vutt wrote on 2025-04-18, 09:51:

[...] PVI-486SP3 [...]

that mobo sure is special, IIRC with Orpheus2 you need first to initialize interwave and then crystal for it to work properly
launching with "IT S12" does nothing? tried also specifying address/irq/dma?
also if you use unisound maybe it's the same issue with certain apogee games for which using ESSCFG fixes the SB detection?

keropi wrote on 2025-04-18, 13:26:

that mobo sure is special, IIRC with Orpheus2 you need first to initialize interwave and then crystal for it to work properly la […]
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vutt wrote on 2025-04-18, 09:51:

[...] PVI-486SP3 [...]

that mobo sure is special, IIRC with Orpheus2 you need first to initialize interwave and then crystal for it to work properly
launching with "IT S12" does nothing? tried also specifying address/irq/dma?
also if you use unisound maybe it's the same issue with certain apogee games for which using ESSCFG fixes the SB detection?

Tried all combinations. Even blocked some IRQ/DMA resources in order to force different values - no cigar...
It's not your hardware implementation fault. My period correct "premium" Terratec Gold 16/96 does not initialize with IT as well

Grzyb wrote on 2025-04-18, 09:58:

So it seems that - apart from games - there are four DOS programs with ESS support

One more hint if you are into dos demos. Those demos which are using "Indoor Music Systems" for audio will have native ESS support as well
Examples: Link1 Link2 Link3

Damn .. so no forcing it to use
There cannot be implementation faults anyways, the chip interfaces to ISA one way and it either works or not. I wonder why this fails though, could it be something related to ess control port 600something? (Unisound reports it but cannot be changed)

As of yesterday the 1st batch of MK1869 cards has been sold out, thank you everyone for your ongoing support~!
2nd batch preparations have begin

Just got my 486 pc working last night, still need to troubleshoot some stuff on it, but its ready for the new card... And USPS is taking its sweet time to get it across the country (I live in SoCal), I will probably see it sometime this week, can hardly wait! Also waiting on a McCake, USPS is doing the same on it.

I picked up my package from the post office yesterday. Thanks. Hope to have time to unpack it this weekend.

Assuming that the PCMIDI expansion card is installed, with the McCake attached to the PCMIDI wavetable header set to 330h and IRQ2, and the X16GS connected to the sound card's wavetable header and assigned to the ESS MPU at port 300h.
Would it be possible for McCake and X16GS to be selected and played automatically depending on the game’s MIDI setting (330h or 300h)? The ESS 1MB ROM is not being used.

copymaker wrote on 2025-04-24, 04:59:

Assuming that the PCMIDI expansion card is installed, with the McCake attached to the PCMIDI wavetable header set to 330h and IRQ2, and the X16GS connected to the sound card's wavetable header and assigned to the ESS MPU at port 300h.
Would it be possible for McCake and X16GS to be selected and played automatically depending on the game’s MIDI setting (330h or 300h)? The ESS 1MB ROM is not being used.

yep this will work like you describe no issues

Hi,

I've been waiting for just under 2 weeks for any update on my order of the MK1869. I have paid the full 137 EUR via PayPal and would appreciate an update. I live in eastern Australia.

Edro contacted me about the payment 12 days ago but I have not heard back from him since.

Regards

Hello!
your package is going today, I postponed a bit because I had a few issues with 3 packages to Australia. Now that's all solved I can send yours. I will send you tracking this evening!
Thank you for your patience!

Marmes wrote on 2025-04-24, 08:42:

Hello!
your package is going today, I postponed a bit because I had a few issues with 3 packages to Australia. Now that's all solved I can send yours. I will send you tracking this evening!
Thank you for your patience!

Thanks, I am looking forward to receiving the parcel.

keropi wrote on 2025-04-24, 06:17:

yep this will work like you describe no issues

Oh, I have no idea what I was thinking. I completely misunderstood and thought the PCMIDI expansion board also had a wavetable header. Sorry if my question seemed strange.
Still, I now clearly understand that with dual MPU support, it's possible to use both McCake and X16GS selectively. Thank you!

copymaker wrote on 2025-04-24, 11:07:

keropi wrote on 2025-04-24, 06:17:

yep this will work like you describe no issues

Oh, I have no idea what I was thinking. I completely misunderstood and thought the PCMIDI expansion board also had a wavetable header. Sorry if my question seemed strange.
Still, I now clearly understand that with dual MPU support, it's possible to use both McCake and X16GS selectively. Thank you!

I thought you were talking about a dedicated PCMIDI ISA mpu
but yes, the pcmidi-addon does not have a wt header so you will need to convert one of the cards to an external midi device using something like a CHiLL interface from serdashop

Hi folks,
I got my card 2 days ago, and had a chance to test it last night. It gets recognized during boot, if I setup it like a Sound Blaster for FX and FM, all runs smoothly (Duke3D, X-Wing, Descent, etc). (IRQ 5, DMA 1, MPU 330)

When I tried to use the onboard wavetable, the sound comes out garbled. Tried different games and motherboards (Asus 440BX/ZX chipset). I checked everything, jumpers, lastest Unisound. I could not start the board with the ESS specific software, it ignores IRQ/DMA allocation I have set on BIOS.

Just for context, I have other cards (Orpheus 2 LT, MK8330, generic ESS1868 and 1869 cards) which I can setup and play with external wavetable (X8GS) without issues, with same setup.

The board also produces some noise during computer startup, when DOS is loading and screen rolling.

I'm attaching pictures of the board . And 2 youtube links for videos with audio on how the general midi is playing
https://youtu.be/6o0RFfes0WE
https://youtu.be/sbkpH7-Fzn4

Am I missing something?

Edit: forgot to mention, tested with external WT X2SE (disabled ES690 on the jumper J6), worked perfectly. The issue occurs when trying to use the onboard ES690.

Oh wow, what happened to the ISA pins?
I would clean them with IPA then test. If possible see if any pin is unsoldered, it could happen something due to a bad trip .

Marmes wrote on 2025-04-25, 17:18:

Oh wow, what happened to the ISA pins?
I would clean them with IPA then test. If possible see if any pin is unsoldered, it could happen something due to a bad trip .

It came like this out of the box. Just tried cleaning with IPA, no change. Will check solder joints under magnifying glass.

Box was sealed, no tampering on the way.

Man, those ISA pins absolutely look super weird. Just to counter-balance for potential external readers or any doubters, I have been a happy customer of Keropi and Marmes for a long time, ordered almost every single one of their products, and the production quality has always been optimal and their support top notch. This looks very much like an exceptional outlier. I am very curious to see if any explanation can be found.

Aladim wrote on 2025-04-25, 16:57:

Hi folks, [...]

that looks like moisture/corrosion damage? even the ESS logo looks weird
was the package opened from customs? did you notice any weirdness on the packaging? like was dried from becoming wet at some point?
at any rate we will replace the card, when we receive the 2nd batch cards a new one will be shipped please use the contact form or a PM to let us know who you are 😀

Boohyaka wrote on 2025-04-25, 17:31:

Man, those ISA pins absolutely look super weird. [...]

thanks for the kind words Boohyaka 😀
we never had this happened before, I mean sure some small number of pcbs come with some minor cosmetic issues from factory but this bad case of pins I have only seen on recycled stuff that had a bad time exposed to the elements

Have you considered making a ESS daughterboard using ES690 and 1/2MB ROM? There are schematics in the ES1868 datasheet (I think) and given the limited supply of those chips, would be much more handy as you could use it with any ESS card, not just MK1869. Always wanted to do it myself but couldn't find enough time.

keropi wrote on 2025-04-25, 17:58:

that looks like moisture/corrosion damage? even the ESS logo looks weird was the package opened from customs? did you notice any […]
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Aladim wrote on 2025-04-25, 16:57:

Hi folks, [...]

that looks like moisture/corrosion damage? even the ESS logo looks weird
was the package opened from customs? did you notice any weirdness on the packaging? like was dried from becoming wet at some point?
at any rate we will replace the card, when we receive the 2nd batch cards a new one will be shipped please use the contact form or a PM to let us know who you are 😀

Boohyaka wrote on 2025-04-25, 17:31:

Man, those ISA pins absolutely look super weird. [...]

thanks for the kind words Boohyaka 😀
we never had this happened before, I mean sure some small number of pcbs come with some minor cosmetic issues from factory but this bad case of pins I have only seen on recycled stuff that had a bad time exposed to the elements

This is definitely weird. The package came intact, no sign of being wet. It was unopened. My son filmed the unboxing (we do this for everything that has some value nowadays) - I can upload that if needed.
I handle cards only through the bracket and the edges, I avoid touching the surface where components are, and never ever touch the slot pins (ISA, PCI etc).

I checked all ICs under a magnifying glass and gently poked the SMD pins, could not find anything loose. Quick look on all capacitors, resistors, inductors, and SMD components, nothing at first sight.
I just tried a 3rd motherboard, same results.

I will PM you guys.