Roland MT-32: Difference between revisions

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(Created page with "'''Roland MT-32''' is a budget LA synthesis module, primarily used for computer games. It was released in 1987. As it was released before General MIDI started, it uses its own order of instruments. Channels 2 to 9 can be used, channel 10 is exclusively used for drums, and the rest of the channels cannot be used. Additionally, SysEx can be used to edit the instrument patches.")
 
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'''Roland MT-32''' is a budget LA synthesis module, primarily used for computer games. It was released in 1987.
<!-- If you add or change something in this infobox, consider updating the Sound Canvas article's comparison table also. -->
{{Infobox module
| name = Roland MT-32
| image = ?
| dimensions = ?
| rackunits = ?
| type = LA sound module
| manufacturer = Roland
| releasedate = 1987
| standards = None
| maxpoly = 32
| numparts = 9
| numpresets = 128
| drumpresets = 1
| effects = Reverb
| successor = ?
| battery = ?
| power = ?
| notes = <references group="infobox" />
}}
The [[Roland MT-32]] is a budget LA synthesis module, aimed for use with musicians on lower budgets. It was released in 1987.


As it was released before General MIDI started, it uses its own order of instruments. Channels 2 to 9 can be used, channel 10 is exclusively used for drums, and the rest of the channels cannot be used.
It uses an enhanced version of Linear Arithmetic synthesis, which was initially introduced with the [[Roland D-50]], that allows for 9-part multitimbrality. By default, parts 2-9 are set up as tones, while part 10 is set up for rhythm. The drum map matches what was introduced with the Roland TR-505, and future Roland modules will expand on this as well. The [[Roland D-110]] shares the same synthesis engine as the [[Roland MT-32|MT-32]], but features different ROMS entirely, thus making this module incompatible with MT-32 uses. A reverb is also featured, featuring 4 different types (Room/Hall/Plate/Delay), each patch features the ability to be passed through the reverb or bypass the reverb.


Additionally, SysEx can be used to edit the instrument patches.
The [[Roland MT-32|MT-32]] would find success in the computer gaming industry of its era, particularly with Sierra titles starting with ''King's Quest IV''; many other computer games would therefore also make use of this sound module for playing music and sound effects back.
 
As it was released before General MIDI started, it uses its own order of instruments that doesn't match with any existing standard - sounds are still categorised but not in the same way that General MIDI is.
 
With external tools, one can fully customise the sounds on the MT-32 to a way higher degree than it is possible on a Sound Canvas unit.
 
== Sound production and editing ==
The MT-32 features 32 "partials". Each partial features a complete signal path from raw tone to shaped output. Any patch can use up to 4 partials per note played. Each partial can be set as either a '''synth''' or '''PCM'''. Features differ slightly on which one is used at any given time, and a pair of partials can be routed together through a ring modulator if desired or as part of a stereo pair. There are 13 different routing options available. Each partial also has several key tracking features, as well as an LFO, amplifier and pitch sections.
 
=== Synth partial type ===
This type closely resembles old analog-style synthesis - a choice between a square or saw oscillator is given, and both have two wave shaping settings - one for setting the overall pulse width, one for setting the overall sensitivity for this to change with velocity.
Synth partials also get access to the filter section. It is always a resonant low pass filter, and it can use the TVF envelope to shape its sound further.
 
=== PCM partial type ===
This type can use either Bank A or Bank B to get a PCM tone. It does not have access to any sort of wave shaping or filtering, unlike the "Synth" partial type. The waveforms are often short transient sounds, similar to the D-50's offerings, designed to be paired with a well-designed synth partial.
 
<!-- MT32edit -->
=== Signal routing options ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!
! Description
! Output
|-
| Type 1
| Partial 1/3 summed with Partial 2/4, both set to Synth.
| Mono
|-
| Type 2
| Partial 2/4 ring modulates Partial 1/3, both set to Synth, summed with Partial 1/3 again
| Mono
|-
| Type 3
| Partial 1/3 set to PCM, summed with Partial 2/4 set to Synth
| Mono
|-
| Type 4
| Partial 2/4 set to Synth, ring modulating Partial 1/3 set to PCM, summed with Partial 1/3 again
| Mono
|-
| Type 5
| Partial 2/4 set to PCM, ring modulating Partial 1/3 set to Synth, summed with Partial 1/3 again
| Mono
|-
| Type 6
| Partial 1/3 summed with Partial 2/4, both set to PCM
| Mono
|-
| Type 7
| Partial 2/4 ring modulates Partial 1/3, both set to PCM, summed with Partial 1/3 again
| Mono
|-
| Type 8
| Partial 1/3 outputs left, Partial 2/4 outputs Right, both Synth
| Stereo
|-
| Type 9
| Partial 1/3 outputs left, Partial 2/4 outputs Right, both PCM
| Stereo
|-
| Type 10
| Partial 1/3 and 2/4 into a ring modulator, both Synth
| Mono
|-
| Type 11
| Partial 1/3 set as PCM and Partial 2/4 set as Synth into Ring Mod
| Mono
|-
| Type 12
| Partial 1/3 set as Synth and Partial 2/4 set as PCM into Ring Mod
| Mono
|-
| Type 13
| Partial 1/3 and 2/4 into a ring modulator, both PCM
| Mono
 
|}
 
 
 
== Variants ==
* The [[Roland CM-32L]] is a notable MT-32 variant; it is specifically aimed at the computer gaming market, removing all front-panel displays and controls (except for a volume dial and power button), but in turn adding extra sound effects to the drum mapping, specifically to be used in games.
 
== Oddities ==
* The MT-32's (And CM-32L's) pan control is reversed - channels fully panned to the left will sound on the right channel instead, and vice versa.
* By default the MT-32 is slightly panned right.
 
== Instrument list ==
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable"
|+ style=white-space:nowrap | Instrument list
!Patch #
!Patch name
|-
|1
|Acou Piano 1
|-
|2
|Acou Piano 2
|-
|3
|Acou Piano 3
|-
|4
|Elec Piano 1
|-
|5
|Elec Piano 2
|-
|6
|Elec Piano 3
|-
|7
|Elec Piano 4
|-
|8
|Honkytonk
|-
|9
|Elec Org 1
|-
|10
|Elec Org 2
|-
|11
|Elec Org 3
|-
|12
|Elec Org 4 
|-
|13
|Pipe Org 1
|-
|14
|Pipe Org 2
|-
|15
|Pipe Org 3
|-
|16
|Accordion
|-
|17
|Harpsi 1
|-
|18
|Harpsi 2
|-
|19
|Harpsi 3
|-
|20
|Clavi 1
|-
|21
|Clavi 2
|-
|22
|Clavi 3
|-
|23
|Celesta 1
|-
|24
|Celesta 2
|-
|25
|Syn Brass 1
|-
|26
|Syn Brass 2
|-
|27
|Syn Brass 3
|-
|28
|Syn Brass 4
|-
|29
|Syn Bass 1
|-
|30
|Syn Bass 2
|-
|31
|Syn Bass 3
|-
|32
|Syn Bass 4
|-
|33
|Fantasy
|-
|34
|Harmo Pan
|-
|35
|Chorale
|-
|36
|Glasses
|-
|37
|Soundtrack
|-
|38
|Atmosphere
|-
|39
|Warm Bell
|-
|40
|Funny Vox
|-
|41
|Echo Bell
|-
|42
|Ice Rain
|-
|43
|Oboe 2001
|-
|44
|Echo Pan
|-
|45
|Doctor Solo
|-
|46
|Schooldaze
|-
|47
|Bellsinger
|-
|48
|Square Wave
|-
|49
|Str Sect 1
|-
|50
|Str Sect 2
|-
|51
|Str Sect 3
|-
|52
|Pizzicato
|-
|53
|Violin 1
|-
|54
|Violin 2
|-
|55
|Cello 1
|-
|56
|Cello 2
|-
|57
|Contrabass
|-
|58
|Harp 1
|-
|59
|Harp 2
|-
|60
|Guitar 1
|-
|61
|Guitar 2
|-
|62
|Elec Gtr 1
|-
|63
|Elec Gtr 2
|-
|64
|Sitar
|-
|65
|Acou Bass 1
|-
|66
|Acou Bass 2
|-
|67
|Elec Bass 1
|-
|68
|Elec Bass 2
|-
|69
|Slap Bass 1
|-
|70
|Slap Bass 2
|-
|71
|Fretless 1
|-
|72
|Fretless 2
|-
|73
|Flute 1
|-
|74
|Flute 2
|-
|75
|Piccolo 1
|-
|76
|Piccolo 2
|-
|77
|Recorder
|-
|78
|Pan Pipes
|-
|79
|Sax 1
|-
|80
|Sax 2
|-
|81
|Sax 3
|-
|82
|Sax 4
|-
|83
|Clarinet 1
|-
|84
|Clarinet 2
|-
|85
|Oboe
|-
|86
|Engl Horn
|-
|87
|Bassoon
|-
|88
|Harmonica
|-
|89
|Trumpet 1
|-
|90
|Trumpet 2
|-
|91
|Trombone 1
|-
|92
|Trombone 2
|-
|93
|Fr Horn 1
|-
|94
|Fr Horn 2
|-
|95
|Tuba
|-
|96
|Brs Sect 1
|-
|97
|Brs Sect 2
|-
|98
|Vibe 1
|-
|99
|Vibe 2
|-
|100
|Syn Mallet
|-
|101
|Windbell
|-
|102
|Glock
|-
|103
|Tube Bell
|-
|104
|Xylophone
|-
|105
|Marimba
|-
|106
|Koto
|-
|107
|Sho
|-
|108
|Shakuhachi
|-
|109
|Whistle 1
|-
|110
|Whistle 2
|-
|111
|Bottleblow
|-
|112
|Breathpipe
|-
|113
|Timpani
|-
|114
|Melodic Tom
|-
|115
|Deep Snare
|-
|116
|Elec Perc 1
|-
|117
|Elec Perc 2
|-
|118
|Taiko
|-
|119
|Taiko Rim
|-
|-
|120
|Cymbal
|-
|121
|Castanets
|-
|122
|Triangle
|-
|123
|Orche Hit
|-
|124
|Telephone
|-
|125
|Bird Tweet
|-
|126
|One Note Jam
|-
|127
|Water Bells
|-
|128
|Jungle Tune
|}

Latest revision as of 23:06, 1 August 2026

Roland MT-32
?
W × H × D (mm) ?
Rack units ?
Type LA sound module
Manufacturer Roland
Release date 1987
Standards None
Parts 9
Max polyphony 32
Normal presets 128
Drum presets 1
Effects Reverb
Power delivery ?
Backup battery ?
? →

The Roland MT-32 is a budget LA synthesis module, aimed for use with musicians on lower budgets. It was released in 1987.

It uses an enhanced version of Linear Arithmetic synthesis, which was initially introduced with the Roland D-50, that allows for 9-part multitimbrality. By default, parts 2-9 are set up as tones, while part 10 is set up for rhythm. The drum map matches what was introduced with the Roland TR-505, and future Roland modules will expand on this as well. The Roland D-110 shares the same synthesis engine as the MT-32, but features different ROMS entirely, thus making this module incompatible with MT-32 uses. A reverb is also featured, featuring 4 different types (Room/Hall/Plate/Delay), each patch features the ability to be passed through the reverb or bypass the reverb.

The MT-32 would find success in the computer gaming industry of its era, particularly with Sierra titles starting with King's Quest IV; many other computer games would therefore also make use of this sound module for playing music and sound effects back.

As it was released before General MIDI started, it uses its own order of instruments that doesn't match with any existing standard - sounds are still categorised but not in the same way that General MIDI is.

With external tools, one can fully customise the sounds on the MT-32 to a way higher degree than it is possible on a Sound Canvas unit.

Sound production and editing

The MT-32 features 32 "partials". Each partial features a complete signal path from raw tone to shaped output. Any patch can use up to 4 partials per note played. Each partial can be set as either a synth or PCM. Features differ slightly on which one is used at any given time, and a pair of partials can be routed together through a ring modulator if desired or as part of a stereo pair. There are 13 different routing options available. Each partial also has several key tracking features, as well as an LFO, amplifier and pitch sections.

Synth partial type

This type closely resembles old analog-style synthesis - a choice between a square or saw oscillator is given, and both have two wave shaping settings - one for setting the overall pulse width, one for setting the overall sensitivity for this to change with velocity. Synth partials also get access to the filter section. It is always a resonant low pass filter, and it can use the TVF envelope to shape its sound further.

PCM partial type

This type can use either Bank A or Bank B to get a PCM tone. It does not have access to any sort of wave shaping or filtering, unlike the "Synth" partial type. The waveforms are often short transient sounds, similar to the D-50's offerings, designed to be paired with a well-designed synth partial.

Signal routing options

Description Output
Type 1 Partial 1/3 summed with Partial 2/4, both set to Synth. Mono
Type 2 Partial 2/4 ring modulates Partial 1/3, both set to Synth, summed with Partial 1/3 again Mono
Type 3 Partial 1/3 set to PCM, summed with Partial 2/4 set to Synth Mono
Type 4 Partial 2/4 set to Synth, ring modulating Partial 1/3 set to PCM, summed with Partial 1/3 again Mono
Type 5 Partial 2/4 set to PCM, ring modulating Partial 1/3 set to Synth, summed with Partial 1/3 again Mono
Type 6 Partial 1/3 summed with Partial 2/4, both set to PCM Mono
Type 7 Partial 2/4 ring modulates Partial 1/3, both set to PCM, summed with Partial 1/3 again Mono
Type 8 Partial 1/3 outputs left, Partial 2/4 outputs Right, both Synth Stereo
Type 9 Partial 1/3 outputs left, Partial 2/4 outputs Right, both PCM Stereo
Type 10 Partial 1/3 and 2/4 into a ring modulator, both Synth Mono
Type 11 Partial 1/3 set as PCM and Partial 2/4 set as Synth into Ring Mod Mono
Type 12 Partial 1/3 set as Synth and Partial 2/4 set as PCM into Ring Mod Mono
Type 13 Partial 1/3 and 2/4 into a ring modulator, both PCM Mono


Variants

  • The Roland CM-32L is a notable MT-32 variant; it is specifically aimed at the computer gaming market, removing all front-panel displays and controls (except for a volume dial and power button), but in turn adding extra sound effects to the drum mapping, specifically to be used in games.

Oddities

  • The MT-32's (And CM-32L's) pan control is reversed - channels fully panned to the left will sound on the right channel instead, and vice versa.
  • By default the MT-32 is slightly panned right.

Instrument list

Instrument list
Patch # Patch name
1 Acou Piano 1
2 Acou Piano 2
3 Acou Piano 3
4 Elec Piano 1
5 Elec Piano 2
6 Elec Piano 3
7 Elec Piano 4
8 Honkytonk
9 Elec Org 1
10 Elec Org 2
11 Elec Org 3
12 Elec Org 4
13 Pipe Org 1
14 Pipe Org 2
15 Pipe Org 3
16 Accordion
17 Harpsi 1
18 Harpsi 2
19 Harpsi 3
20 Clavi 1
21 Clavi 2
22 Clavi 3
23 Celesta 1
24 Celesta 2
25 Syn Brass 1
26 Syn Brass 2
27 Syn Brass 3
28 Syn Brass 4
29 Syn Bass 1
30 Syn Bass 2
31 Syn Bass 3
32 Syn Bass 4
33 Fantasy
34 Harmo Pan
35 Chorale
36 Glasses
37 Soundtrack
38 Atmosphere
39 Warm Bell
40 Funny Vox
41 Echo Bell
42 Ice Rain
43 Oboe 2001
44 Echo Pan
45 Doctor Solo
46 Schooldaze
47 Bellsinger
48 Square Wave
49 Str Sect 1
50 Str Sect 2
51 Str Sect 3
52 Pizzicato
53 Violin 1
54 Violin 2
55 Cello 1
56 Cello 2
57 Contrabass
58 Harp 1
59 Harp 2
60 Guitar 1
61 Guitar 2
62 Elec Gtr 1
63 Elec Gtr 2
64 Sitar
65 Acou Bass 1
66 Acou Bass 2
67 Elec Bass 1
68 Elec Bass 2
69 Slap Bass 1
70 Slap Bass 2
71 Fretless 1
72 Fretless 2
73 Flute 1
74 Flute 2
75 Piccolo 1
76 Piccolo 2
77 Recorder
78 Pan Pipes
79 Sax 1
80 Sax 2
81 Sax 3
82 Sax 4
83 Clarinet 1
84 Clarinet 2
85 Oboe
86 Engl Horn
87 Bassoon
88 Harmonica
89 Trumpet 1
90 Trumpet 2
91 Trombone 1
92 Trombone 2
93 Fr Horn 1
94 Fr Horn 2
95 Tuba
96 Brs Sect 1
97 Brs Sect 2
98 Vibe 1
99 Vibe 2
100 Syn Mallet
101 Windbell
102 Glock
103 Tube Bell
104 Xylophone
105 Marimba
106 Koto
107 Sho
108 Shakuhachi
109 Whistle 1
110 Whistle 2
111 Bottleblow
112 Breathpipe
113 Timpani
114 Melodic Tom
115 Deep Snare
116 Elec Perc 1
117 Elec Perc 2
118 Taiko
119 Taiko Rim
120 Cymbal
121 Castanets
122 Triangle
123 Orche Hit
124 Telephone
125 Bird Tweet
126 One Note Jam
127 Water Bells
128 Jungle Tune
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