Ultima III MIDI Magic

[Cloudschatze]

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

Edited February 1, 2019 by Cloudschatze

[+DarkLord]

So these are "stand alone", not something to be used with the games themselves, correct?

 

(Sorry if I'm showing my lack of knowledge here - still learning about MIDI stuff).

 

Thanks.

[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.

[+DarkLord]

Great! Thanks for the correction.

[+DarkLord]

Hello. I just recently (finally) got around to hooking up a Roland MT-32

and trying to use it with some Atari ST games. I've had some issues,

the LCD screen is super dim and I have a background hum which is

annoying and increases the more you turn up the volume. I'm looking

for a replacement P/S to see if that is the problem.

 

Anyway, I used the MUSIC.PRG software with the Sierra games like

Spacequest 1-2-3 and that works fine. Amazing sounds. Love it.

 

However, I've been unable to get Ultima III, IV, or V to work. I did

google and performed the following:

 

1. Hold down MASTER VOLUME

2. Press PART 5

3. Press PART 1

 

This showed "Channel 1-8 ? [1]

 

Pressing 1 returns it to the default screen. I'm assuming this is what

it's supposed to show when it works?

 

Still none of the Ultima games give any MIDI sound.

 

Any help is appreciated, thanks.

 

PS I also downloaded the U4 file for the MT-32 but I'm unsure what

to do with it? Drop it in the Ultima IV folder? Thanks again...

 

PSS Oh...it seems that file has to be "played" into the MT-32. I have

no idea how to do that, thanks.

 

PSSS Yep, I'm that guy who is resurrecting a +2 year old thread...

 

 

 

Edited November 26, 2021 by DarkLord
Additional text...

[Great Hierophant]

The correct procedure to change the MIDI channel assignments of the MT-32, as stated in the manual is to "Press PART button 5 while holding down the MASTER VOLUME button, then press PART button 1."  That is the first thing you must do before starting Ultima IV.

 

The second thing you must do is play the U4ST32.MID into the MT-32 before starting Ultima IV. Ideally you should be able to find an Atari ST program which can play standard MIDI files.  If you cannot find such a program, you can connect the MT-32 to a PC and use a PC-based player to play the MID file into the MT-32.  When you are done, it should take maybe 2 seconds, you can connect the MT-32 back to your Atari ST.

 

After those two things are done, then you can start Ultima IV on your ST.

[SlidellMan]

Wow, that is quite impressive.

[+DarkLord]

4 hours ago, Great Hierophant said:

The correct procedure to change the MIDI channel assignments of the MT-32, as stated in the manual is to "Press PART button 5 while holding down the MASTER VOLUME button, then press PART button 1."  That is the first thing you must do before starting Ultima IV.

 

The second thing you must do is play the U4ST32.MID into the MT-32 before starting Ultima IV. Ideally you should be able to find an Atari ST program which can play standard MIDI files.  If you cannot find such a program, you can connect the MT-32 to a PC and use a PC-based player to play the MID file into the MT-32.  When you are done, it should take maybe 2 seconds, you can connect the MT-32 back to your Atari ST.

 

After those two things are done, then you can start Ultima IV on your ST.

 

First of all, thanks for the quick response on a 2 year old message thread.

 

Okay, because I'm overly literal and a slight moron, I'm going to assume that the

instructions mean this:

 

1. While holding down the MASTER VOLUME button,

 

2. Press the PART 5 button.

 

3. Let go of the MASTER VOLUME button and the PART 5 button.

 

4. Press the PART 1 button.

 

I'll try this as soon as I can.

 

I'll have to look into Atari ST software to play the file into the MT-32.

 

Thanks again.

 

Edited November 28, 2021 by DarkLord
Post auto saved before I was ready....

[Tillek]

I thought I saw in one of the videos on this that the ST version of Ultima V actually didn't have MIDI?  It sticks out in my memory because the Apple version actually DID have the enhanced music and I remember in the video a comment was made about how strange it was that the ST version didn't.

 

Then again, who knows.  I've misremembered before.

 

[+DarkLord]

If I can get it working on *any* version, I'll try it on all

the versions I have and report back here...  

 

[+DarkLord]

Okay, as I posted in my Roland MT-32 message thread,

I got a replacement P/S and it seems to have fixed all

the problems I was seeing before.

 

Except for Ultima III. I still can't get any sound from it,

MIDI wise. I tried changing it like I was supposed to, and

the main screen has the numbers 1-5 flash to a solid square

and the MIDI message light is flashing but no sound is

coming through my speakers. I played the game with the

sound FX turned on and the music off but nothing.

 

Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[zzip]

On 11/28/2021 at 10:00 PM, Tillek said:

I thought I saw in one of the videos on this that the ST version of Ultima V actually didn't have MIDI?  It sticks out in my memory because the Apple version actually DID have the enhanced music and I remember in the video a comment was made about how strange it was that the ST version didn't.

 

Then again, who knows.  I've misremembered before.

 

I actually thought Ultima V was the only one with MIDI on the ST?  I just tried U3, U4 and U5 with a Yamaha keyboard attached.    No MIDI output from U5,  but U3 and U4 played MIDI without issue

[+DarkLord]

It would appear that only Ultima III and IV have MIDI support.

 

It seems mine is working now. Apparently, it was just at such a low

level that I couldn't hear it. I turned the Master Volume on the MT-32

up to 100 and then when I turn my speakers volume up, I get that

glorious MIDI sound. Now to figure out how to load that upgraded

UIV MIDI soundtrack into the MT-32...

 

Also, another question. With the MT-32's output considerably lower

than what my Mega STe is putting out to my speakers, I'm left with

really super loud footsteps and low MIDI background music. Is there

any way to adjust the MT-32's volume aside from Master Volume?

 

Thanks.

 

[leech]

10 minutes ago, DarkLord said:

It would appear that only Ultima III and IV have MIDI support.

 

It seems mine is working now. Apparently, it was just at such a low

level that I couldn't hear it. I turned the Master Volume on the MT-32

up to 100 and then when I turn my speakers volume up, I get that

glorious MIDI sound. Now to figure out how to load that upgraded

UIV MIDI soundtrack into the MT-32...

 

Also, another question. With the MT-32's output considerably lower

than what my Mega STe is putting out to my speakers, I'm left with

really super loud footsteps and low MIDI background music. Is there

any way to adjust the MT-32's volume aside from Master Volume?

 

Thanks.

 

Hmm, wonder if qnyone has the time / willpower / skill to mod the Ultima V MIDI into the ST version.

[zzip]

22 minutes ago, leech said:

Hmm, wonder if qnyone has the time / willpower / skill to mod the Ultima V MIDI into the ST version.

 

The  MIDI files and PC midi upgrade are below:

 

https://ultima5.ultimacodex.com/ultima-5-upgrade/

 

Quote

These patches add MIDI music files to the MS-DOS version of the game, which had previously only been included with the Commodore and Apple ports.

WTH?  Why would they add MIDI to C64 but not to the ST,  the one computer from the era that had native MIDI support?  Especially since the previous games had it on ST.   Origin was anything but consistent ?

[leech]

15 minutes ago, zzip said:

 

The  MIDI files and PC midi upgrade are below:

 

https://ultima5.ultimacodex.com/ultima-5-upgrade/

 

WTH?  Why would they add MIDI to C64 but not to the ST,  the one computer from the era that had native MIDI support?  Especially since the previous games had it on ST.   Origin was anything but consistent ?

Yeah, blows my mind!

[+DarkLord]

Ultima V is such a great game - it deserves the update!