Hello everybody!
I'm crazy looking for some SB Clone card for a 286 PC that I'll getting soon, since SB PRO aren't cheap.
Searching and investigating through forums, eBay and many pages...and still don't have any idea about which card I should get.
Any advice will be appreciated!
If you want broad support for older sound standards, yet mono is good enough, look into an Aztech AZTSSPT0592-U01 based card, as that supports Covox and Disney Sound Source. However, it doesn't offer an MPU401 interface, but neither do the old sound blasters. If you just want something that sounds good and works, you could also get a newer Aztech, an ESS based card, something YMF71 based. UNISOUND can be used to initialize PNP sound cards on a 286. UNISOUND - Universal ISA PnP Sound Card Driver for DOS v0.81b
Oetker wrote on 2021-09-12, 19:24:If you want broad support for older sound standards, yet mono is good enough, look into an Aztech AZTSSPT0592-U01 based card, as that supports Covox and Disney Sound Source. However, it doesn't offer an MPU401 interface, but neither do the old sound blasters. If you just want something that sounds good and works, you could also get a newer Aztech, an ESS based card, something YMF71 based. UNISOUND can be used to initialize PNP sound cards on a 286. UNISOUND - Universal ISA PnP Sound Card Driver for DOS v0.81b
Thank you!
Oetker wrote on 2021-09-12, 19:24:If you want broad support for older sound standards, yet mono is good enough, look into an Aztech AZTSSPT0592-U01 based card, as that supports Covox and Disney Sound Source. However, it doesn't offer an MPU401 interface, but neither do the old sound blasters. If you just want something that sounds good and works, you could also get a newer Aztech, an ESS based card, something YMF71 based. UNISOUND can be used to initialize PNP sound cards on a 286. UNISOUND - Universal ISA PnP Sound Card Driver for DOS v0.81b
I've been looking some Aztech cards (NX Pro, Washington...) and a few SB/AdLib clones. My fear is the driver's thing, having a card that
maybe isn't "appropriate" at all.
Something with jumpers on it is a good start. ESS based cards are as cheap as chips and have better output then moist early SB cards. Usually you just need to put a SET BLASTER+ entry in to the AUTOEXEC>BAT file. No driver software for the card to load at all.
There's a glitch in the matrix.
A founding member of the 286 appreciation society.
Apparently 32-bit is dead and nobody likes P4s.
Of course, as always, I'm open to correction...😉
AndalusianRG wrote on 2021-09-12, 20:24:Oetker wrote on 2021-09-12, 19:24:If you want broad support for older sound standards, yet mono is good enough, look into an Aztech AZTSSPT0592-U01 based card, as that supports Covox and Disney Sound Source. However, it doesn't offer an MPU401 interface, but neither do the old sound blasters. If you just want something that sounds good and works, you could also get a newer Aztech, an ESS based card, something YMF71 based. UNISOUND can be used to initialize PNP sound cards on a 286. UNISOUND - Universal ISA PnP Sound Card Driver for DOS v0.81b
I've been looking some Aztech cards (NX Pro, Washington...) and a few SB/AdLib clones. My fear is the driver's thing, having a card that
maybe isn't "appropriate" at all.
What drivers?
We're talking 286 here, you're not going to be running Windows for gaming...
The Aztech 1st gen cards just need to have their EEPROM set to the right resources, from then on it's all done at hardware level. Set it to A220 I5 D1 and you have the same defaults as an SBPro2. Worst-case the Aztech config tool won't run on <386, in which case you can run it in a newer system, then stick the card in the 286 and it still works.
Caluser2000 wrote on 2021-09-12, 21:24:Something with jumpers on it is a good start. ESS based cards are as cheap as chips and have better output then moist early SB cards. Usually you just need to put a SET BLASTER+ entry in to the AUTOEXEC>BAT file. No driver software for the card to load at all.
Thank you!!
Don't forget the BLASTERBOARD if you don't mind building one yourself. Designed by a poster on this very forum. BLASTERBOARD : A new SB 2.0-compatible ISA sound card
AndalusianRG wrote on 2021-09-12, 22:04:Caluser2000 wrote on 2021-09-12, 21:24:Something with jumpers on it is a good start. ESS based cards are as cheap as chips and have better output then moist early SB cards. Usually you just need to put a SET BLASTER= entry in to the AUTOEXEC>BAT file. No driver software for the card to load at all.
Thank you!!
You are most welcome...😉
This page goes in to the SET BLASTER= line in more detail. I printed it off over 20 years ago and placed the copy in my Computer reference ring binder over 20 years ago.. http://www.rinkworks.com/apogee/s/6.4.2.shtml Unlike some I try not to rely on memory.
That site has tons of stuff in regard to Dos gaming.
There's a glitch in the matrix.
A founding member of the 286 appreciation society.
Apparently 32-bit is dead and nobody likes P4s.
Of course, as always, I'm open to correction...😉
Caluser2000 wrote on 2021-09-12, 22:50:You are most welcome...;) […]
AndalusianRG wrote on 2021-09-12, 22:04:Caluser2000 wrote on 2021-09-12, 21:24:Something with jumpers on it is a good start. ESS based cards are as cheap as chips and have better output then moist early SB cards. Usually you just need to put a SET BLASTER= entry in to the AUTOEXEC>BAT file. No driver software for the card to load at all.
Thank you!!
You are most welcome...😉
This page goes in to the SET BLASTER= line in more detail. I printed it off over 20 years ago and placed the copy in my Computer reference ring binder over 20 years ago.. http://www.rinkworks.com/apogee/s/6.4.2.shtml Unlike some I try not to rely on memory.
That site has tons of stuff in regard to Dos gaming.
Useful ages like that should be stickyed on vogons. Saves hours of going though that interweb forest of brambles to get it.
Edit: I know. I know. I could have just edited my previous post. I'am a bad bad boy......
There's a glitch in the matrix.
A founding member of the 286 appreciation society.
Apparently 32-bit is dead and nobody likes P4s.
Of course, as always, I'm open to correction...😉
Caluser2000 wrote on 2021-09-12, 23:06:Caluser2000 wrote on 2021-09-12, 22:50:You are most welcome...;) […]
AndalusianRG wrote on 2021-09-12, 22:04:Thank you!!
You are most welcome...😉
This page goes in to the SET BLASTER= line in more detail. I printed it off over 20 years ago and placed the copy in my Computer reference ring binder over 20 years ago.. http://www.rinkworks.com/apogee/s/6.4.2.shtml Unlike some I try not to rely on memory.
That site has tons of stuff in regard to Dos gaming.
Useful ages like that should be stickyed on vogons. Saves hours of going though that interweb forest of brambles to get it.
Edit: I know. I know. I could have just edited my previous post. I'am a bad bad boy......
Haha no probs 😉
Thank you all!!
AndalusianRG wrote on 2021-09-13, 14:36:Thank you all!!
BTW I'm thinking about getting an Aztech, maybe a NX Pro, 16/Washington... something like that.
I'll probably go with that.
Old Aztech cards are mostly expensive and often noisy. If you can grab one fore a bargain, take it. Otherwise I would suggest an ESS ES488 or ES688 card. Cheap and good quality. I Recently grab this one FROM Pine, the record is from the amp out( not Line Out) and there isn't hardly any noise. Jumpers, no drivers needed.
https://youtu.be/mjw2kj2aOfo
