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The LAPC-I Sound Card is an integrated unit combining an LA
Process Multi-Timbral Tone Generation, and intelligent MIDI
interface. The tone generation system is functionally equivalent
to the Roland MT-32 Multi-Timbral Sound Module and the interface
between the computer and the tone generation system is equivalent
to the Roland MPU-401 MIDI processing unit.
The LAPC-I conforms the Musical Instrument Digital Interface
(MIDI) standards which define data exchange between electronic
musical instruments and devices. MIDI-equipped keyboards,
sequencers, and other devices may be connected to the LAPC-I via
the MCB-1 MIDI connecter box. MIDI input data can be routed to
the computer and/or directly to the LAPC-I tone generators and
because the LAPC-I recognizes and processes data in the same
manner and the MPU-401, you can take full advantage of other
music software that is MPU-401 compatible.
The LAPC-I is an Internal, Full Length, 8-bit PC Compatible card
that fits nicely in any long slot on your PC. It has two line
output jacks (L&R), one Mini Headphone jack, and a connector jack
for the optional MCB-1 MIDI connector box. It's ready to play
music from Sierra Software's latest games with full soundtrack
scores right out of the box .
The MCB-1 MIDI connector box is needed if you want to hook the
LAPC-I to external MIDI instruments. It has 1 MIDI IN, 2 MIDI
OUT, 1 SYNC OUT, 1 TAPE IN (for FSK signal), 1 TAPE OUT, and 1
METRONOME OUT.
The LAPC-I is equal to the MT-32 with several enhancements and
inherent problems which make the choice between the two
difficult.
The LAPC-I has 33 new sound effects not found on the MT-32.
Bubbles Explosion Crash
Stream Lasergun Car-Pass
Waves Machine-gun Car-Stop
Wind Pistol Engine
Thunder Starship Windchime
Rain Helicopter Scratch
Birds Jet Door Slam
Horse Train Creaking
Dog Siren Applause
Footsteps1 Footsteps2 Heartbeat
Punch Screaming Laughing
The LAPC-I has the latest ROM chips, available as an upgrade for
the MT-32, and state of the art circuitry.
As an internal unit it takes no desk space and is less likely to
be "borrowed" by light fingered folks.
The downside to the LAPC-I is that it has no "front panel" to
control it. You must use software to utilize the card. It has
no volume control. It can only be used with an IBM Compatible
PC. You must turn off your computer to reset the card if you
bail out of a program. It takes a Full Length PC slot, the MPU-
401 only takes a Half Length slot. You must buy the MCB-1 MIDI
connector box to use a keyboard. Sierra Software does not write
music to address the LAPC-I's sound effects, and most likely
won't (to remain compatible with the MT-32's already sold). The
LAPC-I is powered up whenever your computer is on, thereby
heating it's chips and possibly reducing component life.
The price comparison between the two systems may shed further
light on your decision of which to buy.
These Prices are the available prices from Roland (Direct) and
Sierra Software (the recommended place to buy this equipment)
UNIT: Roland (Direct) Sierra Online (Not Official)
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MT-32 NA $550.00 (Includes MPU-401)
LAPC-I $595.00 $456.25
MCB-1 $150.00 $125.00
Please Note, the author is NOT affiliated with either Roland or
Sierra Online. All prices are not official and are for
comparison ONLY!
The LAPC-I works with all software written for the Roland MT-32
and the MPU-401. One Software package that directly address the
Sounds and Effects of the LAPC-I is BALLADE by DynaWare. A demo
of Ballade is available in Lib 13 of the MIDI forum on
CompuServe.
-Robert Koeppel (71340,3121)