I still think the SoundCanvas is the best all around GM module. The original is good. Every sound in there is okay, but not great compared to modern synths with larger memory and stereo samples. The problem with newer synths is that the sounds are exactly the same as the original and most GM MIDI files are designed to optimize the SoundCanvas and how the sounds work together in a mix.

Later models added more sounds. I have one of those, an SD-90 and your Roland Sound Canvas VA is one of those, too. But the core GM sound set is basically the same as the original. Roland added GM sound sets in other 90s products, like the JV-1080. But those GM sound sets are not quite the same, often cut down a bit in memory to make space for other non-GM sounds, so as a GM module, not as good as a SoundCanvas IMO. I think the same is true for many of the Fantom series, although I have not looked at the models in the last few years (do they even have a GM sound set?). What is it that you do not like about the virtual Sound Canvas?

does anyone know of any 19" rack mount General Midi modules out there?
I`v seen plenty in half rack size like little boxes and stuff like the Yamaha QY gear, and even tiny little modules from China, but nothing in 19" rack.
I`m not really bothered about how ancient they are just so long as they have a decent GM or XM sound.

There certainly are 19" rack modules, I have a Yamaha MU90r which is GM/XG and it's great unit. There are others in the MU??r series, older and newer (which will affect the price).

I'm sure there are Roland boxes as well, some of the JV units might have GM options, although they may not be promoted as such. I believe there are other mfgs as well, again, GM may be there but not highlighted. The Roland JV2080 does include a GM bank, and is 19", but it's 2U height, but might be expensive if it's ONLY GM you want.

Oops, just checked via Google. MU80 and earlier are NOT 19", they are ha;f rack unly. MU100r IS 19" though, same size as the MU90r

Geoff

Yamaha TG300 is the best GM module IMO, it sounds better than SC, much better than MU,
https://youtu.be/HvW0e20dMCs

I've never used a TG-300 as such. However, I note that my MU-90r in fact has a TG-300B mode, so it could be used as a TG-300 device (don't know what difference the 'B' makes. Looking at the sounds chart, I see that this looks more like GS than GM, in that many of the voices have options selected via Bank Select. So if you don't use that, then it should work as per GM, but it would play GS files as an option?

I don't know where the TG sounds have come from, i.e. are they genuine TG sounds from ROM, or are they just mimiced in some way?

Done some further digging, and I note that the 300B refers to support for the TG's GM/B mode only, and I've found some 'small print' that refers to the playing of TG-300 files Not being too reliable, while GM should be much more accurate - makes me wonder what the point of this TG-300B mode really is?

Geoff