Changing MIDI Output Device (SB XFi MIDI (8080))

daemonmonkey · 16 Dec 2009

Hi

I've been in contact with MS Support, about that in the Win7 Sound panel there is no longer the ability to change MIDI Port from the internal GS Wavetable synth, and got confirmed that they've removed this, both for Vista and Win7

"The ability to choose a different hardware or software MIDI synthesizer other than the default Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth has been removed from the user interface for audio configuration in Windows Vista/Windows 7. A different output MIDI synth or output device port can be selected only by editing the registry".

I really want to select the MPU-401 compatible MIDI Port, so I can make use of my old Roland MT-32 and the old Sierra games through DOS-Box

Does anyone know how to do / already done this?

I don't know why MS removed this setting, I can imagine that many musicians will get very angry when they wont be able to change this easily...

edgaralfredo · 17 Dec 2009

I found this in the web

Windows 7 midi

Published Fri, May 29 2009 1:46 AM | Ramon Smits
My midi hardware it working nice in my DAW home studio but today I noticed that I do not have the ability to change the default midi out device in Windows 7. After googling around it seems that this was also the case in Windows Vista. But luckily there are options to configure the default out device!
The first that I found was the Windows Vista MIDI Mapper control panel and minutes later the Vista MIDI fix. The control panel application fixed my problem but only lists hardware midi stuff like my MIDI USB keyboards and the hardware midi output of my Creative card as the Vista MIDI fix application lists more midi out options but I haven' not tested those yet.
Both applications run without any problems here on my Windows 7 RC x64 installation.

Direct Links:

Akkordwechsel Windows Vista und der MIDI-Mapper
Vista MIDI Tool • benryves.com

Good Luck

Edgar

daemonmonkey · 18 Dec 2009

Thanks Edgar will try this and return to tell if I cuuld use it.

daemonmonkey · 18 Dec 2009

Update:

The utility works partially. I can select between MS GS Wavetable and SB XFi Midi Synth A/B but i cannot use the built-in MIDI Port for external instruments, which was the main reason for the original question.

It is anyhow a step towards a solution i guess. Thanks again Edgar

I cannot put a "RESOLVED" tag on this one as you can understand.

And could anybody make Chop Suey out of the "clever guy" that decided to take away this (and other) useful features in XP from Windows Vista/7?

Regards
DM

edgaralfredo · 21 Dec 2009

HELLO.
DO YOU HAVE THE DRIVERS FOR ROLAND MPU-401 INSTALLED IN YOUR COMPUTER?

IF NOT, YOU NEED THE DRIVERS FIRST; SEARCH IN THE WEB.

see this, BUT I NOT RECOMMENDED TO YOU, ONLY FOR YOUR KNOWLEDGE.

C-Media CMI8738 Audio Driver 8.17.37 Beta Windows 7

Features:32-bit PCI 2.1 compatible bus master.
.....
MIDI MPU-401 port/ game port.
......

IN OTHER PAGES OFFERS THE ROLAND MPU-401 BUT I CAN'T DOWNLOAD IT.

IF I CAN HELP YOU IN ANY WAY I WILL DO.

BY.
EDGAR

edgaralfredo · 21 Dec 2009

or this

Download Drivers - Sound Cards - C-Media - External Midi(Mpu401) Device - driver18120.zip

daemonmonkey · 22 Dec 2009

Hi Edgar

I don't know if it's suitable to install the MPU drivers as I don't have that card (Yes I have one but in my old PII EISA system

).

It is, as I believe, the SB card that emulates the MPU, thus it should be the SB-drivers that should handle this. It was no problem with XP (same computer, dualbooting), there you just went into Sound Settings and changed the MIDI output..

Thanks for your effort Edgar!

Techaudiophile1 · 07 Jul 2010

Hi there,

Well, try to make the following steps to select a different MIDI device under Windows® Vista/7:

1. Download & run the “Dosbox” application. It can be downloaded from the following website:
http://www.dosbox.com/

2. Open a DOS window & write in the command line: “mixer /listmidi” to verify the available MIDI devices. As an example, the following items could be showed:
a- "SB X-Fi synth A [9C00]"
b- "SB X-Fi synth B [9C00]"

Note: If any other MIDI devices were available, they should be showed in the previous list.

3. To change the MIDI output, do the following:
a- In the “Search programs and files” field, after click on the start menu, write “regedit” to access Windows® 7 Registry. Access [HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/ActiveMovie/devenum/{4EFE2452-168A-11D1-BC76-00C04FB9453B}/Default MidiOut Device]

4. In the option “MidiOutId"=dword:fffffff, change “fffffff” for 0, 1 or 2 (without changing at Hexadecimal option). The options 0, 1 or 2 represent one of the MIDI Outputs that you want to enable.

Note: The steps 1 or 2 are additional steps just in case that you don’t know the quantity and the names of the MIDI Outputs.

See also: “How to be able to edit Windows® Registry” below (if required only):

a. Click on "Start Menu". In the “Search programs and files” field write “gpedit.msc”
b. Access “User Configuration”, “Administrative Templates”, “System”.
c. Click twice on “Prevent access to registry editing tools”, then select “Disabled”. Click on “OK”.

For further information, access:
http://www.online-tech-tips.com/windows-xp/registry-disabled-by-administrator/es/

sdim · 09 Jul 2010

I made an utility for windows 7 to select the default midi playback device.
Download it for free, and give it to any friends that have the same problem.
MidiPortConfig
http://www.sdim.gr/mpc/

If you get an error, download the microsoft .net framework. It is a free download available on windows update and on the microsoft website.

Golbez · 16 Aug 2010

Did anyone try that MIDI port program posted by the last user? I'm looking for something that can improve upon the stock MS GS Wavetable.

Was editing the registry one of the options for that? Or does that do something different? I want a high end sound font on my computer, compared to the stock one. Is that what the default midi playback device is/does? I don't want to change anything without knowing what the default file/playback device is, so that I can switch it back if it doesn't work (right).

Why does the MIDI function essentially get shunned by Windows? /sadface

Changing MIDI Output Device (SB XFi MIDI (8080))

Changing MIDI Output Device (SB XFi MIDI (8080))

Possible Fix

Driver MPU-401