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Sound Blaster Digest 07
SOUND BLASTER DIGEST
Number 7
June 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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TABLE OF CONTENTS:
==================
Title: Page:
------ -----
From the Desk of the Editor...........1
Letters...............................2
Subscriptions.........................2
Handy Music Chart.....................3
SB Pro Preview........................4
Readers Survey........................6
Writing for the SBD...................6
Software Reviews......................7
Included Files........................7
SBD in the BBS World..................8
Wrapping it Up........................9
Forms:
SBD Advertisement Order Form.........10
SBD BBS Registration Form............11
SBD Subscription Form................12
The SOUND BLASTER DIGEST (SBD) is a monthly publication catering
to the needs of all Sound Blaster users. June 1991 Edition.
Editor: Brad Barclay
Assistant Editor: Karen O'Hearn
Page 1
FROM THE DESK OF THE EDITOR:
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Welcome to SBD #7! It's really great to see that we're still
growing strong after all these months! And even though we're the
same old magazine, with the same old editor, and the same old
purpose, you'll notice a lot of changes in this month's SBD:
1) The problem with the mysterious '81st Column' has been
fixed.
2) Better spell and grammar checking.
3) The articles should fill the pages much better now.
4) The forms have been fixed YET AGAIN.
5) Your chance to vote on the best SB software!
6) And finally, a new assistant editor!
These changes are intended to make the SBD a better publication
on the whole. But more is needed to improve the SBD. Once again,
we're down on articles for the SBD. I am in no way a Sound Blaster
expert, but instead someone who enjoys the card enough to attempt to
learn whatever he can about it. I write all the articles I can, but
there is only so much I can do. I need you, the reader to help
contribute to this fine magazine. And it isn't monetary support I
request. If you buy a game with Sound Blaster support, or download
some new utility that you happen to like, then write a short article
reviewing it. If you have something to say about the Sound Blaster
which you feel would be helpful and informative to others, write it
down and send it to me. Anything that is sent will be considered for
publication, and most probably will. So far only one article has
been turned down, as it was a review that had already been published!
But enough of the talk: on with the show!
Page 2
LETTERS:
=-=-=-=
Many thanks to those who wrote in this month:
Michael Avila of Sterling Heights, MI, USA
David Brookhart of Glen Ellyn, IL, USA
Chris Dodd of Sandwich, IL, USA
Stephen Dorman of Cortaro, AZ, USA
Guillemot Int. Software, La Gacilly, FRANCE
Tim Ingram of London, ON, CANADA
Ron N. Jones of Bellevue, WA, USA
Steven Luper of Columbus, OH, USA
Johnny Ow of Kerman, CA, USA
Michael Patten of Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
...and to all of those people who phoned, sent E-Mail, or paged
me for a chat on THE MUSICAL CHAIR.
-----------------
ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
³ You Are Invited To Call: STAR-LINK NETWORK BBS - (718) 972-6099 ³
ÃÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ´
³ Multi-Line Access (9 Access Lines - 15 Coming Soon) ³
³ 3/12/24/9600/14.4K Baud Support (V32/V42/MNP5/HST/HAYES) ³
³ 3.0 Gigabytes of On-line Storage (3000 Megabytes) ³
³ More then 80,000 Files for Your PC, AT, PS/1 & PS/2 to Download ³
³ On-Line CD-ROM w/Complete PC-SIG Program Library (1400 Disks Worth) ³
³ 129 Active Conferences Areas - Member of ILink International Echo ³
³ On-line Edition of USA TODAY Newspaper - CB Simulator - 24 Hour FAX ³
³ 60 On-line Doors - Running On FAST LAN - PC Pursuit - Subscriptions ³
ÃÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ´
³ STAR-LINK NETWORK BBS has been featured in such publications as ³
³ Personal Computing, Computer Shopper, PC Computing and PC Magazine. ³
ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ
ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ Dial (718) 972-6099 ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ
-------------------
SUBSCRIPTIONS:
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Enjoy the SBD, but having a hard time finding it on your
local BBS? Then consider a SOUND BLASTER DIGEST subscription!
A mere $25 ($30 Overseas, see form for full payment details) a
year gets you 12 diskettes (your choice of 5.25" or 3.5" format),
one each month, containing the newest SOUND BLASTER DIGEST, the
files included with it, the ZIP file for distribution to your
favourite BBS, free SOUND BLASTER support, plus special bonus
files which are not available to anyone else!
Page 3
HANDY MUSIC CHART:
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Concept and original version by Michael Avila,
Additional information provided by Brad Barclay.
Type Create Play/Use Convert to Mode
---- ------ -------- ---------- ----
ROL Visual Much Music MF2ROL FM
Composer Jukebox
Admuse Playrol
Intune
Sputrol
Pop-Tunes
Playrol
MOD TrakBlaster DAC
CMF Fm Composer Playcmf ROL2CMF FM
Much Music
Sputcmf
SND Voyetra Jr. Voyetra Jr. FM
MIDI
ORG FM Organ FM Organ FM
C/MS Organ C/MS Organ C/MS
MIDI
NOT Musician I Musician I FM
BNK Bank Manager Bank Manager FM
INS Ad Lib FM
Instrument
Generator
SBI FM Composer INS2SBI FM
ROL2CMF ADI2SBI
CMS C/MS Composer Player C/MS
Pop Music
C/MS Sing
Along
VOC VREC VPLAY VOC-HDR DAC
Blaster Master VOUT
Voice Kit Voice Kit
Blaster Master
Sputter
STM ScreamTracker ScreamTracker MOD2STM DAC
Page 4
New Zealand Soundblaster Users Call:
T H E
ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ
ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛ
ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ
ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ
ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ
ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ
ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ
Sysop: Jeremy Wylie
(+64-9) 479-7677
For the largest selection of Soundblaster software
in New Zealand!
-------------------
SPECIAL TO THE SBD: SOUND BLASTER PRO PREVIEW
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Written by Brad Barclay.
Many thanks to Derek Ziglar for providing information.
The following information is taken from data provided by
Derek Ziglar, an SBD reader from Atlanta, Georgia. Many thanks,
Derek!
The Sound Blaster music systems card is undoubtably the most
supported sound systems card in the history of the PC and
compatibles. Creative Labs design team took great effort in
getting out a superior product, and they did.
And now, Creative Labs has done it yet again. The all new
SOUND BLASTER PRO, to be distributed starting this summer, is a
major improvement on the old card, at least according to the
statistics. In a future edition of THE SOUND BLASTER DIGEST, we
will attempt to actually review the card, and let you know what
we think about it. But for now, to wet your appetites, we shall
provide what we can on wheat we have.
Page 5
Here is a list of features in the new SB PRO:
- 2 8-bit DAC's (Digital-to-Analog converters),
for stereo or mono recording. Same ADPCM
decompression as in the old SB card, and with
sampling rates of up to 44.1Khz.
- 22 voice stereo FM with default power-on
Adlib-compatible mono mode.
- Stereo Digital/Analog Mixer
- Midi Interface (with optional MIDI kit)
- CD-ROM interface, with internal connector.
- PC Internal speaker input pins.
- 1/8" stereo-out female jack.
- 1/8" mono microphone input.
- 1/8" stereo input.
- Joystick interface.
- Volume control.
- Output Power Amplifier (4W per channel)
- DMA transfer for all functions.
- Fully downward compatible with the original
SOUND BLASTER.
- Comes with FM Intelligent Organ, SB Voice Editor,
SBTALKER and DR. SBAITSO, CD Music Player, MIDI
Sequencer Sp Jr. and MMPlay Presentation.
- Conforms with Level 1 Multimedia standard.
Well, that's about what I can tell you about the new SB PRO.
Hopefully in the coming months I will be able to provide an
actual review on the hardware itself. When this becomes
possible, the SBD will report on both the SOUND BLASTER, and the
new SB PRO to continue to cater to ALL Sound Blaster users.
Page 6
READER'S SURVEY:
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Starting this month, and continuing until the end of this
year, the SBD will be holding our first annual READER'S SURVEY.
This is your chance to do two things: first, to let us know what
you think of the SBD, and secondly, to make your vote on the best
Sound Blaster software of the year.
Simply follow the instructions on the form, insert it in the
pre-addressed envelope, place sufficient postage on the envelope,
and drop in your local mailbox!
Votes for the best software are in two categories:
COMMERCIAL and SHAREWARE/PUBLIC DOMAIN. Please write ONE name in
each blank. The software must have some sort of SOUND BLASTER
support to be considered valid, and must have been released
before January 1st 1992.
So get your survey in now! Only one survey per person,
please! The results will be printed sometime early in 1992.
---------------
WRITING FOR THE SBD:
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
How would you like to become a reporter for the SOUND
BLASTER DIGEST? It's easy! Simply write an article on whatever
you wish: it can be on programming the Sound Blaster, reviews on
new hardware and software, instructions for using special
functions, or anything else you'd like! Then mail it to the
editor (the address is at the end of this file), along with your
name and your address. We will publish it if possible!
If you mail your article on a diskette, you will get your
diskette back with the edition of the SBD in which your article
appears, free!
Either way, you get your name published as the author of the
article, and people around the world will read it! We reserve
the right to edit any part of any article sent, if we chose to
publish it. So get writing today!
Page 7
SOFTWARE REVIEWS:
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Have you written a piece of software that you'd like
reviewed for the SBD? If so, send a registered copy of your
software to the address at the end of this file, along with any
necessary instructions for it's use, and we'll be sure to publish
a review on it! Reviews in the SBD are great advertising, as
people around the world will read it! It also helps us continue
our tradition of being the best Sound Blaster publication in the
world! The software must have some sort of Sound Blaster support
to be considered for a review. So if you'd like a review, send
in your software today!
------------------
INCLUDED FILES:
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
This month's included files consist of the following files:
SURVEY.TXT --> The SBD's first annual READER'S
SURVEY and mailing envelope.
CROCROCK.CMF --> CROCODILE ROCK by Elton John.
Transcribed by Brad Barclay and
Karen O'Hearn.
If you have written any sort of small program or song which
you'd like to include in this section, send it to us at the
address below. If we use it, you'll be sent the edition of the
SBD in which it appears! No files larger then 24 Kb, please.
Page 8
SBD IN THE BBS WORLD:
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Okay, here's this month's list of BBS's around the world
that support the Sound Blaster card. If you'd like your BBS
added to this growing list, fill in the BBS Registration form at
the end of this document.
SYSTEM NAME PHONE NUMBER CITY/PROVINCE/STATE SYSOP'S NAME
=========== ============ =================== ============
Arkon BBS (416)593-7460 Toronto, Ontario. Jacky Lee
Beltway Bandits (703)764-9297 -- Unknown -- -- Unknown --
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 -- Unknown -- -- Unknown --
Electronic Age (703)620-0851 -- Unknown -- -- Unknown --
Friends & Family (214)960-3189 Dallas, Texas Jim Neargarder
Gollum's Corner (404)992-1309 Marietta, GA Sean Neese
House of Ichthys (305)360-2991 Deerfield Beach, FL Leonzo E. Miller
Jim's Dream (202)581-1422 -- Unknown -- Jim Walls
Lynzie's Motherboard (808)989-3875 California -- Unknown --
Musical Chair (416)724-6014 Toronto, Ontario Jeff Woods
Musical Chair Demo (416)724-6018 Toronto, Ontario Jeff Woods
Nat. PC and MIDI... (708)593-8703 Chicago, IL Duane Antor
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
Running Board (301)229-5342 -- Unknown -- -- Unknown --
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 Niagra, 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)383-4795 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 HUB (703)685-0019 -- Unknown -- -- Unknown --
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 -- Unknown -- -- Unknown --
VCR-BBS (513)253-0543 Dayton, OH Calvin Yu
VGER Control (714)371-4789 Corona, CA Bob Altenburger
Page 9
WRAPPING IT UP:
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Well, that's it for another edition of THE SOUND BLASTER
DIGEST. If you have any questions or comments that you would
like to make, please feel free to address them to the address
below. Or call us anytime between 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM Eastern
Standard Time.
This month, I'd like to thank Michael Avilia for the file
matrix concept, Derek Ziglar for providing the information on the
new SB Pro card, Jeff Woods for his input, and as always, Karen
O'Hearn for being there when I needed her most.
In the next few months: more detailed information on the
new SB Pro card, what to do if something isn't working properly,
a new standardized ratings system for software reviews, and much
much more!
Please direct any questions or comments about the SBD or the
Sound Blaster card to:
SOUND BLASTER DIGEST
c/o Brad Barclay
36 Sutter ave.
Brampton, Ontario
CANADA
L6Z 1G7
Or phone between 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM Eastern Standard Time:
(416)846-5599
Page 10
SOUND BLASTER DIGEST ADVERTISEMENT ORDER FORM
=============================================
Please fill out this form, and mail it, along with a cheque for
$5 (in US funds for American orders, and in Canadian funds for
Canadian orders), 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 11
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 and 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 12
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
