science

Roland MT-32

Roland MT-32 is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Roland MT-32 rather than just read about it. In short: The Roland MT-32 Multi-Timbre Sound Module is a MIDI synthesizer module first released in 1987 by Roland Corporation. It was originally marketed to amateur musicians as a budget external synthesizer with an original list price of $695.

Key takeaways

Roland MT-32 belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Roland MT-32 to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Roland MT-32 from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

The Roland MT-32 Multi-Timbre Sound Module is a MIDI synthesizer module first released in 1987 by Roland Corporation. It was originally marketed to amateur musicians as a budget external synthesizer with an original list price of $695. However, it became more famous along with its compatible modules as an early de facto standard in computer multimedia. Since it was made prior to the release of the General MIDI standard, it uses its own proprietary instruments for MIDI file playback, as well as SysEx messages. Within Roland's family of linear arithmetic (LA) synthesizers, the multitimbral MT-32 series constitutes the budget prosumer line for computer music at home, the multitimbral D-5, D-10, D-20 and D-110 models constitute the professional line for general studio use, and the high-end bitimbral D-50 and D-550 models are for sophisticated multi-track studio work. It was the first product in Roland's Myuujikun (ミュージくん) line of Desktop Music System (DTM) packages in Japan.

Features Like the Roland D-50 Linear Synthesizer, it uses linear arithmetic synthesis, a form of sample-based synthesis combined with subtractive synthesis, to produce its sounds. Samples are used for attacks and drums, while traditional synthesis assures the sustain phase of the sounds. The original MT-32 comes with a preset library of 128 synth and 30 rhythm sounds, playable on 8 melodic channels and one rhythm channel. It also features a digital reverberation effect. Successors (see below) added a library of 33 sound effects. Because of the absence of a piano attack sample, it cannot play a convincing acoustic piano sound. Sounds are created from up to 4 partials which can be combined in various ways (including ring modulation). With 32 partials available overall, polyphony depends on the tonal complexity of the music, and 8 to 32 notes can be played simultaneously. The MT-32 by default assigns its parts 1~8 and R(hythm) to respond on input MIDI channels 2~9 and 10 respectively. By consequence, MIDI files using the popular channel 1 or the other channels 11~16 cannot have those parts played on the MT-32. However, the MT-32's melodic parts can be shifted down to respond to channels 1~8 using a button combination or through MIDI system exclusive messages, enabling improved compatibility with non-MT-32-specific MIDI sequences. Additionally, in 1993 Roland released the "GM2MT" SysEx pack, which can be used to reprogram the MT-32 and compatibles to match General MIDI specifications as closely as possible. 64 of the 128 patches (the limit of possible variations) are completely new or modified sounds, with additional sounds having been added to drum channel 10. Despite this, compatibility with GM is still limited by the lack of parts (9 on the MT-32, 16 per GM specification) and reversed panpot compared to MMA MIDI specifications. The utility was predated by a pack called "MT32GS", released by Mike Cornelius in 1992. The CM-Panion, by Gajits Music Software, was an Amiga editor which worked with the MT-32.

MT-32 models Two major revisions of the MT-32 were produced. Roland refers to them as MT-32 (Old / Without headphones) and MT-32 (New / With headphones).

MT-32 (old) The LA32 sound generation chip is an 80-pin PGA. The control CPU is an Intel C8095-90 in ceramic DIP-48 package. The digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is a Burr-Brown PCM54; the input signal having a resolution of 15 bits (see below). Line-outs are unbalanced 1/4″ TS phone connector (separate left and right channels.) No headphone jack.

MT-32 with revision 0 PCB, used in units up to serial number 851399. The PGA LA32 chip is later replaced with a 100-pin QFP type.

MT-32 with "old-type" revision 1 PCB, used in units with serial numbers 851400–950499.

MT-32 (new) The control CPU is an Intel P8098. Same Digital-to-analog converter (DAC), but with 16 bits of input signal resolution (see below). A stereo 1/4″ TRS headphones jack is added.

MT-32 with "new-type" revision 1 PCB, used in units with serial numbers 950500 and up. Roland MT-100: Combination of MT-32 and PR-100 (Sequencer and 2.8" Quick-Disk). While it uses a MT-32 (New) PCB, the chassis is different. MT-32 (Old) that have had the mainboard replaced by Roland because of a repair can contain the MT-32 (New) mainboard, with the headphone jack removed.

MT-32 compatible models To target computer users, Roland released a number of CM (Computer Music) modules. They came without an LCD and had most buttons removed. Most of these CM modules aside from the CM-32P and CM-300 are compatible with the MT-32 but feature 33 additional sound effect samples which many games took advantage of. These sound effects cannot be heard on an MT-32. Early models share a similar design to MT-32 (New). Control CPU is an Intel P8098 and DAC is a Burr-Brown PCM54.

Roland CM-32L: Released in 1989, this Roland CM has only a volume knob, a MIDI message and a power-on indicator as external controls. Roland CM-64: A combination of the CM-32L and the CM-32P, a cut-down "computer music" version of the Roland U-110. Like the CM-32P, the CM-64 can be expanded with a Roland SN-U110 sound library card (compared to four on the U-110). The CM-32P part plays on MIDI channels 11-16 which are not used by the CM-32L part. Roland LAPC-I: ISA bus expansion card for IBM PCs and compatibles. Includes the MPU-401 interface. In later models, the DAC is a Burr-Brown PCM55, and vibrato is noticeably faster.

Roland CM-32LN: Sound module for the NEC PC-98 series notebook computers, featuring a special connector for direct connection to the computer's 110-pin expansion port. Released in Japan only. Roland CM-500: A combination of the CM-32LN with the Roland GS-compatible Roland CM-300, the "computer music" version of the Roland SC-55. Released around 1992. Roland LAPC-N: C-Bus expansion card for the NEC PC-98 series of computers. Released in Japan only. Roland RA-50: LA unit with CM-32L ROM (but not all CM-32L samples): Requires software work around or hardware modification to work 100% as a MT-32.

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Illustrations

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Roland MT-32

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Roland MT-32 claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Roland MT-32 before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Roland MT-32 ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Roland MT-32

In research: Roland MT-32 appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Roland MT-32 in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Roland MT-32 is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics MIDI standards, Products introduced in 1987, Roland synthesizers, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Roland MT-32 outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Roland MT-32 in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Roland MT-32 means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Roland MT-32 out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Roland MT-32 in simple terms?

Why does Roland MT-32 matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Roland MT-32?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Roland MT-32.