This looks similar to my AT6800W Aztech sound/modem combo. The reason 16bit sound doesn't work in DOS is the Aztech software doesn't properly initialize the Windows Sound System in DOS. Get the latest UNISOUND 0.80a or higher and run it with the /XWSS switch to initialize WSS in DOS. Note that WSS and SBPRO modes can not both be enabled at the same time.
I bought this exact model of combo card about two years ago with the intent of using it in a Pentium build (still haven't gotten around to it). A big selling point for me was the dedicated Yamaha OPL chip; the photos on the ebay listing were clear enough for me to identify it. Anyway, glad to know it's a good SB clone. I have another Aztech card of a similar configuration, without a modem, that I am using this in a 386sx build. I encountered the same issue with the Aztech test program not playing the digital audio correctly in DOS. Xargon / Jill of the Jungle have issues with the digital audio playback as well (computer freezes for a few seconds, then comes back). Windows 3.1 wav playback and all other DOS games I've used on it work fine...unfortunate because it's a great card otherwise.
Interesting. I was able to play Jill of The Jungle using this card and it seemed to run fine, I actually recorded footage of it I just never ended up using it for time sake.
The robot introducing your sponsor, great😅 To these combo-cards, I think you nailed it: Annoying setup and wasted resources as modems won't be used anymore, but cheap alternative to their sound-only counterparts that are often overprized. I once had this Boca research Sound/Modem combo card with an OPTi chip and genuine OPL3. Sound quality and compatibility was all right. So .. why not give such a card a chance if you're on small money!
They can be frustrating to be sure! Honestly though cards like the PAS16 are a pain in the rump too. If you just want something to slam in the slot and work its hard to go wrong with an ISA SB16.
Thanks I try to make it interesting. I agree on your point as well. If you don't mind a bit of troubleshooting to get it going these sound awesome in my opinion!
I pulled something like this out of a friend's rusty old Packard Bell. I'm not even sure I knew about the setup utility. Thankfully I don't think I had any major problems with it. Will need to take another look as it's in a working exhibit at the moment.
When it works I think it sounds great, some games just don't like it though. This site is a good source of drivers and stuff for these Aztech cards: www.dosdays.co.uk/topics/Manufacturers/aztech.php
I had this card on my Pentium Packard bell. It had a very nice software wavetable. Computer bundled Duke Nukem 3d, and OST sounded so poweful with it + the srs speakers. I had to do a restoration with the master cd in order to get this card to properly work. It was so picky in drivers.
Had an IBM Aptiva M-series machine from 1995. This had the infamous MWave adapter, which was quite problematic. IBM marketed the MWave DSP heavily, with phrases such as “Aptiva’s two powerful processors-the Intel Pentium and MWave Digital Signal Processor” printed on the tri-fold. I think this was more of a cost-savings measure, and I remember Packard-Bell doing something similar. In MS-DOS mode, the card could be configured (with a utility called “fastcfg”) either as a 28.8 kbps modem and no sound, a 14.4 kbps modem with mono sound, no modem and stereo sound/FM synthesis, or no modem, stereo audio and MIDI wavetable support. The early DirectX days were the final straw, with no proper driver update for DirectX 5. Replaced it with a SB16 and a Diamond 56K modem. Goooood times. Fantastic content, by the way! Subscribed!!
@@AIM9XSW Yeah I had a run in with the Mwave in my latest video on IBM voicetype. I plan on covering it in more detail at some point, but in my short time testing it I was far from impressed. lol
Hi, awesome video all around, as always loved your sense of humor, the game choices was great to showcase the capabilities of the card and the video/sound quality was top notch! Thanks for letting us know about these cards I normally don't take a second look at.
I used and experimented with Aztech sound cards for a while. It was pain to configure these and find appropriate drivers in pure DOS. "Unisound" made this a lot easier for me (and fixed my PnP configuration issues!) but I was still not all that pleased with the quality of the amplifier on these cards, even if the emulation's decent and has a licensed OPL core.
I haven't messed with the Aztech drivers for my Sound Galaxy 16. I just create the SET BLASTER variable and feed it industry standards. It handles SB Pro and WSS like a champ. I love Aztech cards.
Yeah I kind of feel like the UNISOUND driver would have fixed all the problems I had with this card most likely, and the non-modem versions seem to fair much better as well. I will be testing more Aztech cards soon, they are still a great bang for the buck since nobody really seeks them out like they do Sound Blaster cards.
@@DOSStorm Me too! As a kid, I only ever had the demo and played those first six levels to mastery. I finally have an official full version and discovered several things in the process: * It has excellent FM music, great for a quick "is DOS sound working?" test. * It has some excellent worlds and gameplay, great for getting lost in the aforementioned sound test process. * It usually "just works" and thus is part of any default MS-DOS install while tinkering.
Interesting. I'm dealing with a similar issue with my PnP SB CT2940. Works fine in Windows, but pure DOS doesn't like it. I'm thinking it has to do with device overlap, specifically the onboard USB keyboard. I'd be interested in a deep dive of the IRQ conflict resolution - and any tips or applications to resolve it. Can the collective internet hive-mind finally resolve IRQ hell?
I have an HP Pavillion Pentium 3 system that has a PCI combo sound card modem with some sort of Rockwell chipset. Most of the sound card ports are on an auxiliary header. It came with a cable that goes in an unused slot. I just got it, I really need to test it in DOS see if I can get it to work there.
Drivers were always a PITA for these. I don't think I ever used one as a modem, even back when those were a thing. Just recently I had to get the drivers for another Aztec card I had - if there is a jumper to save settings or get them from EEPROM, make sure it's set to EEPROM otherwise it's read only.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who had issues with it. The EEPROM jumper is an interesting suggestion, although I thought I didn't see any jumpers on the board. I don't see super well though so maybe I'll check again.
@@DOSStorm The one I had was also steered by the EEPROM - not exactly PNP, but did require specific drivers to that card. I also had one with a SCSI interface, but it needed an optional IC to be put in - I have the IC in another card (needs unsoldering) but I don't think I want to savage it without getting the right drivers for the SCSI subsystem first. Anyways, if you find that your settings revert to default, def. it's not writing the update to the EEPROM.
an aztech 14.4+soundcard out of an old packard bell was my daily driver until someone gave me a soundblaster awe32. some 3 years i think. sounded fine for the time. no comparison to an awe32 though. not even a little bit.
Have you thought about giving SBEMU a test? Seen some pretty good results from that on laptops that only have HD Audio and such, and it sounds at least as good as DOSBox.
This looks similar to my AT6800W Aztech sound/modem combo. The reason 16bit sound doesn't work in DOS is the Aztech software doesn't properly initialize the Windows Sound System in DOS. Get the latest UNISOUND 0.80a or higher and run it with the /XWSS switch to initialize WSS in DOS. Note that WSS and SBPRO modes can not both be enabled at the same time.
Good tips! I will definitely try Unisound when I get the chance.
Ancient Aztechs strike again.
I bought this exact model of combo card about two years ago with the intent of using it in a Pentium build (still haven't gotten around to it). A big selling point for me was the dedicated Yamaha OPL chip; the photos on the ebay listing were clear enough for me to identify it. Anyway, glad to know it's a good SB clone.
I have another Aztech card of a similar configuration, without a modem, that I am using this in a 386sx build. I encountered the same issue with the Aztech test program not playing the digital audio correctly in DOS. Xargon / Jill of the Jungle have issues with the digital audio playback as well (computer freezes for a few seconds, then comes back). Windows 3.1 wav playback and all other DOS games I've used on it work fine...unfortunate because it's a great card otherwise.
Interesting. I was able to play Jill of The Jungle using this card and it seemed to run fine, I actually recorded footage of it I just never ended up using it for time sake.
The robot introducing your sponsor, great😅 To these combo-cards, I think you nailed it: Annoying setup and wasted resources as modems won't be used anymore, but cheap alternative to their sound-only counterparts that are often overprized. I once had this Boca research Sound/Modem combo card with an OPTi chip and genuine OPL3. Sound quality and compatibility was all right. So .. why not give such a card a chance if you're on small money!
I have often thought about getting the combo Sound Blaster modem cards but than I am like, nah... XD
They can be frustrating to be sure! Honestly though cards like the PAS16 are a pain in the rump too. If you just want something to slam in the slot and work its hard to go wrong with an ISA SB16.
Thanks I try to make it interesting. I agree on your point as well. If you don't mind a bit of troubleshooting to get it going these sound awesome in my opinion!
I pulled something like this out of a friend's rusty old Packard Bell. I'm not even sure I knew about the setup utility. Thankfully I don't think I had any major problems with it. Will need to take another look as it's in a working exhibit at the moment.
When it works I think it sounds great, some games just don't like it though. This site is a good source of drivers and stuff for these Aztech cards: www.dosdays.co.uk/topics/Manufacturers/aztech.php
Hey glad I found your channel, Love weird sound cards like this one. All I can say is well.. at least it had OPL3!
Thanks for your support! I'm always on the lookout for more weird ones, maybe I'll take a break from modem combo cards for a while though. XD
I had this card on my Pentium Packard bell. It had a very nice software wavetable.
Computer bundled Duke Nukem 3d, and OST sounded so poweful with it + the srs speakers. I had to do a restoration with the master cd in order to get this card to properly work. It was so picky in drivers.
0:24 A very chonky boy. Yes. Yes you are.
Had an IBM Aptiva M-series machine from 1995. This had the infamous MWave adapter, which was quite problematic. IBM marketed the MWave DSP heavily, with phrases such as “Aptiva’s two powerful processors-the Intel Pentium and MWave Digital Signal Processor” printed on the tri-fold. I think this was more of a cost-savings measure, and I remember Packard-Bell doing something similar. In MS-DOS mode, the card could be configured (with a utility called “fastcfg”) either as a 28.8 kbps modem and no sound, a 14.4 kbps modem with mono sound, no modem and stereo sound/FM synthesis, or no modem, stereo audio and MIDI wavetable support. The early DirectX days were the final straw, with no proper driver update for DirectX 5. Replaced it with a SB16 and a Diamond 56K modem. Goooood times. Fantastic content, by the way! Subscribed!!
@@AIM9XSW Yeah I had a run in with the Mwave in my latest video on IBM voicetype. I plan on covering it in more detail at some point, but in my short time testing it I was far from impressed. lol
Cuddos for making the pcb way ad watchable :-)
Hi, awesome video all around, as always loved your sense of humor, the game choices was great to showcase the capabilities of the card and the video/sound quality was top notch!
Thanks for letting us know about these cards I normally don't take a second look at.
I used and experimented with Aztech sound cards for a while. It was pain to configure these and find appropriate drivers in pure DOS. "Unisound" made this a lot easier for me (and fixed my PnP configuration issues!) but I was still not all that pleased with the quality of the amplifier on these cards, even if the emulation's decent and has a licensed OPL core.
Unisound looks awesome, I've never actually messed with it before! Thanks for the suggestion.
Great video! The advert was hilarious as well.
Thank you!
I haven't messed with the Aztech drivers for my Sound Galaxy 16. I just create the SET BLASTER variable and feed it industry standards. It handles SB Pro and WSS like a champ. I love Aztech cards.
Yeah I kind of feel like the UNISOUND driver would have fixed all the problems I had with this card most likely, and the non-modem versions seem to fair much better as well. I will be testing more Aztech cards soon, they are still a great bang for the buck since nobody really seeks them out like they do Sound Blaster cards.
Your Skyroads experience was captured perfectly. Great game, very unforgiving.
Haha you are the first one to notice that subtlety of this video. Love me some Skyroads though honestly!
@@DOSStorm Me too! As a kid, I only ever had the demo and played those first six levels to mastery. I finally have an official full version and discovered several things in the process:
* It has excellent FM music, great for a quick "is DOS sound working?" test.
* It has some excellent worlds and gameplay, great for getting lost in the aforementioned sound test process.
* It usually "just works" and thus is part of any default MS-DOS install while tinkering.
Interesting. I'm dealing with a similar issue with my PnP SB CT2940. Works fine in Windows, but pure DOS doesn't like it. I'm thinking it has to do with device overlap, specifically the onboard USB keyboard. I'd be interested in a deep dive of the IRQ conflict resolution - and any tips or applications to resolve it. Can the collective internet hive-mind finally resolve IRQ hell?
The problem is there are so many different possible hardware configurations and motherboards sometimes its really hard to figure out.
Did you only have sound issues with the card in Windows? MSDOS was fine though?
I tried both. Same issues with the same games on Windows or DOS.
I have an HP Pavillion Pentium 3 system that has a PCI combo sound card modem with some sort of Rockwell chipset. Most of the sound card ports are on an auxiliary header. It came with a cable that goes in an unused slot. I just got it, I really need to test it in DOS see if I can get it to work there.
Interesting. Is the sound chip on it made by Rockwell? Or does it use a Crystal or AD chip I wonder?
Drivers were always a PITA for these. I don't think I ever used one as a modem, even back when those were a thing. Just recently I had to get the drivers for another Aztec card I had - if there is a jumper to save settings or get them from EEPROM, make sure it's set to EEPROM otherwise it's read only.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who had issues with it. The EEPROM jumper is an interesting suggestion, although I thought I didn't see any jumpers on the board. I don't see super well though so maybe I'll check again.
@@DOSStorm The one I had was also steered by the EEPROM - not exactly PNP, but did require specific drivers to that card. I also had one with a SCSI interface, but it needed an optional IC to be put in - I have the IC in another card (needs unsoldering) but I don't think I want to savage it without getting the right drivers for the SCSI subsystem first.
Anyways, if you find that your settings revert to default, def. it's not writing the update to the EEPROM.
Skyroads, ahh yes, that used to drive me insane, still have one of these cards, as others have mentioned I too resorted to Unisound. 👍
I hate Skyroads, but I also love Skyroads. Great sounding game with a killer soundtrack either way.
an aztech 14.4+soundcard out of an old packard bell was my daily driver until someone gave me a soundblaster awe32. some 3 years i think. sounded fine for the time.
no comparison to an awe32 though. not even a little bit.
Yes, once you get it working it is a nice sounding card. A real Sound Blaster is of course better for a number of reasons.
Have you thought about giving SBEMU a test? Seen some pretty good results from that on laptops that only have HD Audio and such, and it sounds at least as good as DOSBox.
Its on my list! 😁
Can you please upload your drivers/utilities floppies for this card, to the Internet Archive?
PLSSS?!!
Modern sound cards are fine for DOS gaming, thanks to emulation and... wait... MODEM. OH.
Easy to misread. XD
LOL
PnP = Plug-n-Pray
i have only gotten my Aztech AZT2320 sound modem card working in DOS using UNISOUND. never on 3.1x or 95 or 98.
Unisound is definitely the way to go on this one! I wasn't really aware of its existence in this video.