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)
  -----------------------------------------------------------
  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)