Like most of the major soundcard producers, Media Vision also sold bare chipsets. This "Thunder Audio Spectrum 16" is obviously a PAS16 knock-off, and so ought to be compatible with its drivers.

I never thought about it being a knockoff, but you're right. Googling the FCC ID turned up a page where someone noted that the manufacturer is Top Thunder Technology Ltd. of Taiwan. It'll be fun to test it out.

I believe the Thunderboard was sold to run along side the PAS16 to make up for it's piss poor SB compatibility. Is it possible that this card integrates the Thunderboard onto the same card?

Anonymous Coward wrote:

I believe the Thunderboard was sold to run along side the PAS16 to make up for it's piss poor SB compatibility. Is it possible that this card integrates the Thunderboard onto the same card?

Thunderboards were always integrated onto PAS16s.

This card does not have a Yamaha-branded OPL3 chip, so its FM quality may be crap.

I just received a Media Vision PAS16P card too.
It has Yamaha YMF-OPL-262 Chip
Thunder Chip
Media Spectrum chip
and Media Vision Chip

So what exactly is it ?
Does having the thunder chip make it a Thunder card too ?
What exactly does the thunder chip do ?

All the PAS16 cards have basically the same capabilities and shortcomings with minor differences (like SCSI, no SCSI, etc.). The Thunder chip just provides compatibility with their older Thunderboard card, which basically just makes it compatible with the original SoundBlaster. I believe all PAS16 cards have this. I have several PAS16 cards and the only real standout features I have seen are that some can only be used with the Memphis multimedia kit (there is only a large 45pin connector on the back, no audio jacks), and some were sold by other companies so they have different logos on them (like the Logitech Soundman). Aside from that, they seem to all be variations of the same card with no major difference in features.

Great Hierophant wrote:

Anonymous Coward wrote:

I believe the Thunderboard was sold to run along side the PAS16 to make up for it's piss poor SB compatibility. Is it possible that this card integrates the Thunderboard onto the same card?

Thunderboards were always integrated onto PAS16s.

This card does not have a Yamaha-branded OPL3 chip, so its FM quality may be crap.

The IC labeled LS212 to the far left seems to be a 100% OPL3 clone. Maybe even relabelled Yamaha chips?

http://www.amoretro.de/guides-workshops/opl2- … -und-nachbauten (German link)

I have the same card. I also have the driver disk somewhere as well if you don't want to trust the sketchy "free100%legitNotAtAllAVirusDriverFinder" websites. It's a good card from what I gathered, and it behaved nicely with Windows 95. I have it installed right now in the docking station for my Compaq LTE Elite 4/75CX 486 laptop.

I am having problems trying to install on Win95c.
Win95c tries to load 4 different drivers at once.
1) Sound blaster compatible drivers
2) Media Vision Pro spectrum
3) Media Vision Pro spectrum plus
4) Media Vision Pro spectrum basic

What happens is the computer reboots and then starts up but audio plays with a stutter loop.

How can I fix this ?
If I try to delete some of these drivers they all delete.
It’s like they are part of a package.
Can I just install a “Sound Blaster compatible driver?”

Update:
Never mind I have it working.
What are some good sound/music programs to use with this sound card ?
Also what is the best MIDI driver to us with this sound card ?

Is there any way to get rid of the HISSING and POPING sound.
I really like this sound card it has good sound crisps and sharp, Good balance of trible and base.
I am using Win95c with Windows drivers for this sound card.