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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Software Issues and Discussion => Topic started by: DrValkyer on November 11, 2007, 11:54:22 AM

Title: SB128 sound quality
Post by: DrValkyer on November 11, 2007, 11:54:22 AM

I installed one SB128 sound card into Mediator and the sound quality which i got is terrible. In AhiPrefs it's configured to SB128 16bit HIFI stereo but still the sound quality is more like a Paula thing. What is this about?? Do I have to configure some more or is this due the slow 040?

The system specs are BPPC(040-25mhz + 603-200mhz), 96Mb RAM, Mediator LT4, SB128,S3 Virge-DX(sucks!) and 10/100 Nic.
Title: Re: SB128 sound quality
Post by: Dwyloc on November 11, 2007, 01:23:41 PM
I was under the impression that you needed to have a Voodoo card plunged in to use a sound card with the Mediator under OS 3.X as it steels some ram from it to work.

Other than that I can't think of any other suggestions, but I am not using a sound card with my mediator at the moment.

But as I purchased one for mine back in September but have not yet had time to try setting it up yet, as I have to first change over from using my BVision under CGX4 to using my Voodoo3 PCI under P96 and the process of setting up the screen modes under P96 is putting me off.
Title: Re: SB128 sound quality
Post by: Oliver on November 11, 2007, 02:39:58 PM
Hi,

I haven't used an SB on Amiga, but are you playing 16 bit sounds? If it's a standard Amiga sound file, then it's probably only 8 bit encoding, and won't provide the fidelity you're expecting. Sorry if the question seems condescening, just thought it's worth checking.

Cheers,

Oliver
Title: Re: SB128 sound quality
Post by: DrValkyer on November 11, 2007, 03:37:52 PM
Quote
I was under the impression that you needed to have a Voodoo card plunged in to use a sound card with the Mediator under OS 3.X as it steels some ram from it to work.


Yeah, that is right, Mediator uses the Voodoo VRAM for DMA for PCI perpherials.  But apparently SB128 doesn't need a DMA for basic operation (because it gives atleast a *hitty sound now :-D). Don't know then does SB128 need a DMA for higher quality sounds or is the DMA already enabled on my S3 VirgeDx(4Mb). Does DMA only work on VooDoos?

Quote
I haven't used an SB on Amiga, but are you playing 16 bit sounds? If it's a standard Amiga sound file, then it's probably only 8 bit encoding, and won't provide the fidelity you're expecting

I was thinking this too at first, but because I played MP3@192 files on AmigaAmp (AHI mode enabled) it's not about the sound files.


Thanx guys anyway!
Title: Re: SB128 sound quality
Post by: CLS2086 on November 11, 2007, 06:16:59 PM
Hi,
check your "-12v" line, then check into AMigaAmp, if you well setted it to HQ/16 bits/Stéréo on AHI device
Title: Re: SB128 sound quality
Post by: DrValkyer on November 11, 2007, 07:32:26 PM
Quote

check your "-12v" line

You mean the AT-connectors (P8+P9) -12 pin or the PCI-bus?  I checked the AT-connector before installing the Mediator and it gave me -12V.  

Since the PSU is only 200Watts (couldn't find a bigger AT-psu after the last PSU died) it might be possible that it's not able to give enough current on -12V.

I dont remember that did miggy it self use -12V or not but possible miggy + mediator + PCI stuff + CD-Rom + HD is just too much for 200W-PSU??