Ultrasound Daily Digest     Sat Jun 19 00:40     Volume 4: Issue  19  

Today's Topics:
					   AIL and Strike Commander
			   be aware of cache challenges on floppies
						 day of the tentacle
				  DISK IN ITALY!!! some questions...
							Disk shippings
							Disks in S.A.
				   Got 2.06/How to install quickly 
					   GUSAIL96 - BUGS (2 msgs)
						GUSAIL96 BUG!!! READ!!
			   GUS and Windows NT; 2.06 disks in Europe
			  GUS disks received in Ontario, last week!
						   Help with F15 II
						 Lost Registration...
					   MOD files in Windoze.. 
			 More X-Wing (but wait! this is a solution!)
								 OS/2
						   os/2 2.x and gus
				  RELEASE OF AIL/DIGPAK FOR (2 msgs)
				  Samples and Midi, an idea for Dave
				sampling noise- does it happen to you?
					  To the person in Italy...
					  ULTRASOUND DAILY DIGEST V
					Ultrasound Daily Digest V4 #18
						  Xwing (once more)
			   XWING, Excellent MID/WAV player for Win

Standard Info:
	- Meta-info about the GUS can be found at the end of the Digest.
	- Before you ask a question, please READ THE FAQ.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1993 21:22:23 -0700
From: Eric N. Liao <liaoe@aero.org>
Subject: AIL and Strike Commander
Message-ID: <199306190422.AA25815@aerospace.aero.org>

Congratulations and cheers, Gravis for your AIL drivers.

So far, I've tried (v0.96B) with the Ultima Underworld demo (03/92), and it
works fine if I turn off sound-effects.  For some reason, if I have sound
effects enabled, the music will cut-in and cut-out (as if someone was yanking
on my speaker cables.)

Now for my main question...is there a way to make it work with Strike
Commander?

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 93 14:45:37 EDT
From: rjw@genrad.com (Rod J. Wittmier)
Subject: be aware of cache challenges on floppies
Message-ID: <9306181845.AA17832@animal.genrad.com>

  I was asked (thanks DDA) to let you know of the challenges one
may find if they use cache software on a floppy.   Since the typical
cache software does a delayed write-back of data to the drive be
aware that you need to work differently.  The challenges that
follow do apply to hard drives as well as floppies.  Even with
these challenges the improvement in performance that a cache
gives you is well worth it, if you're aware of the challenges.

  With cache turned on you will notice the DOS prompt return before
the files are completely written out (i.e., COPY *.BAT B:).   If
you watch the disk activity light it will come on, go off and later
come back on when the cache does its final write.

  Here are the things to do to protect yourself from data loss
on drives that are cached:

	o If copying files to cached drive, don't shut off the
	  computer until the cache is written to the disk.  
  
	  I typically shut off the cache for that drive (SMARTDRV B-)
	  or issue a flush command to write all data in the cache to
	  all drives (SMARTDRV /C).   I have a batch called OFF
	  that does a SMARTDRV /C and then says "OK to power off".

	o Don't remove the floppy until the cache is emptied.
	  Again do a flush or just wait 10 seconds or so.

  Hope this helps you to avoid data loss to cached drives.  Please
note that I didn't invent the cache software so 

	"Don't Shoot The Messanger"

				Rod Wittmier

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1993 15:43:44 -0500
From: "A. Jeff" <eleeas7@Menudo.UH.EDU>
Subject: day of the tentacle
Message-ID: <199306182043.AA28117@Menudo.UH.EDU>

Has anyone found out how to prevent day of the tentacle from locking up?

It has prince of persia - like symptoms, it goes a while perfectly and
then locks up, but it locks at different points in the intro.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 93 09:40:52 EDT
From: dulimart@cps.msu.edu
Subject: DISK IN ITALY!!! some questions...
Message-ID: <9306181340.AA22346@calumet.cps.msu.edu>

   Date: Thu, 17 Jun 93 10:52:42 METDST
   From: matteo ugolini <ugolim@dsi.unimi.it>


   I've read the little booklet with the GRAVIS offers for the registred
   GUS users.  I' dont understand what mean "2 256k for 15$".

	 1st impression: 2 chips of 128kb each (total 256kb) for a total of
			 15$ (no shipping included).

No.

	 2nd impression: 2 chips of 256Kb each (total 512kb) for a total of
			 15$ (idem).

Yes.

   But the sockets carry 128kb chips (my 256kb board has only 2 chips), so...

Each socket carries 256k nibbles (a nibble = 4 bits).  When you put two
memory chips in one bank you have 256k bytes on that bank. 

   Can anybody tell my how much should I pay for upgrade my GUS from 256kb to
   1Mb? (shipping not included).

I guess you have to pay $45.

Hans.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1993 09:53:43 -0400 (EDT)
From: elminstr@hudlink.hoboken.nj.us (J.J. Pierson)
Subject: Disk shippings
Message-ID: <94ec6B1w165w@hudlink.hoboken.nj.us>

For all you people who haven't got your Ultrasound update disks yet, you 
might want to call Gravis. I never recieved mine when my friend already 
did so I called. I've had my Gravis since it came out and it turns out 
they never recieved my registration card. (I sent it out the day after I 
got my Ultrasound.) Now I actually have to send in the UPC symbol from my 
Ultrasound box (I lost the reciept from the store. If you have that use 
that instead). So I'll have to wait for that to get to Gravis. Wait for 
processing time, then wait for the disks to get to me. Anybody have the 
address for Gravis? I don't want to send it to the adress in my manuals 
because my last card didn'y get to them.

---
J.J. Pierson               Internet EMail: elminstr@hudlink.hoboken.nj.us
							Prodigy Email: TVFF82B

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 93 14:40:22 GMT+0200
From: Walter Prins <prins@cs.sun.ac.za>
Subject: Disks in S.A.
Message-ID: <9306181240.AA11285@itu1.sun.ac.za>

Hi, I just thought I'd join the chorus of 'Disks received' and say that
the update disks have actually reached South Africa as well.  Well done
Gravis.  I'm mighty pleased as well.  I'll have to wait until next week
to try the things out though... :(

(Just BTW Fiddling with all the SBOS'es and stuff, I've found that in
general SBOS 1.20 or 1.22 still *works* the best and almost always
sounds pretty good, and in some cases SBOS 2.04/2.08 (I prefer 2.04)
sounds better but does not work with so many programs. Almost all proggies
I have that doesn't like the 2.x versions like the 1.2x versions.)

Ciao.

------------
Walter Prins                                  Email: prins@cs.sun.ac.za
Third year Computer Science                          prins@itu.sun.ac.za
University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. 

   'So little done, so much to do'
							-- Cecil John Rhodes

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 93 12:54:06 -0400
From: "Momentary language, sexual situations" <dantonio@magick.tay2.dec.com>
Subject: Re: Got 2.06/How to install quickly 
Message-ID: <9306181654.AA21728@magick.tay2.dec.com>

>   From Windows the \ultrasnd\winsetup utility starts but gives me
> an error about not being able to change directories (doesn't say
> what directory) and exits.  Somehow the SYSTEM.INI file got updated
> though.

WINSETUP consistently failed for me, mostly because it couldn't find my
system.ini and win.ini. After John Smith pointed me to the winsetup.inf
file, I found where it searches for these files and got it to display the
results. It finds the partition where WINDOWS lives, but not the directory
and file name. So I had to do it by hand which was totally trivial.

Re: Caching floppy drives.

Be VERY careful when you cache floppies that you don't end up write-caching
them with any kind of writeback delay. SMARTDRV normally does delayed
writes to the disk which can cause all kinds of havoc, since most folks are
in the habit of just turning the PC off when they are done. So files get
corrupted, etc. Well, even more folks are in the habit of yanking out the
floppy when they get the DOS prompt back. So if you do cache a floppy (and
it's generally a good idea to cache reads), don't set it up for write
caching...

DDA

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 93 16:43:07 
From: john.smith@gravis.com
Subject: GUSAIL96 - BUGS
Message-ID: <9306181643.A7022wk@gravis.com>

We have found two bugs in GUS AIL V0.96.  Both of which are being worked
on but won't be available until Monday.  Here is what they are:

1) If you try to load ULTRAMID with -C and you have 512K on your
   UltraSound card you will get an 'eror on patch load' msg.  Because
   the 512K library is the same as the 768K one.  We are redoing
   ULTRAMID.INI so that the 512K library will properly fit.

2) If your program has digital audio that is cut off half way
   through ULTRAMID may screw up.  From that point on you'll only
   hear a pop when digital audio is to be played.

Both problems are being fixed.  You can expect a GUS AIL V.97 on Monday.
Have a good weekend.

John
---
 ~ QMPro 1.02 05-8925 ~ Soon To Be A Major Motion Picture.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 93 16:43:05 
From: john.smith@gravis.com
Subject: GUSAIL96 - BUGS
Message-ID: <9306181643.A6998wk@gravis.com>

We have found two bugs in GUS AIL V0.96.  Both of which are being worked
on but won't be available until Monday.  Here is what they are:

1) If you try to load ULTRAMID with -C and you have 512K on your
   UltraSound card you will get an 'eror on patch load' msg.  Because
   the 512K library is the same as the 768K one.  We are redoing
   ULTRAMID.INI so that the 512K library will properly fit.

2) If your program has digital audio that is cut off half way
   through ULTRAMID may screw up.  From that point on you'll only
   hear a pop when digital audio is to be played.

Both problems are being fixed.  You can expect a GUS AIL V.97 on Monday.
Have a good weekend.

John
---
 ~ QMPro 1.02 05-8925 ~ Soon To Be A Major Motion Picture.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 93 16:29:09 
From: john.smith@gravis.com
Subject: GUSAIL96 BUG!!! READ!!
Message-ID: <9306181629.A6992wk@gravis.com>

I am trying to fix this problem right now.  But it looks like the -C will only
work if you have 1Mb on the UltraSound card.  If you have 256K, 512K or 768K
you WILL get an "error on patch load" error msg.  There is nothing you can do
about this right now.  I am trying to come up with a new ULTRAMID.INI file.  

John "Why does this always happen at the last minute" Smith

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1993 15:38:26 MET
From: John Vernooij <J.Vernooij@earth.ruu.nl>
Subject: GUS and Windows NT; 2.06 disks in Europe
Message-ID: <MAILQUEUE-101.930618153826.448@buro.earth.ruu.nl>

Hi there,

I bought my GUS in December '92 and have been reading this digest 
ever since, but although I might be wrong, I can't remember seeing 
anything about a GUS related to (beta-) Windows NT.
Lately I've read some reviews about Windows NT and that made me 
wonder if it would be possible to use a GUS with NT (if I decide I like it; 
please don't send me messages about how much better OS/2 is, I'm 
not interested in that discussion). My knowledge about NT is still 
limited but I suppose that you can't use the Windows 3.1 driver for the 
GUS with NT.
I also read that Microsoft will be shipping (when they start shipping) 
NT with drivers for various third party-cards (including soundcards), 
but if the one you need is not included you'll have to depend on your 
manufacturer.
So, does anyone know if a GUS-driver is included (or maybe not 
necessary) with NT and, if not, is Gravis doing something about it?

And now for something completely different: did anyone in Europe 
who, like me, send their registration card as instructed to Logitech in 
Switzerland, already receive the 2.06 disks? It's obvious: I didn't and 
although I FTP'd the 2.06L disks, I would like to receive the additional 
Recording Studio and Powerchords software.

Greetings,
John Vernooij


+ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- + -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- + 
| J.C.A. Vernooij            |  voice +31 (0)30 53 50 17        |
| Universiteit Utrecht       |    fax +31 (0)30 53 50 30        |
| Faculty of Earth Sciences  | e-mail j.vernooij@earth.ruu.nl   |
| The Netherlands            |                                  |
+ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- + -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- +

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1993 10:43:48 -0400
From: "Stephan F. Jou" <g1pary@cdf.toronto.edu>
Subject: GUS disks received in Ontario, last week!
Message-ID: <93Jun18.104355edt.31173@marvin.cdf.toronto.edu>

Fellow Red Card Worshipers:

To be fair to Canada Post, I wanted to mention that I DID indeed receive the
Gravis disks in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada late last week!  Rest assured
that Gravis has not forgotten you!  Perhaps it is just, as it should be, that
Canada Post loves delivering to Scarborough more than any other place in
Canada.  :-)

Patience, Canadians!

StEpHaN!
---
Stephan F. Jou         | "The very fact that we remain alive is almost beyond
g1pary@cdf.toronto.edu | our control ... Thus, the human being is actually an
					   | automaton, and the fact that we are sensing, feeling,
					   | and knowledgeable  beings is part of  this automatic
					   | sequence of life..."                  - A. C. Guyton

------------------------------

Date: 18 Jun 93 11:50 -0700
From: Thomas Wong <twong@civil.ubc.ca>
Subject: Help with F15 II
Message-ID: <3681*twong@civil.ubc.ca>

We have a fellow in our dept who just bought an Ultrasound. And of course
as luck would have it, the only game that he's ever owned is F15 Strike
Eagle II.... version 451.05. And it doesn't seem to work with the GUS.
We've tried all the -o and -x parameters and no go. Not a good into
for GUS. The game would go through the setup screen and then stuck.
Blank screen and nothing. Or, we get a "adlib board no found". Has
anyone got it to work? The readme/faq files only talk about f15 I
or F15 III, nothing on II. Thanks in advance.


Thomas.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 93 06:40:51 -0700
From: parkerw@CS.UCLA.EDU (Parker Waechter)
Subject: Lost Registration...
Message-ID: <9306181340.AA04204@lanai.cs.ucla.edu>

For those of you (like me) who have not received your disks yet...You may
want to call gravis...

I was wondering why it was taking so long, and so I called the 800 # to ask
when I could expect them etc.  It turns out that they have no record of 
receiving my reg card.  *sigh*.  So now I need to send them a piece of
the box or something to prove I own it.  Jeez.

Did this happen to anyone else?

--
Parker B. Waechter                  UCLA Biocybernetics Lab
parkerw@cs.ucla.edu                 4731 Boelter Hall
							Los Angeles, Ca.
							90024-1596

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 93 13:14:16 -0400
From: "Momentary language, sexual situations" <dantonio@magick.tay2.dec.com>
Subject: Re: MOD files in Windoze.. 
Message-ID: <9306181714.AA21799@magick.tay2.dec.com>

> There already is...WinMod Pro. It is a bit flakey with some mods, but this is
> not a problem with the GUS, it is a problem with the implementation of the
> ProTracker bit.Sometimes a MOD will cause the program to have an application
> error. It won't happen very often, but when it does, the MOD is probably the
> cause of the problem. Make sure you choose "Stereo" from the menu, otherwise it
> will sound like a normal SoundBLaster.

I believe this is due to the fact that SOME MODs are in 15 instrument
format whereas most are in 31 instrument format. UltraMOD also won't play
MODs in 15 instrument format. And, of course, my "test MOD" was a 15
instrument format MOD so I thought that UltraMOD was broken for a long
time...

DDA

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 93 18:51:15 +0100
From: zccaj19@ucl.ac.uk (Mr Stefan Magdalinski)
Subject: More X-Wing (but wait! this is a solution!)
Message-ID: <9306181751.AA87786@link-1.ts.bcc.ac.uk>

2 posts in one day!! I'm being greedy...
Stuart Yoshida writes:
>* X-Wing only works in Adlib mode (that sucks!).
>
> * I'd like to get X-Wing working in Soundblaster mode to get the music
>  *AND* digitized sounds.

>* Here are my settings: MIDI IRQ    7
			  GF1 IRQ    11
			  DMA In      1
			  DMA Out     1
What's your base port address? I had the same problem until I
reset the base port to 220h. Then it worked fine. 
P.S. Has anyone else noticed that if you shoot the two nobbly
things on a Star Destroyer's Bridge, the shields collapse. Nice
touch that, just like Return of the Jedi.

Stefan Magdalinski,
"The Games People Play by Vladimir Djura, 29th August - 4th
September, Roman Eagle Lodge, Edinburgh Fringe Festival ,
Scotland" A Plug!! 

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1993 08:24:28 -0700
From: jakub@eskimo.com (Jake Cholewczynski)
Subject: OS/2
Message-ID: <199306181524.AA17912@eskimo.com>

	I am about to switch to OS/2, just wondering if anyone knows when thedrivers are coming out...

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 17 Jun 93 23:32:43 GMT
From: thomasvk@blackhl.hacktic.nl (Thomas van Kuipers)
Subject: os/2 2.x and gus
Message-ID: <9sqq6B11w165w@blackhl.hacktic.nl>

Is there anybody who has the GUS windows drivers working in os/2 2.x 
winos/2 3.1? I can get winos/2 in enhanced mode (and it's working very 
good with matimatica - uses much processor power and memory). I'll get 
the message like: not in enhanced or not good or so.

Thanks,

Thomas.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 93 12:18:06 
From: john.smith@gravis.com
Subject: RELEASE OF AIL/DIGPAK FOR
Message-ID: <9306181218.A6913wk@gravis.com>

Gravis has released the long awaited AIL/DIGPAK/MIDPAK drivers.  They
are currently at V0.96 and are still in Beta.  We have been using them
for well over a month and should have worked out all major bugs.  What
follows is a description of these drivers and a list of places you may
download them at.

John Smith - SysOp Advanced Gravis

PS: The 7th Guest sounds REAL hot with these drivers

1.1.0 Audio Interface Libraries (AIL) - MIDPAK/DIGPAK
	  ===============================================

 The Audio Interface Libraries (AIL), (we know them as "Miles" Drivers)
 and DIGPAK are a set of interface drivers which enable software
 developers (mainly game developers) to integrate sound capabilities
 into their programs.  Once a developer has integrated his program into
 the AIL drivers the application will work with all sound cards on the
 market who provide AIL drivers. The AIL's provide support for MIDI as
 well as the Digital Sound interface of an audio card. These library
 drivers allow the developers to use UltraSound's wavetable synthesizer
 and allow them to utilize the UltraSound's digital interface to play 8
 or 16 bit audio in either mono or stereo mode.

 Advanced Gravis & FORTE have recently designed and released to Miles
 Design and The Audio Solution Inc. the AIL and DIGPAK routines for the
 UltraSound card which provide the mechanism for developers to easily
 intergrate with, and use UltraSound's features.  Developers who have
 the AIL's and/or DIGPAK can get the driver updates and intergrate
 their programs into the UltraSound.  The AIL/DIGPAK updates will also
 be available through the Advaced Gravis BBS or any of our nodes.
 Please refer to GRAVNODE.TXT for a complete list. Developers who do
 not have the AILs can get them from Miles Design and/or DIGPAK from
 The Audio Solution Inc.

 Developers who want to take full advantage of UltraSound's advanced
 features; and do not want to pay either Miles Design or The Audio
 Solution Inc. license fees, Advanced Gravis and FORTE have a stand
 alone driver as well.  These drivers use a Terminate and Stay
 Resident (TSR) utility called UltraMID.  Developers utilizing this
 TSR are able to do digital playback at 8 or 16 bits up to 44.1kHz
 sample rate.  Also, this allows programmers to use all of the
 UltraSound's 32 digital voices as well as the superior wavetable
 synthesizer.

 These drivers are another level of support for the UltraSound card
 developers.  Both the AIL and DIGPAK interfaces provide a means
 for programmers to easily design software for many sound cards using
 only one API while Advanced Gravis/FORTE's stand alone TSR allows
 developers to take advantage of UltraSound's more advanced features.


.                        Authorized Gravis BBS Nodes List
.                                    as of
.                                June 16, 1993
.
Name                    Location           Node No.    BBS Phone No.   Speed
=============================================================================
Advanced Gravis         Burnaby, Canada   *1:153/978   (604) 431-5927  V32bis
.                                         *13:900/3
.                                         *88:8101/105
.                                         %gravis.com
Deep Cove BBS           White Rock, Canada 1:153/915   (604) 536-5859  DS
MIDI 1040               Vancouver, Canada  1:153/7040  (604) 732-4446  V32bis
Infinite Dreams         Vancouver, Canada  1:153/7042  (604) 733-6432  DS
.                                                      (604) 733-8193  HST
WolfPack                Richmond, Canada   1:153/811   (604) 275-3047  DS
T-8000 Info. System     Calgary, Canada    1:134/160   (403) 246-4487  V32bis
Download Dungeon        Ontario, Canada    1:229/318   (705) 749-3233  V32bis
Super Sonic             Ontario, Canada    1:250/722   (416) 225-2872  2400
.                                                      (416) 225-8942  DS
QWERTY                  Quebec, Canada     1:167/625   (514) 473-9357  V32bis
Data Bank BBS           Pennsylvania, USA  1:273/316   (215) 429-9455  V32bis
The Sound Barrier       New York, USA      13:420/0    (718) 979-6629  DS
.                                                      (718) 979-9406  V32bis
Music Connection        Texas, USA (Plano) 1:124/3109  (214) 596-2827  DS
.                                          1:124/3110  (214) 964-3743  V32
CyberSpace - The Matrix Texas, USA(Carrol) 1:124/6201  (214) 394-9339  V32bis
.                                          13:100/22
Public Image Limited    California, USA    1:161/301   (510) 831-3634  V32bis
JoyFull Noise           Oregon, USA       *1:105/55    (503) 335-9600 &DS
.                                         *1:105/5     (503) 335-3053 ZV32bis
I can 'C' Clearly Now!  Iowa, USA          1:290/102   (515) 472-3651  V32bis
The Dragon's Keep       Illinios, USA      1:2430/5    (217) 634-4614  V32bis
Open Access BBS         Norway, Europe     2:502/284   +47-61-97945    V32bis
The 1st Dutch MIDI BBS  Netherland, Europe 2:281/610   +31-15138754    DS
.                                                      +31-85510944    2400
.                                                      +31-349535439   2400
Geniaal BBS 2           Netherland, Europe 14:1000/3   +31-2290-43038  V32bis
.                                                      +31-2290-45816  V32bis
New Age System          Estonia, Europe    2:490/12    +372-2-606319   V32bis
StarPort                Finland, Europe    2:220/630   +358-0-804-462  DS
StarFire                Germany, Europe    2:2400/105  +49-9131-538303 V32bis
AWAX-CBL                Moscow, Europe     2:5020/105  +7-095201-5155 ZV32bis
MultiMedia              Singapore, Asia    6:600/408   +65-2521220    ZV32bis
Paranoimia-Art of Noise Victoria,Australia 3:635/541   +61-3-379-7041  V32
.
Files Only
=============================================================================
UltraSound Connection   Florida, USA                   (813) 787-8644  DS

=============================================================================

NOTE(S): - All systems are No Parity, 8 Data Bits, 1 Stop bit (N81)
.        - All systems are online 24 hours/day
.        - Speeds: V32bis - 14,400 bits per second (CCITT standard)
.                  HST    - 14,400/16,800 bits per second (US Robotics Prop.)
.                  DS     - 14,400/16,800 bits per second (HST/V32bis)
.        - * - Files are File Requestable
.        - % - EMail Only.  No FTP or Telnet.
.        - & - Does not accept >= 2400 baud calls
.        - Z - Zyxel (16.8K and 19.2K bps)

About the Gravis Nodes
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 All nodes are independent BBSs', and are not run or sponsored by Gravis.  As
 such the logon procedures for each BBS may vary.  For instance, some give
 you immediate access, while others have a probation period which may last
 several days.  All nodes are encouraged to offer all the Gravis files and
 messages to first time callers but this may not always be the case.

 If you are interested in becoming an Authorized Gravis Node you may file
 request or download GRAV-APP.ZIP from the Gravis BBS.

Other Sources for UltraSound Files:
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
.     CompuServe:         GO PCVENB  area #14                      71333,350
.                         GO MACDVEN area #10                      75300,733

.     FTP Sites:          archive.epas.utoronto.ca         pub/pc/ultrasound
.                         wuarchive.wustl.edu       systems/msdos/ultrasound

.     Internet: UltraSound Digest:               ultrasound%itchy@dsd.es.com
.               GUS SDK Digest:                     gus-sdk%itchy@dsd.es.com
.                                               To post to tomorrow's digest


.     Request: Daily Digest Server:      ultrasound-request%itchy@dsd.es.com
.              GUS SDK Digest:              gus-sdk-request%itchy@dsd.es.com
.                               To subscribe, unsubscribe, and request files

.     Owner Address:                       ultrasound-owner%itchy@dsd.es.com
.                              To contact a human if the server has troubles

NOTE: the %itchy and dsd domains will be removed sometime during the beginning
.     of June.  So ultrasound%itchy@dsd.es.com will become ultrasound@es.com.

==============================================================================

---
 ~ QMPro 1.02 05-8925 ~ People say I'm indecisive.  Am I?  I don't know.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 93 12:18:06 
From: john.smith@gravis.com
Subject: RELEASE OF AIL/DIGPAK FOR
Message-ID: <9306181218.A6913wk@gravis.com>

Gravis has released the long awaited AIL/DIGPAK/MIDPAK drivers.  They
are currently at V0.96 and are still in Beta.  We have been using them
for well over a month and should have worked out all major bugs.  What
follows is a description of these drivers and a list of places you may
download them at.

John Smith - SysOp Advanced Gravis

PS: The 7th Guest sounds REAL hot with these drivers

1.1.0 Audio Interface Libraries (AIL) - MIDPAK/DIGPAK
	  ===============================================

 The Audio Interface Libraries (AIL), (we know them as "Miles" Drivers)
 and DIGPAK are a set of interface drivers which enable software
 developers (mainly game developers) to integrate sound capabilities
 into their programs.  Once a developer has integrated his program into
 the AIL drivers the application will work with all sound cards on the
 market who provide AIL drivers. The AIL's provide support for MIDI as
 well as the Digital Sound interface of an audio card. These library
 drivers allow the developers to use UltraSound's wavetable synthesizer
 and allow them to utilize the UltraSound's digital interface to play 8
 or 16 bit audio in either mono or stereo mode.

 Advanced Gravis & FORTE have recently designed and released to Miles
 Design and The Audio Solution Inc. the AIL and DIGPAK routines for the
 UltraSound card which provide the mechanism for developers to easily
 intergrate with, and use UltraSound's features.  Developers who have
 the AIL's and/or DIGPAK can get the driver updates and intergrate
 their programs into the UltraSound.  The AIL/DIGPAK updates will also
 be available through the Advaced Gravis BBS or any of our nodes.
 Please refer to GRAVNODE.TXT for a complete list. Developers who do
 not have the AILs can get them from Miles Design and/or DIGPAK from
 The Audio Solution Inc.

 Developers who want to take full advantage of UltraSound's advanced
 features; and do not want to pay either Miles Design or The Audio
 Solution Inc. license fees, Advanced Gravis and FORTE have a stand
 alone driver as well.  These drivers use a Terminate and Stay
 Resident (TSR) utility called UltraMID.  Developers utilizing this
 TSR are able to do digital playback at 8 or 16 bits up to 44.1kHz
 sample rate.  Also, this allows programmers to use all of the
 UltraSound's 32 digital voices as well as the superior wavetable
 synthesizer.

 These drivers are another level of support for the UltraSound card
 developers.  Both the AIL and DIGPAK interfaces provide a means
 for programmers to easily design software for many sound cards using
 only one API while Advanced Gravis/FORTE's stand alone TSR allows
 developers to take advantage of UltraSound's more advanced features.


.                        Authorized Gravis BBS Nodes List
.                                    as of
.                                June 16, 1993
.
Name                    Location           Node No.    BBS Phone No.   Speed
=============================================================================
Advanced Gravis         Burnaby, Canada   *1:153/978   (604) 431-5927  V32bis
.                                         *13:900/3
.                                         *88:8101/105
.                                         %gravis.com
Deep Cove BBS           White Rock, Canada 1:153/915   (604) 536-5859  DS
MIDI 1040               Vancouver, Canada  1:153/7040  (604) 732-4446  V32bis
Infinite Dreams         Vancouver, Canada  1:153/7042  (604) 733-6432  DS
.                                                      (604) 733-8193  HST
WolfPack                Richmond, Canada   1:153/811   (604) 275-3047  DS
T-8000 Info. System     Calgary, Canada    1:134/160   (403) 246-4487  V32bis
Download Dungeon        Ontario, Canada    1:229/318   (705) 749-3233  V32bis
Super Sonic             Ontario, Canada    1:250/722   (416) 225-2872  2400
.                                                      (416) 225-8942  DS
QWERTY                  Quebec, Canada     1:167/625   (514) 473-9357  V32bis
Data Bank BBS           Pennsylvania, USA  1:273/316   (215) 429-9455  V32bis
The Sound Barrier       New York, USA      13:420/0    (718) 979-6629  DS
.                                                      (718) 979-9406  V32bis
Music Connection        Texas, USA (Plano) 1:124/3109  (214) 596-2827  DS
.                                          1:124/3110  (214) 964-3743  V32
CyberSpace - The Matrix Texas, USA(Carrol) 1:124/6201  (214) 394-9339  V32bis
.                                          13:100/22
Public Image Limited    California, USA    1:161/301   (510) 831-3634  V32bis
JoyFull Noise           Oregon, USA       *1:105/55    (503) 335-9600 &DS
.                                         *1:105/5     (503) 335-3053 ZV32bis
I can 'C' Clearly Now!  Iowa, USA          1:290/102   (515) 472-3651  V32bis
The Dragon's Keep       Illinios, USA      1:2430/5    (217) 634-4614  V32bis
Open Access BBS         Norway, Europe     2:502/284   +47-61-97945    V32bis
The 1st Dutch MIDI BBS  Netherland, Europe 2:281/610   +31-15138754    DS
.                                                      +31-85510944    2400
.                                                      +31-349535439   2400
Geniaal BBS 2           Netherland, Europe 14:1000/3   +31-2290-43038  V32bis
.                                                      +31-2290-45816  V32bis
New Age System          Estonia, Europe    2:490/12    +372-2-606319   V32bis
StarPort                Finland, Europe    2:220/630   +358-0-804-462  DS
StarFire                Germany, Europe    2:2400/105  +49-9131-538303 V32bis
AWAX-CBL                Moscow, Europe     2:5020/105  +7-095201-5155 ZV32bis
MultiMedia              Singapore, Asia    6:600/408   +65-2521220    ZV32bis
Paranoimia-Art of Noise Victoria,Australia 3:635/541   +61-3-379-7041  V32
.
Files Only
=============================================================================
UltraSound Connection   Florida, USA                   (813) 787-8644  DS

=============================================================================

NOTE(S): - All systems are No Parity, 8 Data Bits, 1 Stop bit (N81)
.        - All systems are online 24 hours/day
.        - Speeds: V32bis - 14,400 bits per second (CCITT standard)
.                  HST    - 14,400/16,800 bits per second (US Robotics Prop.)
.                  DS     - 14,400/16,800 bits per second (HST/V32bis)
.        - * - Files are File Requestable
.        - % - EMail Only.  No FTP or Telnet.
.        - & - Does not accept >= 2400 baud calls
.        - Z - Zyxel (16.8K and 19.2K bps)

About the Gravis Nodes
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 All nodes are independent BBSs', and are not run or sponsored by Gravis.  As
 such the logon procedures for each BBS may vary.  For instance, some give
 you immediate access, while others have a probation period which may last
 several days.  All nodes are encouraged to offer all the Gravis files and
 messages to first time callers but this may not always be the case.

 If you are interested in becoming an Authorized Gravis Node you may file
 request or download GRAV-APP.ZIP from the Gravis BBS.

Other Sources for UltraSound Files:
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
.     CompuServe:         GO PCVENB  area #14                      71333,350
.                         GO MACDVEN area #10                      75300,733

.     FTP Sites:          archive.epas.utoronto.ca         pub/pc/ultrasound
.                         wuarchive.wustl.edu       systems/msdos/ultrasound

.     Internet: UltraSound Digest:               ultrasound%itchy@dsd.es.com
.               GUS SDK Digest:                     gus-sdk%itchy@dsd.es.com
.                                               To post to tomorrow's digest


.     Request: Daily Digest Server:      ultrasound-request%itchy@dsd.es.com
.              GUS SDK Digest:              gus-sdk-request%itchy@dsd.es.com
.                               To subscribe, unsubscribe, and request files

.     Owner Address:                       ultrasound-owner%itchy@dsd.es.com
.                              To contact a human if the server has troubles

NOTE: the %itchy and dsd domains will be removed sometime during the beginning
.     of June.  So ultrasound%itchy@dsd.es.com will become ultrasound@es.com.

==============================================================================

---
 ~ QMPro 1.02 05-8925 ~ People say I'm indecisive.  Am I?  I don't know.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 93 13:02:35 +0100
From: zccaj19@ucl.ac.uk (Mr Stefan Magdalinski)
Subject: Samples and Midi, an idea for Dave
Message-ID: <9306181202.AA43880@link-1.ts.bcc.ac.uk>

2 things-
a. Is there any software around that would allow me to
sequence .wav files accurately with midi? I don't know about
anybody else but I find this General Midi idea very limiting. Great
for Games (midpak/digpak-where???when???) but I didn't
spend #200 on a sound card to produce cheesy versions of
JMJarre tracks or toccata. 
There must be an easier way to do this than saving .wavs, putting the
m through wav2pat (when it works), editing ultrasnd.ini and restarting
windows.
Can someone explain the relationship between default.cfg,
ultrasnd.ini and patch manager? Even if you change the patch,
you cannot get patchman to change the names it displays.
I hope someone responds to this post this time.
b. For Dave DeBry-
thanks for running the digests-you're great. But how about making the
server tolerant of text in the message body when 'subscribe' or
'unsubscribe'  is in the subject field. This would save a lot of these
messages turning up in the digests and make it easier to subscribe. Just
an idea...

Stefan Magdalinski, 
zccaj19@ucl.ac.uk

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 93 16:18:09 BST
From: "James Andrews, User Support" <james@sol1.east-london.ac.uk>
Subject: sampling noise- does it happen to you?
Message-ID: <2958.9306181518@uk.ac.uel.sol1>

From: eason@ncrnd3.StPaul.NCR.COM (Dale Eason)
>Subject: Re: Noise while sampling
>Message-ID: <9306171652.AA11756@ncrnd3.StPaul.NCR.COM>
>
>Here a two possible causes of fizzling noises that people are hearing when
>sampling.  Quantization noise is caused by the 8 bit resolution of the DAC.  It
>sounds like a soft air rushing noise.  Something like when you put a sea shell
>to your hear.  It is constant in volume and pitch.  It will be most noticable
>during the soft passages.  This noize has a parallel in the video domain.  
>[video bit deleted]

Well there might be a bit of this quantization noise, or whatever it is.
It might have a little bit of this, but I can put up with it- this isnt the
problem.

>
>
>If the noise is bursty then it is caused by another source.

It *is* bursts of noise I am raving on about, not major storms of noise but
like minor scratches on a record, and just as annoying when you're trying
to sample.

>Most likely caused
>by something being picked up from the computer.  The most likely causes are
>disk accesses and video screen updates.

Do you think they are just random noises caused by other system 'events',
or noises connected with dma from the card then?
I am following the assumption that they are dma events from the card.

>  You usually can hear these even when
>the card is not playing any sound.  Turn up your amplifier.  Make sure our
>GUS line out or audio out is turned on.  Then run various programs on our
>machine.  You will hear many interesing noises that the GUS may pick up.
>

I have of course noticed this before, but the level of noise isnt particularly
serious, and its more like faint high pitched tones.  The noise I get when
sampling is white noise.

>If these noises are like what you hear when recording then the noise you are
>hearing during recording are not caused by the 8 resolution and will not be
>helped by the 16 bit dac when it is available.
>
>I don't know of any spec for mother boards that will help you determine if they
>will improve the noise problem.  I think most of this noise is induced by the
>hard disk and video adapters.   Sometimes it helps to move the GUS to another
>slot away from the offending card.

It says in the manual :) that you shouldnt put the card near video cards.  It
isnt near my crappola trident card its at the far end with casing on one side
and an adaptec scsi controller the other side.

>
>Someone could write a program to send data to/from the GUS without playing
>anything.  If this caused noise then we would know it was caused by the DMA
>transfer.  Someone with the SDK want to try it?

I have the SDK, I almost even know how to program.  In principle, sampling 
with the inputs turned off should be the same as this and yes that does
produce the white noise.

Does anyone else out there relate to this idea?  Like I said before I read
about something similar to this in csips but I didnt grab a copy of the message
So I know someone out there is in the same boat as me.

I have a gus that was made before november '92, coz thats when I got it if
thats any help.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 93 12:56:41 -0400
From: "Momentary language, sexual situations" <dantonio@magick.tay2.dec.com>
Subject: To the person in Italy...
Message-ID: <9306181656.AA21761@magick.tay2.dec.com>

[I suspect your /TMP area is full. This mail is bouncing]
------- Forwarded Message

matteo ugolini <ugolim@dsi.unimi.it> writes:

> I'ven't had any problems with installation (all worked good) and i was
> surprise of the nice GUI of the Midisoft Recording session, but (yes!
> there is a BUT - and is not alone), but when i load the MIDI song STYX.MID
> (very nice song), the CHOIR PAD don't work (no sound come from it).
> The only way I've found to make it correct is to load the patches with the 
> Patch Manager, or play it first with the Media Player and then with RS.

The problem here is that MidiSoft Recording Studio doesn't appear to know
how to do "Patch Caching." (loading a patch/voice as needed into the GUS's
memory). If you check the Control Panel->Drivers, it should be set up for
"UltraSound" with a little help message saying that this setting is for
Patch Caching aware apps. Change it to the setting that corresponds to the
amount of memory on your GUS (256K) and see if RS works properly...

DDA

------- End of Forwarded Message

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 17 Jun 93 18:57:12 
From: john.smith@gravis.com
Subject: ULTRASOUND DAILY DIGEST V
Message-ID: <9306171857.A3538wk@gravis.com>

 -----------------------------
>Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1993 09:52:27 -0500 (EDT)
>From: Mike Ellis <mikee@seas.gwu.edu>
>Subject: Gravis Stock... Whats going on guys?
>Message-ID: <9306151352.AA12521@sparko.gwu.edu>
>Hey Folks, whats up?
>Was wondering Gravis Stock has been trading like MAD! over the last
>couple of days. The prices didn't change much, but the volume traded
>increased by like 300%. Gravis? Whats going on? In the US. we dont get
>that much info. Care to let us know whats up? Thanx,
>        MikeE
 -----------------------------

A bunch of different things.  Mostly do to trade shows, press releases,
and we released a bunch of shares to the public.  Contact your stock
broker for more information.  I don't really keep on top of the stock
prices.  I know when the mig is happy it is usually a good sign that the
stocks went up <grin>

 -----------------------------
Date: Tue, 15 Jun 93 08:28:44 EDT
From: cg-atla!yfandes!pasky@ima.ima.isc.com (Bob Pasky)

>1) Running GMODDEMO.BAT the first time tells you to run
>   the SETUP.EXE in the MOD directory. I cd'ed there and
>   ran SETUP. All the numbers looked good so I just saved

That is because you forgot to save it.

 -----------------------------

Later from the land of GUS

John

---
 ~ QMPro 1.02 05-8925 ~ In your CONFIG.SYS file make sure you set BUGS=OFF

------------------------------

Date: 18 Jun 93 08:41:00 EST
From: "NORSE::WATTERS_C" <WATTERS_C%NORSE.decnet@gate.hosp.ohio-state.edu>
Subject: Re: Ultrasound Daily Digest V4 #18
Message-ID: <9306181257.AA22950@orca.es.com>

From:   GATE::WINS%"ultrasound@dsd.es.com" 18-JUN-1993 04:33:52.32
To: NORSE::WATTERS_C
CC: 
Subj:   Ultrasound Daily Digest V4 #18


> I've read the little booklet with the GRAVIS offers for the registred GUS
> users. I' dont understand what mean "2 256k for 15$".

>  1st impression: 2 chips of 128kb each (total 256kb) for a total of
>         15$ (no shipping included).

>  2nd impression: 2 chips of 256Kb each (total 512kb) for a total of
>         15$ (idem).

>But the sockets carry 128kb chips (my 256kb board has only 2 chips), so...
>Can anybody tell my how much should I pay for upgrade my GUS from 256kb to
>1Mb? (shipping not included).

A little lesson in architecture (electronic that is...)

A bit is 1 electronic on/off
a nybble is 4 bits
a byte is 2 nybbles.

(PCs are big fat computers who not only want a byte, they also want a little
 bit extra with each byte.  B^)

The memory chips on the GUS are 256k nybbles (4 bit), so it takes 2 of them
to make 256kb.

So, for $15 you add 2 chips, which gets you a 512k byte gus.  For $45, you
get six 256knybble chips which will, with the memory onboard, get you
1 mbyte.

OB: Gus install.  Would it not make sense for the install program, once it
realizes there is no WINDOZE installed on the system, SKIP THE DAMMNED
Windows apps?  Sure is a WASTE of my disk space.  (Sorry, I'm reducing
my caffiene intake, and boy am I cranky.)

Also, READMEs and Files not included.  The Readme on disk one mentions
the inclusion of a reduced version of Jungly Kitchen, which is nowhere
on my disk set.  Once Gravis figured that it wouldn't fit on the targeted
6 disks, why didn't they go back and remove it from the readme?

Gus/software more problems...

I tried the new sbos with LEMMINGS.  Sounds fine while playing (ftmp) and 
no slowdown, etc.  BUT!  When I finished the level, a high-pitched screaming
note, i.e. I ripped the headphones from my head and cast them across the 
room, and could hear it 10' away, (and I keep the volume LOW) which persisted
beyond exiting Lemmings and until I could get to ultrinit.  Didn't use
any SBOS switches, so that my be a problem.

-Coyt

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 93 11:27:55 BST
From: MoonCat <T.D.Witten@lut.ac.uk>
Subject: Xwing (once more)
Message-ID: <9306181027.AA13392@hpl.lut.ac.uk>

Just a quick note but to those having problems with samples in X-Wing, make 
sure that you have enough conventional memory...I am using stacker and have to 
run the game with a minimum set up (not even a mouse driver) as it takes up 
too much memory. If you run the install program again, it gives a little 
status box on screen that tells you if you don't have enough memory for 
digital sounds.

Hope that helps somebody,

Trevor.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1993 09:22:46 -0600 (MDT)
From: HIMELSTEIN MEAD JEFF <himelste@rintintin.Colorado.EDU>
Subject: XWING, Excellent MID/WAV player for Win
Message-ID: <Pine.3.05a.9306180944.A5743-a100000@rintintin.Colorado.EDU>

First in response to those who claim Xwing is working fine but then go on
to say that each sound options slows down the game. This is exactly the
main problem! In flight music must be turned off for the game to be
playable, otherwise it is so slow, that by the time you fire, Darth has
already defeated the rebels, raped and pilaged the home lands, and opened
a chain of raw fish restaurants on the Death Star. :-)

As for playing MID and WAV files in Windows, I came across an excellent
drag and drop mid/wav player. Just drag a music file onto the icon and it
plays the file. There's also a loop mode to continuosly play a file. The
file is called dropit.zip, and I'll try to upload it to epas this
afternoon. One word of caution, for the most part running dropit doesnt
cause any noticeable slow down of the system, BUT if you try to logon
somewhere with Procomm plus for Windows while running Dropit, characters
are dropped and downloads have errors.


Mead
Boulder, Colorado  USA

------------------------------

End of Ultrasound Daily Digest V4 #19
*************************************
