Ad-Lib Sound Card for the Parallel Port

The 8-Bit Guy18 minutes read

The Covox Speech Thing clone using the Yamaha YM3812 chip enhances sound for DOS gaming on a 486 laptop, with detailed assembly instructions provided. Adlib music on games like Lemmings can be improved with the OPL2LPT sound card, but some older games require patching to bypass compatibility limitations with a 386 processor.

Insights

  • The Covox Speech Thing clone, utilizing the Yamaha YM3812 chip, enhances sound on a 486 laptop for DOS gaming, offering detailed assembly instructions and component explanations for soldering techniques and orientation.
  • Adlib cards, crucial for improved sound in DOS games like Lemmings and supported by Sierra, require a 386 processor due to driver constraints, but patching games to write to port 378 can overcome compatibility limitations with older machines and some 1990s games.

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Recent questions

  • What is the purpose of the Covox Speech Thing clone?

    To enable sound on a 486 laptop for DOS gaming.

  • How does the OPL2LPT product utilize the Yamaha YM3812 chip?

    The OPL2LPT product uses the Yamaha YM3812 chip for sound.

  • What components are mounted on the board of the Covox Speech Thing clone?

    Various components like resistors, capacitors, and LEDs are mounted on the board.

  • How does the Ad-Lib card enhance the music in DOS games like Lemmings?

    The Ad-Lib card enhances Adlib music in DOS games like Lemmings.

  • What is the significance of the reset switch in the Covox Speech Thing clone?

    The reset switch is crucial for powering the synthesizer chip externally.

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Summary

00:00

"DIY Sound Card Enhances DOS Gaming"

  • The Covox Speech Thing clone allows sound on a 486 laptop for DOS gaming.
  • The creator proposed adding an Adlib to a similar parallel card.
  • The Yamaha YM3812 chip is used in the assembly of the card.
  • Detailed instructions and labeled components aid in the assembly process.
  • Soldering techniques and component orientation are explained during assembly.
  • The reset switch is crucial for powering the synthesizer chip externally.
  • Various components like resistors, capacitors, and LEDs are mounted on the board.
  • The OPL2LPT product utilizes the Yamaha YM3812 chip for sound.
  • DOS games require a driver to redirect port writes for the parallel port setup.
  • The Adlib music on DOS games like Lemmings is enhanced with the OPL2LPT sound card.

12:58

Ad-Lib Card: Music in Retro Gaming

  • Atomino is a game with excellent musical scores across different versions like Amiga, DOS, and Commodore 64.
  • Ultima 6 plays music through Ad-Lib and sound effects through PC-Speaker.
  • Sierra supported Ad-Lib card on their games, utilizing it effectively.
  • Ad-Lib card can handle digital samples but requires CPU work, like PC Speaker.
  • Some games from the 1980s work flawlessly with the Ad-Lib card, but Tetris Classic plays slowly due to tempo issues.
  • The Ad-Lib driver necessitates a 386 processor, limiting compatibility with older machines and some 1990s games; patching games to write to port 378 can bypass this limitation.
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