envagyok wrote on 2023-02-07, 19:53:And what is the best choice from soundcards this era for db50xg?
Soundblaster 16?
Or AWE32?
Or something else? […]
Show full quote
And what is the best choice from soundcards this era for db50xg?
Soundblaster 16?
Or AWE32?
Or something else?
All Creative SB16-based cards (including AWE32 and 64, and the Vibras) have MIDI bugs making them less than ideal:
- MIDI playback slowdowns when playing at same time as 16b DA audio (all SB16-based cards without exception)
- two kinds of hanging note bugs (severity differs per model, only oldest CT17xx and newest AWE64 variants don't have any)
Mediavision Pro Audio Spectrum 16 suffers from the same hanging note issues, it's been hypothesized (given Creative's known shady business practices) that this is no coincidence.
So not one of them. Pretty much any other card that offers hardware MPU-401 UART would be fine as far as MIDI is concerned, I'd suggest choosing based on desired non-MIDI features (DA standard compatibility, FM synth type etc). I like Aztech 3rd gen cards a lot for this purpose, I have one next to an AWE64 Gold (and GUS) in my late DOS system to have best of both worlds, but OPTi 929/930 and Crystal CS4232 offer the same, as do OPTi 931, ESS 1xxx and later Crystal CS423x, but with non-Yamaha FM synths. You could also go for CMI8330 or ALS100 for combination of SB16 compatibility without MIDI bugs if you just want a single card.