S/PDIF S/PDIF output is through pins labelled 'JP8' One of the most useful features of the AWE32 is the undocumented, and largely unknown S/PDIF output. This outputs digital audio from the EMU-8000 at 16bits and 44.1khz and is not SCMS encoded. It allows you to connect the AWE32 to a DAT, minidisc, CD-R deck, or another sound card with digital input, and enjoy clear, noise free, digital recording. It is located on the AWE32 circuit board, on the two pins labelled "JP8". Pin 0 carries the S/PDIF signal, and pin 1 is ground. The easiest way to utilise the S/PDIF output is to build a cable, which connects it to an RCA connector on a PC backing-plate. Pin 0 should be connected to the inside of the RCA connector, and pin 1 to the outside. Many references say that you must use shielded 75 ohm cable to carry the S/PDIF signal, but I've found that even bell wire will do the job just fine. By using the S/PDIF output you bypass all the low quality D/A (digital to analogue) circuitry on the AWE32, and get clean, virtually noise-free sound. For the ultimate in audio quality you could look at investing in an external D/A converter to use with the AWE32. I have used a Midiman "Flying Calf" D/A converter, and can verify that the sound quality is considerably improved over the AWE32's analogue line-out. Not only is the background noise reduced dramatically, but the whole sound is generally more precise, and the frequency response notably better. High frequencies are clearer, louder, and better defined, and low frequencies are punchier and stronger. The other big advantage is that when you record digitally, you don't have to worry about setting the recording levels on your recording device (DAT, minidisc, etc...). Because the AWE32 is not capable of outputting audio wider than 16bits, as long as the gain on the recording device is set at unity (0db), the signal will never clip. Memory The AWE32 SIMM slots The other feature of the AWE32, that allows it to achieve "semi-professional" status, is the two SIMM banks that allow you to upgrade the sample RAM on the card. The default 512K that comes with the AWE32 is barely enough for a decent drum kit, so a memory upgrade should be a primary consideration. The SIMM slots accept the older style 30 pins SIMMs. The SIMMs should be 80ns or faster (pretty much all the ones I have found are anyway), and can be installed as a pair of 1Mb, 4Mb or 16Mb SIMMs, giving 2Mb, 8Mb, and 28Mb of total sampling memory respectively. Why only a 28Mb maximum, when 2x16=32? Well, the last 4Mb is reserved for addressing the AWE's internal ROM memory, and even though it only has 1Mb ROM, the result is that we only have 28Mb to play with. Still the advantage of having 28Mb of sample RAM far outweighs the frustration of 4Mb being unusable. Requiring 30pin SIMMs is somewhat of a disadvantage, considering they are rather hard to come by these days. However, on the plus side you can usually find them on the second hand market for a fraction of the cost they were new. I have seen 16Mb chips (usually from old servers or high end Macs) for as little as $25aus each. Some places can still provide them new, but they are usually very expensive. My advice is to hunt around for two 16Mb SIMMs. When I had 8Mb RAM on the card, I usually had to always be conscious of how much memory I was using when creating sample banks. With 28Mb, you don't have to worry. The best way to test the SIMMs is to run the diagnose.exe program supplied with the AWE32. When installing new SIMMs, run this program a couple of times in succession, to check that they're up to the task. Also don't forget that there's a jumper labelled 'DRAM_EN' (JP7) that has to be moved to enable the SIMM slots (and thus disable the built-in 512K RAM).