From: smintz@sedona.intel.com (Stephen Mintz exp 11/92~)
Subject: Sound Blaster 16 ASP; first impressions
Originator: smintz@sedona
Reply-To: smintz@sedona.intel.com
Organization: Intel Corporation
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 22:24:07 GMT


Well, I finally recieved, and set up my new sb16 asp, I thought some of you
would like to hear my impression of the new board. First, the system setup is as
follows, a 486/33 DX2 66 with 128megs of ram, and 2 1.3 gig drives (Core) the MB
has an OPTI chipset (dated 8/6/92) and AMI bios (dated 6-6-92).

The package comes with, a microphone, sampler software, a text to speech
program, a new mini program, a two manual covering the card itself.
The card has jumpers for disabling the on-board amplifier for clearer sound if
you are using an external amp on speakers (I am using the unit with
Altec-Lansing ACS-300s), I move the jumper to the no pre-amp position.

Set-up of the card was quite easy, just install. The card has software
configurable IRQs, DMAs, and Memory addresses, with make the installation much
nicer!! I went with factory defaulted except for setting the 8 bit sampling to
IRQ 7 to keep old SB compatability.

That out of the way, I play the sb16 tests, the music was clear and loud, and
the sound effect where impressive, there was also a multimedia demo, that had
very REAL sound effects (mainly footsteps).

I just upgraded from the sb pro (rev 6) two channel operator Yamaha, so in
testing against original SB, SBpro...I know what I am listening for...
First I tested the sb16 on the old sbpro test, the music sounded more clear and
beautiful, but the sound effect (the water splashing from left to right) only
came out of both speakers...I had heard the the Yamaha 4 channel operator could
not do sound panning epearently it was true. Not really the cards fault, though I am
really going to miss the feature.

next I tried it with WOWII, a mod player, the music was clear, but I could hear
pops from my speaker during certain music, I ma not sure if this was the card or
the program inaction with the card, since no other program did that effect.
Next I loaded Visual Player, another mod player...it locked up tight, and not
could get it to run.

After that, I loaded GODS, a game with a great sound track (sound blaster true
compatable) it sounded great in it's bass levels, though, It kept having a faint
static, every time there was any voice, playing with treble did help the static,
but also decreased the power of the voice.

I then ran Star command II, also a game with a great sbpro sound track, the bass
again was fantastic, and voice was nice and clear, but the space music score
sounded kinda muddy (not as clear as on the sbpro)

I then loaded Falcon 3.01.1, the music was crystal clear, and the voices have
never sounded better..nice a clear, with proper radio noises, but no noice from
the card..


the windows programs; the wave studio, and the recorder, are the best I have
seen yet (though there are probably some PD, or share ware that are better) I
recorded some classical music (Vavaldi;"The four seasons") to measure clearity;
the 16 bit record at 44.1 was fantastic, you couldn't tell CD from non CD;
though playing a CD though the sound blaster 16 made the violins and high
pitched instrument sound a little staticy. the mixer (both windows and dos) are
probable the best I have seen with much more control of the card than the old
one. The 8 bit recording I found a little lacking compared with 8bit record of
the sbpro. 

The only problem that I was able to find with the card is the back ground
static, no the static with the sbpro (hearing drive access, video, whatever) but
a backgroud speaker noise...not quite sure how to fix it, I lowered to treble,
but that also ruin your higher range sounds, so it isn't the best solution.
Also, I am going to reenable the on-board amp, and see if that increases the
higher ranges...

Like I said this is my first impression of the board, and if might be other
things, in my system, that are causing the problems, I will post if I find 
anything more out.

Stephen
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Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard