SO.
I want to get an old laptop, to run FreeDOS, and maybe an old Windows on.
AND, as this would be entirely for music purposes, I have questions about old laptop soundcards.
I'd want one that's got the
OPL3 chip on it, like the SoundBlaster Pro 2.0.
So I was wondering, what sort of soundcards do old laptops take, could I put a regular soundcard in it?
Or what?
blargh!
anyone know anything? D:
PCIMA or USB? IDK. Laptops don't have much extendibility unfortunately.
"Regular" (desktop) sound cards are through PCI or PCI express, neither of which laptops have.
balls. I figured as much, lol.
Thanks Zombie. :p
It looks like a fairly old chip - any particular reason why you must have it, and not, say, newer versions?
If it's just a synth, can't you use a software synth anyway?
Well the OPL3 is an FM chip (with 18 channels! :o), and I love the sound of classic FM. And pffft software synthesis. :p I've got plenty of soft synths that do FM, I just love the sound of actual hardware.
And this seems to be the best chip for what I want. I'd be primarily be using it for old DOS trackers, (Impulse Tracker, Fast Tracker, Adlib Tracker). Adlib Tracker is an OPL3 tracker, using the FM synthesis, and the other two are sample based, which SoundBlaster would be for.
I've tried running Impulse Tracker in FreeDOS on my craptop, and it just sounds horrible, probably cause my soundcard sucks.
holy spoon, that's so cheap!
except shipping sucks!
lol.
I might get a desktop instead, but the Compaq Armada 1700 laptop comes with an OPL3 chip, so I'll probably get one of those cheap.