Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!samsung!munnari.oz.au!bruce!monu1!vaxc!phs172m
From: phs172m@vaxc.cc.monash.edu.au (Stephen Harker)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: GS Sound (was Re: Stellar 7 re-release)
Message-ID: <80195.27689593@vaxc.cc.monash.edu.au>
Date: 13 Dec 90 22:04:19 GMT
References: <36863@cup.portal.com> <9012131556.AA27137@tortoise.cis.ohio-state.edu>
Organization: Computer Centre, Monash University, Australia
Lines: 34

In article <9012131556.AA27137@tortoise.cis.ohio-state.edu>, meekins@CIS.OHIO-STATE.EDU (timothy lee meekins) writes:
> [Stuff about Amiga sound versus GS sound deleted]
> 
> Huh? The ROM 3 machine simply has a different ROM than the ROM 1 machine.
> There are is no major HW differences (except maybe the keyboard stuff).
> I have a feeling from your comments that you haven't seen the GS's sound
> capabilities unleashed.. Have you heard Diversi-Tune or synthLAB???
> SoundSmith is nice, but it isn't the best.. I really doubt that the
> Amiga's sound can take on the IIgs.. (I'm not saying the Amiga is bad, just
> that the GS's sound capabilities are far greater than those of the Amiga).
> 
> If you want your Zip Chip to work with your RamFast, call Zip Tech. and
> ask for the ROM upgrade...
> 

	There is one major difference between the rom03 and rom01 GS that
affects sound.  On the Rom01 a power rail was too close to the Ensoniq (as I
remember it - it is on one of the tech notes).  This was fixed on the rom03.

	The net result is that a rom01 machine will make a low level hum which
is quite noticeable when you have your machine connected to decent speakers,
and are playing quiet sound or have no sound.  I noticed this on my machine
years ago, and was very pleased that they fixed it on the rom03 although it is
of no use to me.  MDIdeas (remember them) at one stage talked about producing a
modified stereo board which had a socket for the Ensoniq, ie you pulled it from
the motherboard.

	As far as the other hardware changes go it is a matter of what you
define as significant.  Personally I agree with you, it was mostly minor bug
fixes, and putting more memory that I felt should have been on the rom01.

-- 
Stephen Harker				phs172m@vaxc.cc.monash.edu.au
Monash University