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1994-06-07
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Archive-name: PCsoundcards/aria/faq
Submitted-by: Daniel R. Tauritz
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Last-modified: 24-May-1994
Version: 0.21
=============================================================================
=== THE ARIA FAQ VERSION 0.21 ===
=== ===
=== Copyright 1994 Daniel R. Tauritz ===
=== Released on 24 May 1994 ===
=============================================================================
COPYRIGHT Distribution of this document by individuals for
non-commercial purposes is permitted. Commercial use of the
information contained requires the explicit permission of the
author. Parts of this document may be included in other
non-commercial works provided the author is acknowledged.
DISCLAIMER In no way is the author liable for any damage resulting from the
use of the information contained in this document.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
INDEX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 - INTRODUCTION
1.0 - Why this FAQ ?
1.1 - What's new !
2 - ARIA SOUNDCARDS
2.0 - Generally applicable information
2.1 - Brand specific information
2.2 - General Soundcard Comparison
3 - HOW TO HELP
3.0 - Current problems & investigations
3.1 - What YOU can do to HELP ! (This section includes the author's E-mail
address and must be considered the most
important paragraph!)
Appendix A: Reference list for other ARIA documents you want to know about
Appendix B: ARIA Software Developers Kit Information
Appendix C: How to contact ARIA soundcard manufacturers
=============================================================================
=== 1 - INTRODUCTION ===
=============================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.0 - Why this FAQ ?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This list is aimed at everyone who is in the market for a new soundcard,
already owns an ARIA soundcard, or wants to learn more about ARIA soundcards
in general. It focuses on hardware related ARIA information. See Appendix A
for other documents of interest. The ARIA Support List, by the same
author, for example focuses on software related ARIA information.
The ARIA family of soundcards is expanding rapidly and keeping track of the
differences between the many brands is one of the main features of this
document.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.1 - What's New !
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first major change is definitely the copyright notice, many thanks to
Gregory Bond who gave me advice on the wording, even though he kept telling
me he is not a lawyer. Further more I've added a paragraph comparing ARIA &
non-ARIA based soundcards, expanded some paragraphs and expanded the
appendices. But.....NOBODY sent in any info whatsoever.....this is supposed
to be a community project!
Further more this list is now being cross-posted to news.answers &
comp.answers which means that it is being archived in the usenet archives at
rtfm.mit.edu in the directory /pub/usenet-by-group/comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard.
=============================================================================
=== 2 - ARIA SOUNDCARDS ===
=============================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.0 - Generally applicable information
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
First of all, what is generally applicable for all ARIA soundcards? They all
use the ARIA chipset, but further than that I don't dare to go. So I'll give
some ARIA chipset specs here and wait till some of you contact me to let me
know what other information applies to all ARIA soundcards.
The ARIA chipset is comprised of a DSP chip - a modified 42 MHz TMS320C25 -
0.5 or 1.0 MB ROM for the storage of wavesamples, a bit of SRAM (which I
think is used for uploading DSP code) and the ARIA Interface Chip which
allows for DMA. It supports 32 simultaneous voices and is General MIDI
compliant with all patches defined by the General MIDI specification.
SoundBlaster and AdLib support is provided at the register level via the use
of DSP code.
I'm sure this section is going to expand greatly in the near
future. Please E-mail any insights you have to add.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.1 - Brand specific information
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Price=Lowest USA Street Price)
(ROM=# MB ROM)
(J: Marked->Jumperless)
(W=# years warantee)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Soundcard |Manufacturer |ROM|SCSI|J|W| $ |Store
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
AltraPro |AVM Technology |1.0| ? |?| |280|
Aria 16 |Prometheus |0.5| |x| |99 |Comp.City,CompUSA
Aria 16se |Prometheus |1.0| x |x|5|169|CompUSA
AudioBahn |Genoa Systems | | ? |?| | |
AudioBahn Listener|Genoa Systems | | ? |?| | |
AudioBahn 16 Pro |Genoa Systems |1.0| ? |?| |280|
Cyber Audio |? | | ? |?| | |
Omnivox |Kingston Technologies| | ? |?| | |
Sound 2000 |Add Tech | | ? |?| | |
Sound Pilot |Cardinal Technologies| | ? |?| | |
Sonic Sound (1) |Diamond |0.5| x |x|5|190|
Sonic Sound Pro(1)|Diamond |1.0| x |x|5| |
Sound Tower |? | | ? |?| | |
TESS |Zoltrix | | ? |?| | |
ViVa Maestro 16 |Computer Peripherals | | ? |?| | |
ViVa Maestro 16vr |Computer Peripherals | | ? |?| | |
VR |Alpha Systems | | ? |?| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1): Rev.A5 was not jumperless, but Rev.B2 is!
Comp.City=ComputerCity
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
As you can see this chart is far from complete. Please E-mail me the relevant
info on your ARIA soundcard. If you have suggestions for adding entries to
this chart, I'll be glad to hear them. Just for clarification, the estimated
street prices should reflect the lowest price for which a particular
ARIA soundcard is ALWAYS available. So a one time special is not of interest.
Also, it might be a good idea to include info on WHERE you can get a
particular soundcard for the lowest price. Please include this info with any
prices you E-mail me!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.2 - General Soundcard Comparison
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(ComputAbility prices in PC Magazine April 12, 1994, except for the cards
from Prometheus, see paragraph 2.1 for availability.)
(SB: SoundBlaster Compatibility in Hardware -> H
Software -> S)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Soundcard | Company | $ |SCSI| CHIPSET | DSP |SB|
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-> Category: Entertainment
SoundBlaster(SB) | Creative| 65| - | OPL-2 | - | H|
SB Pro | Creative| 85| - | OPL-3 | - | H|
Aria 16 | Prometheus| 99| - | ARIA |TMS320C25| H|
Pro Spectrum 16 Basic |MediaVision| 99| - | OPL-3 | - | H|
SB 16 | Creative| 99| - | OPL-3 | - | H|
SoundMan 16 | Logitech|105| - | OPL-3 | - | H|
-> Winner: Aria 16
-> Categories: Composition, Entertainment, MultiMedia
Pro Audio Spectrum 16 |MediaVision|129| - | OPL-3 | - | H|
GravisUltraSound(GUS) | Gravis|129| - | ICS-GF1 | S|
Pro Audio Studio 16 |MediaVision|155| x | PAS | - | H|
SB 16-CD | Creative|159| - | OPL-3 | - | H|
Aria 16se | Prometheus|169| x | ARIA |TMS320C25| H|
SoundGalaxyBasic16Extra|Aztech Labs|169| x | OPL-3 |AnalogDev| H|
MS Sound System 2.0 | MicroSoft|179| - | AD1848JP | - | H|
SB 16-SCSI-2 | Creative|179| x | OPL-3 | - | H|
-> Winners: Composition: GUS, Entertainment: Aria 16se, MultiMedia: Aria 16se
-> Category: High-End MultiMedia
SB 16-CD+ASP | Creative|195| | OPL-3 | CL-ASP | H|
SB 16-SCSI-2+ASP | Creative|209| x | OPL-3 | CL-ASP | H|
SonicSound | Diamond|215| x | ARIA |TMS320C25| H|
Soundwave 32 | Orchid|219| | ADSP-2115 |AnalogDev| H|
-> Winner: SonicSound
-> Category: Professional Audio
MultiSound Monterey |TurtleBeach|349| - |EmuProt.1XR|Motorola | -|
RAP-10 | Roland|489| - |SoundCanvas| Roland | -|
-> Winner: MultiSound Monterey
NOTE: This comparison chart is very incomplete in every imaginable way. It
was set up in an ARIA biased way, though always trying to be as
accurate as possible. The reason ARIA is a frequent winner is because
being SB compatible in hardware, having wavetable synthesis and
incorporating a DSP chip were considered to be the most important
factors. The author would appreciate receiving additions and/or error
reports, but does not ant to indulge in flame wars with for example GUS
owners over the relative merits of this comparison. It is merely
provided to present an overview of the many soundcards and the author
has deliberately chosen not to be complete which would make it much too
long and much too complicated.
=============================================================================
=== 3 - HOW TO HELP ===
=============================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.0 - Current problems & investigations
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lets start simple this time. This document is so incomplete at the moment
that there is no point in asking for specific info. Just send me anything that
you think should be included!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.1 - What YOU can do to HELP !
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you know more about one of the problems mentioned in paragraph 3.0 or can
add insights not yet included in this document, then please E-mail the
information to:
tauritz@stpc.wi.leidenuniv.nl
and hopefully it will be included in the next update of this document!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix A: Reference list for other ARIA documents you want to know about
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Document | Internet site (Anonymous FTP)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aria FAQ by Daniel R. Tauritz | rtfm.mit.edu:/pub/usenet-by-group/
| comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard/The_Aria_FAQ_v0.21
Aria Support List by | rtfm.mit.edu:/pub/usenet-by-group/
Daniel R. Tauritz | comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard/
| The_ARIA_Support_List_v2.02
comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard FAQ | rtfm.mit.edu:/pub/usenet-by-group/
| comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard/c.s.i.p.s_F
Generic Soundcard FAQ | rtfm.mit.edu:/pub/usenet/generic-faq
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix B: ARIA Software Developers Kit Information
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aria Software Developers Kit Price List
---------------------------------------
Aria Synthesizer Software Developers Kit (SSDK) with Aria Card $300
The SSDK consists of an Aria Synthesizer sound card with
the Aria Listener speech recognition option, all end-user
software including the Aria Listener Voice Macro program
plus the Aria Synthesizer Software Developers Kit
documentation, sample driver source code in both C and
assembly language and the synthesizer patch bank editor.
Aria Synthesizer Software Developers Kit (SSDK) w/o Aria Card $100
This is the same as the SSDK above, but without Aria Card.
Aria Listener Software Developers Kit (LSDK) with Aria Card $400
The LSDK consists of the SSDK with Aria card plus the
Aria Listener API and API documentation, the Aria
Vocabulary Development system and documentation and
the Aria Listener Good Listener Cookbook. Additionally
the LSDK includes 90 days of telephone support.
Aria Listener Software Developers Kit (LSDK) w/o Aria Card $200
This is the same as the LSDK above, but without Aria Card.
Aria Listener Software Developers Kit (LSDK) upgrade $100
This kit includes all of the software and documentation for
the LSDK, but does not include the Aria card or the SSDK
software and documentation. This kit includes Aria
Listener API and API documentation, the Aria Vocabulary
Development system and documentation and the Aria Listener
Good Listener Cookbook. Additionally the LSDK includes
90 days of telephone support. This kit is intended to upgrade
a SSDK to a LSDK.
If you are interested in purchasing one of these kits, please contact
Sierra's Customer Support group at 408-263-9300.
SIERRA SEMICONDUCTOR
2075 North Capitol Avenue
San Jose, California 95132
Phone: (408)263-9300
Fax : (408)263-3337
Aria Software Developers Kit Conditions of Purchase
---------------------------------------------------
- There are no royalties involved.
- You can write a driver for an Aria based board using the materials included
in the kits. You may distribute your driver as Public Domain or Shareware.
You may distribute your driver's source code only if the majority of the
source code is of your own creation, not simply copied from the development
kit.
- For ordering please provide purchase order number. All orders are shipped
COD, or you may charge on VISA or MASTERCARD. Please reference your phone
and fax number so Sierra can reach you, should they have any questions.
To order one of the above mentioned kits fill in the following order entry
form completely, with a notice that you found it in the ARIA FAQ, Copyright
1994 by Daniel R. Tauritz, and fax it to 408-263-3337.
Order Entry Form
----------------
--------------------------------- CUT ---------------------------------------
ARIA SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT KIT - ORDER FORM
(From the ARIA FAQ maintained by Daniel R. Tauritz)
COMPANY NAME : Order Date :
Contact Person: Ship Via :
Address : Date Shipped:
Telephone : Fax #:
SHIP TO: BILL TO:
__________________________________ ______________________________________
__________________________________ ______________________________________
__________________________________ ______________________________________
__________________________________ ______________________________________
__________________________________ ______________________________________
SSC PART NO. DESCRIPTION QTY PRICE TOTAL
_________________ ____________________ ________ _________ _________
Customer Request Data Sierra Commit Data
_____________________ _____________________________
=============================================================================
PAYMENT TERMS:
P.O.#____________________________
Credit Card Name__________________________________________
Card #_________________________________________/Exp.Data__________________
C.O.D.______________________________________ C.I.A.____________________
Ship Via____________________________________ Shipping Charges______________
SierraContact________________________________________ Date___________________
--------------------------------- CUT ---------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix C: How to contact ARIA soundcard manufacturers
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alpha Systems Lab Inc.
2361 McGaw Av.
Irvine, CA 92714, U.S.A.
(800) 998-3883
(714) 252-0117
(714) 252-0887
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
AVM Technology Inc.
655 East 9800 South
Sandy, UT 84070, U.S.A.
(800) 880-0041
(801) 571-0967
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cardinal Technologies Inc.
1827 Freedom Rd.
Lancaster, PA 17601, U.S.A.
General: (717)293-3000
Customer service: (717)293-3049
FAX: (717)293-3055
BBS: (717)293-3043
Tech Support: (717)293-3124, 9-5 EST Mon.-Fri.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Computer Peripherals Inc.
67 Rancho Conejo
Newbury Park, CA 91320, U.S.A.
(800) 854-7600 (Sales Department)
(805) 499-5751
(805) 499-6021 (Technical Support)
Computer Peripherals BBS (+1 805 499 9646, FYI)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diamond Computer Systems, Inc.
1130 East Arques Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94086, U.S.A.
Phone: 408-736-2000
Fax : 408-730-5750
Technical Support (E-mail)
CompuServe : 75300,3673
America OnLine: GO DIAMOND
Internet : 75300.3673@compuserve.com
Software Updates
CompuServe : GO GRAPHBVEN
Diamond BBS: (408) 730-1100 (2400 Baud)
(408) 524-9301 (9600+ Baud)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Genoa Systems Corp.
75 East Trimble Rd.
San Jose, CA 95131, U.S.A.
(800) 934-3662
(408) 432-9090
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prometheus
Technical Support: (503) 692-9601
BBS : (503) 691-5199
E-mail : CompuServe 76004,527
America Online Promethean
Internet 76004.527@compuserve.com
=============================================================================
=== Greetings to all ARIA soundcard owners from ===
=== Daniel R. Tauritz (tauritz@stpc.wi.leidenuniv.nl) ===
=== and hoping to hear from you soon! ===
=============================================================================