LGR - The Orpheus II Sound Card
Added 2023-06-05 22:07:25 +0000 UTCIt's June! Already! Argh! Well here's a nifty thing that I've been meaning to cover since April, jeez.
Checking out the Orpheus 2, a new 16-bit ISA sound card! Could this be the best retro sound card for PCs at the moment? An argument can be made for that, I feel. All the excellent features of the Orpheus I, like Sound Blaster Pro compatibility, a real OPL3, and on-board intelligent mode MPU – plus an integrated Gravis Ultrasound PnP clone! As far as modern ISA sound cards go, the O2 is easily a step above the rest right now.
As for what's next, I've just begun working on a video about the Book8088 and Hand386 that finally showed up here. I know other channels have covered each of them in some form already, but I still feel they're worth giving a closer look on LGR. Let me know if you'd like anything specific tested on them, or any questions you'd like answered in video form!
And being the start of a new month, $5+ patrons can expect to receive the latest LGR Wrap Up video in the coming days. So keep an out for that, and a huge thanks to everyone for your ongoing support! YouTube is dreadful with ad revenue lately, so know that y'all are appreciated and help a ton to keep the channel going.
Comments
I wish we could plug these things into modern PCs, sigh...have you ever tried the Gravis 3D sound 'thing' that Doom apparently did? I ask that in full knowledge that I'm not actually sure what it even truly was. Casual google searches don't really reveal much (but I'll keep looking after I press 'post' and probably find something incredibly in-depth). (and, also, loved that goldlib vid!) edit : okay, just found a post from alt.games.doom saying it didn't support 3D sound, so I may just be hallucinating facts from nearly 30 years ago.
BobH
2023-06-16 12:34:56 +0000 UTCOf course! Finally time to move on from PX3 appearing in every other video, heh.
LGR
2023-06-13 23:41:54 +0000 UTCYes.. ad revenue is definitely down big time. Also, thanks for showing Petscii Robots!
The 8-Bit Guy
2023-06-09 22:51:34 +0000 UTCOnly the limited black edition. The regular green PCB version is in production and will be available soon, only difference is the board color.
LGR
2023-06-09 16:50:47 +0000 UTCfigures.. the Orpheus II LT is sold out.. more unobtanium :-/
Evan B
2023-06-09 14:52:01 +0000 UTCThere is no way I can justify this card since I am well-stocked with retro sound cards for my Windows 98 PC (aside from a GUS), but I am so excited to hear how it sounds! For someone who is getting into the hobby (but not afraid to juggle resources), this looks like an excellent way to get a high quality product that doesn't suffer from the weaknesses of its component parts.
Bryan McIntosh
2023-06-06 17:27:46 +0000 UTCMy favorite of the series too, I'd forgotten how fun the music is!
LGR
2023-06-06 17:10:29 +0000 UTCHey nice, I've no doubt you'll enjoy it!
LGR
2023-06-06 17:10:00 +0000 UTC6:58 - "Your sound card works perfectleeey!" Wow, I was super surprised when you showed Leisure Suit Larry 6, I cried out loud "LEISURE SUIT LARRY!" :D I love that game, it's the best in the series!
Dukefazon
2023-06-06 16:48:21 +0000 UTCMy name just came up in the queue for an Orpheus II. Lot of money for one, but damn if it isn't slick. Looking forward to using it in a DOS build soon.
Parallax Abstraction
2023-06-06 16:41:38 +0000 UTCMany years ago, perhaps not, but they certainly are not the norm for retro computer folks nowadays. GUS cards have become rare, sought-after collectors items that command hundreds of dollars.
LGR
2023-06-06 13:37:06 +0000 UTCWas having a GUS that unusual? Pretty sure I have 3 or 4 of them (At least one classic 1MB, one 8MB PnP and one 8.5MB PnP Pro, maybe another classic). All bought new many years ago. My first )(and I think only) sound blaster was an SB Live Platinum.
Lennart Sorensen
2023-06-06 13:25:04 +0000 UTCGood video. Slight text error when comparing OPL3 to Gravis to sound canvas. When you are playing the sound canvas music, its labeled Gravis Ultrasound again on the onscreen text.
DOSGamerMan
2023-06-06 08:21:00 +0000 UTCVery much agreed on all counts. It's quite a chunk of change all at once, but the widespread effectiveness of everything it does is so good. Arguably worth selling one or two of those other cards to pay for just this one!
LGR
2023-06-06 04:26:01 +0000 UTCIndeed, badges are always a nice touch :) That kickstand is all thanks to a design from Shelby over at Tech Tangents. One of the first things I had to print when I got my setup recently.
LGR
2023-06-06 04:22:55 +0000 UTCLiterally never sounded better, I could listen to that on a GUS all day
LGR
2023-06-06 04:20:55 +0000 UTCI think this card seems worth the price considering how much you would have to pay for those cards separately. And the classic GUS is becoming rarer and rarer, so having a reproduction of it that ALSO includes SoundBlaster support as well as proper Windows support for OPL3 is just pure sex. It really is a retro enthusiast card through and through and I love it. Also playing Jazz Jackrabbit and OMF tunes on Gravis Ultrasound makes you realize how good those games CAN sound if you give them the right hardware. The difference between SB and GUS is insane.
Alyxx the Rat
2023-06-06 04:03:47 +0000 UTCBadges! Super excited you're reviewing this - and love that sound card kickstand!
Geekenspiel
2023-06-06 03:21:21 +0000 UTCDitto, noticed that.
SolarstrikeVG
2023-06-06 01:31:34 +0000 UTCSorry, I'm a bit confused. At about 12:50 you show a sound sample that is not very good and then a sample that is good. But both are labeled as Gravis Ultrasound. Is this a mistake or I just missed something?
Vladimir Vyun
2023-06-06 01:14:52 +0000 UTCThat OMF2097 theme on this card... *chef's kiss*!
Corey Ruth
2023-06-06 01:14:01 +0000 UTCGreat card but it sure is expensive! I think the PicoGUS is a great alternative option given its price and functionality.
yyzkevin
2023-06-06 00:59:17 +0000 UTCAbsolutely love your 3D printed card holders. Makes the presentation look even more professional than your presentations already are. Had major-memory good-feels watching this one. Thanks!
Ken Decker
2023-06-05 23:57:29 +0000 UTCHehe, I didn't even notice it the first few times scrubbing through the audio. Bizarre the things that sound correct while recording yet make you feel crazy later! And yeah, I know of other channels that have it much worse, but still. Discouraging to do the same work for half the pay of what it was a couple years ago.
LGR
2023-06-05 22:39:33 +0000 UTCNot gonna lie, I audibly chuckled at the Ultraside bit 😂 It also sucks to hear that YouTube is giving you grief
Hernando Heilbron
2023-06-05 22:25:05 +0000 UTC
