VOGONS


Where to find a Creative Wave Blaster 1?

Topic actions

First post, by deemster

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member

Hi all!

I've been looking everywhere for a E-Mu Sound Engine GM module, but it's nowhere to be found.

So i was thinking; A Wave Blaster 1 must be a LOT easier to find for sale somewhere.

I cannot find this damn daughterboard either 🤣.

Can anyone of you help me? I'm getting really desperate :p

Reply 1 of 25, by KT7AGuy

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

Have you considered one of those DreamBlaster S1 cards? They're certainly easier to come by. Based on what I saw on youtube, it also sounds way better than my original WaveBlaster.

Reply 2 of 25, by deemster

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member

Thanks for the reply! But for me it´s really for nostalgia reasons, i love the Waveblaster 1 soundset , and i´m looking specifically for THAT sound ±p

Reply 3 of 25, by ripsaw8080

User metadata
Rank DOSBox Author
Rank
DOSBox Author

I have a Waveblaster 1 (CT1900) that I've owned since the mid-90's, which was mounted on an SB16 back then, and at the time it was a sweet upgrade over OPL music for sure. I now have an interface that lets me use the WB1 (and other MIDI daughterboards) as an external synth.

Sometimes our memories are more forgiving of shortcomings than we realize. The WB1 has no reverb or chorus, so it sounds a bit dry compared to other GM synths. I've always thought the WB1 instrument samples have a nice balance, but I've heard other opinions to the contrary.

While there is definitely some nostalgia factor hearing the music in old games the way I remember it with the WB1, I still prefer the Audigy 2 ZS soundcard I have with Creative's 4MB soundfont (made by E-Mu) -- it just sounds better.

Anyway, this forum is not a marketplace, and I suggest you check out AmiBay. However, be prepared to be patient and/or willing to spend a chunk of money, because old MIDI daughterboards seem to have entered the collectible phase of their existence.

Reply 4 of 25, by j^aws

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
deemster wrote:

Hi all!

I've been looking everywhere for a E-Mu Sound Engine GM module, but it's nowhere to be found.

They pop-up on eBay on rare occasions. I've seen them for sale in the UK and USA.

I picked up a second E-mu Sound Engine, so that I could chain 2 Sound Engine modules together and double their polyphony from 32 to 64. I used MIDI Overflow via SysEx to do this. Also, I don't have a Waveblaster 1 to compare, but the Sound Engine has both Chorus/ Reverb effects too.

Good luck on your searches...

Reply 5 of 25, by QBiN

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
ripsaw8080 wrote:

I now have an interface that lets me use the WB1 (and other MIDI daughterboards) as an external synth.

Not to hijack the thread, but what product did you find for that external daughterboard solution?

Reply 7 of 25, by deemster

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member

@ripsaw8080

Yes, you are absolutely right. Nostalia is a bit like a crush, it clouds all shortcomings :p For example the Wave Blaster 1 drums, they are VERY tinny.

@j^aws

Wow, TWO Sound Engines, you can't imagine how jealous i am right now... xd

I'm having some problems with Amibay by the way. I was trying to activate my account there and got a mail the next morning that i was banned?!
This due to some problem with my registration details or something.. I hope they mail me back tomorrow with the reason for this.

In the meantime, i would love some help with my quest for the Wave Blaster 1 daughterboard OR E-MU Sound Engine module.

If i can get i Waveblaster 1, i would buy the Doxbox for it (A similar daughterboard external housing).

You are all very nice and responsive, i really appriciate it!

Reply 11 of 25, by deemster

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member

A slight bump for this topic: I'm still desperately looking for a Creative Wave Blaster 1. I started topics on Amibay, Dosforum.de, vintagecomputer, etc.

But not a single reply there...

I don't care about the price, i really want that lovely sound. I would gladly pay around 100 bucks.

Reply 12 of 25, by dogchainx

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member

I saw one on ebay for about 4 hours a few weeks ago. The guy was asking $200+ for it, i think, and it sold fast. You might need to spend some money once an auction hits in order to get one.

386DX-40MHz-8MB-540MB+428MB+Speedstar64@2MB+SoundBlaster Pro+MT-32/MKII
486DX2-66Mhz-16MB-4.3GB+SpeedStar64 VLB DRAM 2MB+AWE32/SB16+SCB-55
MY BLOG RETRO PC BLOG: https://bitbyted.wordpress.com/

Reply 13 of 25, by deemster

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member

Thanks for the replay, Dog!

Yes, i'm checking Ebay every single day, really hoping i'm lucky someday :p

Reply 14 of 25, by QBiN

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

Deemster,

Looks like there's a WaveBlaster 1 for sale on eBay as part of an AWE32. Lots of folks bidding. Good luck.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/262060186605

Reply 15 of 25, by KT7AGuy

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

Forgive my ignorance, but why would anybody want to use a WaveBlaster with an AWE32? Isn't that a bit redundant?

Reply 16 of 25, by alexanrs

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

General MIDI in pure DOS without a TSR and for protected more games

Reply 17 of 25, by KT7AGuy

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

Ahh, that makes sense now. Thanks!