Cloudschatze

They're absolutely meant to be used with the games. I've considered creating stand-alone versions separately, but these particular MIDI files are comprised of just synthesizer configuration data; the intent being to set-up the respective target device for reception/playback of the in-game MIDI music data.

So, years later, I've finally gotten around to creating an SMF-encapsulated SysEx dump for the Ultima III / Yamaha FB-01 configuration, optimized for single-unit playback. U3ST01.ZIP Usage details are in the READ.ME file. For the sake of posterity, here is a direct-attach of the Ultima IV / Roland MT-32 configuration as well. U4ST32.ZIP

So, at long last (or something), here's the aforementioned "U4ST32" Roland MT-32 configuration for the Atari ST version of Ultima IV. http://www.symphoniae.com/atari/U4ST32.ZIP The SysEx data has been encapsulated in a Standard MIDI File, allowing some transmission flexibility over a straight SysEx dump, while also regulating playback speed (necessary for both the LCD text animation timing, and to prevent potential RX buffer overflow in 1.x MT-32 units). Additional notes of relevance are in the READ.ME file.

So, here's a not great video.

I recently worked-out a similar "realtime arrangement" of Ultima IV's MIDI playback for the Roland MT-32; it being a target device fitting within the same contemporaneous model used for the Ultima III example. 1986 - Ultima III (Atari ST), Yamaha FB-01 1987 - Ultima IV (Atari ST), Roland MT-32 As Great Hierophant mentioned, Ultima IV sends six channels of simple Note On/Off MIDI data, corresponding to the Mockingboard voices of the Apple version. In an ideal world, this would make the task of "arrangement" an easier endeavor than was Ultima III with its single channel of MIDI data. Alas, no. While the same main challenge is present - that is, that any instrumentation and settings are the same for every piece involved - there were also several other issues that had to be programmatically dealt with at the synth level. After analyzing the MIDI data, it seemed appropriate to select instrumentation that might represent a performance by a musical troupe from the late Medieval or early Renaissance periods. The result is hardly perfection, but mostly reasonable for the majority of pieces, in my opinion. Being primarily woodwind and stringed-instrument focused, it's something of a departure from normal Ultima music perceptions and expectations though, for better or worse. I hope to do another video demonstration, eventually. In the meantime, here are FLAC recordings of the current, "beta" effort, directly captured from my MT-32, being supplied with the in-game MIDI output. While all playback except for "The Castle" was captured from the title demonstration sequence as a single recording, this was subsequently split and arranged into the (Apple) Mockingboard playback order, with fade-in/outs added to each track. "Towns" "Shopping" "Dungeon" "The Castle" "Rule Britannia" "Wanderer" "Combat" "Shrines" "Fanfare of Lord British" If I can ever be content with the effort, I'll release the SysEx file that can be used with any MT-32 or CM-variant. Until then, here's hoping that this provides some inspiration.