Re: Sound Card Comparison, WT: SCSI card

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Joseph Arthur Pellettiere writes ...
> 
>         Could someone point out the differences/advantages of one or the
> other of the following cards.  The first is a stereo sound card called
> Super Sonic from Mididesign, it has stereo output and an add on
> connector, I also have the the expansion card which also allows stereo
> input.  The second card is from Applied Engineering and is stereo I/O.
> Is one of these better than the other?  I don't need both and would only
> like to keep one. ....


     Since you have both cards, why not try each and keep the one you like 
better?

     Before testing, a good first step is to squirt some Circuit Cleaner 
into each Volume Control pot and turn it back and forth. This will help to 
avoid noise and glitchy sound due to a dirty pot. Set each pot to 
approximately 3/4 of maximum.

     With the GS case lid off, listen to music from MusicStudio, Instant 
Music, JukeBox, etc. or from a game like Bard's Tale. Adjust on-board 
Volume controls for the level you like for game playing. If you are 
running the output to a hi-fi amp or amplified speakers, work between the 
on-board and external Volume controls for the cleanest sound at the level 
you like.

     Mainly, what you're on the lookout for is "clipping"-- distortion 
which occurs during the louder parts of the music-- and noise. Noise can 
be a background whistle, hum, and/or scratchiness. (If there's a lot of 
hum, your output cables may not be making good contact.) Depending upon 
the source of the music, the particular piece, and instrument selection, 
some distortion and/or noise may be 'built-in' to the music.

     Before turning OFF the computer and swapping in the other card, exit 
any music programs/games and go to the GS/OS Desktop display. Start a 
super-res Painter (like PaintWorks or Platinum Paint) or a super-res Text 
editor program.

     Listen for squeals, clicks, and other noise as you move around the 
mouse, load/save files to diskette, scroll up/down file lists, cut/paste, 
type-in text, etc.. This gives you some idea of what you can expect to be 
in the background when playing games which employ music and sound effects.

     If there is audible noise during any of the above activities (e.g. 
scrolling up/down a file list) and you have a casette tape recorder handy, 
record about 10 seconds of a speaker's output during the noisiest 
activity.

     Repeat the tests for the other card, compare noise recordings if 
available, and decide which card sounds better overall.

     One possible decision point is distortion vs. noise. For example, 
Card A may exhibit notably more clipping distortion whereas Card B is 
notably noiser. Unless Card B is grossly noiser, it is likely to be the 
better choice.

     Clipping indicates an inferior design or a defect which could be 
difficult to correct. There are a number of ways to reduce sound card 
noise on a standard ROM-01 machine.


     To compare distortion and noise for Sound Input, you can use a 
program like Sound Studio or Sound Shop.

     One card may be markedly better at playing music and the other be 
clearly better at recording. If this is the case, you should, probably, go 
with the one which plays music and effects better because, on most 
systems, this is by far the sound card's chief function.


Rubywand