External MIDI synth mute in AGS games, but software synths work...

[poochyfud]

Hello all, first time here so I apologize if this has been answered already. I checked for related posts but couldn't find a fix for my problem.

I have a Roland SC-55mkii hooked up to my computer which I use for games that utilize MIDI. When I start an AGS game, I can see that MIDI information is being fed to the unit by the volume bars on the front panel and the flashing light on the USB adapter. However, there is no music audible!

I've switched from default MCI device to Win32 MIDI mapper and back in AGS config with no change. However, when I change the default MIDI device under control panel to either the Microsoft software synth or my sound card synth, I can hear the music just fine.

With the Sound Canvas as the default device I alt-tabbed out to check my volume levels in the mixer. Strangely my waveout volume was a touch higher than usual and MIDI volume was all the way down... however, the Sound Canvas is hooked up to Line In so that shouldn't make any difference at all AFAIK; as I understand it the MIDI slider in volume mixer affects the software synths. I confirmed this by moving the MIDI volume slider back up and alt-tabbing back in to AGS where I still couldn't hear any music, despite the front panel clearly showing a music track playing. Maddening!

The SC-55mkii can be heard just fine in other games with MIDI, and I've checked it multiple times in the DXDiag music test tab. For some reason I can't fathom it is completely silent in AGS, and ONLY in AGS.

I don't know if this makes any difference, but the two games I'm trying to play are Maniac Mansion Deluxe and Zak McKracken 2 by the sadly defunct Lucasfan Games.

EDIT: I tried unplugging the cable from my sound card's line-in and plugging it into my speakers line-in. Loaded up MMD and now I can hear the music from my SC! Bizarre. I noticed a nearly 2 second delay on the sound card's line-in port as well, so apparently there are some issues there.

The music is a little too soft without being able to boost the volume in the mixer, but still better than no music at all.

[Pumaman]

As this is quite a specialized hardware setup, it's going to be difficult for us to debug this since we'd need to have the hardware too in order to see the problem.

Is it now working to a satisfactory standard?

[poochyfud]

Sure, it's just a minor annoyance all in all. I could have just switched my MIDI device over to one of the software synths and been done with it, but at least I know now I can still use my Sound Canvas if I'm willing to accept the volume decrease and swap the cable around.

It would be interesting to know if the problem lies specifically with my Auzen Bravura sound card, in AGS, or somewhere in between... but I don't think I'll lose any sleep over it.  Not to mention I have my always-reliable Realtek onboard audio to fall back on. 8)

[Lutz G]

I have a Roland SC-55mkii hooked up to my computer which I use for games that utilize MIDI. When I start an AGS game, I can see that MIDI information is being fed to the unit by the volume bars on the front panel and the flashing light on the USB adapter. However, there is no music audible!

Checked Maniac Mansion Deluxe with my Roland SC-55 (USB-Midi-Cable) works fine...

BTW: Are there other AGS Games with midi (hardware) support (have to check Zak McKracken 2) with great midi (Roland) soundtrack - like in the old days?

Lutz