First "wavetable" sound card for PC \ VOGONS

First "wavetable" sound card for PC

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First post, by bristlehog

Posted on 2015-03-11, 09:03

bristlehog Offline

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What was it? I suspect Turtle Beach Multisound Classic, whose sales began at December 1991. There's an ad claiming that it was 'the first wavetable synthesizer for Windows Multimedia'. However, it's just an ad. Any thoughts?

Other early cards I know of:

- Omni Labs AudioMaster - somewhere before July 1992
- Gravis Ultrasound - October 1992
- Roland SCC-1 - somewhere in 1992
- Computer Peripherals ViVa Maestro 16 (based on Sierra Semiconductor ARIA) - somewhere before December 1992. Given that ViVa Maestro 16 VR based on later 53 revision of Sierra ROM already existed in December, I can assume that earlier 51 revision based ViVa Maestro 16 was made somewhat earlier.

There was a comparative review of audio cards in InfoWorld 11'92, and the only 'wavetable' card participated was Turtle Beach Multisound Classic.

Hardware comparisons and game system requirements: https://technical.city

Reply 1 of 3, by JayCeeBee64

Posted on 2015-03-11, 15:46

JayCeeBee64 Offline

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How about the Roland LAPC-I (1989)? I know it's just an ISA version of the MT-32, but still.....

Ooohh, the pain......

Reply 2 of 3, by NJRoadfan

Posted on 2015-03-11, 16:13

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I'm guessing "wavetable" = sample based synthesis or ROMpler in this case.

The LAPC-I technically counts as it uses ROM based samples are part of its synthesis. On a related note, the first home computer with built in sample based synthesis is likely the Apple IIgs. The other systems of the era had simple DACs.

True wavetable is something different: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wavetable_synthesis

Reply 3 of 3, by bristlehog

Posted on 2015-03-11, 16:54

bristlehog Offline

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LAPC-I is using a somewhat different engine, partially synthesis, partially samples.

And yes, what is called wavetable is not wavetable in the first place. But I think there are no true wavetable PC soundcards and there barely will be any mess related to it.

Hardware comparisons and game system requirements: https://technical.city

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