looks amazing as they have recaptured the classic gaming era of the 80’s. You can check out the new website here .

Alright, so if you don’t know already, Nintendo has announced that they will be releasing a new mini classic NES system that will come with one “classic” controller and 30 greatest hit games from the original Nintendo console which was released in North America in 1985. The console will connect to your tv via HDMI.

For those of us who grew up playing the NES console, this is a great way to enjoy our favorite games from our childhood. Plus, we won’t have to blow into any cartridges!
This mini console will be available for purchase on November 11th 2016.

Here’s what comes in the box.

-NES Classic Edition system
-One NES Classic Controller
-HDMI cable
-AC adapter
-30 pre-installed games

Warcraft: Orcs and Humans Cheat Codes

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Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, the first of Blizzard’s real-time strategy games, is absolutely a great classic. If you love these types of games and don’t mind playing something old, then this is a great place to start.

Warcraft: Orcs & Humans is the real-time fantasy strategy game from Blizzard Entertainment that quickly became a best seller. Warcraft has not only become a classic, winning many awards, but it has set new standards for multiplayer games. Set in the mythic kingdom of Azeroth, players are given the task of maintaining a thriving economy while building a war machine with which to destroy the enemy. – Blizzard Entertainment.

Warcraft: Orcs and Humans Box Art
Warcraft: Orcs & Humans Box Art (Copyright 1994 Blizzard Entertainment)

 
Code: Effect:
orc# Any Orc Level # (1-12)
human# Any Human Level # (1-12)
pot of gold  10000 Gold and 5000 Lumber
eye of newt  All Spells
iron forge  All Upgrades
corwin of amber  God Mode, Instant Win/Loss, Level Skip
ides of march  Brings player to final campaign sequence
there can only be one  Invulnerable Units and do 255 damage
crushing defeat  Lose Current Mission
sally shears  See Entire Map
yours truly  Fast Building / Training
hurry up guys  Win Mission

Age of Empires II: Age of Kings Cheat Codes

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Age of Empires II is the sequel to the award-winning, best-selling real-time strategy game Age of Empires. Explore new maps, units, and scenarios in this all-time classic RTS. If you love these types of games and have never played Age of Empires II, I highly recommend it! You don’t have to buy the original game as you can head to Steam and download the HD version there.

If you want to enter in any of these cheat codes for Age of Empires II: Age of Kings, press enter and then type in the code.

Age of Empires II Box Art Age of Kings
Age of Empires II: Age of Kings Box Art (Copyright 1999 Ensemble Studios / Microsoft )

Code: Effect:
 !nomute  Undoes the !mute code
 resign  Instant Lose
 i r winner  Instant Victory

!mute

  Will not hear any taunts
natural wonders  Control the Animals
 I love the monkey head A VDML man will appear at your Town Center 
 marco  Full Map
 polo  No Shadows
 black death  Kill All Opponents
 wimpywimpywimpy  Commit Suicide
 how do you turn this on  Cobra Car
 to smithereens Saboteur Unit 
 aegis  Build Fast
 furious the monkey boy  Furious the Monkey Boy
 lumberjack  1000 wood
 robin hood  1000 Gold
 cheese steak jimmy’s  1000 Food
 rock on 1000 Stone

Hearthstone Grand Tournament Release Date

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HearthStone Grand Tournament Logo

Attention all Hearthstone fans! The release date for the Grand Tournament has been officially announced by Blizzard. The latest update to Blizzard’s wildly successful online collectable card game, Hearthstone, will officially arrive on August 24.

  • The only exception to this date is Asia, which will be able to play Hearthstone, Grand Tournament on August 25.

The Grand Tournament will feature an brand new game mechanic called Inspire. When you use your Hero Power you will trigger Inspire which in turn will provide you with a benefit like stat gains, additional minions, new abilities and much more. What happens with inspire is all based on the description of the particular card you’re playing. Ultimately, Inspire will now give you more reasons to use your Hero Power and provide a new way for you to defeat your enemies.

Grand Tournament will bring with it 132 new cards to the game, which will now provide players with a reason to spend all of that gold and dust that they have been hanging on to. Along with the new cards there will be a new board to play on and a new game mechanic called Jousting. This new mechanic will have players draw and reveal one card from their decks, the player who draws the higher cost card will be the winner. If you drew the joust card and win, then you will gain the additional benefit from that card’s description.

This is Hearthstone’s second major expansion and it looks to be a lot of fun. For complete information head to Blizzard’s Hearthstone Grand Tournament page.