AdLib Music Synthesizer Card Overview & Compatible Games
Released in August 1987, the AdLib Music Synthesizer Card was the first widely accepted add-on sound card for IBM PCs and compatibles. It was developed by the Canadian company AdLib, Inc., founded by Martin Prevel, a former music professor.
- At launch, the AdLib card was priced at $219.99
- Around 1,800 PC games are compatible with the card, and several modern clones have since been made to replicate its sound
Technical Specifications
- Sound chip: Yamaha YM3812 (also known as "OPL2")
- Synthesis type: Pure FM (Frequency Modulation) synthesis — no support for digital audio (PCM)
- Channels: 9 simultaneous music channels, or 6 music channels plus 5 percussion instruments
- Interface: Fits in a standard 8-bit ISA slot
These are the basic MS-DOS commands; next to each command is a reference to the MS-DOS version (<X>).
CATEGORIES OF MS-DOS COMMANDS (click)
ISA CompactFlash Adapter - IDE for 8-Bit PC, XT CF LITE 4.1, XTIDE
What is XT-CF-Lite all about?
XT-CF-Lite is an SD-based storage device for old IBM PCs developed by James Pearce.
- Allows connecting a Compact Flash (CF) card to computers with an ISA bus
- The card also supports BIOS extension ROM
- No IBM slot-8 compatibility
- Works with XTs, ATs, and IBM PS/2 models
- If you have an IBM 5150, you need a special BIOS programmed (flash the right BIOS)
- IBM 5170 requires a BIOS upgrade to an AMI or AWARD BIOS to utilize this card (Requiring replacing/programming the 2x 27c256 EPROMS)
In the photo:
- ISA CompactFlash Adapter XT-IDE CF LITE 4.1 Bootable (Top)
- ISA CompactFlash Adapter XTIDE Bootable (Bottom)
USIfAC II (Amstrad CPC USB Hard Disk)
Description: USB hard disk for Amstrad CPC 464/664//6128
Creator: ikonsgr
Basic Features:
- Use any PC USB as your Amstrad storage device
- AMSDOS and PARADOS ROM emulation
- 765 Floppy Disk Controller emulation,
- Loading speeds of up to ~30kb/sec (6-7 times faster than a floppy disk drive)
- Load/Write DSK images and Load SNA snapshot files
- RSX commands to copy files from/to floppy disks, transfer DSK images, and quick format disks
- Built-in Reset & Pause buttons
The 9-Pin Greek Joysticks That Refuse to Die
In the 1980s, several Greek manufacturers produced remarkably durable and high-performance joysticks for 8-bit and 16-bit home computers. Built with hard plastic shells, microswitches, and arcade-style sticks, these joysticks rivaled the quality of those found in professional arcade machines.
Roland MT-32: The Orchestra Inside Your Computer
Launched in 1987 by Roland Corporation, the MT-32 Multi-Timbre Sound Module brought high-quality MIDI music to personal computers. As the de facto standard for PC game audio in the early '90s, the MT-32 was supported by hundreds of games across platforms such as IBM PC, Atari ST, Commodore Amiga, Apple Macintosh, Apple IIGS, NEC PC-8800/PC-9800, and Sharp X68000.
- Its cinematic, orchestral-quality sound made it a favorite for titles from Sierra On-Line, Lucasfilm Games, and many others
- In 1987, the MT-32 retailed for $695—around $1,700 in 2023 dollars