Where I have needed a General MIDI chip (GM module and CV-to-MIDI) , I have previously used the S2 waveblaster module from Serdaco BV, but with a little work the M5Stack module provides a more cost effective approach.
The SAM2695 is a very useful 64 voice General MIDI IC with built in effects. It uses a 6mm square 48 pin QFN package with 0.4mm lead pitch, which is difficult to solder by hand.
The M5stack MIDI module provides a source of a pre-soldered SAM2695 with a TTL level MIDI input, but needs some modification to get external audio outputs.
