FREMONT, CA -- October 1, 1993 -- Orchid Technology today announced the GameWave 32 multimedia entertainment sound card. The GameWave 32, like Orchid's SoundWave 32, is a DSP-based (digital signal processor) audio solution for IBM PC/ATs and compatibles. The $169.00 GameWave 32 allows cost-conscious users to experience 16-bit audio and advanced wavetable synthesis in all of their entertainment and multimedia software. According to Le Bui, president of Orchid Technology, "The GameWave 32 is geared towards the PC entertainment and games industry. It has the compatibility and features that this market demands, and provides the highest quality sound to the consumer, at the lowest possible cost."
The GameWave 32 is based upon the Analog Devices ADSP2115 digital signal processor (DSP). This advanced chip can process over 20 million instructions per second (20 MIPS), enabling the GameWave 32 to accurately emulate a wide number of sound and synthesizer architectures, including SoundBlaster, AdLib, General MIDI, Roland MPU-401 MIDI interface, and Roland MT-32 sound module. Since many games and entertainment software are developed on these platforms, support for these standards make the GameWave 32 one of the most compatible sound cards on the market. Additionally, the board's flexible architecture enables the user to switch between sound standards and to update to new sound standards without additional hardware.
A key feature of the GameWave 32 is its wavetable synthesis, with 1 megabyte of high-quality sound samples on-board. These samples are digital recordings of music instruments and effects, providing a higher degree of audio realism to the computer environment. Computer game enthusiasts can now enjoy "real" sounds and effects instead of "computerized" sound. The GameWave 32 also features dual CD-ROM interfaces for Orchid, Sony and Mitsumi CD-ROM drives. Interface connections include stereo speakers output and a line output for connecting the GameWave to a home stereo. A joystick port and MIDI interface are also on board.
Orchid Technology is a world-wide manufacturer of graphics, motherboards and multimedia products for the personal computer market.
* MIDI IN/OUT ports (MIDI Interface Kit sold separately)
SYNTHESIZER SPECIFICATIONS
SoundBlaster Mode
General MIDI Mode
* 1 megabyte wavetable ROM samples
* 24 simultaneous voices
MT-32 Mode
* Conforms to Roland MT-32 voice spec
* Up to 32 simultaneous voices
AUDIO SPECIFICATIONS
* 8-bit and 16-bit mono and stereo playback, from 2 kHz to 48 kHz
* S/N ratio: >85 dB
* Freq. Response: 20Hz - 22 kHz
COMBO-MODES
* SoundBlaster and MT-32 - Great for games and DOS entertainment.
* SoundBlaster and General MIDI - For games that don't support the MT-32 spec, and for Microsoft Windows applications
* MPU-401 and General MIDI - For use in music/recording applications.
HIGHLIGHTS
* DSP-based wavetable sound card.
* "Combo" modes allow the GameWave 32 to emulate multiple sound standards at the same time.
* Built-in CD-ROM interfaces (Sony and Mitsumi). Supports double speed and multi-session drives.
The GameWave 32 brings lively sound effects to CD titles like these!
* Gus Goes to Cybertown - an entertaining, education, edutainment title
* Video Movie Guide - a fabulous reference guide for movie buffs and video renters
* Day of the Tentacles - take a wild adventure with Lucas Arts' rampaging tentacle!
These titles are available with Orchid's multimedia upgrade kit.
HEADQUARTERS
Orchid Technology
45365 Northport Loop West
Fremont, California 94538
Tel: (510) 683-0300
800-7-ORCHID
Orchid France S.A.R.L.
Colombes, France
Tel: (3)-1-47 80 70 50
Orchid Technology GmbH
Meerbusch, Germany
Tel: 49 2132 80071
Orchid (Europe) Ltd.
Basingstoke, UK
Tel: 256-479898
Orchid and GameWave are trademarks of Orchid Technology. All other names are trademarks of their respective corporations. Specifications subject to change.