[WriteLog] 3 soundboards and WlSbControl problem

[Ric Plummer]

Something is definitely strange with W2K and multiple sound cards.
Let me explain what I run here on three stations:

Station 1: SB0 is a Creative Ensoniq, CT4810, and is the radio one
                SB1 is a Creative PCI SB16, CT4740, and is the Windows and
Audio review
                All works great on this station
                OS is W2K SP2

Station 2: SB0 is a Creative Ensoniq, CT4810, and works fine with radio
                Couldn't get a second SB to function properly.
                Had to upgrade drivers to get the mic boost to work with
Heil mic.
                OS is W2K SP2.
                When upgrading drivers got OS to the point that required HD
format and reload of all SW.
                This was painful as it was Thurs late PM before CQWW SSB.

Station 3: SB0 is a CompUSA private label with ALS4000 chip set. It is
Windows, Audio Review
                SB1 is a Creative Ensoniq, CT4810, works fine, but had to
upgrade drivers for mic boost.
                OS is W2K SP2.

So, my conclusion is: When you get things up finally, all is well and works
fine, and glad to have the two. BUT, there is a uncharacterized gremlin here
that is yet to be defined. BTW, whn Mic Boost didn't give enough level to
record properly, the mic boost was functioning, that is there was a level
difference with it on or off, but just never enough to get the job done.
Drivers were identical to those in the Station 1 system that has always
worked.
Go figure.
I offere this as just one more experience for those that may benefit

Ric KV1W

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dick Green" <dick.green@valley.net>
To: <writelog@contesting.com>; <jpixton@shentel.net>
Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2001 16:26
Subject: RE: [WriteLog] 3 soundboards and WlSbControl problem


> Jerry,
>
> This sounds similar to the problems I'm having running two soundboards
under
> W2K, though not identical. WL works through the second card, but can't
> control it. For example, the mic is echoed whether or not I set that
> parameter in WL. WlSbControl can't operate it, either, regardless of the
> index setting in the ini file. But I can't get any mixer to work with the
> second card. There seems to be a problem indexing to it, and that's not
> restricted to WL.
>
> The order of the cards on your system should be identical in the
> volume/mixer applet and the Control Panel applet. Looks like the OS is a
> little confused about all the soundboards, which is what I think is
> happening in W2K.
>
> One thing you could try is to disable the motherboard soundboard from the
> BIOS. I can do that from the BIOS on my Dell Dimension T600. Press DEL to
> enter SETUP during the boot sequence. My audio chips were listed under
> Peripheral Configuration. Although permanetly disabling the motherboard
> sound might not be a good solution for you, it may shed some light on the
> situation.
>
> 73, Dick WC1M
>
>
> > Bill,
> >
> > Ah the plot thickens.  I just went thru a similar experience yesterday.
> >
> > Running Win2000 on Dell 530 Workstation. I had mother board sound card
> > (Analog Devices SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio AC97) and Sound
Blaster
> > 16PCI card. The 16PCI was put in because Writelog could not correctly
> > control the playback side - picks a channel called PC Beep. The 16PCI
> > worked well in my old computer and it works correctly and well in the
new
> > one. But interestingly it installs as Index 0. But I found that I
> > could not
> > correctly decode AO40 telemetry using the AC97 card and AO40Rcv
software.
> > And since I am always trying to listen to RTTY and AO40 at same
> > time, I did
> > not want to be constantly switching audio cables.
> >
> > So yesterday I put in a third audio card, an older Soundblaster PCI128
> > (which never quite worked right with Writelog) to use for AO40
telemetry.
> >
> > So with three cards in computer, I try to figure out which card for
> > Writelog to use. Opening the Volume Control and Mixer Device
> > pull-down list
> > I get "Creative SB AudioPCI", "Creative Sound Blaster PCI" and "SoundMAX
> > Digital Audio". Ok so which is the 16PCI and which the PCI128?
> > Going to the
> > Control Panel, Sounds and Multimedia the list I see has "Creative Sound
> > Blaster PCI", then "Creative SB AudioPCI" and then "SoundMAX Digital
> > Audio". So who is index 0 and who is index 1 for Writelog to use???????
> >
> > So I make a test. My normal audio for RTTY is hooked physically to the
> > 16PCI. Open Writelog, turn on the FT1000mp and listen to the
> > contest. When
> > I set SoundBoardIndex=1 in Configuration section of writelog.ini I get
> > signals to the rtty windows and I can transmit afsk. But I have
> > to manually
> > control the volumes to make it work. Howcome??? I open WlSbControl. It
is
> > controlling the other card. In spite of the SoundBoardIndex=1, the
> > WlSbControl is using index=0
> >
> > But I don't see any other place to put a SoundBoardIndex= parameter.
Only
> > in Configuration and AudioReview. So for the moment I have a functional
> > RTTY setup using the 16PCI card at index=1 but the mixer control is
using
> > the other card at index=0
> >
> > What now???? I am sure this will all break down when I try SSB
> > and have to
> > find the Microphone as well a play a wave file.
> >
> > How do I tell WlSbControl to use the proper card??????
> >
> > Oh, by the way the PCI128 does decode AO40 telemetry using
> > AO40Rcv correctly.
> >
> > Jerry, W6IHG
>
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