Ensoniq SoundscapeDB
Ensoniq's Waveblaster-compatible MIDI daughtercard with sample-based synthesis.
The SoundscapeDB, released in 1994, is a MIDI daughtercard designed and built by Ensoniq. It connects to the Waveblaster pin header found on many older sound cards. This connector was originally introduced by Creative Labs for their Sound Blaster 16 series, intended for their own sample-based synthesis upgrade card. Other sound card makers later added the same connector, and third-party manufacturers began producing their own upgrade boards.
The SoundscapeDB is essentially a stripped-down Soundscape S-2000, with the digital audio playback section removed. It functions only as a sample-based MIDI synthesizer. The board uses an Ensoniq OTTOR2 synthesizer chip, a Motorola 68EC000 controller, and a 2 MB patch set ROM. A later revision switched to a smaller 1 MB ROM patch set, described as "revised and improved," as a cost-cutting measure.
Specifications include a compressed patch set ROM of either 1 MB or 2 MB depending on the revision, 32 simultaneous voices, 32-note polyphony, 16 MIDI channels, 128 General MIDI instruments, 61 drum programs, and "Full Soundscape CD Quality Sound."
The SoundscapeDB is compatible with sound boards that have a 26-pin expansion connector, including the Creative Labs Sound Blaster 16, Sound Blaster 16 BASIC, Sound Blaster 16 ASP, Sound Blaster 16 SCSI-2, and AWE32; the Aztech Labs Sound Galaxy NX Pro 16 and Sound Galaxy Pro 16 Extra; and many REVEAL and Packard Bell multimedia products.
- Released
- 1994
- Polyphony
- 32 voices, 32-note polyphony, 16 channels
- Instruments
- 128 General MIDI instruments, 61 drum programs
- Patch rom
- 1 MB or 2 MB (depending on revision) compressed patch set
- Synthesizer chip
- Ensoniq OTTOR2
- Controller
- Motorola 68EC000
- Connector
- 26-pin expansion (Waveblaster)
Lore & Background
During the early 1990s, Creative Labs created the Waveblaster connector for their Sound Blaster 16 sound cards, intended for their own sample-based synthesis upgrade daughtercard. Other sound card manufacturers adopted this connector, and many developed their own upgrade daughtercards. Ensoniq's SoundscapeDB is basically a Soundscape S-2000 with the digital sound reproduction section removed, containing an Ensoniq OTTOR2 synthesizer chip, a Motorola 68EC000 controller, and a 2 MB patch set ROM. In a cost-cutting move on a later revision, Ensoniq switched to a revised and improved 1 MB ROM patch set. The board is compatible with sound boards equipped with a 26-pin expansion connector, including Creative Labs models such as the Sound Blaster 16, Sound Blaster 16 BASIC, Sound Blaster 16 ASP, Sound Blaster 16 SCSI-2, and AWE32, as well as AZTECH Labs models like the Sound Galaxy NX Pro 16 and Sound Galaxy Pro 16 Extra, and many REVEAL and Packard Bell multimedia products.
Reader's Guide
The SoundscapeDB represents a notable entry in the Waveblaster-compatible daughtercard market, offering Ensoniq's sample-based synthesis as an upgrade for sound cards lacking built-in wavetable MIDI. Its design as a stripped-down Soundscape S-2000 meant it provided the same MIDI synthesizer capabilities without the digital audio playback section, focusing solely on General MIDI and drum programs. The board's compatibility with a wide range of sound cards from Creative Labs, AZTECH Labs, REVEAL, and Packard Bell made it a versatile option for users seeking improved MIDI sound quality. The later revision's switch from a 2 MB to a 1 MB patch set ROM, described as revised and improved, reflects a cost-cutting measure that still aimed to maintain performance. The SoundscapeDB's use of the Ensoniq OTTOR2 synthesizer chip and Motorola 68EC000 controller placed it within the broader ecosystem of Ensoniq's sound technology, offering 32-voice polyphony and 16 MIDI channels. Its legacy lies in providing an alternative to Creative's own Waveblaster daughtercard, expanding the options for users of the popular Sound Blaster 16 and compatible cards.
Did You Know?
- It contains an Ensoniq OTTOR2 synthesizer chip and a Motorola 68EC000 controller.
- A later revision of the board switched from a 2 MB to a 1 MB patch set ROM as a cost-cutting move.
- The board is compatible with Creative Labs Sound Blaster 16, AWE32, and AZTECH Labs Sound Galaxy models.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ensoniq SoundscapeDB?
It is a 1994 MIDI expansion card made by Ensoniq that plugs into the Waveblaster header on a host sound card to add sample-based General MIDI synthesis. It does not handle digital audio playback on its own; it functions purely as a synthesizer add-on.
How does the SoundscapeDB connect to a sound card?
It slots into the Waveblaster pin header, a connector Creative Labs originally introduced for their Sound Blaster 16 upgrade path. Because many other manufacturers later adopted that same header, the card works with a wide range of host boards beyond just Creative's.
What are the SoundscapeDB's polyphony and instrument specs?
It supports 32-voice polyphony across 16 channels and ships with 128 General MIDI instruments plus 61 drum programs stored on a compressed patch ROM. Depending on the revision, that ROM is either 1 MB or 2 MB.
What processor and synth chip power the SoundscapeDB?
The card is driven by a Motorola 68EC000 controller paired with Ensoniq's own OTTOR2 synthesizer chip. Together they handle note sequencing and sample playback for all the MIDI voices.
How does the SoundscapeDB differ from the full Soundscape S-2000?
The SoundscapeDB is essentially an S-2000 with the digital audio playback circuitry stripped out, leaving only the sample-based MIDI synthesis engine. This makes it a smaller, lower-cost daughtercard rather than a standalone sound card.
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