VOGONS


First post, by galanopu

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This time I have for you something a bit more complex.
I designed this this PC/104 Sound Card in an professional way.

Specs:
- ESS ES1869F (SB, SBp, WSS, ESFM)
- SAM2695 MIDI Synthesizer (GM + MT-32 Compatibility)
- Game Port
- CD Audio in
- PC Speaker in
- Modern High quality Power Amplifier

Video Review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpdgsDq1yes

Update with MT-32:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5qtTZcmYLE

In the second part of the video there are some Audio recordings.
I tested some games. The focus is on PCSPK vs FMsynth vs MIDI.
Maybe I did not set the mixer perfectly in all these examples here.

I hope you like this.
That was more than one month of work.
Give me your feedback ^^

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Last edited by galanopu on 2021-09-25, 11:56. Edited 1 time in total.

Let's mod everything! Check my youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ6ULBqIKhxuNslAbqFNJUg
Interested in my devices? Check my store:
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Reply 2 of 13, by Joseph_Joestar

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Interesting project. BTW, were you able to get the ES1869F chip to work in WSS mode in DOS games which support that setup option? Specifically, I'm asking about games like Space Quest V, Aladdin and Tyrian.

In my experience, ESS cards are not detected as WSS devices by DOS games. Maybe it was a misprint in the datasheets. Or perhaps they meant the native ESS AudioDrive mode which uses its own, separate sound setup entry and isn't compatible with WSS.

PC#1: Pentium MMX 166 / Soyo SY-5BT / S3 Trio64V+ / Voodoo1 / YMF719 / AWE64 Gold / SC-155
PC#2: AthlonXP 2100+ / ECS K7VTA3 / Voodoo3 / Audigy2 / Vortex2
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PC#4: i5-3570K / MSI Z77A-G43 / GTX 970 / X-Fi

Reply 3 of 13, by galanopu

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Joseph_Joestar wrote on 2021-03-15, 14:13:

Interesting project. BTW, were you able to get the ES1869F chip to work in WSS mode in DOS games which support that setup option? Specifically, I'm asking about games like Space Quest V, Aladdin and Tyrian.

In my experience, ESS cards are not detected as WSS devices by DOS games. Maybe it was a misprint in the datasheets. Or perhaps they meant the native ESS AudioDrive mode which uses its own, separate sound setup entry and isn't compatible with WSS.

Interesting comment, I have to check this.
I only checked Warcraft 2 and WSS was not detected in DOS.
You are probably right here. Either a misprint in the datasheet.
Or a special driver is needed, or it is bugged.

BTW I forgot to mention that it supports ADPCM.
I will make a video again when I have the final version.

Let's mod everything! Check my youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ6ULBqIKhxuNslAbqFNJUg
Interested in my devices? Check my store:
https://migronelectronics.bigcartel.com

Reply 4 of 13, by matze79

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What Amplifer IC is used ? is it class d?

Btw nice work 👍

https://www.retrokits.de - blog, retro projects, hdd clicker, diy soundcards etc
https://www.retroianer.de - german retro computer board

Reply 5 of 13, by galanopu

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Thnx!

No Just standard OP-AMP based.

I followed this article here:
http://nwavguy.blogspot.com/2011/08/op-amp-measurements.html
And selected one of the NJR/JRCs.
Good performance and not too expensive.

Designed the circuit myself with simulations and now I am fine tuning this.

Let's mod everything! Check my youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ6ULBqIKhxuNslAbqFNJUg
Interested in my devices? Check my store:
https://migronelectronics.bigcartel.com

Reply 6 of 13, by pentiumspeed

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You could had made it PC-104 board standard size with both connectors on both sides just to able to stack them up on 4 posts?

Cheers,

Great Northern aka Canada.

Reply 7 of 13, by galanopu

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If I make this the standard size with both connectors...
then this would be a problem with boards that only have the PC/104 and not the 120pin one.
It will collide with stuff under the 120pin connector. Now this area is open.
If your M/B has an 120pin connector you just need to put 2 standoffs there and skip my card.
So with my card stacking is possible no mater if your system is PC104 or PC104 plus.

As for the 4 posts... again I only have 2 of the holes, but you can just use taller ones
or double standoffs, for the rest 2 and continue stacking with 4 for the rest of the cards.
You can find standoffs in many lengths.

BTW for the PC/104, My board is compatible with only male, only female, or both type of connectors.
I have two prototypes now, on the second one I have an M/F stack-able connector soldered.

Let's mod everything! Check my youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ6ULBqIKhxuNslAbqFNJUg
Interested in my devices? Check my store:
https://migronelectronics.bigcartel.com

Reply 9 of 13, by galanopu

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It is time for an update on my PC/104 Gaming Sound Card.

-- Updates to the Circuit --
- Tweaked output power amplifier
- Improved PC Speaker filtering and mixing.
- Added MT-32 compatibility mode for the onboard Midi Synth.

Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5qtTZcmYLE

Let's mod everything! Check my youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ6ULBqIKhxuNslAbqFNJUg
Interested in my devices? Check my store:
https://migronelectronics.bigcartel.com

Reply 10 of 13, by RayeR

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Hi, nice project. Are there available the design data (at least gerber) to be able to make bare PCB and assemble myself?

Gigabyte GA-P67-DS3-B3, Core i7-2600K @4,5GHz, 8GB DDR3, 128GB SSD, GTX970(GF7900GT), SB Audigy + YMF724F + DreamBlaster combo + LPC2ISA

Reply 11 of 13, by galanopu

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No, this is will be a commercial product.

If you want an open source PC/104 soundcard, check here:
Open Source PC104 Soundcard

Let's mod everything! Check my youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ6ULBqIKhxuNslAbqFNJUg
Interested in my devices? Check my store:
https://migronelectronics.bigcartel.com

Reply 12 of 13, by RayeR

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OK.
Yes, I already know Rasteri's project and have a plan to build it when I got some other participants for PCBs (5pcs at JLC)...

Gigabyte GA-P67-DS3-B3, Core i7-2600K @4,5GHz, 8GB DDR3, 128GB SSD, GTX970(GF7900GT), SB Audigy + YMF724F + DreamBlaster combo + LPC2ISA

Reply 13 of 13, by rasteri

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RayeR wrote on 2022-06-16, 11:22:

OK.
Yes, I already know Rasteri's project and have a plan to build it when I got some other participants for PCBs (5pcs at JLC)...

I have a couple of spare PCBs and Crystal chips if you want. DM me if interested