Yeah I'd be interested in adlib clone. May be some sort of "companion" adlib card to use with sound cards that don't have proper OPL chip? Good cards like Aureal for example, or to override AWE64 CQM imitation (I seem to recall it was possible to disable adlib port in resources configuration). Or may be some sort of frankenstein MPU401 interface board (like keropi MQ clone with Wavetable header) to include OPL3 chip too, cause for late pentium boards 3 ISA ports wasn't as common, might be running out of them pretty soon. I guess at the end of the day when it comes to retro sound cards it's all about compromise between buggy cards and limited features.

I like the DreamAdlib card 😁

Very nice. So there's no plan to sell these yet?

It looks very nice.
First thing I could think of is this:
How about an OPL3 version of this card?

hm i would like to see a fpga version of adlib, a complete "new Card" 😁
https://github.com/gtaylormb/opl3_fpga

but nice, i also wanted to build one but... no time 😀

I want one, now!!! 😁

What about adding a game port?

I have soldered three of the original Schlae AdLibs. I would part with two, if anyone’s interested.

What about internal sound output to connect the PC speaker? Potentially also mixing the Adlib output with PC speaker input and then routing all that to PC speaker again?

An OPL3 ARGUS DB would be awesome 😉

What Kubic said, add an input for the PC Speaker, it sounds a hell of a lot better amplified and running through external speakers.

dreamblaster wrote:

But does it make sense ?

Of course it makes sense, think about trying to contact people on the internet to send you some pcb - trying to source some bill of materials list from a shop that might not dispatch to your continent -maybe customs - trying to find alternatives locally - ending up paying a lot of money for postage from different people as apposed to making a single order which includes everything and is of high quality.

I think there is enough demand for a good adlib clone, exactly like you have, just add a bracket. A new OPL3 card already exists annd internal speaker inputs just add unnecessary noise.

lvader wrote:

I think there is enough demand for a good adlib clone, exactly like you have, just add a bracket. A new OPL3 card already exists annd internal speaker inputs just add unnecessary noise.

Yeah I have the bracket, it still needs to be drilled/punched.
I will try to find some local metal workshop to get it done.

lvader wrote:

internal speaker inputs just add unnecessary noise.

Internal speaker is technically a digital device 😀 It might be interesting to add a low pass filter to the PC speaker input, though, it might improve the quality of the sound and remove some of the hiss.

I agree, a low pass is a nice idea for a possible speaker support, since an old PC's speaker's membrane has its limits, too.
It's frequency range is more limited from what we're used to when we're listening with quality headphones or a Hi-FI system.

I'd use a passice filter, though, so it won't create an unnecessary noise floor.
Maybe using a cheap optocoupler is a good idea, too, since the speaker is part of the timer IC,
an intregral component of the mainboard.

I'd still prefer a simple Adlib clone, one that won't reach a 3 digit price so you can just buy it.

Normally extra inputs mean need for mixer and that adds complication and potential quality issues. The 1st thing I do on a Sound blaster card is to turn the pc speaker volume all the way down and it does make a difference to the noise even if not connected.

Any way of implementing the 30ms delay fix directly on the card (with a small buffer chip or something) so it works on fast computers?

lvader wrote:

Normally extra inputs mean need for mixer and that adds complication and potential quality issues.
The 1st thing I do on a Sound blaster card is to turn the pc speaker volume all the way down and it does make a difference to the noise even if not connected.

I agree on that. 😀 Though the PC speaker isn't exactly an analogue device, so it *could* be seen as a special case here.
In contrast to other sound sources, it rather generates square waves if it is in operation (uses low/high levels only).

If connected to an optocoupler and a passive mixer/filter combo (a few resistors and caps),
chances are lesser any noise will sneak into the audio.

That beeing said, the Sound Blasters do indeed suffer from noise on the speaker channel.
I guess that's because the mixer inputs will receive any RF noise that's in the casing of the computer.
To make things worse, if unconnected, the mixer pins on the pcb may also act as aerials for all kind of signals.
Same happens when using the unshielded kind of cables.

An optocoupler (LED+photo diode) might be way less sensitive to RF and only respond if there's a strong DC signal, like the 5v from the timer ic.
However, if the signal coming from the speaker is noisy already, things might be different. 😉

Also, a simple jumper could be used to make an optocoupler operable/inoperable.
In worst case, on such a hypothetical Adlib PCB with speaker input, the parts for the mixing could simply be left unpopulated.
Anyway, these are just my thoughts. I'm fine with a pure OPL2 board, too. 😁