From: dcole@ua.d.umn.edu (david cole)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard
Subject: Re: TURTLE BEACH MULTISOUND - ARE SAMPLES USABLE IN MUSIC??
Date: 28 Dec 1992 07:13:47 -0600
Organization: University of Minnesota, Duluth
NNTP-Posting-Host: ua.d.umn.edu

In article <1hlktuINNkaj@uniwa.uwa.edu.au> rlee@tartarus.uwa.edu.au (Ralph Lee) writes:
>I really hope someone can answer this questions because I have an uncle
>coming over from the U.S. and I really want to purchase the Multisound
>but I'm not sure of this question.
>

You can mail-order it an any time.


>I'd really to use the samples I make of instruments myself for music
>together with the Emu proteus x/r synth.
>
>Is that possible???? 
>

In principle, yes.  If you do it all with the card, you will need to use the
digital audio outs as a mod player will simultaneously playing the midi
portion.  I am not aware of software that will support this, but it should be
possible.  It is certainly possible to play music using a midi program
running in the background while doing something else (e.g. word processing)
under Windows or some other multitasker.  But if there is no software that
will sync mods with midi, then the harsh reality is that you will not
actually be able to do what you want.



>Also, is the multisound getting old???  Should I wait for the ensoniq
>card....???
>

The rumblings are that the ensoniq might be a bit cheaper.  But aren't you
tired of waiting?  Remember, it could easily be a full year before the
ensoniq could be in your hands, given past performance of sound card makers.
Regarding age; the multisound is just under a year old, the Proteus is
pushing 4.  The price/performance ratio has always been good on the Proteus
family, and remains so, IMHO, on the multisound at its new price point under
$600.  

>I want the best quality music for the lowest price at the moment and I
>know that Emu systems have very good synthesizers...
>



If I were you, I would go to a MUSIC store that is a dealer for Roland and
Proteus (or stores, if no dealer carries both).  Listen to the Proteus and
listen to the Sound Canvas (or JV30 keyboard).  Which sound do you like best?
And have a look at the Yamaha tg500, which will play both from its internal
ROM and its internal RAM, doing exactly what you want (for more money).
Don't foget that you can load sampled instuments over midi, so there is no
reason not to look at external midi boxes, where there are many more options
available for high quality sound.  And also don't overlook hybrid systems,
e.g. Roland card plus GUS in same box, or GUS connected to external midi box.
BTW, it is a reasonable prediction that Roland will come out with a new
soundcard that is MPC compliant -- i.e., has sample playing plus stereo
digital audio.  This was mentioned in print almost a year ago.  Also note
that the Roland card has onboard effects (reverb, etc.) that can make it
sound much less dry than the Proteus, so you may like it better than the
multisound.  Also note that as far as I now, the digital audio on the
multisound is not supported directly by much (any?) software from other
manufacturers.  You may wish to have SoundBlaster compatibility (e.g. SB16,
GUS, PAS soundcards).

>thanks in advance,
>Ralph
>rlee@tartarus.uwa.edu.au


Cheers,

Dave
dcole@ua.d.umn.edu
>