From: johnson@cps.msu.edu.cps.msu.edu (Graham K Johnson)
Subject: Re: Info on Sound Blaster 16 from Prodigy
Originator: johnson@indian.cps.msu.edu
Reply-To: johnson@cps.msu.edu.cps.msu.edu (Graham K Johnson)
Organization: Dept. of Computer Science, Michigan State University
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 92 18:32:41 GMT

In article <slider.07q6@pongnet.chi.il.us> slider@pongnet.chi.il.us (Paul Casey) writes:
>PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service         07/25/92
> 
>    PC USERS LOOKING TO TAP THE SOUND FEATURES OF MULTIMEDIA, or
>    those just desiring more realistic music or sound effects,
>    will be interested in a new add-on card from Creative Labs.
>       The multimedia hardware company is preparing to release a
>    16-bit version of its popular Sound Blaster card. Sound
>    Blaster 16 provides CD-quality stereo. The device will be

so does the ProAudio Spectum-16.
 
>    targeted at a wide range of PC enthusiasts, from home users
>    to business people.
>       Sound Blaster 16 is scheduled to ship by later summer. It
>    will sell for $349.

Is this a list price or a street price?  One can get a PAS-16 for
$200-$230 mail order now.

>       Sound Blaster 16 includes a stereo digital/analog mixer
>    that works with all audio sources.  It also features a stereo
>    music synthesizer that uses a 20-voice FM technology.

I believe the PAS-16 does the same (unless you can take the digital
line out from those CD players that have them and plug it right into
the SB-16) and the PAS-16 has a 20-voice FM synth.

>       The unit provides a playback response from 5KHz to
>    44.1KHz and 16-bit audio sampling.  It uses the same 90

Ditto for the PAS-16, though it may only go down to 6KHz.  I'll assume
that the SB-16 has the same range for sampling.

>    decibel CODEC chip found in professional digital audio tape

Don't know about this.
>    (DAT) systems. Sound Blaster 16 offers a 4-watts-per-channel

As does PAS-16

>    amplifier and volume, bass and treble controls. Microphone,

Like the PAS-16.  Does it have loudness and enhanced bass and treble
switches, too, like the PAS-16?

>    and stereo line-in jacks are provided. A MIDI (musical
>    instrument digital interface) port with Sound Blaster and
>    MPU-401 support is also included.

There's something in it's favor.  The PAS-16 MIDI is extra ($60 list,
does anyone know how much it really costs?).

>       Sound Blaster 16 is compatible with all software that
>    supports the current Sound Blaster card.  The new unit also

So is the PAS-16, supposedly.  Does this mean the SB-16 will be a new
standard just because it's got the SoundBlaster name?

>    works with Windows 3.1 application. The device will be
>    bundled with an extensive library of software titles. The
>    programs are designed to take full advantage of the card's
>    advanced sound capabilities.

I guess an ad for the PAS-16 could also say it is bundled with an
'extensive' library of software.

>       "The Sound Blaster 16 achieves the highest audio quality
>    possible on inherently noisy PC systems," says Creative Labs
>    President W H Sim. "In addition to optimizing all components
>    for noise reduction, we used a 4-layer printed circuit board
>    that further suppresses the noise from the PC power bus."

According to the FAQ, the PAS-16 is also shielded.
 
>       "At a suggested retail price of $349, Creative is making
>    professional quality, presentation-level PC sound affordable
>    to virtually any PC user who wants state of the art
>    quality," observes Sim. "Creative believes that the
>    availability of Sound Blaster 16 will help accelerate the
>    already rapdily moving multimedia PC category."

I guess I just don't get it.  What's this got that the PAS-16 doesn't
have, besides the MPU-401 support included (am I wrong about PAS not
having that?) and interface included (which has nothing to do with
multi-media), and isn't that offset by PAS-16's built in SCSI port?  
If I'm missing something, please tell me.
Obviously, if the suggested retail price is $349, we'll see it for
considerably less.  But it doesn't seem as much like competition for
the PAS-16 as a clone of it.
BTW, I don't know why I'm advocating the PAS-16 so much -- mine didn't
even work right.  Hopefully the replacement will.

-- 
   ___        "We dream of the mating season          johnson@cps.msu.edu
  /__    ___     Feel the coming tidal wave        Michigan State University
 <__/raham /       We want to run but cannot move
     K. <_/ohnson    Cause we're embedded in concrete"  -- Front 242