Mockingboard
An Apple II sound card with multi-voice synthesis and optional speech.
The Mockingboard—a name blending "mockingbird" and "motherboard"—was a sound card from Sweet Micro Systems for the Apple II line of computers. It generated sound through one or more AY-3-8910-style chips, each offering three square-wave synthesis channels, and certain models added speech synthesis via Votrax-style chips. Like other Apple II sound cards, it addressed the machine's limited audio capabilities.
Sweet Micro Systems began working on products for music, speech, and sound effects in 1981, and the Mockingboard launched in 1983. The Sound II and Sound/Speech I models followed. Its hardware let programmers produce complex, high-quality sound without constant CPU attention. The card could connect to the Apple’s built-in speaker or external speakers, though the manual recommended external speakers due to the built-in speaker’s low quality.
Various models were made for slot-based Apple II, Apple II Plus, and Apple IIe systems, plus a special version for the Apple IIc. Sound chips could be AY-3-8910 or compatible chips; speech chips were optional, using the Votrax SC-01 or compatible parts like the Arctic-02, SSI 263P, SSI 263AP, or 78A263A-P. Some software supported multiple Mockingboards—for instance, *Ultima V* used two boards for eight of its twelve possible voices. Most programs topped out at one board with six voices.
An IBM PC-compatible version was developed but only shipped with *Bank Street Music Writer*.
Early models included the Sound I (one AY-3-8910, three channels, clocked at 1 MHz), Speech I (one SC-01), Sound II (two AY-3-8910s, six channels), and Sound/Speech I (one AY-3-8910 and one SC-01). Later models were the Mockingboard A (two AY-3-8913s, six channels, plus two open sockets for SSI-263 speech chips), Mockingboard B (an SSI-263 upgrade for the A), Mockingboard C (two AY-3-8913s and one SSI-263, essentially an A with the B upgrade pre-installed, only one speech chip allowed), Mockingboard D (for Apple IIc only, not software-compatible with other Mockingboards, two AY-3-8913s and one SSI-263), and Mockingboard MS (bundled with *Bank Street Music Writer*, two AY-3-8913s and an open socket for one speech chip, with a headphone jack and a jumper for sound through the Apple’s built-in speaker).
Other compatible cards included the Mustalgame Card (a clone from Capital Computer Co.
- Manufacturer
- Sweet Micro Systems
- Introduced
- 1983
- Sound chips
- AY-3-8910 or compatible (one or two); optional Votrax SC-01 or compatible speech chip
- Audio channels
- 3 per AY-3-8910 chip; up to 6 with two chips
- Models
- Sound I, Speech I, Sound II, Sound/Speech I, Mockingboard A, B, C, D, MS
- Compatibility
- Apple II, Apple II Plus, Apple IIe, Apple IIc (model D only)
Lore & Background
In 1981, Sweet Micro Systems began designing products for music, speech, and sound effects, culminating in the release of the Mockingboard in 1983. The hardware allowed programmers to create complex, high-quality sound without constant CPU attention. The Mockingboard could be connected to the Apple's built-in speaker or to external speakers, though the manual recommended external speakers due to the built-in speaker's low quality. The Mockingboard was available in various models for slot-based Apple II systems and one special model for the Apple IIc. Sound was generated through one or more AY-3-8910 or compatible sound chips, with each chip offering three square-wave synthesis channels. Some models could be equipped with an optional speech chip such as the Votrax SC-01. Some software products supported more than one Mockingboard; for example, Ultima V supported two boards for a total of 12 voices, of which it used eight. An IBM PC-compatible version was developed but only distributed with Bank Street Music Writer.
Reader's Guide
The Mockingboard's significance lies in its role as a major enhancement to the Apple II's otherwise limited sound capabilities, enabling complex music, speech, and sound effects in software. Its use of the AY-3-8910 sound chip and optional Votrax speech chip set a standard that was adopted by many Apple II software titles. The card's design allowed for multiple models with varying numbers of sound and speech chips, and some software could even support two boards for additional voices. The Mockingboard also inspired clones and compatible cards, such as the Mustalgame Card from Hong Kong and the Applied Engineering Phasor, which offered 12-channel synthesis and compatibility with multiple sound card standards. Modern recreations and emulations, including the Mockingboard-T (using tubes), the Mega Audio card, and various FPGA-based implementations, continue to keep the Mockingboard's functionality available for Apple II enthusiasts. A documented defect with the AY-3-8913 chip affecting bass response was investigated and a hardware patch exists to replace it with an AY-3-8910 or YM2149.
Did You Know?
- The Mockingboard name is a portmanteau of mockingbird and motherboard.
- The Mockingboard D for the Apple IIc is not software compatible with other Mockingboard models.
- The Applied Engineering Phasor used four AY-3-891x chips for 12-channel synthesis and was compatible with Mockingboard software.
- A hardware patch exists for the AY-3-8913 chip to improve poor bass response.
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