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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)

Play Free DOS Games with Over 300 Games on the Web

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Ok, so it may be a little old school but it’s still fun to play classic games from time to time and now there is a website that is offering you the ability to play free games!

Two main questions right? How is this possible and how is this not getting shut down right now?  Well, the site explains it like this.

“The highest ideals of this site are to support the authors by providing links to their web sites and ordering information for the full versions of games that are still sold, and to encourage the authors of classic games to preserve their games for future generations by making them available for sale or as freeware. If you enjoy a shareware game, please consider buying it from the author.” Duke Nukem 2 Screenshot

“All of the games on this site are freely distributable because they are shareware, freeware, or because the copyright holder has officially and legally released all rights to the public domain (abandonware).”

Seems legit right? Hopefully, this site will continue to exist without legal interruption and considering they seem to be doing things the right way, it should be around for a while. The list is quite large and the urge to play certain titles is so strong that I couldn’t even get halfway through all of the titles without playing a game.

This is a simple and straightforward way to enjoy classic DOS games without having to set up an emulator or bother with compatibility issues. Why not play free games ? You can access over 300+ Classic DOS games that are free to play right inside your web browser!

A Walk Down Windows Memory Lane

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With all of this talk about Windows 8 and all of it’s new features I can’t help but think about how much Windows has changed over the years. Windows has maintained it’s dominance over the OS market for decades now and it didn’t just happen over night. So, let’s take a look at the evolution of Windows.Windows 3.0 Logo

Here’s something pretty cool. If you don’t feel like popping in a few floppy disks to experience the Windows of the past you can head to this cool website that emulates the Windows 3.1 Desktop.

Windows 1.0 (1982-1985)

 

Windows1.0
Windows1.0

Code named “Interface Manager”, this was the first version of what was later renamed Windows before it was released. It’s important to note that prior to Windows, MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System), was the primary OS used on PC’s. MS-DOS was powerful during its heyday and I used it all of the time to play some of my favorite games, even after Windows was released. Windows aimed to make using your computer much easier by incorporating a GUI (Graphical User Interface).

Some people thought that Windows would never catch on, little did they know what it would become.

 

Windows 2.0 (1987-1990)

Windows 2.0
Windows 2.0

Windows 2.0 aimed to take advantage of newer, more advanced hardware that had greater memory capacity. UI design improvements continued as well.

 

Windows 3.0 (1990-1994)

windows 3.0
Windows 3.0

Computers are getting much faster and graphics are improving as well. Windows 3.0 supported 16 bit graphics and introduces the new file management applications Program Manager and File Manager. Printing was made easier with Print Manager. At this time MS-DOS is still being used along side with Windows as many programmers continued to write for DOS instead of Windows.

Windows 95 (1995-1998)

Windows95
Windows 95

How could we forget Windows 95 and the introduction of the Start Button and taskbar, which offered a great way to organize and easily access all of your programs. At this time the internet was just beginning to take over the world . Windows 95 brought us into 32-bit computing and much faster and better looking graphics. The cd-rom becomes commonplace in computing and Weezer makes an appearance on the Windows 95 installation disc. Programmers begin to embrace Windows more than ever.

Windows 98 , Windows 2000, Windows ME (1998-2000)

Windows 98 brings us the Quick Launch bar and increased performance. USB is becoming extremely popular and Windows 98 takes advantage of this new technology. Windows ME brought us System Restore and Windows 2000 was the upgrade of choice for businesses from all previous versions of Windows. Software developers are taking full advantage of Windows and applications that run on DOS are becoming less prominent.

Windows 98
Windows 98 (Microsoft)

 

Windows 2000
Windows 2000 (Microsoft)

 

Windows ME
Windows ME (Microsoft)

 

 

 

Windows XP

The Windows kernel has forever changed and is now based on Windows NT. 64-bit systems are supported and security enhancements continue to be made. Wireless 802.11 support and remote assistance are added to the mix. Windows XP was hugely popular and is still used even to this day. Windows XP is very stable and extremely fast, it’s one of the best releases of Windows. DOS is starting to fade away and becomes more of a hidden feature that is only used for specific tasks.

Windows XP Desktop
Windows XP Desktop (Microsoft)

 

Windows Vista

Windows gets a cleaner look and UAC or user account control makes it’s debut in order to make Windows more secure. This version of Windows wasn’t well received due to consumers complaining about it’s stability issues.

Windows Vista
Windows Vista (Microsoft)

Windows 7

Windows 7 features live thumbnail previews and new ways to size and control windows. After many, many security updates and patched since Windows Vista, Windows 7 becomes very stable and unlike Vista, gets a thumbs up from consumers.

Windows 7
Windows 7 (Microsoft)

Windows 8 / 8.1

The new Xbox dashboard style desktop makes it’s debut. The Microsoft Store makes finding and buying applications very easy all while keeping your computer safe from malware by having a certification process in place that developers must pass in order be featured in the store. At this time some developers are a bit weary of using the new sandbox type system while others embrace it. The now “old” style desktop is a shell of what it used to be, but is still available in order to run legacy Windows applications.

Win8_1StartScreen
Windows 8.1