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Sound Blaster Digest 10
SOUND BLASTER DIGEST
Number 10
September 1991 Edition.
A newsletter for Sound Blaster Enthusiasts.
Edited and Published by Brad Barclay.
Made possible by the contributions of Sound Blaster users.
/\
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\ / \ ____________________________
\ / \ /
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TABLE OF CONTENTS:
==================
Title: Page:
------ -----
From the Desk of the Editor................1
From the Desk of the Assistant Editor......2
The SBD Mailbag............................3
Commercial Review: Castles.................4
Shareware Review: Voice Blaster............5
Subscriptions..............................6
Commercial Review: Breach 2................6
Want-Ads...................................7
BBS Registration...........................7
Commercial Review: Secret of Monkey Island.8
Included Files.............................9
Shareware Authors!.........................9
Advertisements............................10
Commercial Review: Dragon's Lair II......10
SBD Registered BBS's......................11
Commercial Review: The SBP Software......12
Wrapping it Up............................13
Want-Ads..................................14
Forms:
-----
SBD Subscription Form.....................15
SBD BBS Registration Form.................16
SBD Advertisement Order Form..............17
SBD Want-Ads Order Form...................18
Copyright (c) 1991 WAFFER! Productions.
Editor: Brad Barclay
Assistant Editors: Todd Clayton
Karen O'Hearn
Page 1
FROM THE DESK OF THE EDITOR:
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Well, it's September, and it's just about time for millions of
people around the world to go back to school. It's also time for
the next Sound Blaster Digest, as you can plainly see, and we have
finally reached the double-digit marker! Yay!
And so to start off, a bit of bad news: to all of our readers
who have sent mail recently, and to all of our subscribers, we must
apologise for mailing delays. The Canadian Union of Postal
Workers has gone on strike, thus leaving mail hanging in the
balance. Nearly nothing is getting through either way (sending or
receiving), and this is causing me major problems. I feel really
bad for those companies that run solely on letter mail here in
Canada: at least I have my favourite electronic medium to send
through!
Anyhow, back to better things. Last month's SBD did not
receive as much response as I had expected, probably mostly due to
the postal strike. But what we did get was very good on the most
part, and so we hope that you enjoy what we have for you this
month.
Also, for the first time ever, the SBD is proud to present a
.CMF file of a recent song! All of our past songs we have released
came out of our 'oldie-but-goodie' files, but this month will
change that. Hope you enjoy it: it is a fairly simple piece, and
I could have added more to it, but I thought it more beautiful the
way it is presented here.
In the works for next month: an included .NST song for our
readers who use TrakBlaster, ScreamTracker or Tetra instead of our
normal .CMF songfile, more articles and reviews, and everything
else you have learned to expect from the SBD. I hope you enjoy
this month's issue as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
Page 2
FROM THE DESK OF THE ASSISTANT EDITOR:
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
By Todd Clayton, Assistant Editor.
Well, it's that time of the month again folks! Its 3 AM on a
Monday morning and I have to work in 12 hours. Oh well, my modem is
calling me, so no sleep once again for me...
At any rate, you're probably wondering what I'm going to
babble about THIS month, so I'll get right down to it. I spent a
week out of this past month in Florida on (supposed) vacation.
Little did I know that this would turn out to be a learning
experience in the soundcard area.
Whilst visiting with relatives, I happened upon a computer
software and hardware retail outlet called "Egghead Software" in
Clearwater. With a few bucks in my pocket, I decided to check out
this place, and see what I could get at cheap-o American prices,
and help destroy my countries economy. Whilst looking through the
game rack for something that supports my lousy 8 Mhz CGA machine, I
came across the SOUNDBLASTER and SOUNDBLASTER PRO cards. Just for
the sake of curiosity, I looked at the price tags. $200 FOR A
SOUNDBLASTER CARD??? $300 FOR A PRO CARD??? Quite shocked, I
decided to look into this, and after purchasing a game, I went out
to look for more sales outlets. Each one I went to had the cards
at outrageous prices. Annoyed, I went back to the Egghead Software
store, and talked with a sales clerk. Luckily, I speak fluent SB
Jargon, but pretended to play stupid. Being a long-hair with
ripped jeans, it isn't hard to look the part. He explained that it
would give me amazing sound, and it was well worth the price. When
I confronted him with the fact that it was about $50 overpriced, he
simply shrugged and said that their company policy was to charge
all that the consumers could bear. Disgusted with this, I left.
Although I found some amazing deals on 386 equipment, I was
generally miffed at the whole sales approach. "We know you want
it, so you come to us" just doesn't cut it with me. Whatever
happened to USER FRIENDLY SALES INTERFACES?
(Editor's Note: The original Sound Blaster card is available in
Canada for around $150 CDN (or about $130 US).
Some things are cheaper at home...)
Page 3
THE SBD MAILBAG:
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Well, as explained earlier, the SBD mailbag has been
practically empty this past month, in part due to the CUPW
(Canadian Union of Postal Workers) strike that has been on for more
than a week now. But there has still been sufficient to be able to
include this section of the SBD in this month's issue.
First off, here's the main explanation of why this section is
here. In the past 10 months, we here at the SBD have been flooded
with mail: both more then ever originally expected, and more than
we can handle! Much of this mail is long and tedious to go
through, with people sending disks and requesting programs, people
sending disks with their programs on, and even some people just
sending disks with no letter or label, on a diskette format I have
to get converted! I have one such disk right now, and until I can
get someone with a 3.5" HD drive to convert this disk over to 5.25"
DSDD disks, I have no idea why this was sent.
Add to this the relative cost of stamps: if we replied to all
mail we received, we would go quickly broke!
So, in this section we are going to attempt to write small and
short replies to those common readers questions for the past month
or so, too small to merit an article of their own, and too many to
warrant mailing a reply to each and every person who writes in.
Within the past month, scores of people have been asking us
about an upgrade offer for the Sound Blaster Pro. Sadly, to our
knowledge such an offer does not currently exist. But as details
of offers can change quickly, it would probably be best to contact
Creative Labs and ask them yourself about an upgrade offer. To
contact Creative Labs, you can write or call them at:
CREATIVE LABS INC.
2050 Duane Avenue
Santa Clara, CA
95054 USA
Phone: (408) 986-1461
Fax: (408) 986-1777
Next, about our mail itself: we are way behind in most of the
replies. Our Subscribers get first priority, and getting all those
disks ready does take a fair amount of time (with making labels
for the disk and for mailing, making the original copy diskette and
then copying it to all the other disks takes a lot of time! And
then I have to do it all over again for the 3.5" subscriptions and
then get them sent out to be converted. Anybody with an extra 3.5"
diskette drive they'd like to donate? It would be worth a years
subscription to me!). Even this has been a problem for us, though
when it comes to the 3.5" disk subscriptions: those subscribers
out there who are awaiting disks in 3.5" format: none of you have
been forgotten! Our last disk-converter lost all my distribution
disks I had sent him, and thus they never got sent out! Thus I've
had to make new 3.5" disk masters, and find someone new to convert
them over from my 5.25" format. This has been done, and this week
I'll be getting all of them converted and sent in one large bulk
package (for some this extends for a couple of months!), Postal
strike willing.
Page 4
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Now with CD Rom files! We are the music file supplier to CARRS!
More files! We're the home of THE SOUND BLASTER DIGEST too!
--------------------
COMMERCIAL REVIEW: CASTLES
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Written by Mike Fandel
Castles is a game for the more inexperienced role-player.
It has very good graphics, but the war scenes are a little
lacking. The Sound Blaster support is not the greatest, but it's
pretty good. I think this game was extremely overrated in the
magazines. As one magazine said "You only limited by your
imagination," which is very untrue. I would recommend this
game to an unexperienced role-player, but an experienced one
will get bored with it quickly.
Ratings:
-------
[-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10]
Graphics: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sound Blaster Support: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Originality: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Playability: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Enjoyment: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Value: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Overall: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Page 5
SOUND BLASTER CARD in support of
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úÞ³±²±²±²±²±±°°°°°±°°°°°±°°°°°±°°°°°²²±²²±²²±±°°±°°þþþþ±°³ U
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ú À°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°Ù
þú SONIC..úúþ ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ S
Sound and Optics Net for IBM Computers úúúúúú O
úúúOFFICIAL S/BLASTER DISTRIBUTIONúúúúúúú 1-(416)-225-8942 N
þ ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» I
úúþ úúúúúÞ úúúúúúú ºÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ Brian & Brent Bourne º C
úú ÞÝÞÞ þúúúúúº³ÝÝÝÝÝÛÛÛÛÛÛ³úúúúúúúúúúúúúúúúúúúúúúº
ú ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÞÄÄÄÞ ÄÄÄÄÄÄ º³ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ³ ÜÜÜÜÜ SUPER Ü º B
ÄÄÄþÄÄÄÄÄÄÞÝÄþÄÞ ÄÄÄÄÄÄ º³ÛÛÛÛÛ ÜÜÜÜܳ ÛÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜ ÜÜÜ Ü ÜÜÜ º B
úúÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÞÝÄÄÄÞ ÄÄÄþÄÄ º³ÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛ³ ÜÜÜÜÛ ÛÜÛ Û Û Û ÛÜÜ º S
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÞÝÄÄÞÝþ ÄÄÄÄ ºÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙúúúúúúúúúúúBBSúúúúúúúúº
úÄÄÄÄÄÄ ÜÞÝÄ ÝÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ
úúúú ÜÛÛÛÛ°ÞÝ ßþþþ úúú ULTRA LIST DISTRIBUTION SITE
þ ÛÛÛÛ²°Þ úúúúú FIDO NET
þ ß°°°°ß þ HOME OF THE SONIC NET
þ SPECIALIZING IN ADLIB/BLASTER FILES
OFFICIAL SBD DISTRIBUTION SITE!
--------------------
SHAREWARE REVIEW: VOICE BLASTER
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Written by Brad Barclay.
To start this review off simply, Voice Blaster doesn't do
anything new out of all the SB software you probably already have.
But it is a piece of software that nearly every Sound Blaster user
should have in his or her library.
Voice Blaster is a utility that allows one to record and play
.VOC files, and to play .CMF files. Most of us already have
numerous pieces of software to do this. But the thing that sets
this program aside from all the others is it's user interface.
After only a minute of playing with it I could see that this
utility was really user friendly, something that a lot of Shareware
programs try to do but fail. With it's easy windows-oriented
interface and it's mouse support even the new Sound Blaster user
can start playing songs and recording their own voices immediately.
It requires no setup, and can be run right after download without
having to read any document files first.
Although none of the current features is new to the SB world,
the fact that they are all in one easy to use interface is enough
to warrant its necessity to nearly every SB user, especially those
new users who don't want to start off with a more complicated
program or programs to do the same things.
Future features include a voice file joining program out of
the same interface, and a file 'trimmer'. Once these features are
implemented, they could easily bring this program right out into
the forefront of Sound Blaster software. Something also needed for
a future edition would be support for Sound Blaster Pro stereo
input/output.
Page 6
All in all I rate this program a must for both the casual SB
user, and the more technical user. I know it will be a part of my
SB library for a long time to come.
--------------------
SUBSCRIPTIONS:
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Having a hard time finding the newest copy of the SBD on your
favourite local BBS? Why not consider a SBD subscription? A
subscription entitles you to 12 great issues, one a month, packed
full of SB and SB Pro news and reviews. Subscribers also get
special bonus files not available anywhere else, plus special
offers on software and support! Nowhere else can you find this
sort of deal for your Sound Blaster needs.
Subscriptions make great gifts also! If you'd like to send a
gift subscription with a special 'First Issue' message, just send
that message along with your subscription form filled out to the
receiver of the subscription, and it will be sent along with their
first disk!
Simply fill out the attached form, and enclose the required
amount...it's that easy!
** EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to the postal situation currently in Canada,
there is a very good chance that mail sent could
get held up for a few weeks, or even worse, lost.
Due to this we recommend only sending cheque or
money order, payable in Canadian funds. We will
not be responsible for any mail we do not
receive. Let's hope there is a settlement on
this issue soon.
--------------------
SHAREWARE REVIEW: BREACH 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Written by Mike Fandel
Breach 2 is a wargame set into the future, which is not
the most original thing I've seen before, but this game has something
to it that just makes it better. The graphics are a little better
than average, and the Sound Blaster support is excellent. With the
Sound Blaster you hear the long deep sound of the laser rifles or
the short high pitched sound of the laser pistols. This has got to
be one of my top games I've played, and I've played a lot of games.
This might not be a brand new game, but a game doesn't have to be
new to be good.
Ratings:
-------
[-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10]
Graphics: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sound Blaster support XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Playability: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Enjoyment: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Value: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Overall: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Page 7
WANT-ADS:
=-=-=-=-=
Interested in meeting or getting to know other Sound Blaster
users in your area? Wanting to trade Shareware and PD software
abroad? Then why not try a WANT-AD in the SBD? It's only $1 CDN
per month, and at that sort of price everyone can afford to buy
one!
Just fill out the included WANT-ADS form, and include a cheque
or money order for the correct number of months you wish to have
your want-ad published, and mail it to us!
Advertisements for new software, hardware, or BBS's are exempt
from using the WANT-ADS: please use one of our other services for
these. The editor reserves the right to edit or refuse any want-
ad.
--------------------
For all your SOUND BLASTER needs, call the
±±±± ±±±± ±±±±±±±± ±± ±±
±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±±± ±±±
±± ±±± ±± ±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±
±± ±± ±± ±± ±±± ±±±
±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±±
B B S
Warndon, Worcester, England.
10 Lines, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Serving the Worcester area for the past 10 years.
(0905)754151
--------------------
BBS REGISTRATION:
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Run a BBS? Does it have support for Sound Blaster users in
the way of files or message areas? Then why not advertise this by
becoming an SBD Registered BBS? Registered BBS's get placed on
our BBS list which is read by thousands of people every month!
Once your number is in, it's there until you decide to take it out.
And best of all: it only costs as much as the cost of a stamp!
Just fill out the BBS REGISTRATION form and send it to us. And if
you include a cheque for $10 CDN plus a pre-registration name and
password, we'll be sure to call your BBS and upload the next
available SBD for you, before any other BBS gets it!
Page 8
COMMERCIAL REVIEW: THE SECRET OF MONKEY'S ISLAND
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Written by Sheldon Itscovich
In the Secret Of Monkey Island, you play the role of Guybrish
Threepwood, a young man who has just hit the shores of Melee Island
(somewhere in the Caribbean). Our naive hero's travels have led him
to Melee Island in a quest to fulfil his life's ambition .... To
become a fierce, swashbuckling, bloodthirsty Pirate. Unbeknown to
Guybrush, however, there have been some strange happenings in the
area surrounding Melee Island and the more mysterious Monkey
Island. As he walks into this maelstrom of mystery, Guybrush will
soon be very aware that things are not what they appear to be. He
learns that even bloodthirsty pirates can be scared, and that
there's more to being a pirate than swinging a sword and drinking
grog!
Here's where you come in ..... You direct the actions of
Guybrush as he first explores Melee Island and then ventures on to
Monkey Island. On Melee Island, Guybrush will have to prove himself
worthy of becoming a pirate by completing THE THREE TRIALS. Though
the course of completing these trials, you and Guybrush will learn
much about pirate life and the local folklore. But don't be
surprised if you find that some of the people you meet seem rather
anachronistic!
If this is your first computer adventure game, be prepared for
an entertaining challenge. Be patient, even if it takes a while to
figure out some of the puzzles. If you get stuck, you might need to
solve another puzzle first or find and use an object. But hang in
there and use your imagination, and you will guide Guybrush to
discover ..... The Secret of Monkey Island!
Ratings:
--------
[-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10]
Playability: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Complexity: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sound Support: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
FM Support: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Graphics: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Overall Rating: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Page 9
INCLUDED FILE(S):
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
This month's included files are as follows:
IDOIT4U.CMF: No, not 'Idiot For You' as both of my Assistant
Editors have pointed out, but '(Everything I Do) I Do it for You',
from the movie "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves". It's a fairly
simple piece, and I could have made it more complex, but I felt
that it sounded much better in this simple form. This one has a
special dedication attached to it: see Wrapping it Up.
SUBSCR.TXT: This file, sent to Subscribers only, is a small sub-
newsletter telling you, the subscriber, about special offers
available only to subscribers. Interested in becoming a
Subscriber? Read page 6 for information on how to become a
subscriber.
WHALE.VOC: Once again, a file for Subscribers only. This is a
digitized voice file of a single whale-song note, but recorded at
22.05Khz in stereo on a Sound Blaster Pro. A Pro card will be
necessary to play this soundfile.
SURVEY.TXT: SBD Readers Survey Form.
--------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
| You Are Invited To Call: STAR-LINK NETWORK BBS - (718) 972-6099 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Multi-Line Access (9 Access Lines - 15 Coming Soon) |
| 3/12/24/9600/14.4K Baud Support (V32/V42/MNP5/HST/HAYES) |
| 3.0 Gigabytes of On-line Storage (3000 Megabytes) |
| More then 80,000 Files for Your PC, AT, PS/1 & PS/2 to Download |
| On-Line CD-ROM w/Complete PC-SIG Program Library (1400 Disks Worth) |
| 129 Active Conferences Areas - Member of ILink International Echo |
| On-line Edition of USA TODAY Newspaper - CB Simulator - 24 Hour FAX |
| 60 On-line Doors - Running On FAST LAN - PC Pursuit - Subscriptions |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
| STAR-LINK NETWORK BBS has been featured in such publications as |
| Personal Computing, Computer Shopper, PC Computing and PC Magazine. |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
#################### Dial (718) 972-6099 #####################
--------------------
SOFTWARE AUTHORS!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Have you written a new game, utility or other program that
supports the Sound Blaster or Sound Blaster Pro cards? By sending
a copy (preferably registered) to us, you can get quick and cheap
advertising in the SBD by allowing us to review the program for
you! Space permitting, we'll publish our review of your program in
the SBD, and send you, the author, a personal letter containing our
thoughts and recommendations for your program! And it only costs you
the price of the necessary disks and postage!
Page 10
ADVERTISEMENTS:
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Do you run a BBS? Have you written a piece of software? Do
you write custom music? If so, you may be interested in an
advertisement in the SBD. Thousands of SOUND BLASTER users read
the SBD every month, and many even have it delivered right to
their door. So if you give some sort of special support to those
people who use the SOUND BLASTER, advertising in the SBD would be
the logical choice!
Due to the effectiveness of our advertising for our past and
present advertisers, and the volume of people who have expressed
interest in doing so, it has become necessary to increase our
advertising rates for certain types of advertising. The rates are
now as follows:
Number of lines: Cost:
--------------- ----
0 - 5 $3 / Month
6 - 10 $5 / Month
11 - 20 $7 / Month
21 - 40 $10 / Month
41 - 60 $15 / Month
Lines are limited to a maximum of 80 columns. All costs are
in Canadian dollars.
These rate changes will not effect those advertisers who have
mailed in their cheques and advertisements before August 1st 1991.
--------------------
COMMERCIAL REVIEW: DRAGON'S LIAR II
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Written by Mike Fandel
Dragon's Lair II is one of the BEST Sound Blaster game I've
ever played. It's has lots of voice input instead of just music
like most other Sound Blaster games. The plot of the game is the
standard "Save the Princess", but the VGA Graphics make up for this
downpoint. It is one the most challenging games I've ever played,
because like Space Ace there is a certain path you must take.
After a little practice though you will be able to conquer this
spectacular game. I give this game good rating not because of the
VGA graphics or the Sound Blaster support, but the combination of
the two makes the game.
Ratings:
-------
[-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10]
Graphics: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sound Blaster support: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Originality: XXXXXXXXXX
Playability: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Enjoyment: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Value: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Overall: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Page 11
SBD REGISTERED BBS'S:
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
SYSTEM NAME PHONE NUMBER CITY/PROVINCE/STATE SYSOP'S NAME
=========== ============ =================== ============
Acme Music BBS (519)822-0896 Guelph, Ontario Ken Green
Another Paradise BBS +358-73-892790 Lehmo, Finland Jani Makinen
Arkon BBS (416)593-7460 Toronto, Ontario Jacky Lee
Assignment: Earth (919)434-8664 Trinity, NC Alan Rothberg
Beltway Bandits (703)764-9297 Alexandria, VA W. Maden
Comm. Potential (714)688-2658 Riverside, CA Dale Jonasson
Computer Connection (08)326-2388 Christies Bch, Austr. Vicki Crawford
Data Dimention (404)921-1186 Atlanta Georgia Ricky Lacy
Dead End BBS (703)821-7544 McLean, VA Jeff Bisson
Default Account +34-5-4644682 Sevilla, Spain Juan Acosta
Electronic Age (703)620-0851 Fairfax, VA M. Benson
Friends & Family (214)250-7697 Dallas, Texas Jim Neargarder
Gollum's Corner (404)992-1309 Marietta, GA Sean Neese
House of Ichthys (305)360-2991 Deerfield Beach, FL Leonzo Miller
Jim's Dream (202)581-1422 Washington, DC Jim Walls
Lynzie's Motherboard (808)989-3875 California -- Unknown --
Max BBS (0905) 754151 Worcester, England Jon Brooks
Message Center BBS (805)489-1966 Arroyo Grande, CA Jim Tinlin
Micron Firefly (816)324-3148 Savannah, MO Brad Taliaferro
Musical Chair (416)724-6018 Toronto, Ontario Jeff Woods
MusicBox BBS +31-5490-70319 Almelo, Netherlands Edwig Knol
My Apartment BBS (214)350-2139 Dallas, TX Chris Lebeck
Nat. PC and MIDI... (708)593-8703 Chicago, IL Duane Antor
New Frontier Info. (708)566-6183 Mundelein, IL Scott Yaskin
Open Access BBS +47 61 97304 Reinsvoll, Norway Erik Leirdal
Point of Know Return (602)867-0488 Phoenix Arizona Dan Sarber
<< Prism BBS (914)344-0350 Middletown, NY Janis Kracht
Punkin Duster BBS (714)522-3980 Buena Park, CA Dave Ludwig
Radio Station BBS (519)471-3245 London, Ontario Tim Ingram
REMJEM On-Line BBS (703)503-9410 Fairfax, VA Bob Mason
Runnin' with the Wind +39-363-302798 Treviglio, Italy R. Sonzogni
Running Board (301)229-5342 Bethesda, MD Bonnie Anthony
Satellite TV BBS (713)623-4899 Bellaire, TX Jim Dolan
Snarf's Music Studio (708)290-9993 Arlington Hgts., IL Colin Crisanti
Stages Remote Access (416)468-2046 Niagara, Ontario Mathew Gordon
Star-Link Network BBS (718)972-6099 Brooklyn, NY Michael Keylin
Super SONIC BBS (416)225-8942 Willowdale, Ontario Brian Bourne
Sword Quest (309)383-4048 Metamora, IL Mike Fandel
The Doghouse BBS (713)422-3146 Baytown, TX Ray Cramer
The Double AAce (214)606-0703 Grand Praire, Texas Mike Hutchkins
The Helping Hand (606)387-4002 Albany, KY Duane Bristow
The HUB (703)685-0019 Alexandria, VA I. Towers
The Oasis (815)498-3077 Sandwich, IL Chris Dodd
The Picture Express (512)666-4842 San Antonio, TX David Steward
Trolls & Tribulations (703)263-0827 Herndon, VA Robert Derbek
United States Connect (708)679-1279 Skokie, IL James Lopez
VCR-BBS (513)253-0543 Dayton, OH Calvin Yu
VGER Control (714)371-4789 Corona, CA Bob Altenburger
Wellcomm BBS +396 3700492 Rome, Italy P. Zerbini
Why Not RBBS (213)436-1311 Long Beach, CA David Scott
Wolverine BBS (517)695-9952 Midland, MI Rick Rosinski
Page 12
COMMERCIAL REVIEW: THE SOUND BLASTER PRO SOFTWARE PACKAGE
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Written by Robbie Wilkes
In addition to the new hardware attributes of the Sound
Blaster Pro (see Sound Blaster Digest #7), there is going to be some
major software additions.
The following is taken from a flier provided by the folks at
Creative Labs:
SB VOICE EDITOR - VEDIT is a powerful program that supports stereo
recording, compression and editing of voice files of unlimited size.
It displays the waveform with zooming and allows cut-and-paste. It
creates echo and reverb. It can also insert marker and repeat
commands. Playback of the voice files in background is possible
using the utilities.
FM INTELLIGENT ORGAN - This powerful, easy to use organ software lets
you play and learn to play orchestra-like music using only ONE finger
on your PC keyboard. Background accompaniments and rhythms are added
automatically. No music knowledge required. And now play from your
MIDI keyboard too.
SBTALKER - A high value memory resident module that makes your
computer talk directly from ASCII text supplied. It speaks English
from an unlimited vocabulary dictionary. SBTALKER comes with the
inscrutable DR. SBAITSO AI software. Consult DR. SBAITSO about any of
your problems and hear him replay to you. Loads of Fun.
MIDI SEQUENCER SP JR - SP JR includes all of the essential features
you'll need to create serious music compositions. More importantly,
it offers a wide range of options so that you won't lose interest! In
fact, SpJr's extensive list of features includes many of those found
in the "Pro" versions of other programs.
CD MUSIC PLAYER - Control the playing of standard compact disk with
CD-ROM drive. Program comes with a full-feature control panel - Play,
Next/Last Track, Pause, Fast-Forward, Rewind and Stop.
MMPLAY PRESENTATION - MMplay integrates graphic animations with the
sound capabilities of SB Pro: FM Music, Digitized Voice and CD Audio.
This utility supports synchronization, fading and mixing.
Page 13
WRAPPING IT UP...
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Well, that's it for another issue of the SBD. Please, if you
have not sent in the Readers Survey Form, then please take the time
to do so now. It is important that we get as many of these as
possible so that we know what it is you would like to see more of,
how you feel about us, plus it registers your vote for the Best SB
Software of 1991, the results of which to be published in the
January 1992 issue of the SBD.
Thanks go out to the following this month: Alex Lemon gets
the biggest thanks here for sending over the excellent ATI EGA
WONDER card I am now running off of, allowing me to run many of the
greatest SB and SB Pro programs, such as the Sound Blaster Pro
Voice Editor, which in turn has improved all the digitized samples
I have stored on my hard drive!
Also, a dedication: Karen, everything I have done this past
seven months, I have done for you. Here's to the next seven...
About the mail: please do not mail me disks requesting me to
copy various files! As much as I'd love to do this, I am already
backed up in my mail, and these requests slow down the process even
further. Hey, I only write the magazine! If you'd like to know
where to get software, I can provide you with that information, but
please don't send blank disks!
If you'd like to write or call us, here's where you can reach
us:
THE SOUND BLASTER DIGEST
c/o Brad Barclay
36 Sutter Ave.
Brampton, Ontario
CANADA L6Z 1G7
Phone: (416) 846-5599
The phone number is a voice line, so please do not call up
with your modem! Also, please call between 4:00 PM and 10:00 PM
Eastern Time! I have received phone calls early in the morning and
past midnight, and this is annoying to both myself and everyone
else in the house. So check for time-zone differences!
Also, for those of you who would like to quickly download the
SBD at the first of the month, and who wish to keep long-distance
charges down, there are two BBS's which offer special access for
calling and downloading the SBD automatically, without having to
sign up. They are:
THE MUSICAL CHAIR SUPER SONIC BBS
----------------- ---------------
Name: SB DIGEST SB DIGEST
Password: MUSICAL SONIC
Please see the ads for these two systems above.
Thanks for reading this month!
Page 14
WANT-ADS:
=-=-=-=-=
------------------------------------------------------------------
Sound Blaster contacts to swap/create files
Call 0905 754151 BBS, 0860 891893 Voice, 0905
755017 (Fax) or write/mail disk to Jon Brooks
39 Tetbury Drive, Warndon, Worcester, WR4 9LG
England
------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 15
SOUND BLASTER DIGEST SUBSCRIPTION FORM
======================================
Please enclose a cheque or money order (sorry, I don't accept
any major or minor credit cards) for $25 CDN for Canadian orders,
or $25 US for American orders. Overseas enclose $30 Canadian
funds, payable on a Canadian bank. Please fill out all the
spaces provided (except where marked optional), and mail it to
the address below. MAKE CHEQUE/MONEY ORDER PAYABLE TO BRAD
BARCLAY!
NAME:_____________________________
MAILING ADDRESS: Street address:_____________________________
City, Province/State:_______________________
Country, Postal/ZIP Code:___________________
PHONE NUMBER (don't forget the area code!):___________________
DISKETTE TYPE: (check one):
_ _
<_> 5.25" <_> 3.5"
OPTIONAL: Please fill this out if possible.
Age:____________ Sound Blaster version:_______________
Occupation:________________
Most frequently called BBS (name only):__________________
COMMENTS: Please fill this out also!
How would you rate THE SOUND BLASTER DIGEST (circle one):
POOR FAIR GOOD EXCELLENT
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Please mail this form, along with any additional comments to:
SOUND BLASTER DIGEST
c/o Brad Barclay
36 Sutter ave.
Brampton, Ontario
CANADA. L6Z 1G7
Page 16
SOUND BLASTER DIGEST BBS REGISTRATION
=====================================
This is a free service of THE SOUND BLASTER DIGEST, intended to
allow greater access to Sound Blaster files. Please fill out all
blanks (except where marked optional), and send to the address
below:
LIST INFORMATION:
Name of BBS:____________________________________________
Sysop's Name:___________________________________________
City, Province/State:___________________________________
Phone Number (remember the area code!):_________________
Min/Max Transmission speed:_____________________________
OTHER INFORMATION:
Although not included in the BBS listing, this information is
important for our records.
How long has the BBS been running:_________________________
Do you have a Music/Sound Card conference, message area, or
file area set aside?:______________________________________
Does your BBS support Sound Blaster files?:________________
Anything else you can think of to say that would show off your
BBS, please write it down here:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Mail this form, along with any extra comments to:
SOUND BLASTER DIGEST
c/o Brad Barclay
36 Sutter Ave.
Brampton, Ontario
CANADA. L6Z 1G7
Page 17
SOUND BLASTER DIGEST ADVERTISEMENT ORDER FORM
=============================================
Please fill out this form, and mail it, along with a cheque for
the correct amount (please see the chart included in this issue)
according to the length of your ad, along with an ASCII only, typed
copy of your ad, and mail it to the address below. PLEASE MAKE
CHEQUE/MONEY ORDER PAYABLE TO BRAD BARCLAY!
NAME:_____________________________
MAILING ADDRESS: Street address:_____________________________
City, Province/State:_______________________
Country, Postal/ZIP Code:___________________
PHONE NUMBER (don't forget the area code!):___________________
BEST TIMES AVAILABLE:_________________________________________
Please mail this form, along with your cheque and a copy of the
ad as described above, along with any other comments to:
SOUND BLASTER DIGEST
c/o Brad Barclay
36 Sutter ave.
Brampton, Ontario
CANADA. L6Z 1G7
Page 18
SOUND BLASTER DIGEST WANT-ADS ORDER FORM
========================================
Please fill out this form and enclose a cheque or money
order payable on a Canadian bank for $1 CDN per month of
publication, and mail it to the address below. BE SURE TO MAKE
THE CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER PAYABLE TO BRAD BARCLAY!
NAME:_____________________________
MAILING ADDRESS: Street address:_____________________________
City, Province/State:_______________________
Country, Postal/ZIP Code:___________________
PHONE NUMBER (don't forget the area code!):___________________
YOUR WANT-AD:
Please write what you'd like your ad to read in the lines
below. No more then 80 characters (including spaces) per line, 5
lines maximum. Letter, numerical and punctuation marks only.
Uppercase and lower case will be in the SBD as you write them
below. English only, and please print!
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Please mail this form, along with any additional comments to:
SOUND BLASTER DIGEST
c/o Brad Barclay
36 Sutter Ave.
Brampton, Ontario
CANADA L6Z 1G7
