12 Σεπτεμβρίου, 2017

Roland MT-32: a real world review


The Roland D-05 of our past 




A SHORT DESCRIPTION

Roland MT-32 is a box of sounds from 1987. It contains 128 sounds and a drum set. It was designed to be used as a sound machine for several games of that era.

Those archaic computers didn't have advanced sound cards. Mostly a blip-blip would accompany your video gaming experience. So Roland gave a solution for everyone who wanted more "realistic" soundtrack. It's a hybrid module utilizing Linear Arithmetic Synthesis a system used at the company's  flagship synth of the time, the mighty D-50. This system uses samples of attacks and at the sustain part of the sound a digital waveform takes over. 
User cannot edit sounds from the module. You have to use SysEx commands or an editor.

If you are interested more about the history of the gaming sound The 8-bit guy created an amazing and very informative video.


PURCHASE

I bought mine 3 years ago for 50 euros. The reason was it's sound. I really loved the demos i heard at the internet. It's is in good condition and it's the first edition, the worst...

SOUND-USE

MT-32 (at least mine) has a very big problem: NOISE. It's almost unbearable! A denoiser is your friend...
Its sound library contains all the generic sounds that you might need plus some characteristic LA patches. If you are looking for realistic pianos, dreamy flutes and catchy basses you are at the wrong place. MT-32 has its own personality. All the sounds are unique, all the sounds remind ...MT-32.
At a modern DAW it becomes immediately distinctive.
That noise, the aliasing of the  D/A converter, the crazy velocity response, the unpredictable reaction to very high and very low notes make it a unique sound-noise source!
It also has a reverb! 

MY OPINION-MT32 AT A MODERN PRODUCTION

No, you can't use it anywhere. Explore it, learn its sound, put it aside and you will know when you need it. 
I have used brass, pianos, bells, harp, orchestra hits. It can be "phat" at moments especially if you layer sounds (it's multi timbral). It gets more interesting if you layer it with all those shiny and clean modern sounds. And of course if you want to add a taste 90s' video games at your music, look no further! 

MT-32 AT ACTION

"MT-32 series" is a youtube playlist that contains a number of well known instrumental tracks played exclusively with this sound module  & recorded stereo, direct from the module's outputs. The only fx added is a compressor and an EQ at the final stereo track.

Say "cheeeeeese" ;)
















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