diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index ab2c28dac43..a2ecbaa70df 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -29,6 +29,9 @@ For a more comprehensive changelog of the latest experimental code, see:
  SCI:
    - Fixed race condition in SCI1.1 palette changes. This fixes an error in
      QFG1VGA, when sleeping at Erana's place.
+   - The option to toggle sound effect types between digitized and synthesized
+     has been disabled until a more user-friendly GUI option is possible.
+     Digital sound effects are always preferred for now.
 
 1.4.0 (2011-11-11)
  New Games:
diff --git a/engines/sci/sound/soundcmd.cpp b/engines/sci/sound/soundcmd.cpp
index 4b05a7fb119..3306a766052 100644
--- a/engines/sci/sound/soundcmd.cpp
+++ b/engines/sci/sound/soundcmd.cpp
@@ -32,9 +32,12 @@
 
 namespace Sci {
 
+//#define ENABLE_SFX_TYPE_SELECTION
+
 SoundCommandParser::SoundCommandParser(ResourceManager *resMan, SegManager *segMan, Kernel *kernel, AudioPlayer *audio, SciVersion soundVersion) :
 	_resMan(resMan), _segMan(segMan), _kernel(kernel), _audio(audio), _soundVersion(soundVersion) {
 
+#ifdef ENABLE_SFX_TYPE_SELECTION
 	// Check if the user wants synthesized or digital sound effects in SCI1.1
 	// or later games
 	_useDigitalSFX = ConfMan.getBool("multi_midi");
@@ -45,6 +48,10 @@ SoundCommandParser::SoundCommandParser(ResourceManager *resMan, SegManager *segM
 	// resource number, but it's totally unrelated to the menu music).
 	if (getSciVersion() >= SCI_VERSION_2)
 		_useDigitalSFX = true;
+#else
+	// Always prefer digital sound effects
+	_useDigitalSFX = true;
+#endif
 
 	_music = new SciMusic(_soundVersion, _useDigitalSFX);
 	_music->init();