SB AWE64 vs SB AWE64 Gold
Magnus Thorne
Greetings all,
Just curious... I'm looking at buying a Sound Blaster AWE64 or a Sound
Blaster AWE64 Gold. Is the gold really worth the extra $50??? And what
about the memory the card uses? How much is that going for??
thanx for the help,
-Mag
Clinton Fleming
I have an SB AWE64. I think the ram module cost me about $60 dollars.
However, this was for 8 megs rather than the 4megs that the 64 gold comes
with. I'm happy with my decision on buying just the awe 64 without the ram
attached.
Magnus Thorne <tri...@eagle.cc.ukans.edu> wrote in article
<34343698...@eagle.cc.ukans.edu>...
Stormfront Dragon
Clinton Fleming wrote:
>
> I have an SB AWE64. I think the ram module cost me about $60 dollars.
> However, this was for 8 megs rather than the 4megs that the 64 gold comes
> with. I'm happy with my decision on buying just the awe 64 without the ram
> attached.
The Gold version doesn't just have more memory though.
First of all, adding more memory won't make a difference if you don't
have a bigger wave library to go with it. Your 8 meg board is probably
still using the same instrument samples as it did when you bought it.
The AWE64 Gold, however comes with a 4 meg sound library, which is a
HUGE improvement over the smaller one.
Secondly, the AWE 64 Gold has better shielding and audio components, to
cut down on system noise and other distortions. This particularly
noticable in the lower end of the frequency spectrum, where the Gold has
a lot less fall off then the regular version.
Third, the Gold has SP/DIF digital output, which can be used to hookup
it amplifiers which have digital input capabilities.
Finally, the Gold version has much better software that comes with it,
including a very nice sequencer program (Voyetra MIDI Orchestrator
Plus).
Ernie Garner
Stormfront Dragon <Storm...@psu.edu> wrote in article
<343526...@psu.edu>...
> Clinton Fleming wrote:
> >
> > I have an SB AWE64...
snip
>
> Third, the Gold has SP/DIF digital output, which can be used to hookup
> it amplifiers which have digital input capabilities.
>
Just where would one find such an amplifier?
<g>
E.
The Lord Leto II
Nicholas de Villiers wrote:
>
> In comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard.music Stormfront Dragon <Storm...@psu.edu> wrote:
>
> : The Gold version doesn't just have more memory though.
>
> : First of all, adding more memory won't make a difference if you don't
> : have a bigger wave library to go with it. Your 8 meg board is probably
> : still using the same instrument samples as it did when you bought it.
> : The AWE64 Gold, however comes with a 4 meg sound library, which is a
> : HUGE improvement over the smaller one.
>
But you need to buy RAM to use it; the gold can use it out-of-the-
box.
> : Secondly, the AWE 64 Gold has better shielding and audio components, to
> : cut down on system noise and other distortions. This particularly
> : noticable in the lower end of the frequency spectrum, where the Gold has
> : a lot less fall off then the regular version.
>
> I found my AWE64 to be quite clean in that regard. It depends on other
> components in your system though...
If your AWE64 is clean, then an AWE64 Gold would be cleaner. It's
all a matter of degree. Usually it comes down to "clean enough." :)
I doubt you did frequency tests on it, in any case.
> : Third, the Gold has SP/DIF digital output, which can be used to hookup
> : it amplifiers which have digital input capabilities.
>
> The S/PDIF pads are on the normal AWE64 as well...requires a bit of
> soldering to use though apparently...
You could damage your board if you are not skilled...and most people
aren't skilled and would rather not mess with it, hence having an
actual S/PDIF connection *is* a plus.
> : Finally, the Gold version has much better software that comes with it,
> : including a very nice sequencer program (Voyetra MIDI Orchestrator
> : Plus).
>
> The normal AWE64 has that included as well...gee, I think they bundle
> the same (or almost the same) CD with both, eh? ;)
The Voyetra sequencer program is not "very nice"...
> Oh, the standard AWE64 comes with built-in 6 watt/channel amp as well...
They might as well have included a rotten banana peel for all it's
worth.
The only advantage to a minijack output is one can use headphones
directly with it. Although I think the gold plating is a bit silly.
************* The Lord Leto II *** God Emperor Of Arrakis *************
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Nicholas de Villiers
In comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard.music Stormfront Dragon <Storm...@psu.edu> wrote:
: The Gold version doesn't just have more memory though.
: First of all, adding more memory won't make a difference if you don't
: have a bigger wave library to go with it. Your 8 meg board is probably
: still using the same instrument samples as it did when you bought it.
: The AWE64 Gold, however comes with a 4 meg sound library, which is a
: HUGE improvement over the smaller one.
The standard AWE64 has that as well...
: Secondly, the AWE 64 Gold has better shielding and audio components, to
: cut down on system noise and other distortions. This particularly
: noticable in the lower end of the frequency spectrum, where the Gold has
: a lot less fall off then the regular version.
I found my AWE64 to be quite clean in that regard. It depends on other
components in your system though...
: Third, the Gold has SP/DIF digital output, which can be used to hookup
: it amplifiers which have digital input capabilities.
The S/PDIF pads are on the normal AWE64 as well...requires a bit of
soldering to use though apparently...
: Finally, the Gold version has much better software that comes with it,
: including a very nice sequencer program (Voyetra MIDI Orchestrator
: Plus).
The normal AWE64 has that included as well...gee, I think they bundle
the same (or almost the same) CD with both, eh? ;)
Oh, the standard AWE64 comes with built-in 6 watt/channel amp as well...
- N.
HINESH K
its shit get a value pack
thats if you don't need the midi
Nicholas de Villiers
In alt.binaries.sounds.midi The Lord Leto II <c72...@showme.missouri.edu> wrote:
: > The standard AWE64 has that as well...
: But you need to buy RAM to use it; the gold can use it out-of-the-
: box.
True...but software-wise it's almost identical ;)
: > I found my AWE64 to be quite clean in that regard. It depends on other
: > components in your system though...
: If your AWE64 is clean, then an AWE64 Gold would be cleaner. It's
: all a matter of degree. Usually it comes down to "clean enough." :)
: I doubt you did frequency tests on it, in any case.
Well, I doubt I'd notice the difference between 80dB and 90dB except at
extremely high volumes, no matter what freqency tests tell me.
For my purposes it *is* indeed "clean enough" :)
(and a helluva lot cleaner than the ESS1686-based card in another system
I tried)
: > : Third, the Gold has SP/DIF digital output, which can be used to hookup
: > : it amplifiers which have digital input capabilities.
: >
: > The S/PDIF pads are on the normal AWE64 as well...requires a bit of
: > soldering to use though apparently...
: You could damage your board if you are not skilled...and most people
: aren't skilled and would rather not mess with it, hence having an
: actual S/PDIF connection *is* a plus.
Right again. I am rather clumsy when it comes to soldering (usually burn
myself with it, and one time I set my sleeve alight...). My point was that
the standard AWE has got that ability if really necessary...
: > : Finally, the Gold version has much better software that comes with it,
: > : including a very nice sequencer program (Voyetra MIDI Orchestrator
: > : Plus).
: >
: > The normal AWE64 has that included as well...gee, I think they bundle
: > the same (or almost the same) CD with both, eh? ;)
: The Voyetra sequencer program is not "very nice"...
Personally, I prefer it to Cakewalk just for playing music. On my rather
pokey 486 it's also much faster and easier to use. Cakewalk is definitely
better for heavy duty editing and composing though.
: > Oh, the standard AWE64 comes with built-in 6 watt/channel amp as well...
: They might as well have included a rotten banana peel for all it's
: worth.
: The only advantage to a minijack output is one can use headphones
: directly with it. Although I think the gold plating is a bit silly.
Well, it's not that bad, and I use it quite often to avoid annoying other
people. It's relatively clean as well, but the line out is better. And I
also find the gold plating a little silly, unless you live in a corrosive
environment..
- N.
Stormfront Dragon
The Lord Leto II wrote:
> The only advantage to a minijack output is one can use headphones
> directly with it. Although I think the gold plating is a bit silly.
The AWE64 uses a minijack? In that case, the Gold has another advantage
in that it uses right and left channel RCA jacks. And the gold plating
is part of what keeps down the distortion. Gold contacts work better.
Michael Legner
In article <19971005163...@ladder02.news.aol.com>, hin...@aol.com (HINESH K) writes:
>its shit get a value pack
>thats if you don't need the midi
>
AOL strikes again...
Tufdogs
In article <617his$4q4$1...@groa.uct.ac.za>, ni...@phantom.eri.uct.ac.za says...
>The S/PDIF pads are on the normal AWE64 as well...requires a bit of
>soldering to use though apparently...
Anyone got the Schematic of the mods required to add the S/PDIF outs to the
AWE64?
Thanx,
Scott Green
Chuck Johnson
Many of the major manufacturer's high end receivers have this input.
The main use for the card's digital output is for transfering audio to a
dat machine.
thanks,
--
Chuck Johnson
Sound Chaser Music Software
1-800-549-4371
http://www.soundchaser.com/
Free Tech Support
Ernie Garner <ega...@iconnect.net> wrote in article
<01bcd102$f35c8d40$38a5...@egarner.iconnect.net>...
> Stormfront Dragon <Storm...@psu.edu> wrote in article
> <343526...@psu.edu>...
> > Clinton Fleming wrote:
> > >
> > > I have an SB AWE64...
>
> snip
>
> >
> > Third, the Gold has SP/DIF digital output, which can be used to hookup
> > it amplifiers which have digital input capabilities.
> >
>
Nicholas de Villiers
In comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard.music Tufdogs <sag...@pop.ipa.net> wrote:
: In article <617his$4q4$1...@groa.uct.ac.za>, ni...@phantom.eri.uct.ac.za says...
As far as I can tell (and someone *please* stop me if I'm wrong), it _should_
be as simple as connecting a few wires with a suitable connector to the
little solder pads on the card marked "SPDIF" (look closely, it's there...).
There have been reports though that the S/PDIF output on both AWE64's are
somewhat flawed and only work on older digital devices. I've seen some
instructions floating around on these newsgroups that show how to fix that
problem on the Gold (requires swapping 2 resistors and shorting a capacitor or
something to that effect). I wouldn't risk doing all that meself though...I'm
quite happy with the normal line out. ;)
- N.
Alex Noble
In article <61caqq$9ov$2...@excalibur.flash.net>, Tufdogs
<sag...@pop.ipa.net> writes
>Anyone got the Schematic of the mods required to add the S/PDIF outs to the
>AWE64?
There isn't really anything to it. Next to the large EMU chip, you'll
find a pair of silver bumps with a white box around them, and "S/PDIF"
written beside them. Melt the solder spots and push a connector through
to the back (the holes go all the way through), or (as I did) get
somebody else to do it - the local electronics shop did it for me for a
few quid.
Pin 1 is the digital output, and pin 2 is the ground. Fit a wire
(screened will be best) with a BNC socket on the end, and hey presto, 16
bit pure digital output.
Alex Noble.........................................alex@elbon.demon.co.uk
Wicked original music for your ears: http://www.elbon.demon.co.uk/es/
Home of Euphy Scott Productions.
Alex Noble
In article <343906...@apollo.hp.com>, Rick Koch
<*koc...@apollo.hp.com> writes
>I dont think any pointed this out yet, but one VERY important
>difference of the GOLD (at least I would think important to
>musicians) is that it outputs its audio (WAV) to the SP/DIF
>as well as the synth (EMU). It appears to me that they put
>little suttle differences in the drivers/apps. For instance,
>there is no input/output adjustments in the mixer for gain
>control where there is on the GOLD's mixer. If you use the
>AWETOY utility you'll find that it's gain control works fine
>AWE64 (pnp and VALUE) so the funtionality is there, Creative
>just chose not to give it to the non-GOLD users in the mixer
>app.
I've gotta get my hands on the gold software and have a go... Would
anybody oblige?
The Lord Leto II
Stormfront Dragon wrote:
>
> The Lord Leto II wrote:
> > The only advantage to a minijack output is one can use headphones
> > directly with it. Although I think the gold plating is a bit silly.
>
> The AWE64 uses a minijack?
Dude if you have been living on Venus *all* low- and mid-end sound
cards use minijacks instead of RCA connectors.
> In that case, the Gold has another advantage
> in that it uses right and left channel RCA jacks.
> And the gold plating
> is part of what keeps down the distortion. Gold contacts work better.
if you live in a corrosive environment (like Venus) :)
Seriously, how much does the gold plating help? I'm skeptical.
I'm afraid only numbers will help here...
Doug Milne
Does this mod to add the SPDI/F connector give you both the .WAV output and
the EMU synth output via the SPDI/F?
Doug
Alex Noble <al...@elbon.demon.co.uk> wrote in article
Alex Noble
In article <01bcd878$a70aa8a0$6d084999@user>, Doug Milne
<Doug....@dundee.ncr.com> writes
>Does this mod to add the SPDI/F connector give you both the .WAV output and
>the EMU synth output via the SPDI/F?
Unfortunately not, it's the EMU output only. I have no idea about how
the 64gold handles the wave output, but I have heard rumour that it is
more to do with the drivers than the hardware. I'm not sure either way.
I think to get it working, you'd have to try and fool the drivers into
thinking that your card is a gold, or if it is a hardware thing, chances
are its stuck in the firmware (if there is some), and pretty hard to
alter for us mere mortals. It still pisses me off that CL equip every
AWE card for digital output (the hardware for the gold is not that
different to that of the rest), but just neglect to fit the connectors,
or let us use it properly. Money-grabbing bastards. Grr.
To do a hardware hack without using the on-board routing that the gold
uses, you'd have to intercept the wave sound before it reached the DAC,
then convert it to the SPDIF format, and sum it with the EMU output. If
you could be arsed. Fairly simple in theory, and I'm sure that ICs exist
which will convert 2 channels of digital signals into a single
interleaved spdif output. Bloody tricky though, I bet.
If anybody has any ideas about this, I'd be interested in hearing them.
Rick Koch
only the AWE64 Gold mixes WAVE and MIDI out the SP/DIF.
Doug Milne wrote:
>
> Does this mod to add the SPDI/F connector give you both the .WAV output and
> the EMU synth output via the SPDI/F?
>
> Doug
>
> Alex Noble <al...@elbon.demon.co.uk> wrote in article
> >
> > There isn't really anything to it. Next to the large EMU chip, you'll
> > find a pair of silver bumps with a white box around them, and "S/PDIF"
> > written beside them. Melt the solder spots and push a connector through
> > to the back (the holes go all the way through), or (as I did) get
> > somebody else to do it - the local electronics shop did it for me for a
> > few quid.
> >
> > Pin 1 is the digital output, and pin 2 is the ground. Fit a wire
> > (screened will be best) with a BNC socket on the end, and hey presto, 16
> > bit pure digital output.
> >
--
=================================
Rick Koch, *koc...@apollo.hp.com
SW Eng/Contractor for HP
Chelmsford, MA
(remove * from email address)
=================================
Mark Headrick
Just as an FYI, only 16-bit, Stereo, 44 KHz WAV files will play through the
SP/DIF connector. Anything less won't. Then of course MIDI will also.
Mark H.
--
(pardon the anti-spam efforts)
===============================================================
Mark Headrick webmaster(at)pharaohgames.com
Software Dev. & Webmaster http://www.pharaohgames.com
Pharaoh Games, LLC. http://www.ionet.net/~headrick
Creators of the new Pelicar(TM) Fantasy RPG
===============================================================
The Lord Leto II
Alex Noble wrote, concerning the S/PDIF:
> Pin 1 is the digital output, and pin 2 is the ground. Fit a wire
> (screened will be best) with a BNC socket on the end, and hey presto, 16
> bit pure digital output.
I thought the regular AWE (32, 64, whatever) did 18 bit output. ?
(the Gold of course does 20).
************ The Lord Leto II *** God Emperor Of Arrakis **************
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The Lord Leto II
DaNnYsOh wrote:
>
> i m currently having a SB AWE64 Gold but i dont know wat is the S/PDIF
> output for.
>
> can anyone tell me how wat is the use for S/PDIF output and how is it
> connected?
It can be connected to something like a DAT machine, or another
soundcard with an S/PDIF input (for example, you could take the
digital output from the AWE64 Gold, send it to a Turtle Beach
Pinancle, and have the Pinnacle do the D/A conversion).
If you don't have anything to hook it up to then it's useless,
really, but you have to get one hookup in order for a second
to work, so you're halfway there :). Some day...
DaNnYsOh
i m currently having a SB AWE64 Gold but i dont know wat is the S/PDIF
output for.
can anyone tell me how wat is the use for S/PDIF output and how is it
connected?
thanx...
Stormfront Dragon wrote in message <3438F6...@psu.edu>...
>The Lord Leto II wrote:
>> The only advantage to a minijack output is one can use headphones
>> directly with it. Although I think the gold plating is a bit silly.
>
>The AWE64 uses a minijack? In that case, the Gold has another advantage
Alex Noble
In article <01bcdb69$0f37dea0$25c3...@ime.net>, Ken Bouchard
<Kbou...@ime.net> writes
>Is this an output pin or an input?
>If it had an input that would be useful, you could connect your digital i/f
>pins from your
Absolutely output only, mores the pity.
Ken Bouchard
Is this an output pin or an input?
If it had an input that would be useful, you could connect your digital i/f
pins from your
But also you would need software to run this right?
Most if not all of the software I have tried that claims to do digital
audio extraction does not work
with IDE type CD-ROM drives.
I once did get one to work, but it didn't work on a normal audio cd, but it
did extract from a
mixed mode (data on track 0 and audio on other tracks) CD.
That really threw me for a loop.
The Lord Leto II <c72...@showme.missouri.edu> wrote in article
<3446A9F3...@showme.missouri.edu>...
> DaNnYsOh wrote:
> >
> > i m currently having a SB AWE64 Gold but i dont know wat is the S/PDIF
> > output for.
> >
> > can anyone tell me how wat is the use for S/PDIF output and how is it
> > connected?
>