Re: SoundMeister

[glynnet@zero.cypher.com (Glynne Tolar)]

In article <2C06C59C.22851@news.service.uci.edu> andrep@balboa.eng.uci.edu (Andre Prellwitz) writes:
>In article <1993May27.062345.27584@muug.mb.ca> jfenske@muug.mb.ca 
>(John Fenske) writes:
>>The second release from Genie
>>
>>ECON Announces the SoundMeister Stereo Amplifier/Digitizer for the Apple IIgs
>
>[stuff nuked]
>
>>Inputs/Outputs:
>> 
>> * 1/4" stereo phone jack for mic or line level inputs (software
>>   selectable).
>> * 1/4" stereo phone jack for amplified output (connect to
>>   speakers).
>> * 1/4" stereo phone jack for line level output (both line and
>>   amplified output can be used simultaneously).
>> 
>
>If these are _really_ 1/4" jacks, I have to question WHY??  Wouldn't it be
>better:
>RCA output jacks (line)
>1/4" output jack (amplified)
>1/8" input jack (mic or line)
>
>Not many people have mics with 1/4" jacks, and most amplifiers use RCA input
>jacks.
>

Well, if that is your only problem with the card, go to Radio Shack (I can't
believe I said that!) and buy and adaptor.

>>-------------------------
>> 
>>Technical Specifications:
>> 
>> * Frequency response:
>> 
>>   Outputs:
>>   20Hz - 20KHz  +/- 3dB (amplified)
>>   20Hz - 11Khz  +/- 3dB (line)
>
>Does this mean that the SM somehow bypasses the GS' internal filtering?  I
>thought the DOC was only capable of outputting ~26K samples/sec (~13KHz
>effective output) max, but filtered at just below that?  At any rate, unless
>the SM uses its D/A converters for input monitoring, it makes no sense.
>

What filtering?  It connects (like many other sound cards) directly to the DOC.
That little 7 pin connector beside it, you know.  The DOC cand playback fairly
fast.  With this Sonic Blaster it will let you sample at 32KHz and playback at
46KHz.  Those are the max settings.

>>   Inputs:
>>   DC to 50KHz  +/- 3dB
>> 
>> 
>> * Distortion:
>> 
>>   0.15 % at 1Khz (amplified)
>>   < 0.1 % at 1KHz (line)
>> 
>> 
>> * Channel separation:
>> 
>>   75 dB (amplified)
>>   > 90 dB (line)
>>
>
>Pretty impressive overall, though.  Fix the jacks and I'll buy one!
>
>Oh, btw, how much RAM is on-board?  Will I be able to offload the task of DOC
>swapping to the SM so I can play MODs in the background while doing file
>transfers?  And, does it have registers that will allow me to write an output
>scope as a CDA without having to add/multiply the volume/sample registers on
>the DOC?  'Twould be neat!
>

I am under the impression you've never owned a GS stereo card before.  The
card has no onboard RAM!  It sole job is to get the direct audio from the DOC
and make it in stereo.  It also features the use of the DOC A/D converter
by providing simple amplifier and isolation circuitry.  Now the Pro version
adds its own DOC and has ram for it so as to relieve the GS CPU to do other
things, like write the data to disk.

Did I help your understanding or hirt it?

>andrep@balboa.eng.uci.edu
>---
>The University of CA, Irvine probably does not agree with me. :)


-- 
Glynne Tolar                                      glynnet@zero.cypher.com
                                               or GEnie: G.TOLAR