Installing MPU-401 Compatible Cards in Windows 95
These notes are designed to help you install the following
Roland MIDI cards and configure them in Windows 95:
- LAPC-1
- MPU-401, MPU-IPC-T, MPU-401AT
- SCC-1
- First, we will look at computers and peripherals and
how they work together. See "Typical Hardware
Setup".
- Second, we will prepare the MIDI card for
installation. See "Changing Hardware Settings".
- Third, we will install the Windows 95 drivers. See
"Installing Windows 95 Drivers".
- Finally, we will test the MIDI configuration to make
sure it is working properly. See "Testing the
MIDI Card".
I. Typical Hardware Setup
IBM-compatible computers can be expanded to accept many
different devices such as a mouse, modem, printer, sound card,
or MIDI card. Your computer uses interrupts (also called IRQ's)
and port addresses (or I/O addresses) to distinguish between
these different devices. Since this guide is not intended to
explain the concepts of IBM computers in detail, we will not
jump into the particular definitions of IRQ's and addresses.
Just remember that the IRQ and port address numbers must be
unique for EVERY device in your computer. When two different
devices in your computer are set to the same interrupt or
address, a conflict results. A conflict is the most common
problem encountered when installing a new device. This may
result in your computer crashing, reporting an error message,
or playing MIDI in an unusual manner. In order to avoid
conflicts, it is important to be familiar with the interrupt
and address settings of the various devices in your computer.
Here are some typical devices and their settings :
| Device |
IRQ |
Port Address |
| MIDI card |
2/9 |
330-331 |
| COM 2 (Mouse or Modem) |
3 |
2F8 |
| COM 1 (Mouse or Modem) |
4 |
3F8 |
| Sound card |
5 |
220-22F |
| Floppy drive controller |
6 |
3F0-3F7 |
| LPT1 (Printer) |
7 |
378-37F |
| Reserved for system use |
8 |
070-071 |
| Video card |
2/9 |
3D0-3DF |
| Reserved for system use |
13 |
0F0-0FF |
| Hard disk controller |
14 |
1F0-1F7 |
| SCSI card (scanners, etc.) |
15 |
330-33F |
Note: All port addresses are
written using Hexadecimal notation.
As you can see, there are many devices and settings in
your computer to examine before installation. All Roland MIDI
cards are set to interrupt 2/9 and address 330 when shipped
from the factory. The notation of interrupt 2/9 means that
interrupts 2 and 9 are redirected IRQ's. This means anything
set on IRQ 2 also shares IRQ 9. Notice that video cards and
MIDI cards typically have the same interrupt settings of 2/9.
Although this is usually OK, some computers may have problems
with these two devices sharing the same interrupt.
COM 1 and COM 2 refer to the 9 and 25-pin serial port
connectors on the back of your computer. A mouse may be
attached to one of these ports. If not, you probably have a
PS/2 style mouse that uses a round 8-pin connector. A PS/2
style mouse typically uses IRQ 12, leaving your serial ports
available for other devices. A Fax/Modem will also use one of
the available serial ports. This is true whether it is
connected to the computer internally or externally.
Note: Due to the fact that
IBM computers and devices are manufactured by many different
companies, default settings may vary. Contact your computer
or device manufacturer for more information.
II. Changing Hardware Settings
To change an IRQ or port address setting of a Roland MIDI
card, you must change jumpers or switches on the card itself.
Possible IRQ and Port Address Settings
The following is a list of Roland MIDI cards with possible
settings for each. The settings in bold are the defaults.
SCC-1 and LAPC-1
IRQ: 2/9, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Port Address: 330, 332, 334, 336
MPU-401
IRQ: 2/9
Port Address: 330
MPU-IPC-T
IRQ: 2/9, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Port Address: 220, 230, 240, 250, 320, 330, 340, 350
MPU-401AT
IRQ: 2/9, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Port Address: 300, 320, 330, 332, 334, 336
Jumper and Switch settings for IRQ and Port
Address
Below are the jumper and switch settings used to change the
IRQ and port address for Roland MIDI cards. The settings that
are shaded are the factory defaults.
Note: The default settings
for Roland cards are usually the least likely to conflict
with other cards. Therefore it is recommended that you do not
change these settings unless you are sure you have a conflict
with another device.
LAPC-1
IRQ: There is a set of jumpers labeled J01 through J06 on the
LAPC-1. With the connectors of the card facing down and to
the right, these jumpers are located near the bottom-center
of the LAPC-1. Look at the chart below and move the jumper to
the appropriate set of pins to select the IRQ you want to use.
Port Address: There are two jumpers on the LAPC-1 used to
change the address, labeled J07 and J08. These jumpers are
located to the left of the IRQ jumpers on the card (see above).
Move the jumper to the desired location using this chart:
MPU-401
The original MPU-401 card was hard-wired from the factory to
IRQ 2/9 and port address 330H. If you wish to change these
settings, contact an authorized Roland Service Center.
MPU-IPC-T
IRQ: The jumpers used to change the interrupt are labeled on
the card as 2/9, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Position the card with
the connectors facing down and to the right. The interrupt
jumpers are located near the bottom-center. Move the jumper
to the desired position to select the IRQ.
Port Address: There are several jumpers labeled A04
through A09 on the MPU-IPC-T used to change port address.
With the connectors of the card facing down and to the right,
these jumpers are located near the top-center of the MPU-IPC-T.
You will find a 0 and 1 position for each of the jumpers. To
set a jumper to the 1 position, install it on the middle pin
and the top pin (labeled 1). To set a jumper to the 0
position, install it on the middle pin and the bottom pin (labeled
0). Move the jumpers to the desired locations for A04 through
A09 using this chart:
SCC-1
IRQ: With the connectors of the card facing down and to the
right, the jumpers used to change interrupts are located near
the bottom-center. IRQ's are labeled on the card as 2/9, 3, 4,
5, 6, and 7. Move the jumper to the appropriate set of pins
to select the interrupt you want to use.
Port Address: There are two switches on the SW2 block
labeled 1 and 2 which are used to select the port address.
With the connectors of the card facing down and to the right,
these switches are located near the top-center of the card on
the right. You will find an OFF and ON position for each of
the switches. Move the switch to the desired location using
this chart:
MPU-401AT
IRQ: There is a set of jumpers labeled SW1 on the MPU-401AT
card. With the connectors of the card facing down and to the
right, the SW1 jumpers are located near the bottom left of
the MPU-401AT. Move the jumper to the desired location using
this chart to select an interrupt:
Port Address: There is a set of switches labeled SW2 to
the right of the SW1 interrupt jumpers on the MPU-401AT. You
will find an OFF and ON position for each of the switches.
Move the switches to the desired locations using this chart
to select the address:
MIDI Card Installation
Note: Since computers vary
dramatically by manufacturer and type, it is a good idea to
consult your computer manufacturer before installation. If
you are not comfortable installing the card, please consult a
local computer technician.
MPU-401AT Note: If you are using an MPU-401AT
with a daughterboard, you will need to attach the
daughterboard to the card. The MPU-401AT has a connector
labeled CN1. This connector will attach to the equivalent
connector on the daughterboard. Two of the four plastic
spacers on the daughterboard will fit into holes on the MPU-401AT.
Now that the card is set to the appropriate IRQ and port
address settings, it must be physically installed in the
computer. Remove the cover of your computer - this will
typically require a screwdriver and/or key. Slide the card
into an available slot in the PC. Be careful not to drop
anything like a screwdriver or other tool in your computer.
Use a screw to fasten the card firmly in your computer.
Replace the computer's cover.
III. Installing Windows 95 Drivers
There are three parts to this process:
- First, we will install the Windows driver.
- Second, we will tell Windows which interrupt and
address settings you have chosen.
- Third, we will select the new MIDI card as the
primary Windows MIDI device.
Installing the Windows Driver
- From the Start Menu, select Settings and open the
Control Panel. (right)
- In the Control Panel, double-click on Add New
Hardware.
- To begin installing your hardware, click Next.
- Since you do not want Windows to search for your
hardware, click No, followed by Next.
- For hardware type, scroll down through the list and
select Sound, video and game controllers.
- For Manufacturer on the left, choose Microsoft. For
Models on the right, choose MPU-401 Compatible.
Click Next.
- Windows will indicate the default interrupt and
address settings for the card. If the card you
installed is not at these default settings, you will
need to change them in Windows. Finish the steps
below and then go to the "Setting the Interrupt
and Address in Windows" section.
- You may need to insert a Windows disk at this point.
Afterwards, click Finish to end the installation.
- At this point you will be asked to shut down the
computer. After doing so, restart it.
Setting the Interrupt and Address in Windows
If your MIDI card is not at the default settings, or if
Windows is not recognizing the card, follow these steps to
change the settings in Windows. Otherwise, go to the "Selecting
the MIDI Card as the Primary Windows MIDI Device"
section below.
- From the Start Menu, select Settings and open the
Control Panel.
- In the Control Panel, double-click on the System icon.
(right)
- Click on the Device Manager tab at the top of the
System Properties window.
- Double-click on Sound, video and game controllers.
- Your sound cards will be displayed. Double-click on
MPU-401 Compatible.
- Click on the Resources tab at the top of the
Properties window.
- Clear the check mark from the Use automatic settings
box, if necessary.
- To change the port address, click on Input/Output
Range. To change the interrupt, click on Interrupt
Request. Then click the Change Setting button.
- The screen you will be shown displays the value for
the parameter you have selected. Click the up and
down arrows to choose from the available values,
making sure that no devices are conflicting in the
Device Conflict box at the bottom.
- Click OK, and change the other settings as necessary.
- Click OK again and restart Windows when requested.
Selecting the MIDI Card as the Primary Windows MIDI
Device
- Open the Control Panel.
- Double-click on the Multimedia icon.
- Click the MIDI tab at the top of the window.
- Click the dot to the left of Single Instrument.
- Click on MIDI for MPU-401 Compatible in the white box
under Single Instrument.
- Click OK at the bottom of the window.
IV. Testing the MIDI Card
At this point we will test the MIDI card to make sure it
is installed and configured properly. We will be using the
Media Player program included with Windows. If you are using
an external MIDI device, it should be turned on and waiting
to receive MIDI data. Connect its MIDI input to your new card's
MIDI output.
- From the Start Menu, select Programs, then
Accessories, and Multimedia, followed by Media Player.
- Under the Device menu, select MIDI Sequencer. (below)

- A window to open a file will be displayed. If you
upgraded from Windows 3.1, you should be able to find
the CANYON.MID file in the Windows directory.
Otherwise, you will need to locate and open a MIDI
file of your own.
- To make sure the correct MIDI device has been chosen,
select Properties under the Device menu.
- Under Single Instrument, click on the MIDI device you
wish to test (the MPU-401 Compatible).
- Click OK at the bottom of the window.
- In the Media Player, click the Play button (the
button on the far left that looks like a sideways
triangle) and the MIDI file will begin playing.
Start
If you are not getting any output, check the following:
- Is your output device (speakers, headphones, etc.)
attached to the correct connector?
- Are the speakers or headphones working properly? Try
connecting them to another audio device to test them.
- If the signal is going through a mixer or an
amplifier, are the volume levels turned up?
- If you are controlling an external MIDI device, are
the MIDI connections correct? Can it be verified that
the device is receiving MIDI data?
If the sound you are getting is still not right, or you
are not getting any output at all, then you may have an
interrupt or address conflict. Determine some other available
settings for the card that you can use. Change the jumpers or
switches on the card, and change the corresponding values in
Windows to reflect the updates. Then try testing the card
again.