Minty NEC MidiWorld

SuperDeadite · 12/05/2016, 08:46 AM

Not exactly PCE, but where else to put this?
This is GM midi module attached to a CD player for reading midi data cds.
But, as you can see, it uses yet again the good old CD-ROM2.
Never seen one in such pristine condition.

auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/x466359126

NecroPhile · 12/05/2016, 09:14 AM

Heh, neato. 'Tis interesting that they used the Turbob version.

esteban · 12/05/2016, 09:22 AM

I love our humble, never-tiring CD-ROM2.

I remember hearing about this years ago, but not understanding how/why the CD-ROM was integrated into it: so my question is... what data discs/software is compatible with this?

I don't know anything about GM midi modules, so forgive my ignorance....I just want to get a feel for how someone would use this and what data discs/software would have been available.

SuperDeadite · 12/05/2016, 10:06 AM

GM = General MIDI. Meaning any standard MIDI file you find will play on this.
Now, 90% of GM modules are simply a collection of sound samples on a ROM chip, meaning each module
will sound different. (MIDI files are essentially digital sheet music.)

As for the MidiWorld, NEC was not a music company, but they partnered with Roland quite a bit on PC-98 series. Considering this device is pure GM and does not support GS, I would guess it is actually a Roland SC-7 on the inside.

If you are curious about MIDI, here is a simple example. Both videos are playing the X68000 version of Super Street Fighter 2. You are hearing the exact same MIDI files, but you will notice they sound very different from each other, as they are played on modules from two different companies.

Yamaha TG100 (1993)

Akai SG01k (1996)

SuperGrafx · 12/05/2016, 09:46 PM

Strangely enough, the CD-ROM2 is a black model.
Methinks that maybe NEC had extra unsold stock of TG-16 CD ROM units and found a way to unload them here.

SuperDeadite · 12/06/2016, 11:20 AM

And it seems Korg used HuCards as dataroms at one point!

http://page13.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/r163888585

SuperGrafx · 12/06/2016, 10:11 PM

Quote from: SuperDeadite on 12/06/2016, 11:20 AMAnd it seems Korg used HuCards as dataroms at one point!

http://page13.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/r163888585

Actually, wasn't there a precursor to the HuCard (the BeeCard or somesuch)? Maybe Korg just used that instead.

imparanoic · 12/07/2016, 02:50 AM

Quote from: SuperGrafx on 12/06/2016, 10:11 PM
Quote from: SuperDeadite on 12/06/2016, 11:20 AMAnd it seems Korg used HuCards as dataroms at one point!

http://page13.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/r163888585
Actually, wasn't there a precursor to the HuCard (the BeeCard or somesuch)? Maybe Korg just used that instead.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bee_Card

yes, the logo is the same as bee card

BlueBMW · 12/07/2016, 06:40 AM

If anyone wants one of these units I've got one. Not sure what to use it for exactly so it just sits.

SuperDeadite · 12/07/2016, 07:13 AM

Burn your favorite Midi files to a cdr and rock out like it's 1995 dude! Does the unit have a MIDI input port?

BlueBMW · 12/07/2016, 12:40 PM

Looks like just a MIDI out port. Its also got a SCSI IO bus connector I'm assuming you could connect to use the unit as an external CDROM.

SignOfZeta · 12/07/2016, 03:32 PM

This has practical uses for sure even now. Sometimes you need to just...play a MIDI, and usually people use an actual sequencer for this (i.e.: the eternally great Yamaha QY-70) but that gives you way too many buttons. With this you could burn the MIDI to a CD and have this thing just play it.

My only question is why they made more than one disk for it. A CD-ROM can store YEARS of MIDI files with most of then being 50k or less. Floppies would have been more practical back in the day.

esadajr · 12/09/2016, 12:08 PM

Quote from: SuperDeadite on 12/06/2016, 11:20 AMAnd it seems Korg used HuCards as dataroms at one point!

http://page13.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/r163888585

You learn something new everyday

esadajr · 12/09/2016, 12:30 PM

I like how the Akai unit sounds, so in addtion to it and the WinX68k emulator, I'd just need one of these USB to midi cables

amazon.com/VicTsing-Cable-Converter-Keyboard-Adapter

then Bob's my uncle?

SignOfZeta · 12/09/2016, 02:53 PM

Quote from: esadajr on 12/09/2016, 12:30 PMI like how the Akai unit sounds, so in addtion to it and the WinX68k emulator, I'd just need one of these USB to midi cables

amazon.com/VicTsing-Cable-Converter-Keyboard-Adapter

then Bob's my uncle?

Assuming you can get that emulator to send to the USB MIDI host, sure.

This module won't play all the game samples and stuff though so you'll have to mix the sound from the game and the synth somehow, and be able to shut off the PC98 generated music but still have the Akai doing it.

I guess it would have to be supported specifically in the emulator, using external music from MIDI modules that is. If it is, that's potentially extremely entertaining. I have a number of MIDI things that, IMHO, blow GM out of the water. Hell, just having SFII be able to play VSTs is...I'd like to do that.

SuperDeadite · 12/10/2016, 08:48 AM

All X68K emulators support MIDI output to real modules. You just need an interface that is compatible with your version of Windows, and a lot of the cheapo generic cables will not work on anything past XP, some will work on V/7, but not all.

When MIDI is enabled in the emulators, they simply send MIDI data to the windows default midi device, which will be the awful WindowsGS SoftSynth. So you need something like Putzlowitschs Vista-MIDI Mapper Control Panel addon to actually tell Windows to use your real MIDI interface as the default MIDI device.

Regarding X68K MIDI support, it depends on the game. Most games are meant for Roland LA (MT-32) or Roland GS (SC-55). The Akai does not support either of these formats, it's pure GM, so it will not function correctly with most games. SuperSFII is one of the few games on the system to use pure GM with no extra enhancements.