From: ptran@watserv1.uwaterloo.ca (Phat H Tran)
Subject: Gravis Ultrasound compilation
Organization: University of Waterloo
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1992 05:13:26 GMT


Here is my collection of messages about the Gravis Ultrasound.  They are
in order of date, from the earliest to the latest.  Please note that the
mailing list (article 990) has a few major errors (the GUS having an FM
chip, for example.)


Article: 621 of comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard
From: mccarty@netcom.com (Michael K McCarty)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard
Subject: Re: Gravis Ultrasound- Any news?
Date: 24 Jul 92 08:53:34 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest)

I got a beta version of the Ultrasound board a couple days ago.
They say the board will ship in early August.  Here is my impressions
of what I think of it.

First off when you see the card you notice that it has sockets for
memory expansion.  It came with 256k on board expandable to 1Mb.  
Exactly like and typical 1MB VGA card.  

This card is not an FM card like all the others on the market.  Gravis
is using wavetable synthesis for all the sound generation.  It resembles
how MOD files are written and played.  Sound Patches (8-bit or 16-bit upto
44.1k) are loaded into the memory on the card and then the software controls
when to play back the specific instruments.  You can manipulate the patches
in many ways.  Sure enough it's got 32 voices with each being able to
play any of the patches loaded in its on-board memory.  
  Each voice can:
    Pan left or right with 15 positions.
    Frequency shifting to play different notes.
    Amplitude modulation for note enveloping
    Volume control/special effects (low frequency amplitude modulation)
    
You can record and playback samples simultaneously easily.

This card is Adlib and Soundblaster compatible with a driver from Gravis.
I have not obtained this yet.

How does it sound?
  Comparing it to all the cards I have currently, It sounds better than 
the Adlib Gold (w/surround).  It's not even in the same class as the
older Soundblaster/Adlib cards.  The samples included in the demonstrations
were 16 bit patches which really showed off the board.  It's on the top
of my list for overall quality.  The benefit of storing the Sampled patches
in the Audio RAM is awesome.  Just a little bit of the conventional RAM
to play the music back leaves a lot of breathing room for some of the 
upcoming games.  I plan on supporting it.

  Michael                  
  mccarty@netcom.com

-- 
<=-----------------------------------------------------------------------=>
  Michael K McCarty                Internet: mccarty@dhvx20.csudh.edu
  ::-------------::                          mccarty@netcom.com
  I can also be reached at                   as673@po.cwru.edu
  Home/work (310) 546-2502                  

  Just who are these Happy Shining People anyway?

Article: 774 of comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard
From: ross@kaos.ingr.com (Ross Erickson)
Subject: GRAVIS DELAYS EXPLANATIONS??
Keywords: gravis ultrasound
Reply-To: ross@kaos.b11.ingr.com
Organization: Intergraph Corporation
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1992 13:50:54 GMT

--
>From the "For What It's Worth Department":

It's been confirmed that Gravis will be offering a bundle of the
Ultrasound board with a newer, enhanced version of the Chuck Yeager's
Air Combat flight simulator with full native support for the board
when they start shipping.  This is pure speculation, but it's very
possible that the reason for these annoying delays have nothing to do
with the hardware at all.  As is very typical, the delays could be due
to Electronic Arts finishing up the CYAC program with this enhanced
Ultrasound support.  From what I've been told, the sound is absolutley
breathtaking.  We'll see.
--
|------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  Ross Erickson             |                                     |
|  ross@kaos.b11.ingr.com    | "No individual raindrop considers   |
|  205-730-4019 - voice      |  itself responsible for the flood." |
|  205-730-6445 - fax        |                                     |
|  Internet: 129.135.200.245 |                                     |
|------------------------------------------------------------------|


Article: 806 of comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard
From: aestens@epx.cis.umn.edu
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard
Subject: Ultrasound ACTUAL INFO!!!
Summary: News about the Gravis Ultrasound from America Online
Date: 1 Aug 92 03:19:06 GMT
Organization: University of Minnesota

Hello all!  I was just browsing through America Online and discovered that
the Advanced Gravis Reps. had proclaimed a few things of interest.  So,
in the interests of all, I'm passing them on.  I'll add a few more details
at the end that aren't included in these copied messages.

---------------------------
Subj:  Stats
Date:  92-07-28 21:21:46 EDT
From:  Adv Gravis

Since the UltraSound will be shipping shortly, I am going to post the
stats for the card and answer all of the questions posed by the forum members.

CD QUALITY SOUND:  Even with the skeptics, the UltraSound will deliver
16 bit 44.1kHz sound with 96db for true CD quality sound.  Believe it.

32 VOICES:  Supports 32 digital and/or synthesized voices.

WINDOWS/MULTEMEDIA:  UltraSound supports Windows Multimedia Extensions
and includes multi source mixing that meets and exceed MPC standards.

WAVE TABLE SYNTHESIS:  no more FM based technology

COMPATIBILITY PLUS:  Compatibility is your assurance that UltraSound
will work with existing Soundblaster and Adlib files.  Plus indicates
that drivers for the UltraSound will provide better quality than those
designed for other boards.

RECORDING/SAMPLING:  features an 8 bit digital recording with sample
rates from 2-44.1 kHz in either mono or stereo.  Separate circuits allow
for simultaneous recording and playback.

MIDI:  supports midi in, out and thru

Joystick Port: speed compensating joystick port supports up to
50 mHz 486 and beyond.

MEMORY:  onboard 256 upgradeable to 1 meg.

Now for a comparison of the boards on the market:

                       ULTRASOUND      ADLIB         SB      SB PRO
                       --------------------------------------------
Synthesized  Voices     32              11           11       22
CD Quality Sound        yes             no           no       no
Digital Audio Voices    32              0            1        2
Stereo Digital Voices   16              0            0        1
Memory On Card          256 k           -------------------------
Speed Compensating      yes             ------------------------
Stereo Sample Rate      2-44.1          --           Mono     4-22
Recording Resolution    8/16            --           8        8


As for companies that are supporting the board, rest assured they will.


We value all criticsims or skepticisms on the board. Please feel free
to ask any questions and we will answer them if at all possible.  But
please be advised that there are some things we (as a company) cannot
disclose at this time.  However, the board will be shipping within 3 weeks.

BC and BD
-------------------------
Subj:  More stats...
Date:  92-07-30 01:57:54 EDT
From:  DracBaby

Yes, you are right...there is no comparison to the PAS 16!!!

Yes we will be shipping windows drivers as well, and if you check back
a few messages.....you will note that a microchannel (OS2) version will
be released in the fall (we and you hope!!! - grin!).

And yes, 16 bit recording is coming as well.  Right now however, the card
is shipping as an 8 bit recorder.  16 bit will be available shortly!!

Any more questions?? Keep em coming!!

BD for BC
--------------------------
Subj:  Wing Commander 2
Date:  92-07-30 20:35:13 EDT
From:  DracBaby

Okay...this is an easy question!  Yes, I was getting both speech and
sound.  I used the speech accessory pack.  No problems at all!!
--------------------------

OK.  According to Gravis, the HARDWARE IS FINISHED.  The software is complete,
or nearly so.  They are waiting mostly to finish writing and printing GOOD
manuals and documentation (hah, I'll believe that only when I see it) and
also for disk duplication of the software.  (The "waiting-for-Electronic-
Arts" theory may also be a possibility)

As stated above, one of the Reps has SUCCESSFULLY used an Ultrasound card
on his machine at home.  Most importantly, Wing Commander 2 (with speech pack)
worked correctly!!!  He also stated that he had successfully used it with
other games (the only one I can remember at this moment is Out of This World).
I'm assuming that he did this by using their SB-compatible driver.

Anyway, they've convinced me to wait a bit longer...  If you have any 
questions for the Gravis Reps on America Online, SEND ME EMAIL!!!
(I may miss them if you post them here)  I'll either answer them, or pass
them on.  (I have no relation to Gravis, by the way)



  Alan S. Estenson..............aka Mycroft Holmes                    
  Aerospace Engineering....Aestens@epx.cis.umn.edu                    
  University of Minnesota, Institute of Technology                    
 => Think of it as evolution in action.                                  


Article: 827 of comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard
From: dionf@ERE.UMontreal.CA (Dion Francois)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard
Subject: Re: Ultrasound ACTUAL INFO!!!
Date: 2 Aug 92 21:45:05 GMT
Organization: Universite de Montreal

Just a comment: the gravis uses an ASIC called Michelangelo and an ENSONIQ
DOC II chip. Not a SIERRA as someone tought. (This DOC II chip is also used
in the RTM'S Audiomaster card. (Check MPC World since April till now for a
good view of what is coming out).

The hardware really is ready ( but not the daughterboards) but it seems they
dont have a complete package ready yet... I'll fax my toughts about that to
gravis tomorrow... (What are they doing? I sure hope that NOBODY IS TAKING
ANY VACATION AT GRAVIS! (YES I'M SHOUTING! YES I'M PISSED OFF WAITING!)

The new spec of 96 db S/N ratio is probably due to a new DOC chip version.
(I'll believe when i'll hear...)

Last, for all the people who emailed me for the group purchase, the distributor
is not willing to make a quantity pricing until he has some in stock. If you
still want to get in it's not too late. Also, i have lost some email ( never
got it!) so maybe i lost some of your messages, so please re-email.

How it will work:
When i get the price i email everybody. You can then either pay by visa, money
order or fund transfer. If it's by visa add 3%. Also add shipping.

Ciao,
Francois Dion, CISM 89,3 FM Montreal


Article: 990 of comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard
From: ddebry@itchy.dsd.es.com (David DeBry)
Subject: UltraSound specs
Description: Tall, skinny, kinda goofy looking
Uucp: ...!uunet!dsd.es.com!ddebry 
Reply-To: David DeBry <ddebry@dsd.es.com> 
Organization: Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp., Design Systems Division 
Date: 11 Aug 92 02:06:05 GMT
Irc: Z-Grue (Zorkian Grue) 
Detailed-Info: finger ddebry@cc.utah.edu 
Day-Phone: (801) 582-5847 x4721 
Internet: ddebry@dsd.es.com 


        This is a repost from the UltraSound mailing list.  The list
is not sponsored by Gravis, however, the bulk of information out about
the UltraSound can be found on the mailing list before it hits this
newsgroup.  If you'd like to join the UltraSound mailing list, send
mail to ultrasound-request%itchy@dsd.es.com.

----- Begin Included Message -----

        A few people have been asking about the specs concerning the
UltraSound card.  Here's the published info.  These come from the
(in)famous Brad Craig at UltraSound.

> - 32 Synthesized Voice (Not FM, but Wave Tables)
> - 32 Digitized Voices
> - 16 Bit DAC
> - 8 Bit Stereo sampling at 1 to 44.1 kHz, upgradable to 16 bit with a
>       daughterboard card
> - Industry Standard MIDI (6850 UART)
> - Includes MIDI In, Out, Thru connectors
> - SCSI compatible CD-ROM Interface on daughterboard (you may also use
>       your own with the card if you already have one.)
> - Programmable, speed compensating game port with handles up to a
>       486/50 Mhz.
> - Signal to noise ratio: 80db
> - Total harmonic distortion: < .014%  (No annoying constant hum or buzz.)
> - Built-in 2 watt amp
> - Line In/Outs (all stereo)
>       - Microphone In
>       - Audio Line In
>       - Audio Line Out
>       - Amplified Out
> - Fully AdLib and Soundblaster Compatible
> - Supports Windows Multimedia Extensions and includes drivers
> - Full on-card mixing of external CD-audio, digital audio, synthesizers, 
>       microphone, and line inputs.
> - Includes DIGITAL SOUND STUDIO 8 (upgraded to DIGITAL SOUND STUDIO
>       16 when you buy the 16 bit daughterboard).
> - 256k (expandable to 1meg) on-card memory included
> - RETAILS UNDER $200  (You'll be able to find it for $150)
> 
>       The reason the price is so low is simply because it can be,
> and Gravis sought the opportunity to make the high-end industry
> standard.  It also have features that not everyone will need on
> daughterboards, instead of charging you more for features you may
> never use.  Plenty of other daughterboards [besides the two mentioned
> above] are in the works as we speak, so this card will virtually never
> be out-dated.  Gravis is also making a plethora of deals between a
> numerous amount of the major software publishers, and there will be
> support for this card upon its release [not including the pre-support
> allowed with the compatibility with the AdLib and SoundBlaster].

        Here's the specs for Sound Studio 8, which is a part of the
software package released with the UltraSound.  (As for what else will
be in the software package, I'm sure about very few things, but I'll
tell you what I know if you're interested.)

> Requirements:
>       286 CPU or up, Logitech or Microsoft compatible mouse,
>       DOS 3.0 or up, EGA or VGA.
> 
> Abilities:
>       Digital Recording:  8 bit
>       Digital editiing:  YES
>       Display Markers:  Time/Byte/SMPTE [sic?]
>       Sample Rates:  1 to 44.1 kHz
>       Sound storage:  Direct to disk
>       Other Features:  Mixing
>                        Merging & Dubbing
>                        Reverb & Echo
>                        Waveform editing
>                        Zoom & Fade
>                        Unlimited undo
> 
>       Quoted from the Product Specification Sheet: "Digital Sound
> Studio 8 totally eliminates the tape hiss and sound degredation
> associated with audio tape... Sample rates from 1 to 44.1 khz let you
> control sound quality and file size.  Direct to disk storage does not
> limit your sound file to available RAM, and lets yousave as many reels
> of sound as your hard drive will allow.  The audio professional will
> feel instantly at home with the traditional sound studio controls
> displayed on an EGA or VGA screen.  For beginners, Digital Sound
> Studio 8 is intuitive and easy to learn.
> 
>       "Among DSS 8's many features is the Waveform Editor.  You can
> actually see what your sound looks like on your screen, and edit it
> visually.  Special effects like reverb, echo, zoom, and fade can be
> added with a few simple clicks of the mouse button.  And you can
> choose the display marker from among SMPTE, Time, and Byte display so
> you can synchronize your sound to your presentation or computer
> animation perfectly.  A simple Undo button makes is simple for you to
> experiment with as many effects as you'd like.  If you aren't
> satisfied with your sound, click on Undo will take you back to the
> previous version.
> 
>       "And, for the pros, Advanced Gravis offers and upgrade to 16
> bit Digital Sound Studio.  DSS 16 has all the great features of DSS 8,
> plus 20 track capability and unlimited sound track length."
> 
>       I know a lot of this may have already been obvious by the spec
> sheet alone, but an amateur may not understand all these features
> without a few sentences explanantion.  If you'd like Gravis' number,
> it's 800-664-8558 [sic?].

        Enjoy.

----- End Included Message -----

--
\\\ "I tell you, you're out of my mind!"                              \\\
\\\                       - Stine speaking to Stone, "City of Angels" \\\
\\\                                                                   \\\
\\ ddebry@dsd.es.com \ ddebry@cc.utah.edu \ debry@cadehp0.eng.utah.edu \\
David DeBry \ Email any address. \ Finger ddebry@cc.utah.edu for details.


Article: 991 of comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard
From: ddebry@itchy.dsd.es.com (David DeBry)
Subject: UltraSound specs -- more
Description: Tall, skinny, kinda goofy looking
Uucp: ...!uunet!dsd.es.com!ddebry 
Reply-To: David DeBry <ddebry@dsd.es.com> 
Organization: Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp., Design Systems Division 
Date: 11 Aug 92 02:17:21 GMT
Irc: Z-Grue (Zorkian Grue) 
Detailed-Info: finger ddebry@cc.utah.edu 
Day-Phone: (801) 582-5847 x4721 
Internet: ddebry@dsd.es.com 


        More repostings from the Gravis UltraSound mailing list.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

FROM:           DONALD GRIFFIN (BSJJ54A)
TO:             ALL
SUBJECT:        ADVANCED GRAVIS

        I just came from a conference where I saw and heard the
Ultrasound card but I had trouble getting them to play something MIDI
from the main onboard synthesizer.  They mostly played .WAV files that
always sound good.  Now for details.

        Without going into TOO much detail: 16 bit stereo, 32 voice
playback.  All voices mixed onboard.  Wavetable style synthesis
[instead of FM], playback and record (waves) up to 44.1 kHz, 8 bit
recording [16 bit with the daughterboard], 8 or 16 bit playback
standard, line and amplified outputs, line and mic inputs, 80 dB SNR
and <.014 THD, MIDI (6850) onboard, Gravis Joystick Interface,
SoftSelect IRQ and DMA, XT and AT, Adlib and Soundblaster compatible,
256k DRAM onboard [upgradeable to 1 Meg], optional daughterboards for
SCSI and 16 bit recording... that was all abbreviated from their own
documentation. 

        Now for the IMPORTANT stuff:  While the Ultrasound has an
AdLib interface chip to make everyboady happy, the real possibilities
are in the 32 voice Wave Table Synthesizer that is the heart of the
unit.  I wish I could say that I had heard it played, but I don't
think I did in their demo.  The potential of this synthesizer is
incredible for a ~$200 card.

        Wave Table Synthesis [previously called "Michaelangelo" by
Gravis] uses a technique where you record digitally the sound of the
instrument that you want it to sound like.  Example:  I want a grand
piano, so I record an A 440 (that's the musical note that you get with
a wave at 400 Hz).  I then use their wave editing software [that comes
with the card] to trim off what I don't want and then I pick the
attack part of the wave (that's the sound just when the note starts
(most important for realistic sounds)).  Then I pick an area starting
where the attack leaves off and see how much more I want for the
sustaining sound.  This part will be played right after the attack and
looped over and over until the note is due to end.  Now, I COULD just
use this one recording to make all the notes of the keyboard; their
software in the synthesizer will stretch that recording up and down
the keyboard to get all the higher and lower notes.  This works okay
for a few notes to either side of the 'real' one, but begins to sound
weird [when you get too far away].  So, the next step is to make
several more such recordings spread out over the keyboard (Ultrasound
allows up to 14 per instrument) and the end result is a more realistic
sound over the entire keyboard.  Next, to allow for what MIDI
musicians call "velocity" (the different sound you get when you hit
the key or blow the note or pluck the string harder), Ultrasound
allows for 4 different sound they called "layers" so you could end up
with 4 different sounds to cover velocity differences.  Don't hold me
to details on this.  I'm not a rep for Gravis... I just listened hard
and read some literature and I do computer music for a living.

        Next: There are 4 channels of this type of sound.  Not
instruments, but sound channels that can be panned left or right
before leaving to your speakers.  This means that channel 1 can be the
Left Stereo channel for music from the synthesizer, channel 2 can be
the Right channel for the synthesizer, and channels 3 and 4 could be
for things like simultaneous game sound effects.

        Result: You could hear Stereo (panned, or true stereo can be
accomplished with some work) while hearing an announcement that says
"Caution, Caution", while ALSO hearing your plane blow up, and all
from the same part of the card!

        Think about this:
        
        1) All the sounds come from software that is loaded when the
game is run.
        2) There are up to 14 sounds to make up each musical instrument.
        3) In MIDI, you get a drum set by making each note in an
instrument sound like a different drum.  So, in effect, 1 MIDI
instrument is the whole drum set.
        4) General MIDI says there are 128 different instruments.
        5) An instrument doesn't have to be a 'real' musical
instrument.  It can be set up like the drum set mentioned in point #3
but made up of pigs, chickens, machine guns, jet noise, and talking.
Anything that can be recorded and lasts only a couple of seconds (I
don't know what the length limit is).  [Ed note: Time length is
dependent on memory onboard, memory free on your computer, bus speed
to hard drive, and hard drive size.]

        Result:  You can have up to 32 simultaneous sounds that can be
anything from musical instruments to explosion sounds to speech:
anything that can me recorded.

        Example: The game there music could be like a police show
theme, complete with screeching tires, sirens, and even narration of
the credits.

        This and that:  Two recordings for each sound placed on
separate "instruments" but panned properly and played together would
deliver what is called "true stereo".

----------------------------------------------------------------------

        Ok, questions.

Q] If I already have a SCSI interface, would it conflict with anything
        on the Ultrasound, hardware or software-wise?
A] No.  All that does for you is mean you don't have to buy the SCSI
        daughterboard.  Congrats!


Q] What exactly is going on with MIDI compatibility for the board?

A] Originally, I was given info that the board was MPU-401 compatible.
        Now, it looks like that it is 6850 UART compatible instead.
        However, until I get some more information, the best I can
        tell you is that it IS MIDI compatible, but as to which
        standard, I'm not sure yet.


Q] Will device drivers for Windows 3.1 be provided?

A] Yep... that's part of the standard release.


Q] Will programming information be provided?

A] I'm sure it will, although I don't know yet if it's a separate
        package or part of the standard, or when it will be released.


Q] How standard is the SCSI interface (as opposed to the SoundBlaster's
        pseudo-standard SCSI)?  

A] From what I've heard (remember, don't chew me out for any of this if
        it doesn't pan out... I'm just the messenger!) the interface will
        be FULLY SCSI compatible.


Q] Is all the stuff needed to emulate the Soundblaster and AdLib standard
        with the card?

A] Yes.  It's a VERY SMALL TSR program that comes on the disks that you
        get with the card.  There is one TSR, you don't need a different
        one for each program you run.


Q] How much are the daughterboards going to run for?

A] I previously reported prices for those at $50 each.  Now it looks
        like the prices are going to be somewhere between $100-$150
        apiece.


Q] What software will be included with the standard package?

A] I don't know EVERYTHING that will be included, but I can tell you some
        of the things.  Digital Sound Studio 8, the Windows 3.1 drivers,
        the TSRs for compatibility with other sound cards, MIDI interface
        software, lots of example music, presumably a players for the
        example music... more on this as I'm told about it.  (See why it's
        a good reason to join the mailing list?)



        Well, that's about all my fingers can handle typing.  If you
have any questions or info about the board, either post them as a
follow up to this message, or join the mailing list and put them there.

        Enjoy!


--
\\\ "I tell you, you're out of my mind!"                              \\\
\\\                       - Stine speaking to Stone, "City of Angels" \\\
\\\                                                                   \\\
\\ ddebry@dsd.es.com \ ddebry@cc.utah.edu \ debry@cadehp0.eng.utah.edu \\
David DeBry \ Email any address. \ Finger ddebry@cc.utah.edu for details.





Article: 1109 of comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard
From: aestens@epx.cis.umn.edu
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard
Subject: Ultrasound Answers from Gravis
Date: 15 Aug 92 16:35:48 GMT
Organization: University of Minnesota

Yes, Gravis has finally answered a few of the questions that I started 
collecting from you nearly two weeks ago.  For all of you who posted questions
or e-mailed them to me...I have relayed them all to Gravis via America Online.
So far, they've answered a few of them, and I'm posting those answers here.
If/when they answer the rest, I'll relay them also.  However, we will 
probably (hopefully?) have the actual board by then.

Enjoy!
----------------------------
Subj:  Playback 8 or 16
Date:  92-07-31 21:39:19 EDT
From:  Adv Gravis

Yes we will be shipping with windows 3.1 extensions,
and the card will play back either 8 or 16 bit recorded sample
rates from 2 to 44.1 kHz in mono or stereo.

----------------------------
Subj:  Questions...
Date:  92-08-14 00:36:47 EDT
From:  Adv Gravis

*****
>COMPATIBILITY PLUS:  Compatibility is your assurance that UltraSound
>will work with existing Soundblaster and Adlib files.  Plus indicates
>that drivers for the UltraSound will provide better quality than those
>designed for other board

As far as I know, such emulation programming such as that provided by the
Gravis drivers should require a 386 and above. Am I correct? Would 286 users
be able to run the compatibility drivers 100% as well?

Question (1):   Will work on a 286?? YES! But we recommend a 386!!

*****
>And yes, 16 bit recording is coming as well.  Right now however, the card
>is shipping as an 8 bit recorder.  16 bit will be available shortly!!

How much will it cost ? And, what about the SCSI module ? Can one use it
with hard disks too (and not only CD-ROM) ? What's the max. throughput ?

When will the hardware upgrades for 16-bit recording, MIDI, and the like be
available and shipping? 

Quesiton (2):   Cost for 16 bit??  Under $100.00

*****
I have a Gravis question...
I read that it has 32 digital audio voices... Was that correct?

I assume that means I can record, oh say, Kasmir by Led Zeppelin.
Then i could record Give it Away by the Chilli Peppers and I could play
them both back at the same time!?!  Right?  If this is so, I'm sold.

Question (3):   32 DAV'S???  YES

Question (4):   You can mix the songs, so yes you could theorectically
listen to both at the same time if mixed together on the master reel.
You can also play and record simultaneously.


---------------------------
Subj:  Release Date
Date:  92-08-14 00:37:41 EDT
From:  Adv Gravis

Release Date is from August 17 - August 21, 1992.



  Alan S. Estenson..............aka Mycroft Holmes                    
  Aerospace Engineering....Aestens@epx.cis.umn.edu                    
  University of Minnesota, Institute of Technology                    
 => Cheop's law: Nothing ever gets built on schedule or within budget.   

Article: 1144 of comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard
From: aestens@epx.cis.umn.edu ()
Subject: Further Ultrasound Info
Organization: University of Minnesota
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1992 00:30:52 GMT

Yet more information from Gravis about the Ultrasound.
(taken verbatim from America Online)

*****
Subj:  UltraSound Toolkits
Date:  92-08-15 13:39:44 EDT
From: DracBaby
To:     Mycroft

Hi, There are over 400 toolkits in the hands of almost every known
producer of software I could think of. Plus our chip set is now up for
sale. Even Microsoft themselves like our sound board.
(I not sure how well do in market place together against FOGHORN, but
I think we have a good solution. 
[some material deleted]

We do not plan to make the card PAS compatible. Gravis, and the other
wave form board makers want the world of software to reach the next
level of sight and sound.

Adv Gravis
*****
Subj:  Shipping??
Date:  92-08-15 14:11:47 EDT
From:  Adv Gravis

Thanks for kind words. Like Mike said, even I do not have access to
the final software until Tuesday, as the engineers are putting the
final touches on it.

The good news is the boards are sitting in my warehouse, the manuals
and software should be completed by Tuesday. So it looks like will be
shipping Thursday-Friday. (It's about time too!) It's been to damm long
for me at least. :-) big Grin!

I'd like to thank everyone that has order one. I think that you'll see
some awesome software come out this year and support it.

Chuck Yeager the UltraSound version, will be completed in Sept.
It will be sold separatly through Gravis.

Coming soon from Accolade STAR CONTROL II, to take advantage of the
boards special features. 

Regards
BC
*****
Subj:  Emulation driver size
Date:  92-08-15 16:34:00 EDT
From:  PCA SBMike

The 'Blaster/AdLib emulation driver takes up about 16k, and,
according to docs (I haven't tried it myself) can be loaded high
and retain full functionality. In fact, they recommend loading high
under DOS 5 to preserve base RAM.
*****

That's all for now..more as I receive it.

--

  Alan S. Estenson..............aka Mycroft Holmes                    
  Aerospace Engineering....Aestens@epx.cis.umn.edu                    
  University of Minnesota, Institute of Technology                    
 => "Custom reconciles us to everything." -Edmund Burke                  


Article: 1418 of comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard
From: jthornto@ee.ubc.ca (Johan Thornton)
Subject: Advanced Gravis Ultrasound... I like it!
Organization: University of BC, Electrical Engineering
Date: Sun, 30 Aug 1992 03:03:29 GMT

Well, I got my Ultrasound yesterday (I'm a software developer) and I thought
you guys might want to hear about it... 

I'll tell ya what the non-disclusure agreement allows me to tell.

The hardware is top notch.  Extremely clean sound; I found no trace
of power supply hum or computer noise.  The demos that came with it are
ok, but in my opinion sparse.  The best demo is the midi-play, which
plays standard .mid files.  It loads the sounds into the on-board RAM,
and then plays them.  It's similar to playing mod files, except that
there's a larger emphasis on loops in the waveforms.  The 16-bit samples
were by and large good-sounding, but a few were noisy.

The hardware _is_ completed, as other people have mentioned on the net.
The software is what's holding them up still.  I expect there will be
some more delays before they ship a final, bug-free version.

As far as compatibility goes, I got all my ad-lib games to work fine,
and most of the SB games.  There are several modes in the SB emulator,
so it might be I didn't try hard enough to get it to work.

The FM emulation is actually waveforms being played back, so the sounds
aren't the same, but they sound clearer.  "Not the same, but better"
it says in the manual.

I also got Chuck Yeager's Combat, the special Ultrasound version.  Nice.
Great sound-track, and lots of hints from Chuck when you're flying.  If
you try to land, he'll tell you "Lower your landing gear", and stuff
like that.

Anyways, that's all for now.

l8r.

-- 
Johan Thornton
(but my friends call me jthornto@ee.ubc.ca)


Article: 1553 of comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard
From: jthornto@ee.ubc.ca (Johan Thornton)
Subject: Re: Advanced Gravis Ultrasound... I like it!
Organization: University of BC, Electrical Engineering
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 17:37:57 GMT

In article <BtsFz6.F94@watserv1.uwaterloo.ca> ptran@watserv1.uwaterloo.ca (Phat H Tran) writes:
>Thanks for giving us some solid facts!  However, I have a few questions
>that I was wondering if you can answer:
>
>1. How many DACs does the GUS really have?  Certainly not 32!  I heard 
>   that it has 4 pannable stereo channels through which each of the
>   32 voices can be directed... so I assume it has 4 DACs?

I think it has two (L + R).  Certainly there are only two outputs (L,R in
both amplified 2W and line-level)

>2. What the heck is a YAC?  I heard that the Ultrasound has one.  Maybe
>   I heard wrong.

No idea.  

>3. The samples are all stored in RAM and are all redefinable, are they
>   not?  Somebody was trying to tell me that it had a fixed library
>   of instruments.

No, there's no ROM.  

>4. Is the resampling, amplitude envelope shaping, and voice mixing all
>   done in hardware?  In other words, is it a 32 voice MOD machine?

The resampling and amplitude is done in hardware.  Envelopes must be done
in software, but for many sounds you don't need them.  But yes, it is 
basically a 32-voice MOD machine.  Oh, yes, the mixing is also in hardware.

>5. Does the TSR slow down programs, as some people have claimed?

I imagine it would, somewhat.  For each sample written to the DAC on
the SB, it has to run a snippet of code to make the Ultrasound play it.
I don't know by how much.  

>6. Are developers as enthusiastic about support for the Ultrasound as 
>   Gravis would have us believe?

I don't see why not.  This card is revolutionary.  While other soundcard
manufacturers are just sticking 16-bit DACs on their cards, Gravis has
got 32 voice-synthesis in hardware.  And at a price far lower than
they could get away with.  And with Logitech's backing, I don't think
the Ad-Lib Gold syndrome is likely.

l8r.
-- 
Johan Thornton
(but my friends call me jthornto@ee.ubc.ca)

From jthornto@ee.ubc.ca Sat Sep 12 04:34:25 1992
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From: jthornto@ee.ubc.ca (Johan Thornton)
Message-Id: <9209120833.AA01778@ee.ubc.ca>
Subject: Re: Gravis Ultrasound
To: ptran@watserv1 (Phat H Tran)
Date: Sat, 12 Sep 92 1:33:31 PDT
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL8]
Status: OR

> 
> Hi Johan!
> 
> Thanks for answering those questions I posted on Usenet.  However,
> there is still so much confusion as to what the Ultrasound actually
> is and can do.  So, I have a few more questions that I hope you can
> answer.  (I honestly pray that you don't mind.)
> 
> 1.  I had noticed that you said you "liked" the Ultrasound.  What
>     kept you from raving and saying that you "loved" it?  Does it
>     have some fundamental limitations?  If your nondisclosure
>     agreement prevents you from speaking freely, then I will not
>     press the issue.

I see no problem with this.  OK... I love it.  There's nothing that
it fundamentally lacks.  Like I said in my post... "while the other
soundcard manufacturers are just putting 16-bit DACs on their boards,
Gravis has a 32-voice 16-bit synthesizer on theirs"

> 2.  What is the voice count, exactly?  32 mono/16 stereo?

Exactly.  In the stereo mode, you have 16 voices which you can "pan" to
any L/R position.

> 3.  Can all 32 or 16 voices play simultaneously?  One gentleman claims
>     that the "32 voices" just refer to the wavetables themselves, 
>     and that the Ultrasound isn't 32-voice polyphonic.  He insinuates
>     that the number of actual voices that can play all at once is
>     much less than 32.  Is any of this true?

No.  It is 32-voice polyphonic.  The number of wavetables you can have
is only limited by memory, and can be far larger than 32...

> 4.  Do you find that the standard 256k of RAM is limiting?  People 
>     are saying that that much memory isn't good for anything.  How
>     many instrument sounds can 256k usually hold?

Work it out.  At an average of 44 kHz, 256K will hold, what, about 5
seconds of sound.   The demos tha shipped with the development kit
were astounding, and they fit fine.  Keep in mind that you can transfer
data to the board at 675 kwords/sec, which is plenty fast.

> 5.  Does the Ultrasound have a dedicated DAC for the output of raw
>     samples, just like the DACs on SB, SBPro, PAS-16?  If not, then
>     can one of the voices easily mimick a dumb DAC?  

As far as I can see, there is only the L/R DACs.  But they can obviously
put out a single sample at a time, since SB emulation exists.

> 6.  The DAC, if there is one, is 44.1 kHz, is it not?

Variable.  And there's two.


> 
> Thanks for all your trouble.  I will not make public any of your replies
> without your permission.

Please feel free to forward this to the mailing group (including this
statement)

l8r.