To test the setup you can use any audio player software that supports playing CDs. Usually CDs that combine data+redbook put the music on track 2 and later.
Try a standard music CD, those should work too.
I've never programmed CD stuff but I doubt any driver is even needed for this.
The music tracks on the disc can be tested in any CD player. Redbook is just a standard audio track that all CD players can play.

Some drives have a play button on the front, if you push that button then the analog audio cable is the only way you'll hear it. If you play through software in Windows, then sometimes Windows might be set up to send the data digitally over the data cable instead of using the analog audio cable.

Ok, yes, confirmed the images and tracks are good, decent 2 and carmageddon play in xp media player under cd. Ran the descent 2 game and the option menu showed midi or cd audio not set by default,
So midi and cd-audio can't coexist at the same time ?, Dos can handle only one digital format at a time ? Does this mean the tester tool for descent 2 just dosen't work?
The best tester tool would be a vlc player or mplayer type program for dos that plays regular cd music, is there a media player program for Dos ?

Paladin PIP wrote on 2025-05-16, 00:12:

So midi and cd-audio can't coexist at the same time ?

They can but Descent 2 they're completely different soundtracks and there's no logical reason for playing both of them at once. It's not out of a technical limitation.

Paladin PIP wrote on 2025-05-16, 00:12:

is there a media player program for Dos ?

Sound Blaster card software often had a CD player in the SB16 era at least.

Search for "cdplay.exe".

Ok, found it. there is a whole lot of media players, I was surprised. Now I can play all of my music without being afraid apple will delete my tunes, Apple can't touch my Dos drive.

leileilol wrote on 2025-05-16, 01:04:

They can but Descent 2 they're completely different soundtracks and there's no logical reason for playing both of them at once. […]
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Paladin PIP wrote on 2025-05-16, 00:12:

So midi and cd-audio can't coexist at the same time ?

They can but Descent 2 they're completely different soundtracks and there's no logical reason for playing both of them at once. It's not out of a technical limitation.

Paladin PIP wrote on 2025-05-16, 00:12:

is there a media player program for Dos ?

Sound Blaster card software often had a CD player in the SB16 era at least.

I got to ask dxx rebirth if they can extract the red book audio and play that instead of the midi

Some of the redbook music in these games rock I agree, looks like I am going to start another OCD collection ... midi tunes and redbook