| Is the IBM Music Option (such a clever name) 401-compatible? I almost don't
think so. I've been looking for a low-cost entry route and did not see anything
like what you are asking for.
I presume you want it integrated for low cost. Why not look at a MusicQuest
card (~$100) and an older, less capable SGU (FB01 $100 offered recently in the
for sale note in this conference). That would be, I suspect, cheaper than
a "Music Option" with the same musical capabilities + real 401 compatibility.
Burns (a new owner of just the above combination).
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There is a card made by Roland called the LAPC. It was reviewed some months back
in Personal Computer World (UK). I'm sure that it must have been covered in US
PC publications, too.
The review, as I recall, was very enthusiastic (though this was from the point
of view of a PC reviewer rather than someone accustomed to reviewing synth
products). However, it did point out that there was no accompanying software in
the package, not even a simple installation test. This implies that you would
have to get some control software separately, if you didn't already have some
(though the card is compatible with other PC sound cards). Perhaps, by now, some
bright spark has thought of writing some bespoke software for this beast?
Chris
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Keep in mind, though, that whatever investment you make in one of
these gimmicks limits you to computers with a compatible bus. If
tomorrow you suddenly decided to roll over and turn into a
Macintosh kinda guy, your investment in these toys would be
reduced to whatever price you could get by reselling them.
Whereas if you buy an MPU-401 clone the damage is limited to the
interface; your SGUs would work with your Next computer...
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