MT32-Pi Demo - Dune II Track

This is a demo of the MT32-Pi or MT32-Pi-HC playing a track from the game Dune II. The MT32-Pi does an impressively faithful job of recreating that iconic Roland MT-32 tonal palette, while adding a few modern conveniences.

Available in my shop at: https://mt32-pi.com or https://hobbychop.com

Also available on Ebay, Reverb, and Tindie.

Warmth and Character
Thanks to the libmt32emu core, the MT32-Pi captures the MT-32’s classic subtractive-synthesis timbres: the slightly honky brass, the bell-like mallets, the lush “strings” with just a touch of hiss in the background. There’s a gentle, musical filter resonance that feels more organic than a typical GM SoundFont patch.

Clarity & Detail
With its built-in audio DAC (usually running at 16-bit/44.1 kHz or 48 kHz), you get clean highs and punchy mids. Percussive sounds (mallets, hi-hats, congas) pop without harshness, and sustain instruments (pads, choirs) remain smooth and undistorted, even when you layer multiple parts.

Dynamic Range & Headroom
The MT32-Pi handles velocity nuances very well. Soft notes whisper and building up to full-velocity strikes still retain definition rather than simply clipping. There’s enough headroom that you can push into overdrive only when you really want that “dirty” edge.

Latency & Responsiveness
On a Pi 3 or better, MIDI latency is virtually imperceptible—typically under 5 ms from command to audio. That responsiveness makes it rock-solid for live performance or fast arpeggios.

Stereo Imaging
While the original MT-32 is mono, most users wire the MT32-Pi through a stereo DAC—panning parts subtly left and right. This widens the soundstage compared to the hardware unit, giving your ensemble more space in the mix.

SoundFont Compatibility
Beyond MT-32 emulation, it can load SoundFonts (.SF2) for GM, GS, or custom libraries. Those samples sound clear and (depending on the SF2 quality) can actually out-shine the stock MT-32 patches in crispness, especially for realistic piano or orchestral libraries.