From: NEIL FIGOT Refer#: NONE
To: ALL Recvd: NO
Subj: sb16 and gus Conf: (299) AdLib-F
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
=======================================
= Sound Blaster + Gravis UltraSound =
= Frequently Asked Questions List =
= by Daniel Rogers =
= Version .92 =
= September 2, 1994 =
=======================================
Table of Contents
-----------------
i. About this FAQ
ii. Disclaimer
1. Introduction
1a. What is a Sound Blaster?
1b. What is a Gravis UltraSound?
1c. Can I use a Sound Blaster and GUS together?
1d. Why do I want to use a Sound Blaster and a GUS together?
2. Setting up the Sound Blaster and GUS together
2a. Which card should I install first?
2b. What settings should be used for the Sound Blaster [Pro, 16]?
2c. What hardware settings should be used for the GUS?
2d. What software settings should be used for the GUS?
2e. Why isn't the GUS setup program working?
2f. Why does the GUS setup say the Sound Blaster settings failed?
2g. Why is the SET BLASTER environment variable in my autoexec wrong?
2h. What should my autoexec.bat file look like?
2i. How do I mix the two sound outputs?
continued next message
--- Renegade
* Origin: TSD 810-758-6248 / 810-758-2003 (1:120/319)
===========================================================================
Packet: MERCOPUS
Date: 10-07-94 (15:17) Number: 16439
From: NEIL FIGOT Refer#: NONE
To: ALL Recvd: NO
Subj: sb16 gus part 2/14 Conf: (299) AdLib-F
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3. Using the Sound Blaster and GUS together
3a. What card do I select in my software setup?
3b. How do I run SBOS?
4. Trouble shooting
4a. My Sound Blaster works, but my GUS doesn't!
4b. My GUS works, but my Sound Blaster doesn't!
4c. Neither the GUS nor the Sound Blaster works!
4d. What other cards could be causing conflicts?
4e. MEGAEM won't work!
4f. The joystick doesn't work right!
4g. You still haven't answered my question!
5. In closing
5a. Where can I get more information?
5b. Suggestions, comments, etc.
5c. Acknowledgments
== i. == About this FAQ ======================================================
This FAQ is intended to help those trying to get a GUS working along side
a Sound Blaster. It is maintained by Daniel Rogers. (
[email protected])
It is currently a pre-release, since I need to polish things up a bit, add
some more sections, and receive some feedback. The general concepts here
can probably be used to get other sound card combinations working together.
Let me know of any successes or failures.
*** NOTE ***
Hopefully there will soon be a much improved FAQ, covering Windows,
Linux and OS/2 installation and use with the Sound Blaster and GUS. I am
releasing this interim FAQ to fix a few small errors or omissions in the
previous FAQ.
== ii. == Disclaimer =========================================================
This FAQ is intended for informational purposes only. Use the methods
described at your own risk. The author is not responsible for any damage to
equipment that could be caused by using any of the methods in this document.
Any products mentioned here are trademarks of their respective owners.
Now with that is out of the way, on to the good stuff.
== 1. == Introduction ========================================================
1a.
[Q] What is a Sound Blaster?
[A] A Sound Blaster is a sound card for IBM PC and compatibles, designed
to provide higher quality sound for games and applications. Creative Labs
manufactures the actual Sound Blaster, but there are many different cards
which claim to be Sound Blaster compatible. This may or may not be 100%
compatibility, and it may only be compatible with certain Sound Blasters.
Currently, Creative Labs makes and markets the Sound Blaster, Sound
Blaster Pro, Sound Blaster 16, Sound Blaster 16 Multi CD, Sound
Blaster 16 SCSI-2, and Sound Blaster AWE 32. Each card is different, the
listed cards going from least advanced to most advanced. Each is
theoretically sound compatible with the original Sound Blaster, and the
Sound Blaster 16 and 32 models are sometimes Sound Blaster Pro
compatible. More information on Sound Blaster cards can be found in the
PC Soundcard FAQ. For purposes of this FAQ, whenever "Sound Blaster" is
used, it is meant to refer to the Sound Blaster card you are using,
whether it be a Pro, 16, or Basic unless it is explicitly specified.
1b.
[Q] What is a Gravis UltraSound?
[A] The Gravis UltraSound (from here on out known as GUS) is a sound card
for IBM PC and compatibles that is manufactured by Advanced Gravis.
It features wave table synthesis, digitized recording and playback, and
can emulate other sound cards including the Sound Blaster. Currently
there are two UltraSounds, the original GUS and the GUS MAX, which was
recently released. Both share the same main chip and are virtually the
same when it comes to sound playback. The GUS also has RAM on board the
card, anywhere from 256k to one megabyte to load and store sound
samples. More information can be found in the GUS FAQ.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1c.
[Q] Can I use a Sound Blaster and GUS together?
[A] In almost every case, yes. How is addressed later in this document.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1d.
[Q] Why do I want to use a Sound Blaster and a GUS together?
[A] This is a common question, especially since the GUS claims to be Sound
Blaster compatible. The GUS is Sound Blaster compatible only with the use
of TSR's, in other words it is software simulation, not hardware. Since
this is the case, many times a game or application will not work or will
not work fully. Adding a Sound Blaster card to the GUS card allows
a user to take advantage of both sound cards, for optimum sound.
In most cases where both sound cards are used, the GUS is used for the
music, and the Sound Blaster is used for the digitized sounds.
== 2. == Setting up the Sound Blaster and GUS together =======================
2a.
[Q] Which card should I install first?
[A] In general it is better to install the Sound Blaster first. It is less
flexible in its settings. However it is not hard to install a Sound
Blaster after installing a GUS.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2b.
[Q] What settings should be used for the Sound Blaster [Pro, 16]?
[A] The Sound Blaster card should be configured as close to the defaults as
possible. This is because certain software tends to expect the card to
be at a certain address, IRQ, and DMA. The following table lists
suggested settings for the Sound Blaster family of cards.
|Sound Blaster | Sound Blaster Pro | Sound Blaster 16
---------------------------+-------------------+-----------------
I/O Address | 220h | 220h | 220h
IRQ | 7 | 5 | 5
8-bit DMA | 1 | 1 | 1
16-bit DMA | - | - | 5
The Sound Blaster 16 cards (Basic, SCSI-2 and Multi-CD) are the most
configurable. Remember what settings are used on these cards for the
CD or SCSI controllers if applicable. Do not set up conflicting IRQ or
DMA numbers.
2c.
[Q] What hardware settings should be used for the GUS?
[A] Most of the GUS settings are set with software. The I/O Address is
the one hardware setting on the GUS that you must worry about.
(Q. How about the GUS MAX?) The address used must be different than the
address used on the Sound Blaster card. Possible addresses are:
210h, 220h, 230h, 240h, 250h, and 260h.
Address 210h is generally a safe address. Address 220h is usually
reserved for the Sound Blaster. Since the GUS uses not only the
addresses listed above, but addresses 100h up from those, use of
addresses like 230h are discouraged, since 330h is used by other cards,
including the Sound Blaster and some SCSI cards. The same goes for
address 240h. Addresses 210h, 250h, and 260h are usually fine, but check
other cards for possible conflicts.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2d.
[Q] What software settings should be used for the GUS?
[A] The GUS should be set up to not conflict with other cards and devices in
the computer. This can be tricky. Suggested settings are:
GUS IRQ: 5, 7, 12, or 15 (*)
Recording DMA: 5, 6, 7 (+)
Playback DMA: 5, 6, 7 (+)
Sound Blaster/MIDI IRQ: 12, or 15 (*)
Sound Blaster DMA: 1
+ The recording DMA and playback DMA can be the same unless you have a
special reason for them to be different. If you are using a Sound
Blaster 16 or better, make sure that its 16-bit DMA is different than
the GUS's DMAs.
* The GUS IRQ and Sound Blaster/MIDI IRQ must be different. (Q. Is
this always the case?)
The Sound Blaster DMA should be 1, since it won't be used.
I tend to shy away from IRQ 11, since SCSI cards often use this IRQ,
but if you know there are no conflicts, it is fine to use it. Also,
IRQ 13 (Q. I think it is 13?) can be used if you do not have a math
co-processor. (i.e. a 486SX without a math co-processor)
If you are having trouble with the GUS when running programs that require
a DOS extender such as dos4gw, try a GUS IRQ setting less than or equal
to IRQ 7. Remember to watch for conflicts with other cards and devices.
If you are having trouble with DOOM or DOOM][ in native GUS mode, try
an IRQ of 7 or less. IRQ 5 or 7 should be free in DOS if you are
just going to play games. That way the Sound Blaster could be at either
5 or 7, and the GUS at the other.
Use the Diagnostics in the GUS setup program to determine if there are
any hardware conflicts.
2e.
[Q] Why isn't the GUS setup program working?
[A] In order to select the settings mentioned in 2d, the Advanced setup must
be selected. This will allow you to choose the settings you need and
check for hardware conflicts.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2f.
[Q] Why does the GUS setup say the Sound Blaster test failed?
[A] Since there is already a real Sound Blaster card installed and since
the GUS settings are not set to work with the GUS Sound Blaster emulation
software used with the GUS, the Sound Blaster test will fail. This is
normal. Ignore this and select install anyway.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2g.
[Q] Why is the SET BLASTER environment variable in my autoexec wrong?
[A] The GUS setup program assumes (incorrectly) that you will be using the
Sound Blaster emulation software that comes with the GUS. It sets the
SET BLASTER variable to match what you told it in the setup program.
You need to replace this SET BLASTER variable with the correct one for
your Sound Blaster card.
2h.
[Q] What should my autoexec.bat file look like?
[A] Here is a sample autoexec.bat file, used with a GUS and a Sound
Blaster 16. This is just the part pertaining to the two sound cards:
SET ULTRASND=210,7,7,12,15
SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 H5 P330 T6
SET ULTRADIR=D:\ULTRASND
SET GUSMOD=D:\ULTRASND\MOD
D:\ULTRASND\ULTRINIT.EXE -ej
SET SOUND=D:\SB16
D:\SB16\SB16SET /M:240 /VOC:220 /CD:220 /MIDI:220 /LINE:220 /TREBLE:0
/OPGAIN:2,2
D:\SB16\SBCONFIG.EXE /S
Here are the parameters for the first two lines:
SET ULTRASND=<GUS IO Address>,<record DMA>,<playback DMA>,<GUS IRQ>,
<MIDI IRQ>
SET BLASTER=<SB IO Address>,<SB IRQ>,<8-bit DMA>,<16-bit DMA>,
<MIDI Port IO Address>,<Card Type>
The SB16SET has the option /OPGAIN:2,2 because the line out on my
Sound Blaster 16 is normally lower than the line out on my GUS.
The options for ULTRINIT.EXE are:
-o Leave output enabled after it resets the card
-m Leave microphone input enabled
-l Leave line level input enabled
-d Disable UltraSound joystick port
-e Enable UltraSound joystick port
The Sound Blaster Pro would have a SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 T4 and the
appropriate initilizations. Likewise for the regular Sound Blaster
Be sure and check to make sure the directories are correct, and that the
correct SET BLASTER variable is set, since the GUS setup tends to
overwrite this with an incorrect value.
2i.
[Q] How do I mix the two sound outputs?
[A] There are several options. The easiest is to just run two separate output
cords to the speakers. This works if there is more than one sound input
on the speakers. Altec Lansing, Acoustic Research, and other computer
speakers have multiple inputs. Most receivers also have multiple inputs
if you wish to run the sound through your stereo system.
If there is only one speaker input, it is possible to primitively mix the
two outputs using a Y adapter such as those found at Radio Shack.
(part number 274-313 or 42-2463) However this should probably be a
temporary solution, as it is not an ideal solution.
The stereo line out of the GUS can also be routed to the stereo line
input of the Sound Blaster. This should allow the output from the
Sound Blaster to carry the mixed sound signal. You may have to fool with
the mixer (Sound Blaster Pro and 16) to get optimal results. Make
sure the cable you use has stereo 1/8" plugs on both ends, especially if
routing into a Sound Blaster Pro or better.
The reverse is also true. The Sound Blaster line out can be routed to the
GUS line in. Be sure to enable the -l option (Q. and the -o?) with
ultrinit.exe and the -l option on megaem when it is used. This will turn
on the line input on the GUS for mixing. If there is excessive noise
coming from the GUS/Sound Blaster when not using the sound card, it is
possible that the Sound Blaster is picking up electrical noise from
the computer. In that case, run ultrinit without the -l option to
turn off the line in. Re-run ultrinit with the -l option when the
Sound Blaster sound is needed again.
It has been suggested that if you have a Sound Blaster Pro or better and
an old GUS before revision 3.7, then the GUS output should be routed to
the Sound Blaster as above. If you have a newer GUS, the Sound Blaster
should be routed into the GUS. The best thing to do is try it both ways
and decide which one gives the best sound.
== 3. == Using the Sound Blaster and GUS together ============================
3a.
[Q] What card do I select in my software setup?
[A] If there is native GUS support, choose the native GUS support. Games like
DOOM and Raptor have native GUS support. It generally sounds better than
the Sound Blaster support, and in some cases can take a load off of the
CPU.
If there is no native GUS support but there is separate support in the
program for a music card and a digital effects card, then try to use the
GUS for the music and the Sound Blaster for the digital sound effects.
If there is a General Midi or Roland Sound Canvas option, choose this.
If there is no GM or Sound Canvas option, but there is Roland MT-32,
LAPC1 or just Roland, choose this option. Choose the Sound Blaster for
the digital effects and give the program the correct settings. Before
running the application, be sure to run megaem -sboff and then run
emuset for the Sound Canvas or GM support or emuset -mt for the LAPC1,
Roland, or MT-32 support. Consult the Gravis documentation for more
options on these programs.
If there is just Sound Blaster or Adlib support, it is best to use only
the Sound Blaster. But that is what you kept it around for, right?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3b.
[Q] How do I run SBOS?
[A] Don't. Use the real Sound Blaster instead.
== 4. == Trouble shooting ====================================================
4a.
[P] My Sound Blaster works, but my GUS doesn't!
[S] There are a number of things to check. It is almost surely a set up
problem. Double check the GUS settings (see section 2). Check that the
output to the speakers is plugged in correctly. Check your software
setup. (see section 3) Try just the GUS by itself and see if it
works. Some motherboards don't work when the GUS uses a 16 bit DMA
channel. Try DMA channel 3 in this case.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4b.
[P] My GUS works, but my Sound Blaster doesn't!
[S] Be sure that the SET BLASTER environment variable in the autoexec.bat
file is correct. (see 2g) Make sure the output gets to the speakers.
(see 2i) Check the volume on the back of the card. The Sound Blaster
cards that have a line out option tend to be at a lower level than the
GUS line out. Try unplugging the GUS output and just running the
Sound Blaster. Check for hardware conflicts with other cards as well as
the GUS. (see section 2) Check the software setup. (see section 3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4c.
[P] Neither the GUS nor the Sound Blaster works!
[S] Re-check all the settings from section 2. Check the outputs from the
cards. Try one card at a time to see if they work. Check for conflicts
with each other. Make sure the IRQs, DMAs, and I/O Addresses are
different. Check for conflicts with other cards. Check to make sure the
autoexec.bat file is correct. (see 2h) Check to see if the software is
set correctly. (see section 3)
4d.
[Q] What other cards could be causing conflicts?
[A] Any card you have in your computer. SCSI cards often use IRQs 10 or 11,
the parallel port or printer port uses IRQ 7. Network cards can use a
range of IRQs and most cards have an I/O address that can conflict. Get
out the manuals and start checking. A program such as Norton Utilities
can be helpful for diagnosing conflicts.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4e.
[P] MEGAEM won't work!
[S] Be sure you use the -sboff option (i.e. megaem -sboff) to turn off the
Sound Blaster emulation in the megaem software. It is not needed since
the real Sound Blaster is present and can be used.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4f.
[P] The joystick doesn't work right!
[S] Disable the joystick port on the Sound Blaster card and use the joystick
port on the GUS. The -e option on ultrinit.exe turns on joystick support
for the GUS.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4g.
[P] You still haven't answered my question!
[S] Check 5a below. If you are still having problems, post a polite message
to an appropriate Usenet newsgroup.
== 5. == In closing ==========================================================
5a.
[Q] Where can I get more information?
[A] The latest version of this FAQ as well as some other information on
sound cards can be found on my WWW home page, located at URL:
http://www.cs.utexas.edu/~iidan
Many FAQs can be found on the ftp site rtfm.mit.edu, including sound and
sound card related FAQs.
(This a little skimpy. More here later)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5b. Suggestions, comments, etc.
Send all suggestions, comments, etc. to
[email protected]. I would greatly
appreciate any additions, suggestions, or comments about this FAQ. I would
especially like answers to questions in ()'s in the above text. Any specs on
the new GUS MAX, i.e. address settings, available IRQ settings, etc. are
also needed. Any information, questions, or corrections would be most
welcome.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5c. Acknowledgments
Thanks to everyone who has (and will) contribute to this FAQ. And thanks to
those who have helped me and others get great sound from their computers.
Daniel Rogers
[email protected]
finished... hope many find this as useful as I did.... sorry to bore all those
who don't care (g).
