What is the best AWE32? \ VOGONS (2024)

Rankl33t

This is a good article about the different revisions:

http://nerdlypleasures.blogspot.no/2012/07/so … 64-options.html

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vetz wrote:

This is a good article about the different revisions:

http://nerdlypleasures.blogspot.no/2012/07/so … 64-options.html

Also refer to this link: http://www.vogonswiki.com/index.php/Hanging_note_bug
and this post: which model No. /revisions of the AWE32 are actually the best?

I think that your best options would either be the CT2760, CT3900 (both non PnP) or CT3980 (PnP). It just depends on whether you want to set up hardware settings with jumpers or, whether you're comfortable with setting up everything in software via the Plug and Play configuration manager.
I bought a CT3980 last year for myself since I'm comfortable and familiar with setting up PnP cards in DOS.
These particular models (especially the non PnP ones) are becoming scarce. So, expect to pay a hefty price for one.

Just take note of the following:
These are full length cards so, you need to make sure you have a case that it will fit into.

My CT3980 (I've read about similar problems with other Sound Blaster 16/AWE32's) has the "crackling" sound in both DOS and Windows.
The way around it is to just disable your high DMA channel (usually channel 5).
In Windows, you have to manually override your SB16 device manager settings (untick the automatic option) and choose an option that does not have the high DMA channel specified (in my Windows 98 installation, it was basic configuration 0004).

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I prefer the CT3980. Easy to configure, very good overall quality.
Has a "3D" sound feature which also adds noise to the output when activated. But one can disable the "3D" sound feature with a AWEUTIL parameter in the autoexec.bat. With the 3D features disabled, the CT3980 it is a very quiet card. Other models (earlier, for example the initial CT2760) are noisier.
I'd recommend a card with genuine OPL3 circuit, so a CT2760, CT3900, CT3910, CT3980 would come into consideration.
I'd avoid the CT3990 - it doesn't have the Yamaha OPL3 synth but Creatives own CQM synthesis which sounds noticable different from the Yamaha original.

If you don't care about true Yamaha FM sound you can buy the CT3670. This card is a SB32 PnP and routes the CQM FM sound through the EMU8000 - like the AWE cards do. This means you can also use Reverb / Chorus for the FM sound. This quiet card also has a Hanging Notes Bug FREE DSP (4.16) so it is a good choice for external midi devices. However, other good AWE cards with DSP 4.13 are not very prone to the Hanging Notes Bug either.

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FGB wrote:

If you don't care about true Yamaha FM sound you can buy the CT3670. This card is a SB32 PnP and routes the CQM FM sound through the EMU8000 - like the AWE cards do. This means you can also use Reverb / Chorus for the FM sound. This quiet card also has a Hanging Notes Bug FREE DSP (4.16) so it is a good choice for external midi devices. However, other good AWE cards with DSP 4.13 are not very prone to the Hanging Notes Bug either.

Great card! It was the most popular Sound Blaster in Russia, perhaps even the most popular Creative ISA sound card over here. I only wish it had a WT header.

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jesolo wrote:

Just take note of the following:
These are full length cards so, you need to make sure you have a case that it will fit into.

That seems to be an urban myth. AWE32 cards are not full length. In fact they are about 1 cm too short to be full length. This is a bad design since they can not be attached with a standard handle for full length cards in cases that support it.

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Rankl33t

FGB wrote:

Yeah, sure. But the CT3670 has 2 SIMM slot which makes RAM expansion much more easier. With relatively easy to get 4MB Simms one can load very good sounding 8MB soundfonts in Windows.
I also find the CT3670 quieter than the CT4500 / 4520.

That is true and the fact that most AWE32 models have the Waveblaster connector.

Fortunately, I was able to obtain the simmcon memory expansion module for my AWE64, which then makes memory upgrades much easier. You can then upgrade your memory with a standard 72-pin simm.

Rankl33t

elianda wrote:

jesolo wrote:

Just take note of the following:
These are full length cards so, you need to make sure you have a case that it will fit into.

That seems to be an urban myth. AWE32 cards are not full length. In fact they are about 1 cm too short to be full length. This is a bad design since they can not be attached with a standard handle for full length cards in cases that support it.

True, what I was actually trying to convey is that an AWE32 will not always fit into a standard case.

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FGB wrote:

Yeah, sure. But the CT3670 has 2 SIMM slot which makes RAM expansion much more easier. With relatively easy to get 4MB Simms one can load very good sounding 8MB soundfonts in Windows.
I also find the CT3670 quieter than the CT4500 / 4520.

- With a SIMMCONN and a cheap 32MB 72 pin SIMM module, you can upgrade our AWE64 as easily, if not easier. 😎
- OWC computing still sells new 16MB 30 pin SIMM modules for an acceptable price, if you need 32MB on your AWE32. 😈

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