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Introduction
The following DSP version notations will be used in the discussions:
Version Notation
Description
1.xx
This means DSPs with major version number 1.
2.00
This means only the DSPs with version number 2.00.
2.01+
This means DSPs with major version number 2,
version 2.00 is excluded.
3.xx
This means DSPs with major version number 3.
4.xx.
This means DSPs with major version number 4.
Determining User's Sound Blaster Card
Sound Blaster cards can be distinguished by their DSP version numbers. The table
below lists the Sound Blaster cards and their respective DSP version numbers:
Cards
Version Number
SB1.5, SBMCV
1.xx to 2.00
SB2.0
2.01+
SBPRO, SBPRO MCV
3.xx
SB16, Sound Blaster 16 with Advanced Signal Processing
4.xx
The DSP version can be retrieved by issuing DSP command E1h. This will be
covered in the subsequent chapters.
There are two versions of SBPRO. The difference is in the FM chip used. The earlier
version uses a two-operator FM chip, while the later version uses a four-operator FM
chip. To distinguished them, you can read the value from I/O port 388h, two-operator
cards will return a value of 06h, and four-operator cards will return a value of 00h.
You should determine the actual card used by your user if your application is written
only for a specific card.