Audio output is stuttering

[Roman78]

I just received a Opcode's SONICPort (http://web.archive.org/web/19991006112043/http://www.opcode.com/products/sonicport/),  according to the list here http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php/topic,282.0.html it should work on OS9. Well it does, but the output is stuttering and very quietly. I tried some Lucas Games (The DIG and Full Throttle).

The device came with 2 diskettes for Windows. But no Apple software or drivers.

I'm using OS 9.2.2 in German on a 450Mhz G4 Apple Cube.

[GaryN]

I just received a Opcode's SONICPort (http://web.archive.org/web/19991006112043/http://www.opcode.com/products/sonicport/),  according to the list here http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php/topic,282.0.html it should work on OS9.

I just read the contents of the above link you referenced. It actually does NOT say it should work in OS9.
In fact, that Opcode product sheet says: "Macintosh compatibility expected in 1999 with Mac OS updates"
This was a Windows product that probably was never ported to Mac before Opcode shut down.

The Universal Serial Bus is just that: Universal. It does NOT itself, provide for the orderly control and timing necessary for audio.
The "stuttering" you describe is in fact, a prime example of the interface failing to work with the computer.

[Roman78]

That is also written on the BOX, but I bought this one because in the second link it is in the list for supported devices.

http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php/topic,282.0.html

And the device is somehow working, otherwise it would not give any output like the ESI device i have here.

[GaryN]

That is also written on the BOX, but I bought this one because in the second link it is in the list for supported devices.

http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php/topic,282.0.html

And the device is somehow working, otherwise it would not give any output like the ESI device i have here.

Seriously? Here is my comment again in larger text. Perhaps it will be more understandable that way.

I just read the contents of the above link you referenced. It actually does NOT say it should work in OS9.
In fact, that Opcode product sheet says: "Macintosh compatibility expected in 1999 with Mac OS updates"
This was a Windows product that probably was never ported to Mac before Opcode shut down.

The Universal Serial Bus is just that: Universal. It does NOT itself, provide for the orderly control and timing necessary for audio.
The "stuttering" you describe is in fact, a prime example of the interface failing to work with the computer.

[Roman78]

Nope, still makes no sense to me.

There is sound coming out of the speakers, so the device is recognized by the OS. Otherwise it would not make any sound at all like the ESI U46 SE which only works on OSX not on OS9.2.2.

And why would it in the list for supported device if it would not work?

And, according to this site: http://www.usb-audio.com/sonic_config/ OS9 holds the drivers for the SonicPort.

[IIO]

some devices will work with OS9´s audio driver without usb device driver, others not.

this one obviously works half way.

you can get fairly good audio interfaces incl asio support from the mid nineties for 10-15 euro, so dont bother baout that thing too much.


btw, i bet your retro games do not support 32 or 44khz. this could be the issue.

[refinery]

knowing those corporate entities, they probably were forced to ship the device by a certain date, with incomplete drivers or firmware, therefore the "coming soon" blurb for OS9 support... they probably intended to get it working fully later, and afterwards, probably due to low sales, the bean-counters re-assigned those developers to other projects. Ive seen plenty of cases in the past where some piece of software was advertised to work with something, and it didnt come till a later update.

i can tell you, as I was active in the computer audio scene even back in those days, that the Opcode USB interfaces came out right at the time that they were acquired by Gibson, and we all know how that turned out for the company. Many of the USB devices they announced never even made it out the door, or if they did, were in miniscule quantities. I think its extremely likely that something akin to the scenario I described above played out with this device's development.

[IIO]

the history of opcode products is a sad one. :/ some things were still groundbreaking at the time.

[Roman78]

So... i had a little time and tried something different. While just playing a MP3 file with Quicktime Player work fine. Well sound is nor as good as i expected, but that could also be the crappy speakers i used. Or maybe some hard setting like 44KHz vs 48KHz.

So somehow it is only the Games not working right.