MT32-PI (MT-32 Emulator) Multi Timbre Sound Module, Full Build, 32GB, .sf2, Enhanced for Musicians

Introducing the MT32-Pi, hand-crafted, fully assembled, and ready to use. Featuring true bare-metal hardware for outstanding sound quality. Unlike other MT32-Pi units that simply replicate the original code, the MT32-Pi-HC builds upon it with meaningful enhancements and additional features. Compact, lightweight, and incredibly powerful, it’s designed for serious audio enthusiasts and musicians who want more than the basics.

Ready to plug in and play, designed for musicians. Compact form factor.

• Better latency and faster than the devices built with the Pi Zero 2 W!
• 40% faster CPU speed! 4 x 1.4 GHz vs. 4 x 1 GHz.
• More features than BulkyMIDI-32 and half the size!

This unit does NOT require a mister FPGA and is fully standalone!

Assembled Parts Include

• Raspberry Pi 3 A+
• 32GB SD Card
• Custom MIDI "hat"
• Long Micro USB Cable for Power
• Full Custom Shell
• Rotary Dial (Volume) and 2 Buttons for switching between Sound fonts or ROMS.
• LCD Screen
• High Quality Audio out DAC
• TRS Type A MIDI (in, out, thru)
• TRS 3.5mm Cable
• A Stand

Does not include

• Power brick - I recommend a 3 amp USB brick.
  

New features:

MIDI Channel Settings Menu

Press the encoder knob to access the MIDI channel settings menu where you can:

• Channel: Select MIDI channel (1-16)
• Mute: Toggle channel mute on/off
• Volume: Adjust channel volume (0-127)
• Program: Change program/patch number (0-127)
• Route: Route channel to different output channel
• Next: Navigate to Animation Settings menu
• Exit: Return to normal display
• Animation Settings Menu

From the MIDI Channel Settings menu, select "Next" to access animation settings:

• Mode: Choose visualization mode:
• BarGraph: Classic MIDI activity bar graph (default)
• Animation: Cute face animations that react to MIDI
• Asteroids: MIDI-reactive asteroids game with AI ship - notes spawn asteroids
• MatrixRain: Matrix-style falling characters that react to note velocity
• Oscilloscope: Real-time waveform display with MIDI-triggered waves
• Next: Navigate to Preset Menu (save/load MIDI channel configurations)
• Back: Return to MIDI Channel Settings menu
• Exit: Return to normal display
  

FX Settings Menu (SoundFont Mode Only)

Per-Channel FX Controls:

• R Button: Opens Reverb Settings (global reverb parameters)
• C Button: Opens Chorus Settings (global chorus parameters)
• Ch: Select MIDI channel (1-16)
• Rv: Reverb send level for selected channel (0-127, CC 91)
• Chr: Chorus send level for selected channel (0-127, CC 93)
• Pn: Pan position for selected channel (0-127, 64=center, CC 10)
• Ex: Expression level for selected channel (0-127, CC 11)
• Back: Return to MIDI Channel Settings menu
• Next: Navigate to Animation Settings menu
• Exit: Return to normal display
  
  Reverb Settings (Press R):
  Global reverb parameters that affect the entire reverb unit:
  
  
• Rm: Room Size (0-100) - Controls the perceived size of the reverb space
• Dp: Damping (0-100) - High frequency absorption, higher values = darker reverb
• Wd: Width (0-100) - Stereo width of the reverb effect
• Lv: Level (0-100) - Overall reverb output level
• Back: Return to FX Settings menu
• Exit: Return to normal display
  
  Chorus Settings (Press C):
  Global chorus parameters that affect the entire chorus unit:
  
  
• Dp: Depth (0-210) - Intensity of the chorus modulation (maps to 0.0-21.0)
• Sp: Speed (1-50) - Modulation rate in Hz (maps to 0.1-5.0 Hz)
• Lv: Level (0-100) - Overall chorus output level (maps to 0.0-10.0)
• Vc: Voices (0-99) - Number of chorus voices
• Back: Return to FX Settings menu
• Exit: Return to normal display

All three new visualization modes (Asteroids, MatrixRain, Oscilloscope) are fully MIDI-reactive and respond dynamically to incoming MIDI notes.

Persistent Settings

The device now remembers your preferences across reboots:

• Last selected visualization mode - Your chosen animation mode is saved automatically and restored on boot
• Last used SoundFont - The device remembers which SoundFont you were using and loads it automatically on next boot
• These settings are stored in separate state files on the SD card and persist through power loss.

This device not only mimics the MT-32’s signature sound but also supports soundfont emulation for a variety of soundfonts. Experience classic retro audio with this solution, which delivers authentic MT-32 and general MIDI sounds while costing considerably less than the original hardware. It can be easily connected to new or older computers equipped with MIDI out.

Can play Soundfonts with a MIDI keyboard in fluidsynth mode (default). Use up to 16 MIDI channels with up to 128 programs. Comes with a variety of .sf2 soundfonts or use your own by adding them to the soundfonts folder.

MT32-Pi-HC Code

I have added a Pixel Pet to keep you company while composing, with several randomly changing animations. I have published a version of MiniDexed that works on this mt32, just need to extract the contents of the zip to a FAT32 formatted SD card. Github

Also compatible with MiniDexed!

Minidexed Controls Note:

Use the Minidexed build and config file here.

Use the knob and knob button to navigate, 1 click = select, longclick = back, double click = home

In Minidexed turning knob sometimes doesn't register that it should change right away but it works well enough. There is no such issue when using this as intended for an MT32 device!

Special thanks to the original author of MT32-Pi: d0pefish