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Finding an Innovation SSI 2001 Soundcard?

Yvan256 asks: "I've been looking for over 15 years for the Innovation SSI 2001 soundcard. It's a very old and extremely rare ISA card, based on the SID 6581 chip of the Commodore 64. Yes, I am aware of the HardSID (I've got one), but it's not hardware compatible with the SSI 2001 (different method of accessing the SID registers). The SSI 2001 is about the only card missing from my soundcards collection. I am aware of the IBM Music Feature, I have one. It's just not on the webpage yet. Please note, this collection is about the different technologies that came out at the beginning of the soundcards era, not the thousands of SoundBlaster clones that were available (including the Pro Audio Spectrum series). So, if anyone has an Innovation SSI 2001, or know where I could get one, please tell me."

105 comments

  1. WTF? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    When did Slashdot become a shopping consultant? First the video card... now a sound card (rare or not).

    What's up for tomorrow? Where can I buy and iPod?

    1. Re:WTF? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They're connected. The video, the sound card, the bizarre questions on AskSlashdot. It's no coincidence. I can't tell you how they're connected. You just tell me what you know, and I'll confirm. I'll keep you in the right direction if I can, but that's all.

      [/deepthroat]

    2. Re:WTF? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Where can I buy and iPod?

      On the list of things that really grind my gears, I have to say people making that particular typo pisses me off WAY more than stupid Ask Slashdot stories...

    3. Re:WTF? by FLEB · · Score: 1

      I can't tell you how they're connected.

      ISA?

      --
      Information wants to be free.
      Entertainment wants to be paid.
      You just want to be cheap.
  2. What? by DJCacophony · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Have you considered the possibility that you cannot find one because there are none on the market and those who own one don't want to sell theirs?

    --
    Slow Down, Cowboy! It's been 60 minutes since you last successfully posted a comment.
    1. Re:What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No way, man.

      Most owners probably have this hardware gathering dust in their attics or basements and don't even care about it.

    2. Re:What? by Yvan256 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Of course there's none on the market, it came out around 1989! Of course I know that most people who own one won't sell theirs. However, if most Slashdot users are like me, they have a pile of unused hardware in a box somewhere. Maybe one of them have one, that's why I'm asking. I did say I've been looking for that card for over 15 years, you know.

    3. Re:What? by kjs3 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Why, thank you, Capt. Obvious.

    4. Re:What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Exactly, now which pile should I look in? From the year, I'm guessing my pile of worthless 486 stuff.

    5. Re:What? by Chacham · · Score: 5, Funny

      Why, thank you, Capt. Obvious.

      How could you mistake him for Capt. Obvious?

      He isn't even Cpt Obvious, Cptn. Obvious, Captain Obvious, or Captian Obvious.

      Forget captain. He isn't even Lieutenant Obvious or plain old Mr. Obvious. No names are given like Ron Obvious, Archie Obvious, or Seor Obvious. And it's pretty obvious that he isn't The Obvious Man, an Obvious troll, or even some Overly Obvious Guy.

      I think what you posted is Obvious Nonsense and the obvious thing to do would be to keep quiet.

    6. Re:What? by RangerElf · · Score: 1

      YOU sir, just made my day :-D

      Thankyou so very much for the laughs!

      -gus

    7. Re:What? by Yvan256 · · Score: 1

      Nope, that's too recent. Check your piles of XT and 286 stuff.

    8. Re:What? by Chacham · · Score: 1

      Glad to be of service. :)

    9. Re:What? by fbjon · · Score: 1
      --
      True confidence comes not from realising you are as good as your peers, but that your peers are as bad as you are.
    10. Re:What? by Chacham · · Score: 1

      If you hadn't added some of those yourself, it might have been funny. :)

      So, it's just plain sad.

  3. You've heard of maybe... by Bin_jammin · · Score: 4, Informative

    the MIT flea market? I don't know if you're in the northeast, but it's a geek flea market held the third sunday of every month between april and october. I've seen some really strange and archaic hardware there. Google Flea at MIT and it'll give you all the info you need. If you're not in the area, perhaps you can find someone who is, to shop for you, or find a similar thing in your own area. Keep in mind this is a flea market, NOT a computer show. I believe the strangest thing I saw was a 4k 3 foot long memory board from a 1977 Cray, new in box.

    1. Re:You've heard of maybe... by j-turkey · · Score: 1

      +1 on the MIT flea market. Here's a link to some information on the flea market. I haven't been since I lived in Boston years ago, but I was able to find all sorts of old, cool stuff for cheap (most of it was stuff that I wasn't looking for -- like 40w lasers, etc).

      --

      -Turkey

  4. how slashdot has fallen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    hey everyone, i'm looking for a copy of haunted house for the atari 2600 for my collection. can anyone help me?

    WTF has gone so wrong around here? political articles with no technological connection are accepted, want ads are accepted. How soon until slashdot accepts articles about "i'm having a problem in my freshman java class, here's the code, can anyone help?" are the norm?

    1. Re:how slashdot has fallen by Dogtanian · · Score: 3, Funny

      How soon until slashdot accepts articles about "i'm having a problem in my freshman java class, here's the code, can anyone help?" are the norm? If you think this is bad, you haven't seen some of the garbage that makes the front page of Digg on a regular basis.
      --
      "Slashdot - News and Chat Sites Deviant". (Click "homepage" link above for details).
    2. Re:how slashdot has fallen by BobPaul · · Score: 1

      Slashdot's trying to compete with digg. All the 12yr olds are flocking over there.

    3. Re:how slashdot has fallen by Yvan256 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      hey everyone, i'm looking for a copy of haunted house for the atari 2600 for my collection. can anyone help me?


      Here you go smart ass:
      http://search.ebay.ca/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs &sbrftog=1&fcl=3&catref=C2&fnu=1&from=R10&fcd=2&sa scs=0&satitle=haunted+house+atari&sacat=1249%26cat ref%3DC6&bs=Search&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D3&sadis=200& fpos=ZIP%2FPostal&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=& fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coe ntrypage=search

      This isn't a normal "I want that item" question that can be answered in 10 seconds. It's a "I've been searching for over 15 years with no success, can someone please help me if you have any information" question. It's also technology-related, and computers-related. It's also about the history of sound technology in PCs. You can't get more nerd than that.

      If the previous "ask slashdot" about that videocard was lame, it's not my fault. It's because the guy in question can't even use eBay.
    4. Re:how slashdot has fallen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      >> WTF has gone so wrong around here?

      You are invited to drink from the firehose.

    5. Re:how slashdot has fallen by Dogtanian · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Slashdot's trying to compete with digg. All the 12yr olds are flocking over there. That's precisely *why* I stopped using Digg. It was hyped up to be user-voted, democratic, better-than-Slashdot. Well, maybe it was when it started out (though I suspect it was partly getting hyped due to being a Web 2.0 poster child). However, it was already mediocre when I first started using it in early '06, and it seemed to go downhill from there.

      See this article, which does a good job of examining what's wrong with Digg. I have to say it articulated the reasons I stopped using Digg and a lot more besides.

      Maybe Slashdot's owners want the advertising revenue etc. that Digg are getting.... well, that's their business. From a personal point of view, I'm quite happy for "all the 12yr olds" to stick with Digg.
      --
      "Slashdot - News and Chat Sites Deviant". (Click "homepage" link above for details).
    6. Re:how slashdot has fallen by rev_sanchez · · Score: 2, Funny

      Speak for yourself there buddy. I have a bad Slashdot thread museum and this is going in my collection.

      --
      If you didn't come to party don't bother knocking on my door. Prince '1999'
    7. Re:how slashdot has fallen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think slashdot needs a category for AWESOME HDR PHOTOS!!!!

    8. Re:how slashdot has fallen by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      Yes, all the articles about how easy it is to game Digg has really hurt their reputation. I never liked it because of the way it hurts my eyes and the overall poor quality of the comments there.

      In fact, I think this entire phenomenon of news aggregators becoming social sites by way of press releases and the Russian Mafia is getting a little tired. All in all, I'd rather use nntp newsgroups than Digg or Del.icio.us. Whenever I look at either of those sites, I get the gnawing feeling that they were coopted by press agents from day one. The recent news about all these outfits setting up networks for gaming digg rankings and charging for it, support the lesson that if there's anything worse than a sleazy flack, it's an ethically challenged geek getting paid 50 cents a vote by a sleazy flack.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    9. Re:how slashdot has fallen by Dogtanian · · Score: 1

      Yes, all the articles about how easy it is to game Digg has really hurt their reputation. For me, being full of crap news stories was what hurt their reputation. The articles about how easy it is to game the system just made it clearer *why* this was the case.

      I never liked it because of the way it hurts my eyes and the overall poor quality of the comments there. Much, if not most, of my reason for visiting Slashdot is to check the comments. Whilst it's very far from perfect, Digg is miles worse than /. in the one-line redundant "me too!", stupid, un-insightful, downright pointless comments, and the moderation is so broken as to be useless (it all smacks of agenda and groupthink, rather than what someone thinks others might want to read), so you can't filter them out.

      I've said it before, and I'll say it again; any problems Slashdot has, Digg has them squared and a whole lot more besides.
      --
      "Slashdot - News and Chat Sites Deviant". (Click "homepage" link above for details).
    10. Re:how slashdot has fallen by ResidntGeek · · Score: 1

      This story is interesting, as are many of the political discussions. Nerds aren't only interested in technology.

      --
      ResidntGeek
    11. Re:how slashdot has fallen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Those things on the front of the radio are called KNOBS reverend, if you don't like "Rock and Roll" then change the station.

      Where else is this guy going to find ANYONE who might know ANYTHING about a 15 year old ISA sound card with a SID chip? How many forum sites with "3l3te Ne\/\/bie Haxx0rs" even know what a frelling SID chip *IS* ?

      Give the guy a break..if you don't like the topic try a different one.

    12. Re:how slashdot has fallen by Vlad_the_Inhaler · · Score: 1

      I noticed this article via the Firehose yesterday. It seems to have been rejected initially but enough people must have voted it up that it eventually made the main page. The other story I noticed which came in after a similar delay was the one about magellan the search engine and search patterns over the day and over the years.

      Why complain? Anyone here must have found the article interesting enough to take a closer look at.

      --
      Mielipiteet omiani - Opinions personal, facts suspect.
    13. Re:how slashdot has fallen by lightversusdark · · Score: 2, Funny

      That's okay, it'll be here tomorrow.

      --
      "There is nothing nice about Steve Jobs and nothing evil about Bill Gates." - Chuck Peddle
    14. Re:how slashdot has fallen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      just shut up you dumb piece of shit. there are tons of outlets for finding things that you can find via google. if you've exhausted these and still haven't found the item slashdot isn't going to help.

  5. Contact the maker? by peterprior · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Contact the people that made it ?

    I'm sure they'll have some old stock sitting in a warehouse somewhere or know where you can get one, especially if you point out thats the only card missing from your collection.

    1. Re:Contact the maker? by Yvan256 · · Score: 1

      The problem is that the company doesn't seem to exist anymore. I did try to find them, that was in fact one of the first thing I tried.

    2. Re:Contact the maker? by Dogtanian · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Contact the people that made it ? The card dates from the late 1980s, almost 20 years ago. Possibilities:-

      * The company went bankrupt in the early 1990s.

      * They merged with another company, which was later taken over by another company that had some success, but went bankrupt in the mid-1990s, and whose name and key assets were taken over by another business who just wanted the brand awareness (and everyone had probably forgotten about the SSI 2001 by this time, so they probably didn't give a toss about the design or rights to that). That company in turn got swallowed up by Creative or someone like that, and their branding has long since been abandoned, and the company structure dissolved into Creative.... In short, good luck figuring out who "the people who made it" are. Well, it might not have played out exactly like that, but you get the picture.

      You might find a few ex-employees, but I doubt they've got tonnes of spare cards lying around in their house. More likely that there are a few lying forgotten at the back of someone's warehouse, waiting to be purchased by someone with an eye for retro computer kit, but that might take some time.
      --
      "Slashdot - News and Chat Sites Deviant". (Click "homepage" link above for details).
    3. Re:Contact the maker? by Yvan256 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Finally, someone who understands my problem instead of comparing me to that other guy who can't use eBay to find 100's of videocards that fit his needs. And that's exactly why I'm asking Slashdot users, because they're the type of people who are the most likely to find such an item as the SSI 2001.

      Searching "Innovation Computer Corporation" in Google only gives 5 websites, one of them being my own, and the other two that mention the SSI 2001 got their informations from my website.

  6. Thank god someone has a soundcard museum... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    ...so there is no reason why I should keep all that trash.

  7. Sound card by Henry+V+.009 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Dear Sir,

    I am Chief Accountant with the National Oil Nigeria
    PLC (N/Oil) and member of 5 MAN Contract Executive
    Review Panel (comprising 2 Snr.Staff of CBN and 3
    Snr,Staff Of (N/Oil) set up by present Civilian Regime
    of President Obasanjo. So far we have come across a
    surplus of the sum of US$27M.(Twenty-seven Million
    Dollars)which was as a result of deliberate
    over-invoicing of certain contracts awarded by
    Contract Award Committee of the cooperation. Also we
    have one SSI 2001 soundcard.

    The last installments due has been paid to the various
    Contractors, while the said surplus still floats in
    our Apex Bank waiting Off-shore remittance which we
    want to carry out right now. As civil servants we not
    allowed operate foreign account, therefore seek your
    assistance in providing enabling Bank Account where
    the Fund would be lodged.

    25% of the total Sum is for you 5% for expenses during
    transaction, and 70% for my colleagues and me. The SSI
    2001 soundcard will be included with the 25%.

    A friend who is a Staff of World Trading Center (WTC)
    here in Lagos made your contact available. Please
    notify me of your acceptance to carry out this
    transaction through the above E-mail address or fax
    number.

    I decided to contact you base on the fact that I have
    no foreign partner to assist me in executing the
    transaction. If you accept to carry out this business
    with me, please note that my colleague and me will be
    in your Country to receive the fund together with you,
    the moment we secure all the necessary approvals.

    You should also note that the transaction would only
    take (14) fourteen working days.

    you can also reply me to my private email
    address:princemikeokoye57@safe-mail.net

    Best Regards,

    Prince mike okoye.

  8. Re:Flamebait or not... by brunascle · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    which is exactly why i voted it down in the firehose.

  9. Slashdot... by JimXugle · · Score: 2, Funny

    Slashdot: Classifieds for nerds, shit that other people don't want.

    --
    -jX

    Don't you just love politics? It's like a comedy of errors.
  10. LAPC-1 by LizardKing · · Score: 1

    Hmm, I had the CM32L module that's mentioned under the LAPC-1 section. It was a repackaged version of Rolands MT32 sound module, a digital synth that also included drum sounds. All the CM32L had on the front panel was a power switch and volume control, and needed to be accessed from a computer to do anything useful. It sounded terrible when it was new (very thin sounds with little character), and after a few days trying to decide what it was useful for I sold it. I can't imagine a soundcard version would be any better for serious music making, so I guess it was mostly used for games.

    1. Re:LAPC-1 by Yvan256 · · Score: 1

      I also have a CM-64 module, which is a CM-32L and CM-32P integrated in one unit.

      And if you think a CM-32L sounded "thin", you've never heard the other soundcards (especially the Creative Labs Game Blaster).

      Before the Gravis Ultrasound, the MT-32/LAPC-1/CM-32L was the best non-professional soundcard on the market.

    2. Re:LAPC-1 by lotsotech · · Score: 1

      Probably not the point you were trying to make, but the MT-32 was used professionally quite a bit as well. There were better sounding modules at the time and it got pushed out when General MIDI came in, but it was a pretty common piece to use as a musician. In fact I bought mine from a music store not a computer store. I'm still using it hooked up to an old Akai keyboard, but I'm missing the ISA card that plugs into the MPU-401. It'll choke on most any other MIDI interface box.

    3. Re:LAPC-1 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      WTF are you on? The MT32 and its derivatives were repackaged synth engines from the D50. Half of the 80s CDs I know you have in your dresser drawer were recorded with the D50. It sounded utterly amazing for its time.

    4. Re:LAPC-1 by LizardKing · · Score: 1

      Half of the 80s CDs I know you have in your dresser drawer were recorded with the D50. It sounded utterly amazing for its time.

      Maybe it's a matter of taste, but I think the LA synths sound awful. The D50 itself was similar to the other famous digital synths of the 80's in that it was a sod to program without the optional programmer, so almost everyone ended up using the presets rather than making their own patches. For a nostalgia trip, try playing the presets on a Yamaha DX7 or Korg M1 and you'll realise how over used those sounds were. Then compare those sounds to the old analogue synths they replaced, and you'll see what I mean by thin sounding. For instance, my Korg Mono/Poly is far more easily programmed than any digital synth of the 80s, and it sounds fantastic.

    5. Re:LAPC-1 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      For a nostalgia trip, try playing the presets on a Yamaha DX7 or Korg M1 and you'll realise how over used those sounds were.

      Well, sure, but that's like blaming Tolkien for 50,000 crappy fantasy novels featuring effeminate elves. Strike Commander sure didn't sound "thin" on my MT-32 in 1992... it sounded like the Chemical Brothers recorded it last week.

      If you wanted piano sounds, yeah, the DX7 was much better. But that wasn't what I was listening to back in the day.

  11. Re:What a sec. Did you just say.... by 3278 · · Score: 0

    So... wow. Um. A sound card collection.

    So does that impress the ladies?
    Dude, you're posting on /. I'm pretty sure you don't get to talk about "impress[ing] the ladies" while maintaining any kind of smug self-righteousness.
  12. Re:Flamebait or not... by stefanlasiewski · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Same here.

    --
    "Can of worms? The can is open... the worms are everywhere."
  13. Ebay Want it Now by PerfectSmurf · · Score: 2, Informative

    Have you posted on the Ebay Want it Now boards? They don't get a lot of action, but you never know when the right person might look, see you post, and say "I have one of those."

    --
    I smurf everything and everything I smurf is perfect.
    1. Re:Ebay Want it Now by Yvan256 · · Score: 1

      Yes I did use eBay's "Want it Now" section a few times, but they reset so quickly (from my point of view anyway) that I sometimes forget to re-list my item.

  14. I've got one! by Ashbory · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...but I'm keeping it for my own sound card museum. That I just started.

    1. Re:I've got one! by Yvan256 · · Score: 1

      Okaaay.... what's the URL? :p

    2. Re:I've got one! by Ashbory · · Score: 1

      My server is down right now. If anyone has a PDIUC508 Microchannel Arcnet card or know where I could get one, please tell me.

    3. Re:I've got one! by networkBoy · · Score: 1

      This may be somewhat scary, but I recently (last year or so) gave up figuring "no-one would ever want these" and off went almost 100 of them to the gold reclaimers! That said if you really wanted one I may have one lying around somewhere. I'm going to be clearing out a 15x20x10 foot locker soon that is almost floor to ceiling with old crap. If I find any old soundcards I'll look for what the topic poster wants too....

      How much you payin? :-)
      -nB

      --
      whois gawk date unzip strip find touch finger mount join nice man top fsck grep eject more yes exit umount sleep dump
    4. Re:I've got one! by Yvan256 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      If this is true, keep any SSI 2001 you may find (however unlikely), and any Mindscape Sound Board too (I've never even seen a picture of that one). The Game Blaster and Covox Sound Master are also rare pieces, and strangely enough even the 1st AdLib card can be "easily" sold on eBay.

      You can, however, ditch most of the SB clones. Unless you find Pro Audio Spectrum cards, which are semi-rare. Oh, and keep any boxes/manuals/etc, they may be more valuable than the cards (sometimes).

    5. Re:I've got one! by networkBoy · · Score: 1

      Well I'll tell ya what.
      If you promise to pay for shipping on _all_ the audio cards I dig up I'll sell them and the manuals to you at $1.00/Lb as that's the going rate for high gold content boards. :-)
      I just need the space and have had that techie epiphany that I'm not likely to use the lions share of what I have and even if I could use it I likely don't know I have it so would buy a replacement anyway. The chances that I *need* that one obscure bit are rather low, and the few super rare things I have are already tucked away safely.

      Most of the rest will be used to fill USPS flat rate boxes as grab bags and sold for $1-10 dollars or sold as scrap for $0.10-$1.00 per pound.
      -nB

      --
      whois gawk date unzip strip find touch finger mount join nice man top fsck grep eject more yes exit umount sleep dump
  15. how slashdot has fallen-on it's knees. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "WTF has gone so wrong around here? political articles with no technological connection are accepted, want ads are accepted. How soon until slashdot accepts articles about "i'm having a problem in my freshman java class, here's the code, can anyone help?" are the norm?"

    Hey! I have this itch, right here (Ewww!). Does anyone have a solution?

  16. You have a soundcard collection? by Gothmolly · · Score: 2, Funny

    Dude, I think you just out-nerded everyone here.

    --
    I want to delete my account but Slashdot doesn't allow it.
  17. Yeah finding old hardware s hard by RogerWilco · · Score: 1

    I understand the posters problem, as the basic question is: "Where to find rare out-of-date hardware"

    I think a lot of slashdot readers have been looking for rare hardware in the past. I have looked for a riser card for an Apricot system mainboard once, after the company went under, never found it.

    I'm not sure this specific question merits being a Slashdot topic, but I do think the audience is the right one. I wish him good luck finding this item.

    --
    RogerWilco the Adventurous Janitor
    1. Re:Yeah finding old hardware s hard by hurfy · · Score: 1

      hehe, i can relate to the question too as i seem to be one of a very few people with a working Wang 2200 LVP system. Thank God the parts are all but indestructable :)

      Part of my own mini-museum along with an mint condition Compaq, a Blackmarket Compaq clone(no id markings of any sort above chip level), an AT clone, my original 386, 486 laptop, etc.

    2. Re:Yeah finding old hardware s hard by unitron · · Score: 1

      I'm not sure this specific question merits being a Slashdot topic, but I do think the audience is the right one.

      Which is why I think it does merit being a Slashdot topic. Where and how else is he going to get his question in front of said audience? An audience which is nonetheless free to ignore this particular topic and read something else off the main page.

      If you google for "Innovation SSI 2001" (as opposed to googling for Innovation SSI 2001) you only get two pages of results and if you subtract the links to the OP's web page and to this article it's only one page and all in Czech or Romanian or something like that, so I don't think you can call the OP lazy for asking here.

      It's not like he cluttered up the main page trying to sell something or with a question for which an answer could be found in a thousand other places.

      --

      I see even classic Slashdot is now pretty much unusable on dial up anymore.

    3. Re:Yeah finding old hardware s hard by lightversusdark · · Score: 1

      Such as a SCSI-II enclosure with a 1.6" opening for a DAT drive.
      That's proving harder than tracking down a 5 1/4" floppy drive. That took me three months, and not for want of trying.

      --
      "There is nothing nice about Steve Jobs and nothing evil about Bill Gates." - Chuck Peddle
    4. Re:Yeah finding old hardware s hard by RogerWilco · · Score: 1

      Sounds hard.

      The 5 1/4 floppies aren't a problem for me yet, have still a couple drives in working order, in at least 4 flavours, single density, double density, quad density and high density. I don't have any 8 inchers though.

      --
      RogerWilco the Adventurous Janitor
    5. Re:Yeah finding old hardware s hard by RogerWilco · · Score: 1

      I was just thinking it might have been asked in a more generic form that would have ignited a more general discussion how to find old hardware, on Slashdot something useful might have come from that. I was not suggesting he should not have asked about the specific card he's looking for, but maybe not as the topic.

      Ah well, it's not a bad topic as Slashdot goes, and they of course rely on how someone submits the question.

      I hope the guy finds his soundcard.

      --
      RogerWilco the Adventurous Janitor
  18. worth a shot since you have been looking for 15yrs by mzs · · Score: 1

    Maybe you could contact Lord British. I believe that Ultima IV or VI supported the card. He may know who had the card.

  19. lol? by xiphix · · Score: 0

    for the love of god please explain why you collect sound cards. i mean im in music and i have a total of 3 sound boards in a single pc right now. (dont ask) and i STILL cant see why you would want a collection.. 8 bit midi give you a rocket or what? explain

    1. Re:lol? by Yvan256 · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Explain why someone would collect stamps but not use them? Explain why people collect matchbooks and don't use them?

      It's just a collection, it's not about cramming the most different soundcards ever put in a single system at once.

      Besides, it's a part of computer history, and there's only a handful of people like me on the whole planet. I don't know about you, but 3 or 4 people with these particular pieces of hardware is not enough, as far as preserving computing history goes.

      That may not be an "official" museum, but that's what museum do: keep old crap for people to see and learn about.

  20. It's a long shot... by SoCalChris · · Score: 1

    But try the local pawn shops and thrift stores. Most of the ones around here have at least one or two computers from that era sitting in there, that the owner would probably be willing to sell for $10 bucks or so. Maybe you'll get lucky, and find one with the sound card that you're wanting.

    I know it's a long shot, but if you've been searching for 15 years, it might be worth it.

    1. Re:It's a long shot... by Yvan256 · · Score: 1

      I visit the local pawn shops and thrift stores every week or so. If I see computers, I turn them around and look at the ISA cards. The Innovation has such a specific backplate (single RCA connector with a DB15 gameport), it's quite easy to recognize. But so far, no luck.

  21. Subject: Object by _Hiro_ · · Score: 2, Informative

    I doubt they have one in-house, but I can give you a slight lead....

    There is a scrap yard / used appliances / refurbished computer company in Southern Ohio called ReUse. They occasionally will get in odd bits and pieces from the surrounding universities and public schools. If you ask really, really nicely, I bet they would keep an eye out for you. (One of the last loads they got in that I got to help unload had a stack of HP LaserJet printers. Just "LaserJet". No bloody II, III, 4, or 5. Plus a few dumb terminals of early 1990's vintage, 30-pin RAM new in box, etc.)

    --
    -Pope Peter Porker, S.O.W., K.M.K.R., U.G.O.A., F.S.G.S.D.
    1. Re:Subject: Object by Yvan256 · · Score: 1

      I'm guessing my best bet would be such places, but they usually don't take requests. And most won't ship items by mail. But it's worth a try.

      Thanks.

    2. Re:Subject: Object by _Hiro_ · · Score: 1

      If they aren't willing to look or ship to you, I'll keep an eye out next time I'm there. (Which is only about 3-4 times a year....)

      --
      -Pope Peter Porker, S.O.W., K.M.K.R., U.G.O.A., F.S.G.S.D.
    3. Re:Subject: Object by bluephone · · Score: 1

      I hate to state the obvious, but if you make it worth their while, they will keep an eye out. "$50 if you find one" is enough to keep their eyes peeled. And if you want it bac enough, $50 is a steal. :)

      --
      jX [ Make everything as simple as possible, but no simpler. - Einstein ]
    4. Re:Subject: Object by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, they might have it. But working at a surplus in the midwest, I can tell you the original Laserjet is dead common. Dumb terminals and 30-pin RAM are too.

  22. You have a SID6581 collection? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The SID6581 lives on.

    I'm surprised that the poster didn't create his own. The card in question is basically the chip and a game port.

    1. Re:You have a SID6581 collection? by The+Mysterious+X · · Score: 1

      But what would be the point, he wants it for a museum, not for use. Kinda defeats the object.
      Sure, I can sketch a penny black onto a piece of paper, but for the purposes of stamp collecting, it's useless.

  23. Re:worth a shot since you have been looking for 15 by Yvan256 · · Score: 1

    Indeed, Ultima VI supported it. In fact it's one of the rare game that did support it. It might be a long shot, but at least Lord British should be easier to find than a company that's probably been closed almost 20 years ago.

  24. Yvan by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yvan, you need to give your "museum" a serious overhaul.

    Despite having some rare hardware, you don't seem to be terribly interested in sharing it properly. As an example, why haven't you posted recorded output from the Sound Master, when used with Sim City?

    I'm afraid that should you ever actually get the SSI-2001, you'll hoard it in the same manner.

    1. Re:Yvan by Yvan256 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      It's true, my website has fallen way behind in terms of updates. However, I do plan on adding content and updating it some day.

      As for your Sound Master comment, I'm more interested in the synth side of soundcards. If Sim City supports digital audio, it would sound about the same coming from any soundcard with a DAC (aside from SNR, 8-bit vs 16-bit, mono/stereo, etc). Ultima VI is a good game to get music from since it supports most cards to their best potential.

    2. Re:Yvan by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, I wish you luck in finding the SSI, in any case. I've tried to track one down as well, without success.

  25. Re:What a sec. Did you just say.... by Archades54 · · Score: 1, Informative

    and with a defeatist attitude like that you only reinforce the silly stereotypes.
    there are many women that will date nerds/geeks, however nerds/geeks usually have a more shy nature about them and not enough courage at the time to go talk to a fine, beautiful woman. if they did try and had some self confidence in there speech, dressed well, they'd be able to get some fine ladies.

    --
    If your neighbours roof is flying past your window, you know it's cyclone season.
  26. Tried Hamfests Yet? by Mister+Transistor · · Score: 1

    A good place to find such items is Hamfests, or electronic flea markets. They have been rendered nearly useless with the advent of eBay and the like, but they still exist and nowadays, they are more computer junk than radio junk. There are typically lots of vendors there with tons of old computer boards. Most of the stuff is terribly outdated and people rarely buy anything, but you may find your jewel in the rough. Look to "Nuts & Volts Magazine" (they probably have a website) or do a Google search for "Hamfest Calendar" to find any scheduled fests in your area. Good luck, and YIAAH.

    --
    -- You are in a maze of little, twisty passages, all different... --
  27. Boca 14.4 modem Combo SoundBlaster Clone ISA by Dareth · · Score: 1

    I keep it to scare the youngsters. It is one ugly ass card!

    --

    I only look human.
    My mother is a halfling and my dad is an ogre, so that makes me an Ogreling
    1. Re:Boca 14.4 modem Combo SoundBlaster Clone ISA by toddestan · · Score: 1

      If that's the card that came standard in some Packard Bells back in the day, it'll scare off the oldsters too!

    2. Re:Boca 14.4 modem Combo SoundBlaster Clone ISA by stanmann · · Score: 1

      Was that the one with the gimp borked IDE channel that would only work with the stock CD drive, and only then if it was still in the PB?

      But the drive would/will work on any standard IDE controller?

      --
      Food not Bombs is a nice platitude but it breaks down when you notice that the Bombees are usually well fed
    3. Re:Boca 14.4 modem Combo SoundBlaster Clone ISA by Dareth · · Score: 1

      With this card in place, the secondary Master on the board would not work. It had an IDE pass-thru for the CD-Rom on the card.

      --

      I only look human.
      My mother is a halfling and my dad is an ogre, so that makes me an Ogreling
  28. Re:What a sec. Did you just say.... by cduffy · · Score: 1

    Oh, c'mon -- why ruin the running joke by trying to take it seriously?

    I'm a married geek. Most of my friends are married or committed geeks, and most of the women in that set are damn fine. Obviously, geeks can get laid -- but that's no reason to avoid using the contrary stereotype to make a joke; it's only defeatist if in a context where there's reason to take it seriously.

  29. Another idea by j-turkey · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I know that you've said that you have looked at the back of old computers to see if you can find one of these, but I had another idea. What system vendors sold their new computers with those cards installed? If you can find a bunch of those systems kicking around, I'd bet that you'll eventually find one of the cards that you're looking for.

    ...just an idea

    --

    -Turkey

  30. Build a new one. by xluap · · Score: 1

    Why not build a new one? You could get the sid chip from an old C64. Then design a pcb with the sid and some ttl chips, and there you go!

    1. Re:Build a new one. by Yvan256 · · Score: 1

      Building one would indeed be relatively easy, however that would not be the "real thing". That's like having a copy of a painting. It looks the same, but it's still a fake.

  31. John Titor to the rescue... by Shipwack · · Score: 1

    John Titor: On my worldline, it is known that the the Innovation SSI 2001 soundcard is capable of reading all the sound data recorded before the widespread use of MP3 and Ogg Vorbis. This is required for us to translate the last remaining copies of some very important files.

  32. Dayton by dtmos · · Score: 1

    If you want to try just one hamfest, the Dayton Hamvention, in Dayton, Ohio, is (somewhat improbably, I always thought) by far the world's largest, and is coming up in a couple of months (it's May 18-20 this year). If you don't find what you need there, it's likely you'll meet people or organizations that can help you look.

  33. Good luck my friend by DrSkwid · · Score: 1

    Can't help you with the card but I hope you find one. And I especially hope you find one through /. And I'm appalled by most of the complaining commentary, if you don't appreciate this story, why are you here ?

    --
    There are places where the networks are not touching,and there are places where they are-Boeing's Lori Gunter
    1. Re:Good luck my friend by Yvan256 · · Score: 1
      Thanks for wishing me luck. However, your sig made me laugh...

      There are 11 types of people in the world, those who know binaries and those who don't.
      I'm guessing you're not part of either groups. ;-)

    2. Re:Good luck my friend by DrSkwid · · Score: 2, Informative

      there's more than one sort of binary encoding, hence the "binaries" part. Another is binary coded decimal

      you are person number 1000 (5) to point this out

      the others were

      0001
      0011
      0100
      0101
      and you
      1000

      I was taught this encoding and school back in the 80s, I can't find it on the net anywhere to name it.

      --
      There are places where the networks are not touching,and there are places where they are-Boeing's Lori Gunter
    3. Re:Good luck my friend by Yvan256 · · Score: 1

      Oups, indeed. You got me with the "binaries" part, I read that as "binary". Sort of a higher level of that joke, and I got caught.

      Touché! ;-)

    4. Re:Good luck my friend by DrSkwid · · Score: 1


      the full list is
      5311
      ----
      0000 0
      0001 1
      0011 2
      0100 3
      0111 4
      1000 5
      1001 6
      1011 7
      1100 8
      1101 9
      1111 reserved

      --
      There are places where the networks are not touching,and there are places where they are-Boeing's Lori Gunter
    5. Re:Good luck my friend by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "Gray code"

  34. Re:Flamebait or not... by lightversusdark · · Score: 1

    Same here.

    --
    "There is nothing nice about Steve Jobs and nothing evil about Bill Gates." - Chuck Peddle
  35. thank you by DrSkwid · · Score: 1

    And how much delight for a Plan 9 user that it was brought to the world through Bell Labs.

    --
    There are places where the networks are not touching,and there are places where they are-Boeing's Lori Gunter
  36. Re:What a sec. Did you just say.... by Archades54 · · Score: 1

    because if that stereotype continue's as jokes, alot of women won't think it to be a joke and the geeks chances diminish slightly to moderately.

    but good point none the less

    --
    If your neighbours roof is flying past your window, you know it's cyclone season.
  37. Time to Make an Innovation by Great+Hierophant · · Score: 1

    I think it may be time to give up trying to find an Innovation and simply have an ISA card made that functions like an Innovation would. You would need a MOS 6582 SID (all reports state that it is the 9v 6582, not the 12v 6581 that is on the card), an 8-bit ISA prototype board, an RCA jack, some TTL logic for address decoding and signal translation and passive components. I wouldn't bother with the gameport jack. Fortunately, the Innovation was not innovative at all when it came to interfacing with the PCs I/O bus. The SID has 32 registers and the Innovation takes up 32 I/O ports beginning at addresses 260h, 280h, 2A0h or 2C0h (jumper selectable.) This has been confirmed in DOSBox. It should use the same clock frequency as an NTSC C64, 1.02MHz, which can easily be obtained on the ISA bus. If money is little object, then you should find someone skilled with ISA prototypes and have him make your Innovation.