Anyone know why this is?

[Cenalian]

I had just gotten a new computer, and I didn't get sound with it. I was planning on getting an SB Live Value for it, but no one in town had one at the time.

I ended up taking an old ISA 16-bit Soundblaster from a 486 I had lying around. To my surprise, it supported multiple channels.

Now, I wasn't aware of this, but does that apply to all old ISA soundblaster cards??? I mean, it still gives high-quality clarity and all, so is there really a point to going out and getting a new PCI card (besides speed advantages)???:Q😕

 

[magicslax]

Really now? I might have just found a use for my 16bit SB card from my old 486 😀 Except for the fact it is waaaaay long, it should be fine.
Thanks for such an informative "question."

 

[Cenalian]

It was strange, because I almost spent $35 on a sound card earlier in the day. I was just hoping it would work so that I could play Half-Life for a bit, and forgot I had MP3's playing in the background at the time. But then I not only heard the MP3's, but the Gunshots as well.... needless to say, I was quite impressed 🙂

Not sure if it works with all 16 bit Soundblaster cards, but if it does, you just saved yourself a little money and found a use for that previously useless ISA slot on your mobo. 🙂

 

[Workin']

The only drawback is that the ISA card's noise level is double that of even the cheapest PCI card. If that doesn't bother you (which it very likely may not unless you are playing through better than average speakers or a "real" stereo), then by all means save your money.

 

[Cenalian]

Mine has a volume control bar on the back of the card itself, as well as Win volume and Speaker volume, so for me, it isn't a problem.

The only other thing that I have found is that its a little harder to control individual channels. It seems that when one gets louder, the other does as well. Other than that I can't complain at all 😀