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SOUND BLASTER DIGEST Number 10 September 1991 Edition. A newsletter for Sound Blaster Enthusiasts. Edited and Published by Brad Barclay. Made possible by the contributions of Sound Blaster users. /\ ____________________________ / \/\ \ / \ ____________________________ \ / \ / \/ \ / \/ TABLE OF CONTENTS: ================== Title: Page: ------ ----- From the Desk of the Editor................1 From the Desk of the Assistant Editor......2 The SBD Mailbag............................3 Commercial Review: Castles.................4 Shareware Review: Voice Blaster............5 Subscriptions..............................6 Commercial Review: Breach 2................6 Want-Ads...................................7 BBS Registration...........................7 Commercial Review: Secret of Monkey Island.8 Included Files.............................9 Shareware Authors!.........................9 Advertisements............................10 Commercial Review: Dragon's Lair II......10 SBD Registered BBS's......................11 Commercial Review: The SBP Software......12 Wrapping it Up............................13 Want-Ads..................................14 Forms: ----- SBD Subscription Form.....................15 SBD BBS Registration Form.................16 SBD Advertisement Order Form..............17 SBD Want-Ads Order Form...................18 Copyright (c) 1991 WAFFER! Productions. Editor: Brad Barclay Assistant Editors: Todd Clayton Karen O'Hearn Page 1 FROM THE DESK OF THE EDITOR: =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Well, it's September, and it's just about time for millions of people around the world to go back to school. It's also time for the next Sound Blaster Digest, as you can plainly see, and we have finally reached the double-digit marker! Yay! And so to start off, a bit of bad news: to all of our readers who have sent mail recently, and to all of our subscribers, we must apologise for mailing delays. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has gone on strike, thus leaving mail hanging in the balance. Nearly nothing is getting through either way (sending or receiving), and this is causing me major problems. I feel really bad for those companies that run solely on letter mail here in Canada: at least I have my favourite electronic medium to send through! Anyhow, back to better things. Last month's SBD did not receive as much response as I had expected, probably mostly due to the postal strike. But what we did get was very good on the most part, and so we hope that you enjoy what we have for you this month. Also, for the first time ever, the SBD is proud to present a .CMF file of a recent song! All of our past songs we have released came out of our 'oldie-but-goodie' files, but this month will change that. Hope you enjoy it: it is a fairly simple piece, and I could have added more to it, but I thought it more beautiful the way it is presented here. In the works for next month: an included .NST song for our readers who use TrakBlaster, ScreamTracker or Tetra instead of our normal .CMF songfile, more articles and reviews, and everything else you have learned to expect from the SBD. I hope you enjoy this month's issue as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you! Page 2 FROM THE DESK OF THE ASSISTANT EDITOR: =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= By Todd Clayton, Assistant Editor. Well, it's that time of the month again folks! Its 3 AM on a Monday morning and I have to work in 12 hours. Oh well, my modem is calling me, so no sleep once again for me... At any rate, you're probably wondering what I'm going to babble about THIS month, so I'll get right down to it. I spent a week out of this past month in Florida on (supposed) vacation. Little did I know that this would turn out to be a learning experience in the soundcard area. Whilst visiting with relatives, I happened upon a computer software and hardware retail outlet called "Egghead Software" in Clearwater. With a few bucks in my pocket, I decided to check out this place, and see what I could get at cheap-o American prices, and help destroy my countries economy. Whilst looking through the game rack for something that supports my lousy 8 Mhz CGA machine, I came across the SOUNDBLASTER and SOUNDBLASTER PRO cards. Just for the sake of curiosity, I looked at the price tags. $200 FOR A SOUNDBLASTER CARD??? $300 FOR A PRO CARD??? Quite shocked, I decided to look into this, and after purchasing a game, I went out to look for more sales outlets. Each one I went to had the cards at outrageous prices. Annoyed, I went back to the Egghead Software store, and talked with a sales clerk. Luckily, I speak fluent SB Jargon, but pretended to play stupid. Being a long-hair with ripped jeans, it isn't hard to look the part. He explained that it would give me amazing sound, and it was well worth the price. When I confronted him with the fact that it was about $50 overpriced, he simply shrugged and said that their company policy was to charge all that the consumers could bear. Disgusted with this, I left. Although I found some amazing deals on 386 equipment, I was generally miffed at the whole sales approach. "We know you want it, so you come to us" just doesn't cut it with me. Whatever happened to USER FRIENDLY SALES INTERFACES? (Editor's Note: The original Sound Blaster card is available in Canada for around $150 CDN (or about $130 US). Some things are cheaper at home...) Page 3 THE SBD MAILBAG: =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Well, as explained earlier, the SBD mailbag has been practically empty this past month, in part due to the CUPW (Canadian Union of Postal Workers) strike that has been on for more than a week now. But there has still been sufficient to be able to include this section of the SBD in this month's issue. First off, here's the main explanation of why this section is here. In the past 10 months, we here at the SBD have been flooded with mail: both more then ever originally expected, and more than we can handle! Much of this mail is long and tedious to go through, with people sending disks and requesting programs, people sending disks with their programs on, and even some people just sending disks with no letter or label, on a diskette format I have to get converted! I have one such disk right now, and until I can get someone with a 3.5" HD drive to convert this disk over to 5.25" DSDD disks, I have no idea why this was sent. Add to this the relative cost of stamps: if we replied to all mail we received, we would go quickly broke! So, in this section we are going to attempt to write small and short replies to those common readers questions for the past month or so, too small to merit an article of their own, and too many to warrant mailing a reply to each and every person who writes in. Within the past month, scores of people have been asking us about an upgrade offer for the Sound Blaster Pro. Sadly, to our knowledge such an offer does not currently exist. But as details of offers can change quickly, it would probably be best to contact Creative Labs and ask them yourself about an upgrade offer. To contact Creative Labs, you can write or call them at: CREATIVE LABS INC. 2050 Duane Avenue Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA Phone: (408) 986-1461 Fax: (408) 986-1777 Next, about our mail itself: we are way behind in most of the replies. Our Subscribers get first priority, and getting all those disks ready does take a fair amount of time (with making labels for the disk and for mailing, making the original copy diskette and then copying it to all the other disks takes a lot of time! And then I have to do it all over again for the 3.5" subscriptions and then get them sent out to be converted. Anybody with an extra 3.5" diskette drive they'd like to donate? It would be worth a years subscription to me!). Even this has been a problem for us, though when it comes to the 3.5" disk subscriptions: those subscribers out there who are awaiting disks in 3.5" format: none of you have been forgotten! Our last disk-converter lost all my distribution disks I had sent him, and thus they never got sent out! Thus I've had to make new 3.5" disk masters, and find someone new to convert them over from my 5.25" format. This has been done, and this week I'll be getting all of them converted and sent in one large bulk package (for some this extends for a couple of months!), Postal strike willing. Page 4 \ / ___\/___ Live and on the Now in stereo! || air from Toronto! /||\ Experience the difference of: || The Musical Chair ==== at 1000's of Adlib and SB music files ====== (416) 724-6018 50 gaming doors online ==== 7 mail networks (incl. Usenet!) || _______ 5 lines! 1 crazy and caring sysop || |.. . ..| HST & V.32bis! || |.......| _____ Megs of new files daily!!!! ______|| | ... . | |.... | ||\ |. .....|___| ....| Around the clock..... Sky || \ |... . .|.. |... .| Around the world..... Dome || \|... . .|...|.....| Around the bend..... |||| |.......| ..|.... | |||||| |... ...|. .|. ...| The M sical Chai ...724-6018 ||||||||| ..... | . |. . .| ||||||||||.... ..|...|.. ..| What's missing? U R! Now with CD Rom files! We are the music file supplier to CARRS! More files! We're the home of THE SOUND BLASTER DIGEST too! -------------------- COMMERCIAL REVIEW: CASTLES =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Written by Mike Fandel Castles is a game for the more inexperienced role-player. It has very good graphics, but the war scenes are a little lacking. The Sound Blaster support is not the greatest, but it's pretty good. I think this game was extremely overrated in the magazines. As one magazine said "You only limited by your imagination," which is very untrue. I would recommend this game to an unexperienced role-player, but an experienced one will get bored with it quickly. Ratings: ------- [-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10] Graphics: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Sound Blaster Support: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Originality: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Playability: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Enjoyment: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX Value: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Overall: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Page 5 SOUND BLASTER CARD in support of ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓▓▓▓▓▒▓▓▓▓▓▒▓▓▓▓▓▒▓▓▓▓▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓▓▒▓▓▒▒▒▒▒▒░│ S ·▐│▒▓▒▓▒▓▒▓▒▒░░░░░▒░░░░░▒░░░░░▒░░░░░▓▓▒▓▓▒▓▓▒▒░░▒░░■■■■▒░│ U │▒▓░▓░▓░▓░▓▓▓▓▓▒▓▓▓▓▓▒▓▓▓▓▓▒▓▓▓▓▓▒▓▓░▓▓░▓▓░▓▓▒▓▓▒▓▒▓▒▒░│ P · ■▌▒▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░░░░░▒░░░░░▒░░░░░▒░░░░░▒░░▒░░▒░░▒░░▒░░▒░▒░▒░│ E ■▌▒▓▒▓▒▓▒▓▒▓▓▓▓▓▒▓▓▓▓▓▒▓▓▓▓▓▒▓▓▓▓▓▒▓▓▒▓▓▒▓▒▒▓▓▒▓▓▒▓▒▓▒▒░│ R · └░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░┘ ■· SONIC..··■ ▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌ S Sound and Optics Net for IBM Computers ······ O ···OFFICIAL S/BLASTER DISTRIBUTION······· 1-(416)-225-8942 N ■ ╔═══════════════════════════════════╗ I ··■ ·····▐ ······· ║┌───────────┐ Brian & Brent Bourne ║ C ·· ▐▌▐▐ ■·····║│▌▌▌▌▌██████│······················║ · ──────────▐───▐ ────── ║│███████████│ ▄▄▄▄▄ SUPER ▄ ║ B ───■──────▐▌─■─▐ ────── ║│█████ ▄▄▄▄▄│ █▄▄▄▄ ▄▄▄ ▄▄▄ ▄ ▄▄▄ ║ B ··─────────▐▌───▐ ───■── ║│█████ █████│ ▄▄▄▄█ █▄█ █ █ █ █▄▄ ║ S ────────▐▌──▐▌■ ──── ║└───────────┘···········BBS········║ ·────── ▄▐▌─ ▌──────── ╚═══════════════════════════════════╝ ···· ▄████░▐▌ ▀■■■ ··· ULTRA LIST DISTRIBUTION SITE ■ ████▓░▐ ····· FIDO NET ■ ▀░░░░▀ ■ HOME OF THE SONIC NET ■ SPECIALIZING IN ADLIB/BLASTER FILES OFFICIAL SBD DISTRIBUTION SITE! -------------------- SHAREWARE REVIEW: VOICE BLASTER =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Written by Brad Barclay. To start this review off simply, Voice Blaster doesn't do anything new out of all the SB software you probably already have. But it is a piece of software that nearly every Sound Blaster user should have in his or her library. Voice Blaster is a utility that allows one to record and play .VOC files, and to play .CMF files. Most of us already have numerous pieces of software to do this. But the thing that sets this program aside from all the others is it's user interface. After only a minute of playing with it I could see that this utility was really user friendly, something that a lot of Shareware programs try to do but fail. With it's easy windows-oriented interface and it's mouse support even the new Sound Blaster user can start playing songs and recording their own voices immediately. It requires no setup, and can be run right after download without having to read any document files first. Although none of the current features is new to the SB world, the fact that they are all in one easy to use interface is enough to warrant its necessity to nearly every SB user, especially those new users who don't want to start off with a more complicated program or programs to do the same things. Future features include a voice file joining program out of the same interface, and a file 'trimmer'. Once these features are implemented, they could easily bring this program right out into the forefront of Sound Blaster software. Something also needed for a future edition would be support for Sound Blaster Pro stereo input/output. Page 6 All in all I rate this program a must for both the casual SB user, and the more technical user. I know it will be a part of my SB library for a long time to come. -------------------- SUBSCRIPTIONS: =-=-=-=-=-=-= Having a hard time finding the newest copy of the SBD on your favourite local BBS? Why not consider a SBD subscription? A subscription entitles you to 12 great issues, one a month, packed full of SB and SB Pro news and reviews. Subscribers also get special bonus files not available anywhere else, plus special offers on software and support! Nowhere else can you find this sort of deal for your Sound Blaster needs. Subscriptions make great gifts also! If you'd like to send a gift subscription with a special 'First Issue' message, just send that message along with your subscription form filled out to the receiver of the subscription, and it will be sent along with their first disk! Simply fill out the attached form, and enclose the required amount...it's that easy! ** EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to the postal situation currently in Canada, there is a very good chance that mail sent could get held up for a few weeks, or even worse, lost. Due to this we recommend only sending cheque or money order, payable in Canadian funds. We will not be responsible for any mail we do not receive. Let's hope there is a settlement on this issue soon. -------------------- SHAREWARE REVIEW: BREACH 2 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Written by Mike Fandel Breach 2 is a wargame set into the future, which is not the most original thing I've seen before, but this game has something to it that just makes it better. The graphics are a little better than average, and the Sound Blaster support is excellent. With the Sound Blaster you hear the long deep sound of the laser rifles or the short high pitched sound of the laser pistols. This has got to be one of my top games I've played, and I've played a lot of games. This might not be a brand new game, but a game doesn't have to be new to be good. Ratings: ------- [-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10] Graphics: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Sound Blaster support XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Playability: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Enjoyment: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Value: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Overall: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Page 7 WANT-ADS: =-=-=-=-= Interested in meeting or getting to know other Sound Blaster users in your area? Wanting to trade Shareware and PD software abroad? Then why not try a WANT-AD in the SBD? It's only $1 CDN per month, and at that sort of price everyone can afford to buy one! Just fill out the included WANT-ADS form, and include a cheque or money order for the correct number of months you wish to have your want-ad published, and mail it to us! Advertisements for new software, hardware, or BBS's are exempt from using the WANT-ADS: please use one of our other services for these. The editor reserves the right to edit or refuse any want- ad. -------------------- For all your SOUND BLASTER needs, call the ▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒ ▒▒ ▒▒ ▒▒ ▒▒ ▒▒ ▒▒ ▒▒ ▒▒▒ ▒▒▒ ▒▒ ▒▒▒ ▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒ ▒▒ ▒▒ ▒▒ ▒▒ ▒▒▒ ▒▒▒ ▒▒ ▒▒ ▒▒ ▒▒ ▒▒ ▒▒ B B S Warndon, Worcester, England. 10 Lines, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Serving the Worcester area for the past 10 years. (0905)754151 -------------------- BBS REGISTRATION: =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Run a BBS? Does it have support for Sound Blaster users in the way of files or message areas? Then why not advertise this by becoming an SBD Registered BBS? Registered BBS's get placed on our BBS list which is read by thousands of people every month! Once your number is in, it's there until you decide to take it out. And best of all: it only costs as much as the cost of a stamp! Just fill out the BBS REGISTRATION form and send it to us. And if you include a cheque for $10 CDN plus a pre-registration name and password, we'll be sure to call your BBS and upload the next available SBD for you, before any other BBS gets it! Page 8 COMMERCIAL REVIEW: THE SECRET OF MONKEY'S ISLAND =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Written by Sheldon Itscovich In the Secret Of Monkey Island, you play the role of Guybrish Threepwood, a young man who has just hit the shores of Melee Island (somewhere in the Caribbean). Our naive hero's travels have led him to Melee Island in a quest to fulfil his life's ambition .... To become a fierce, swashbuckling, bloodthirsty Pirate. Unbeknown to Guybrush, however, there have been some strange happenings in the area surrounding Melee Island and the more mysterious Monkey Island. As he walks into this maelstrom of mystery, Guybrush will soon be very aware that things are not what they appear to be. He learns that even bloodthirsty pirates can be scared, and that there's more to being a pirate than swinging a sword and drinking grog! Here's where you come in ..... You direct the actions of Guybrush as he first explores Melee Island and then ventures on to Monkey Island. On Melee Island, Guybrush will have to prove himself worthy of becoming a pirate by completing THE THREE TRIALS. Though the course of completing these trials, you and Guybrush will learn much about pirate life and the local folklore. But don't be surprised if you find that some of the people you meet seem rather anachronistic! If this is your first computer adventure game, be prepared for an entertaining challenge. Be patient, even if it takes a while to figure out some of the puzzles. If you get stuck, you might need to solve another puzzle first or find and use an object. But hang in there and use your imagination, and you will guide Guybrush to discover ..... The Secret of Monkey Island! Ratings: -------- [-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10] Playability: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Complexity: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Sound Support: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX FM Support: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Graphics: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Overall Rating: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Page 9 INCLUDED FILE(S): =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= This month's included files are as follows: IDOIT4U.CMF: No, not 'Idiot For You' as both of my Assistant Editors have pointed out, but '(Everything I Do) I Do it for You', from the movie "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves". It's a fairly simple piece, and I could have made it more complex, but I felt that it sounded much better in this simple form. This one has a special dedication attached to it: see Wrapping it Up. SUBSCR.TXT: This file, sent to Subscribers only, is a small sub- newsletter telling you, the subscriber, about special offers available only to subscribers. Interested in becoming a Subscriber? Read page 6 for information on how to become a subscriber. WHALE.VOC: Once again, a file for Subscribers only. This is a digitized voice file of a single whale-song note, but recorded at 22.05Khz in stereo on a Sound Blaster Pro. A Pro card will be necessary to play this soundfile. SURVEY.TXT: SBD Readers Survey Form. -------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | You Are Invited To Call: STAR-LINK NETWORK BBS - (718) 972-6099 | |---------------------------------------------------------------------| | Multi-Line Access (9 Access Lines - 15 Coming Soon) | | 3/12/24/9600/14.4K Baud Support (V32/V42/MNP5/HST/HAYES) | | 3.0 Gigabytes of On-line Storage (3000 Megabytes) | | More then 80,000 Files for Your PC, AT, PS/1 & PS/2 to Download | | On-Line CD-ROM w/Complete PC-SIG Program Library (1400 Disks Worth) | | 129 Active Conferences Areas - Member of ILink International Echo | | On-line Edition of USA TODAY Newspaper - CB Simulator - 24 Hour FAX | | 60 On-line Doors - Running On FAST LAN - PC Pursuit - Subscriptions | |---------------------------------------------------------------------| | STAR-LINK NETWORK BBS has been featured in such publications as | | Personal Computing, Computer Shopper, PC Computing and PC Magazine. | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- #################### Dial (718) 972-6099 ##################### -------------------- SOFTWARE AUTHORS! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Have you written a new game, utility or other program that supports the Sound Blaster or Sound Blaster Pro cards? By sending a copy (preferably registered) to us, you can get quick and cheap advertising in the SBD by allowing us to review the program for you! Space permitting, we'll publish our review of your program in the SBD, and send you, the author, a personal letter containing our thoughts and recommendations for your program! And it only costs you the price of the necessary disks and postage! Page 10 ADVERTISEMENTS: =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Do you run a BBS? Have you written a piece of software? Do you write custom music? If so, you may be interested in an advertisement in the SBD. Thousands of SOUND BLASTER users read the SBD every month, and many even have it delivered right to their door. So if you give some sort of special support to those people who use the SOUND BLASTER, advertising in the SBD would be the logical choice! Due to the effectiveness of our advertising for our past and present advertisers, and the volume of people who have expressed interest in doing so, it has become necessary to increase our advertising rates for certain types of advertising. The rates are now as follows: Number of lines: Cost: --------------- ---- 0 - 5 $3 / Month 6 - 10 $5 / Month 11 - 20 $7 / Month 21 - 40 $10 / Month 41 - 60 $15 / Month Lines are limited to a maximum of 80 columns. All costs are in Canadian dollars. These rate changes will not effect those advertisers who have mailed in their cheques and advertisements before August 1st 1991. -------------------- COMMERCIAL REVIEW: DRAGON'S LIAR II =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Written by Mike Fandel Dragon's Lair II is one of the BEST Sound Blaster game I've ever played. It's has lots of voice input instead of just music like most other Sound Blaster games. The plot of the game is the standard "Save the Princess", but the VGA Graphics make up for this downpoint. It is one the most challenging games I've ever played, because like Space Ace there is a certain path you must take. After a little practice though you will be able to conquer this spectacular game. I give this game good rating not because of the VGA graphics or the Sound Blaster support, but the combination of the two makes the game. Ratings: ------- [-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10] Graphics: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Sound Blaster support: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Originality: XXXXXXXXXX Playability: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX Enjoyment: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Value: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Overall: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Page 11 SBD REGISTERED BBS'S: =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= SYSTEM NAME PHONE NUMBER CITY/PROVINCE/STATE SYSOP'S NAME =========== ============ =================== ============ Acme Music BBS (519)822-0896 Guelph, Ontario Ken Green Another Paradise BBS +358-73-892790 Lehmo, Finland Jani Makinen Arkon BBS (416)593-7460 Toronto, Ontario Jacky Lee Assignment: Earth (919)434-8664 Trinity, NC Alan Rothberg Beltway Bandits (703)764-9297 Alexandria, VA W. Maden Comm. Potential (714)688-2658 Riverside, CA Dale Jonasson Computer Connection (08)326-2388 Christies Bch, Austr. Vicki Crawford Data Dimention (404)921-1186 Atlanta Georgia Ricky Lacy Dead End BBS (703)821-7544 McLean, VA Jeff Bisson Default Account +34-5-4644682 Sevilla, Spain Juan Acosta Electronic Age (703)620-0851 Fairfax, VA M. Benson Friends & Family (214)250-7697 Dallas, Texas Jim Neargarder Gollum's Corner (404)992-1309 Marietta, GA Sean Neese House of Ichthys (305)360-2991 Deerfield Beach, FL Leonzo Miller Jim's Dream (202)581-1422 Washington, DC Jim Walls Lynzie's Motherboard (808)989-3875 California -- Unknown -- Max BBS (0905) 754151 Worcester, England Jon Brooks Message Center BBS (805)489-1966 Arroyo Grande, CA Jim Tinlin Micron Firefly (816)324-3148 Savannah, MO Brad Taliaferro Musical Chair (416)724-6018 Toronto, Ontario Jeff Woods MusicBox BBS +31-5490-70319 Almelo, Netherlands Edwig Knol My Apartment BBS (214)350-2139 Dallas, TX Chris Lebeck Nat. PC and MIDI... (708)593-8703 Chicago, IL Duane Antor New Frontier Info. (708)566-6183 Mundelein, IL Scott Yaskin Open Access BBS +47 61 97304 Reinsvoll, Norway Erik Leirdal Point of Know Return (602)867-0488 Phoenix Arizona Dan Sarber << Prism BBS (914)344-0350 Middletown, NY Janis Kracht Punkin Duster BBS (714)522-3980 Buena Park, CA Dave Ludwig Radio Station BBS (519)471-3245 London, Ontario Tim Ingram REMJEM On-Line BBS (703)503-9410 Fairfax, VA Bob Mason Runnin' with the Wind +39-363-302798 Treviglio, Italy R. Sonzogni Running Board (301)229-5342 Bethesda, MD Bonnie Anthony Satellite TV BBS (713)623-4899 Bellaire, TX Jim Dolan Snarf's Music Studio (708)290-9993 Arlington Hgts., IL Colin Crisanti Stages Remote Access (416)468-2046 Niagara, Ontario Mathew Gordon Star-Link Network BBS (718)972-6099 Brooklyn, NY Michael Keylin Super SONIC BBS (416)225-8942 Willowdale, Ontario Brian Bourne Sword Quest (309)383-4048 Metamora, IL Mike Fandel The Doghouse BBS (713)422-3146 Baytown, TX Ray Cramer The Double AAce (214)606-0703 Grand Praire, Texas Mike Hutchkins The Helping Hand (606)387-4002 Albany, KY Duane Bristow The HUB (703)685-0019 Alexandria, VA I. Towers The Oasis (815)498-3077 Sandwich, IL Chris Dodd The Picture Express (512)666-4842 San Antonio, TX David Steward Trolls & Tribulations (703)263-0827 Herndon, VA Robert Derbek United States Connect (708)679-1279 Skokie, IL James Lopez VCR-BBS (513)253-0543 Dayton, OH Calvin Yu VGER Control (714)371-4789 Corona, CA Bob Altenburger Wellcomm BBS +396 3700492 Rome, Italy P. Zerbini Why Not RBBS (213)436-1311 Long Beach, CA David Scott Wolverine BBS (517)695-9952 Midland, MI Rick Rosinski Page 12 COMMERCIAL REVIEW: THE SOUND BLASTER PRO SOFTWARE PACKAGE =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Written by Robbie Wilkes In addition to the new hardware attributes of the Sound Blaster Pro (see Sound Blaster Digest #7), there is going to be some major software additions. The following is taken from a flier provided by the folks at Creative Labs: SB VOICE EDITOR - VEDIT is a powerful program that supports stereo recording, compression and editing of voice files of unlimited size. It displays the waveform with zooming and allows cut-and-paste. It creates echo and reverb. It can also insert marker and repeat commands. Playback of the voice files in background is possible using the utilities. FM INTELLIGENT ORGAN - This powerful, easy to use organ software lets you play and learn to play orchestra-like music using only ONE finger on your PC keyboard. Background accompaniments and rhythms are added automatically. No music knowledge required. And now play from your MIDI keyboard too. SBTALKER - A high value memory resident module that makes your computer talk directly from ASCII text supplied. It speaks English from an unlimited vocabulary dictionary. SBTALKER comes with the inscrutable DR. SBAITSO AI software. Consult DR. SBAITSO about any of your problems and hear him replay to you. Loads of Fun. MIDI SEQUENCER SP JR - SP JR includes all of the essential features you'll need to create serious music compositions. More importantly, it offers a wide range of options so that you won't lose interest! In fact, SpJr's extensive list of features includes many of those found in the "Pro" versions of other programs. CD MUSIC PLAYER - Control the playing of standard compact disk with CD-ROM drive. Program comes with a full-feature control panel - Play, Next/Last Track, Pause, Fast-Forward, Rewind and Stop. MMPLAY PRESENTATION - MMplay integrates graphic animations with the sound capabilities of SB Pro: FM Music, Digitized Voice and CD Audio. This utility supports synchronization, fading and mixing. Page 13 WRAPPING IT UP... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Well, that's it for another issue of the SBD. Please, if you have not sent in the Readers Survey Form, then please take the time to do so now. It is important that we get as many of these as possible so that we know what it is you would like to see more of, how you feel about us, plus it registers your vote for the Best SB Software of 1991, the results of which to be published in the January 1992 issue of the SBD. Thanks go out to the following this month: Alex Lemon gets the biggest thanks here for sending over the excellent ATI EGA WONDER card I am now running off of, allowing me to run many of the greatest SB and SB Pro programs, such as the Sound Blaster Pro Voice Editor, which in turn has improved all the digitized samples I have stored on my hard drive! Also, a dedication: Karen, everything I have done this past seven months, I have done for you. Here's to the next seven... About the mail: please do not mail me disks requesting me to copy various files! As much as I'd love to do this, I am already backed up in my mail, and these requests slow down the process even further. Hey, I only write the magazine! If you'd like to know where to get software, I can provide you with that information, but please don't send blank disks! If you'd like to write or call us, here's where you can reach us: THE SOUND BLASTER DIGEST c/o Brad Barclay 36 Sutter Ave. Brampton, Ontario CANADA L6Z 1G7 Phone: (416) 846-5599 The phone number is a voice line, so please do not call up with your modem! Also, please call between 4:00 PM and 10:00 PM Eastern Time! I have received phone calls early in the morning and past midnight, and this is annoying to both myself and everyone else in the house. So check for time-zone differences! Also, for those of you who would like to quickly download the SBD at the first of the month, and who wish to keep long-distance charges down, there are two BBS's which offer special access for calling and downloading the SBD automatically, without having to sign up. They are: THE MUSICAL CHAIR SUPER SONIC BBS ----------------- --------------- Name: SB DIGEST SB DIGEST Password: MUSICAL SONIC Please see the ads for these two systems above. Thanks for reading this month! Page 14 WANT-ADS: =-=-=-=-= ------------------------------------------------------------------ Sound Blaster contacts to swap/create files Call 0905 754151 BBS, 0860 891893 Voice, 0905 755017 (Fax) or write/mail disk to Jon Brooks 39 Tetbury Drive, Warndon, Worcester, WR4 9LG England ------------------------------------------------------------------ Page 15 SOUND BLASTER DIGEST SUBSCRIPTION FORM ====================================== Please enclose a cheque or money order (sorry, I don't accept any major or minor credit cards) for $25 CDN for Canadian orders, or $25 US for American orders. Overseas enclose $30 Canadian funds, payable on a Canadian bank. Please fill out all the spaces provided (except where marked optional), and mail it to the address below. MAKE CHEQUE/MONEY ORDER PAYABLE TO BRAD BARCLAY! NAME:_____________________________ MAILING ADDRESS: Street address:_____________________________ City, Province/State:_______________________ Country, Postal/ZIP Code:___________________ PHONE NUMBER (don't forget the area code!):___________________ DISKETTE TYPE: (check one): _ _ <_> 5.25" <_> 3.5" OPTIONAL: Please fill this out if possible. Age:____________ Sound Blaster version:_______________ Occupation:________________ Most frequently called BBS (name only):__________________ COMMENTS: Please fill this out also! How would you rate THE SOUND BLASTER DIGEST (circle one): POOR FAIR GOOD EXCELLENT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Please mail this form, along with any additional comments to: SOUND BLASTER DIGEST c/o Brad Barclay 36 Sutter ave. Brampton, Ontario CANADA. L6Z 1G7 Page 16 SOUND BLASTER DIGEST BBS REGISTRATION ===================================== This is a free service of THE SOUND BLASTER DIGEST, intended to allow greater access to Sound Blaster files. Please fill out all blanks (except where marked optional), and send to the address below: LIST INFORMATION: Name of BBS:____________________________________________ Sysop's Name:___________________________________________ City, Province/State:___________________________________ Phone Number (remember the area code!):_________________ Min/Max Transmission speed:_____________________________ OTHER INFORMATION: Although not included in the BBS listing, this information is important for our records. How long has the BBS been running:_________________________ Do you have a Music/Sound Card conference, message area, or file area set aside?:______________________________________ Does your BBS support Sound Blaster files?:________________ Anything else you can think of to say that would show off your BBS, please write it down here: ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Mail this form, along with any extra comments to: SOUND BLASTER DIGEST c/o Brad Barclay 36 Sutter Ave. Brampton, Ontario CANADA. L6Z 1G7 Page 17 SOUND BLASTER DIGEST ADVERTISEMENT ORDER FORM ============================================= Please fill out this form, and mail it, along with a cheque for the correct amount (please see the chart included in this issue) according to the length of your ad, along with an ASCII only, typed copy of your ad, and mail it to the address below. PLEASE MAKE CHEQUE/MONEY ORDER PAYABLE TO BRAD BARCLAY! NAME:_____________________________ MAILING ADDRESS: Street address:_____________________________ City, Province/State:_______________________ Country, Postal/ZIP Code:___________________ PHONE NUMBER (don't forget the area code!):___________________ BEST TIMES AVAILABLE:_________________________________________ Please mail this form, along with your cheque and a copy of the ad as described above, along with any other comments to: SOUND BLASTER DIGEST c/o Brad Barclay 36 Sutter ave. Brampton, Ontario CANADA. L6Z 1G7 Page 18 SOUND BLASTER DIGEST WANT-ADS ORDER FORM ======================================== Please fill out this form and enclose a cheque or money order payable on a Canadian bank for $1 CDN per month of publication, and mail it to the address below. BE SURE TO MAKE THE CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER PAYABLE TO BRAD BARCLAY! NAME:_____________________________ MAILING ADDRESS: Street address:_____________________________ City, Province/State:_______________________ Country, Postal/ZIP Code:___________________ PHONE NUMBER (don't forget the area code!):___________________ YOUR WANT-AD: Please write what you'd like your ad to read in the lines below. No more then 80 characters (including spaces) per line, 5 lines maximum. Letter, numerical and punctuation marks only. Uppercase and lower case will be in the SBD as you write them below. English only, and please print! _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Please mail this form, along with any additional comments to: SOUND BLASTER DIGEST c/o Brad Barclay 36 Sutter Ave. Brampton, Ontario CANADA L6Z 1G7