MT-32 PI Project for the Mac

[pfuentes69]

I completed my ugly custom made hat to be used with a Raspberry emulating a Roland MT32 using MT32-PI
I connect it to my LC475 using an Opcode MIDI Translator II that I got for cheap on eBay.
Sounds pretty well and I even managed to configure some games to use it...

 

[Mu0n]

I own real, physical Roland units:

-Roland MT-32 (North American version)
-Roland SC-88ST (Japanese version that came with a 100 V power brick, I just use the MT-32's just fine).

But I've been meaning to buy/make my own MT-32 PI so that I don't have to shuttle my Mt-32 to work whenever I want to use the Weecee I built, I just haven't gotten around to deciding:

-Between buying/making it
-Using my existing Raspberry pi3b which is dedicated to retropie for now but is mostly collecting dust. or buying a cheap used one
-Going all the way with buying a pi4 and repurposing the pi3b to this

 

[pfuentes69]

I checked about getting a real one, but what I found was too expensive, so I decided to make the custom hat for the MT32-PI.
I really like it, as it allows to work in both MT32 and soundfont mode (I could play MIDI files with the SC-55 soundfont and it sounds quite well).
I use a PI 3B and it’s more than enough.

 

[Mu0n]

Ebay prices were too rich for my blood as well for the MT-32, but then I caved for a very local facebook marketplace ad; a retired-age couple met me and the gentleman was using it back in the day for music (nothing gaming related!). It was $200 CAD (sale face to face = no shipping + no anxiety over packing) but it was such an ancient dream of mine to get one that I don't mind it.

The SC-88ST I got from Yahoo Auctions Japan and used the broker intermediary website service buyee to handle browsing, bidding and shipment to me.

 

[Mu0n]

I know I'll have to splurge and make a custom case. There are some wildly impressive ideas in this vogons thread:

Show us your custom Physical mt32-pi Builds \ VOGONS

www.vogons.org

This is probably my favorite one of the bunch:

I'm thinking of 3d printing that, somehow tie the control knob and buttons somehow to the face plate, but go a different route instead of using glossy/matte Brother stickers printed with a machine. A friend who's gone crazy with 3d printing now has an acrylic printer and could maybe get me the glossy look all over the face plate. Another option is to order a (stupidly priced because of the weird size?) black PCB plate with just holes and no copper anywhere.

 

[pfuentes69]

I made a second version of the MT32-PI, fitting it in a generic case.

Like this is quite more useable.

 

[Mu0n]

Looks sharp man! Excellent choice of tune to showcase it, haha!