No music on Soundblaster 16 \ VOGONS

No music on Soundblaster 16

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First post, by naujoks

Posted on 2024-10-22, 14:49

naujoks Offline

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I have a CT2800 SB16 (based on Vibra chipset), that gets recognised by the system ok and outpus sampled sounds but stays completely silent for music.
The jumpers on it should all be in the correct position. Physically the card is in good shape, I have not discovered obviously busted parts or dodgy soldering.
The two voltage regulators on the card are outputting the correct voltages.
What could be the problem and what I can measure to find out where the problem is?

Reply 1 of 3, by Shponglefan

Posted on 2024-10-22, 15:39

Shponglefan Offline

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When you say music are you talking about MIDI (wavetable header) playback or FM synthesis?

Which games have you tried? Have tried the Sound Blaster diagnostics program (DIAGNOSE.EXE)?

Pentium 4 Multi-OS Build
486 DX4-100 with 6 sound cards
486 DX-33 with 5 sound cards

Reply 2 of 3, by naujoks

Posted on 2024-10-22, 16:04

naujoks Offline

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Rank: Member
Posts: 119
Joined: 2021-10-14, 06:07

I've tried numerous games and two different computers.
I've run the DIAGNIOSE.EXE, and digital sounds are playing, so called synthesized music isn't. The program doesn't report any errors. It doesn't really seem to run any kind of diagnosis other than playing the sounds either though.

Reply 3 of 3, by Shponglefan

Posted on 2024-10-22, 17:04

Shponglefan Offline

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Rank: l33t
Posts: 4087
Joined: 2016-09-21, 13:13
Location: The North

naujoks wrote on 2024-10-22, 16:04:

I've tried numerous games and two different computers.
I've run the DIAGNIOSE.EXE, and digital sounds are playing, so called synthesized music isn't. The program doesn't report any errors. It doesn't really seem to run any kind of diagnosis other than playing the sounds either though.

Synthesized music is FM synthesis.

The reason I asked for which games you have tested is I'm wondering if the card is being detected as an Adlib-compatible card (typically on port 388h) or if it's being detected, is it just not playing FM synth playback.

Depending on what the issue is, may help narrow down what the problem might be.

Pentium 4 Multi-OS Build
486 DX4-100 with 6 sound cards
486 DX-33 with 5 sound cards

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