Congratulations! 😁

The CT1740 will be perfectly OK with the daughterboard. I use a similar setup myself and never had problems with it.

The only superior option would be a Roland MPU-401/AT interface card, because it would support "intelligent mode", but I'm not aware of any game that needs it for General MIDI sound ("intelligent mode" support is more important if you use a MT-32). Besides, the MPU-401/AT interface would probably be even more expensive than the SCD-15.

The CT1740 will be perfectly OK with the daughterboard. I use a similar setup myself and never had problems with it.

Many Sound Blaster 16s have a problem with hanging midi notes because of a buggy DSP. Check the version of the DSP, V4.05 should be OK. I have heard that the audio quality of the sounds as they come out of the mixer is unimpressive.

The only superior option would be a Roland MPU-401/AT interface card, because it would support "intelligent mode", but I'm not aware of any game that needs it for General MIDI sound ("intelligent mode" support is more important if you use a MT-32). Besides, the MPU-401/AT interface would probably be even more expensive than the SCD-15.

I agree with 5u3 and second these comment as I have that combo (but have not yet fully been able to use it.) However, there is at least one game, whose name escapes me, that requires an intelligent midi interface to use a GM device (Princess Maker 2?) Also, if you want to select the "Roland SCC-1" option in the install program to take full advantage of the SCB-55, then you may need an intelligent midi interface because the SCC-1 comes with one.

Great Hierophant wrote:

Many Sound Blaster 16s have a problem with hanging midi notes because of a buggy DSP. Check the version of the DSP, V4.05 should be OK.

Unfortunately I do not know much about the differences in the SB16 DSP versions. Do you know a web resource about this topic?
My SB16 (CT1750) has a v4.05 DSP, maybe that's why I never experienced the hanging notes problem. And I'm pretty sure that the CT1740 has the same DSP.
To anyone wondering how to find out the DSP version of the card: Run Creative's DIAGNOSE.EXE program. After setting the base I/O address, the DSP version is displayed on the top of the screen. Also many other DOS-based hardware diagnosis programs write out the DSP version.

Great Hierophant wrote:

I have heard that the audio quality of the sounds as they come out of the mixer is unimpressive.

That's true. Muting all unnecessary channels does help a bit to reduce the amount of hiss, crackle and pop coming out of the speakers, but the main problem is that the wavetable connector and the OPL3 chip share the same mixer channel, and the FM Synth circuit is responsible for a good part of the noise 😒

5u3 wrote:

To anyone wondering how to find out the DSP version of the card: Run Creative's DIAGNOSE.EXE program. After setting the base I/O address, the DSP version is displayed on the top of the screen. Also many other DOS-based hardware diagnosis programs write out the DSP version.

It's also printed/stamped on the DSP chip, in case you haven't yet installed the card. 😉

Unfortunately I do not know much about the differences in the SB16 DSP versions. Do you know a web resource about this topic?
My SB16 (CT1750) has a v4.05 DSP, maybe that's why I never experienced the hanging notes problem. And I'm pretty sure that the CT1740 has the same DSP.

I hear its the v4.11-13 DSPs, which can also be found on early AWE32s, that have the problem. v4.00-.04 have their own bugs, but v4.05 seems to be the most reliable. When I build my increasingly worshipful retro PC, I will be using my Sound Blaster 16 SCSI-2 ASP CT1770 with a Yamaha DB50XG daughterboard. Then we shall know for sure (ASP and SCSI-2 boards tend to have the problems.)

Well I lucked out.... I've got a DSP v4.05 😁

😁

It arrived tonight, and wow am I impressed with the seller and the contents...

Without further ado... here are the pics 😁

Big box... hmm.. I likes me a big box with plenty of peanuts!

Oh my, he even bubble wrapped the box!

WooT!

WooT! x 2

From the front

To the back

From the sweat drippin from my.. er.. yeah, anyway... (semi-rap song reference)

Glorious documentation and setup disks!

Wow! Very nice pics!
Looks like it was worth the money, everything seems to be complete (I got exactly the same box and contents 😉).
Now have fun with the best General MIDI Daughterboard ever made 😁

Ugh, I'm a total dunce... for some reason it's still playing MIDI thru the SB16 instead of the SCB-55... win98 is of no use either.. grr.. need to figure this out..

Any dummies guides out there?

Okay, I changed the MSEL jumper on the SB16 from 330 to 300.. should I have done that?

Stupid question... do the SB16 and SCB-55 need completely different IRQ and Base settings? IE SB16 is on 5/300 and the SCB-55 is on 2/330?

You should keep the MSEL jumper to 330 unless you have another device using that I/O address. The SCB-55 uses the IRQ and I/O settings of the host card or interface. The Sound Blaster 16 MPU-401 midi interface uses I/O 330 or 300 and whatever IRQ the Sound Blaster is using. You may want to install the MPU-401 Windows Driver. Otherwise select the Sound Blaster 16 Midi Out in the Audio Properties on the Control Panel. Right now, the driver you are using is maping the midi channel and commands to the OPL3 chip.

I give up for tonight... here's what I've done so far:

Removed the Windows MPU-401 Device (I heard it's not needed when you have a daughterboard)
Changed the MSEL back to 330
The IRQ is jumpered on the SB16 to 5

Win98se sees the SB16 @: 330 / 5

I went to Multimedia Properites and under the MIDI tab I selected "Single instrument SB16 MIDI Out (330)

I then went ito the Devices Tab and under "MIDI Devices and Instruments" I disabled MIDI for Createive Stereo Music Synth." and ENABLED MIDI for External MIDI Port.

Go to play a .MID and I get... drumroll... "Silence" 🙁

I'm off to hit the sack.

Testing workable this card or not is much easier in plain dos.
Look for "Default MIDI device" in Multimedia.

p.s. Congratilatons! This is superb package and condition.
I bought the same but with Roland MPU-401/AT interface card a three weeks ago.

GRRR I'm starting to get pissed. 2 wasted evenings and I still can't enjoy this new card.

I tried setting it up thru Wing Commander 3 (using my win98se boot) and the ONLY way it would play music is thru the SB16 (FM) selection.. grr.

How the funk do I disable SB16 FM Music?!?!? There is no farking MPU-401 Jumper (MPUEN) on my CT1740

Mike 01Hawk wrote:

Go to play a .MID and I get... drumroll... "Silence" 🙁

Sorry to ask the really dumb question, but did you check the volume mixer settings?

Cloudschatze wrote:

Mike 01Hawk wrote:

Go to play a .MID and I get... drumroll... "Silence" 🙁

Sorry to ask the really dumb question, but did you check the volume mixer settings?

Oh please, ask ALL the "you're an idiot Mike" questions you want!!!

Yes, I did check the mixer settings (it's full blast). I even cranked up my z5500s full blast when testing music (for the off chance it was just very very quiet).

But it's odd... the "Mute" button on the MIDI is greyed out like I can't select it.

Not sure if this is going to help or not...

>Hello, >I'm using a Sound Blaster 16 ASP with a SCD-10 wavetable card. This >combination worked fine with DOS / Win 3.1, but […]
Show full quote

>Hello,
>I'm using a Sound Blaster 16 ASP with a SCD-10 wavetable card. This
>combination worked fine with DOS / Win 3.1, but when I reinstalled Win
>3.1 in order to update to Win95, I somehow forgot to install the
>Roland software first (yeah, not very clever 🙁 ). After the
>installation of Win95, the Roland card was dead.
>Games like Space Quest 6, which can be installed directly under Win95,
>are using only the SB16, not the GM module. Reinstallation of the
>Roland software didn't change the situation. After working through
>almost every hardware setup window there is (the Roland card appeared
>nowhere), I've to say that I've absolutely no idea what to try next.
>Help!?

If you are using an SB16, GET RID OF THE ROLAND MPU401 DRIVER.
You don't need any drivers other than SB16's MIDI out.

I suggest (after making appropriate backups):

Remove the drivers for the SB16 and any MPU401/MID/ROLAND entries from the
Device manager in Control Panel.

Re-detect the SB16 using "Install new hardware" in the Control panel. Let
Win95 automatically configure the card settings.

After Win95 has reinstalled the SB16 drivers, see if the wave playback and
FMsynth midi is working.

Choose multimedia in the Control Panel, choose the MIDI tab, and Single
instrument (the upper panel). Choose the External MIDI port option.

This will use SB16's midi driver and send the signals to the midi port, which
is wired in parallel to the daughterboard connector.

Mike 01Hawk wrote:

There is no farking MPU-401 Jumper (MPUEN) on my CT1740

There is none on my CT1750 either. The only jumper to set for the Wavetable MIDI connector is the I/O address (300H or 330H, MSEL).

Mike 01Hawk wrote:

But it's odd... the "Mute" button on the MIDI is greyed out like I can't select it.

Same here. Seems to be a driver thing.

To test the basic functionality of the MIDI setup, I found it easiest to use a mainstream DOS game like the shareware version of DOOM or something similar that supports GM. As your SB16 doesn't need any drivers under DOS, boot with empty config files. If it still doesn't work, make sure there is no hardware conflict at the I/O address (e.g. network card at the same port).

-edit Oh and yeah, you guys rock! thanks for the help

Cloud, I did the uninstall/re-install SB16 in win98se... no luck 🙁

5u3, I tried getting Doom Shareware v1.9 to work with booting up either OS, no go.. I either could have FM sound or Silence.

I've hit a brick wall... I'm really starting to suspect maybe there's a physical issue with either the SB16 or the SCD-15

Would my Packard Bell have anything to do with it? It's using a PB Bios v1.23, I went into the Bios and told IRQ 2,5,7,9 were for legacy ISA use only. I also said it was a non pnp os in the Bios options.

Is there ANYTHING I need to jumper on my SB16? Anything to look at to see if the SB16's waveblaster part is fried? This card hung out in a hot attic for the better part of a decade.

Lets assume the SB16 is fried, what could be another sound card to ge tthat would be EASY to setup...(I'm assuming another SB16, but what model/ver?) I figure I could get another SB16 for the cheap on ebay 🙁

Here's the auction from where I found the SCD-15 card: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem … item=7421700470 The seller was greencmp who has 719 positive feedback. He said it was "Condition of the unit is very good. Tested and fully functional". From his quick response and AWESOME packaging, I don't doubt him... but.. you never know... do I have a bum SCD-15? Anything to look for to see if it's fried?

I'm also posting up my config.sys and autoexec.bat files... I changed the synth from =1 to =2 and still no help 🙁

Config.sys

DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS /testmem:off […]
Show full quote

DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS /testmem:off

[MENU]
MENUITEM=ENTRY1, Standard
MENUITEM=ENTRY2, Expanded Mem
MENUITEM=ENTRY3, Fast (No Net/CD)

[ENTRY1]
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS I=B000-B7FF
DEVICEHIGH /L:2,32592 =C:\DRIVERS\SB16\DRV\CTSB16.SYS /UNIT=0 /BLASTER=A:220 I:5 D:1 H:5
DEVICEHIGH /L:1,10160 =C:\DRIVERS\SB16\DRV\CTMMSYS.SYS
DEVICEHIGH /L:1,4560 =C:\WINDOWS\IFSHLP.SYS
DEVICEHIGH /L:2,29632 =C:\DRIVERS\CDROM\GSCDROM.SYS /D:MSCD000 /V
BUFFERS=40,0
FILES=40
DOS=UMB
LASTDRIVE=Z
FCBS=4,0
DOS=HIGH
Stacks=9,256

[ENTRY2]
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE RAM
DEVICEHIGH /L:2,32592 =C:\DRIVERS\SB16\DRV\CTSB16.SYS /UNIT=0 /BLASTER=A:220 I:5 D:1 H:5
DEVICEHIGH /L:1,10160 =C:\DRIVERS\SB16\DRV\CTMMSYS.SYS
DEVICEHIGH /L:1,4560 =C:\WINDOWS\IFSHLP.SYS
DEVICEHIGH /L:2,29632 =C:\DRIVERS\CDROM\GSCDROM.SYS /D:MSCD000 /V
BUFFERS=40,0
FILES=40
DOS=UMB
LASTDRIVE=Z
FCBS=4,0
DOS=HIGH
Stacks=9,256

[ENTRY3]
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS I=B000-B7FF
DEVICEHIGH /L:2,32592 =C:\DRIVERS\SB16\DRV\CTSB16.SYS /UNIT=0 /BLASTER=A:220 I:5 D:1 H:5
DEVICEHIGH /L:1,10160 =C:\DRIVERS\SB16\DRV\CTMMSYS.SYS
BUFFERS=40,0
FILES=40
DOS=UMB
LASTDRIVE=Z
FCBS=4,0
DOS=HIGH
Stacks=9,256

Autoexe.bat

@ECHO OFF SET SOUND=C:\DRIVERS\SB16 SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 H5 P330 T6 SET MIDI=SYNTH:2 MAP:G SET TEMP=C:\temp PATH C:\MSIE50;C:\ […]
Show full quote

@ECHO OFF
SET SOUND=C:\DRIVERS\SB16
SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 H5 P330 T6
SET MIDI=SYNTH:2 MAP:G
SET TEMP=C:\temp
PATH C:\MSIE50;C:\WINDOWS;C:\DOS
LH /L:0;1,3344 /S C:\Drivers\Cmouse\ctmouse

GOTO %CONFIG%

:ENTRY1
rem LH C:\DRIVERS\SB16\DIAGNOSE /S
rem LH C:\DRIVERS\SB16\MIXERSET /P /Q
LH /L:0;1,5808 /S C:\drivers\cdrom\shsucdx /D:MSCD000
LH /L:0;2,67104;1,400 /S C:\WINDOWS\net start
PROMPT $p$g
GOTO END

:ENTRY2
LH /L:0;1,5808 /S C:\drivers\cdrom\shsucdx /D:MSCD000
LH /L:0;2,67104;1,400 /S C:\WINDOWS\net start
PROMPT $p$g
GOTO END

:ENTRY3
PROMPT $p$g
GOTO END

:END

Oh and I found this NICE write up on the net, figured I'd post it here in entirety (sp?) I tried his tips to.. and no go 🙁
From http://www.atarimax.com/freenet/freenet_mater … article.php?500:

Roland SCD-15 HINTS & KINKS =========================== […]
Show full quote

Roland SCD-15 HINTS & KINKS
===========================

by Aloke Prasad, VRTC

This is a set of hints on installing the Roland SCD-15 daughterboard on
the Sb16/awe32 with a Waveblaster connector.

First step is to get the Sb16/awe32 working properly with the FM MIDI
synthesis. You should be having a statement like the following in your
AUTOEXEC.BAT

SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 H5 P330 T6

This indicates that the MPU-401 port on the Sb16/awe32 is at the address
330H. Midi files, like CANYON.MID in the Windows directory should play
using the FM synthesis, and "Sb16/awe32 All FM" setting in the MidiMapper
applet in the Control Panel. The following should also appear in the
Drivers applet in the Control Panel:

Creative Sound Blaster 16 Auxiliary Audio
Creative Sound Blaster 16 Wave and MIDI
Voyetra / Sound Blaster SuperSAPI FM Driver

If you use the DOS program PLAY.EXE from Creative Labs, the following
should be in your AUTOEXEC.BAT:

SET MIDI=SYNTH:1 MAP:E

indicating that the program should use the FM synth, and Extended midi
map. Other DOS games, say DOOM, should also play FM midi synth by
choosing "SoundBlaster" or "Soundblaster 16" as the music source in its
Setup program.

If the above is not set up right, get the latest driver from BLASTER forum
on CIS, or ftp.creaf.com on Internet, and bug the sysops till the basic
Sb16/awe32 is setup OK.

Now, open up the PC and slap on the SCD-15 on the Sb16/awe32 card. The
pins holding the daughterboard on to the Sb16/awe32 are a bit tight, and
may require some force to "snap-on" into the holes in the Sb16/awe32. A
warning: attaching the daughterboard also makes it inconvenient to change
the jumpers on the Sb16/awe32. So, think ahead about making any changes
to the Sb16/awe32 (eg., en/disabling the on-board amplifier, en/disabling
the joystick, etc.). There is a special caution for people using the
MIDI/joystick port on the Sb16/awe32s at the end of this document. Please
read that before proceeding.

Everyone else..after attaching the SCD-15, plug the Sb16/awe32/SCD-15
combo back in the PC (as far away from the Video card as possible, as
there are some indications that in some installations, the Sb16/awe32 may
pick up some interference from the Video cards). The following changes
are required for Windows and DOS programs:

For Windows: Change the MidiMapper to "Sb16/awe32 All MIDI". That's it.
MediaPlayer or any program that uses the MidiMapper will now play the
glorious Roland sounds. Some programs bypass the MidiMapper (eg.
WinJammer Sequencer/Player).

In these cases, choose "Sb16/awe32 MIDI Out" (instead of "Voyetra Super
Sapi FM Driver") to access the SCD-15.

For DOS: If you use PLAY.EXE to play MIDI files, change the statement in
the AUTOEXEC.BAT to

SET MIDI=SYNTH:2 MAP:G

to use the MIDI port with General MIDI map.

For games like DOOM, run its setup program and choose "Sound Canvas" if it
is an option for the Music source. Choose 330H (or whatever is in the SET
BLASTER line) as the address of the MPU-401 port. If your game does not
offer "Sound Canvas" support, choose "General MIDI" as the music source.

That's it..For those who were mistaken by installing the Roland MPU-401
driver, as described on page 7 of the SCD-15 startup manual, remove the
driver from using the Drivers applet in the Control Panel. Set up the
Sb16/awe32 as described earlier, and just change the MidiMapper.

The SCD-15 attaches to the Sb16/awe32 and uses the MIDI driver provided by
Sb16/awe32. Why Roland even included instructions to mess around with the
Roland MPU-401 driver is beyond me!!

For joystick users: If you use the joystick port on the Sb16/awe32, you
may not hear any MIDI sounds. This is because most joysticks ground the
MIDI pins of the MIDI/joystick combo port. You have 3 choices:

1. Buy a MIDI adapter cable from Creative Labs for $25. this splits the
MIDI and the joystick parts of the port on the back of Sb16/awe32.
This is a special cable, and if you buy a MIDI adapter cable from your
local computer store, make sure that they have a return policy, as any
old splitter may not work.

2. Make a splitter cable yourself by following instructions in a file in
the BLASTER and MIDIFORUM libraries. The file in the MIDIFORUM is
called MIDIDI.ZIP in Section 15 ("Sound Card Files").

3. Buy a game card, disable the joystick port on the Sb16/awe32 (requires
changing jumpers on the Sb16/awe32). Plug your joystick into the game
card.

I hope the above has been of some help. Enjoy the wonderful sounds of the
Roland Sound Canvas and Sb16/awe32 !!!!

Your daughterboard looks just fine to me, but a visual inspection won't take you very far. If your seller says its working and tested, then it should work for you unless you did something to it during testing (extremely unlikely.)

If you need to get another card with a waveblaster header, try a cheaper PCI model. It will stink to install it, but it would be more friendly with Win98. (SB16s were Win 3.1 era devices.) Otherwise, its best to stick with the devil you know, and CT-1740s are reasonably priced and available in reasonable quantity.

I am grateful for the article post, because I will use that information when I try to use my SB16 with my DB50XG daughtercard in my own retro-PC.