[comp.sys.apple] Apple Tech Note: Sound GLU

ranger@ecsvax.UUCP (Rick N. Fincher) (05/11/87)

Apple IIGS: Sound Logic

To support sound, the Apple IIGS has the Apple IIGS Sound General Logic
Unit,

an Ensoniq sound chip, 64K of dedicated sound RAM, and associated
circuitry.

 

Sound General Logic Unit

 

The Apple IIGS Sound General Logic Unit (Sound GLU) provides an interface

between the Ensoniq sound chip and the remainder of the Apple IIGS logic

system. The Sound GLU permits the Ensoniq chip to run independently of
the

Mega II chip.

 

The Sound GLU contains a control register, data register, and address

pointer. Bits within the control register determine the system volume
level

and control the flow of information between the Ensoniq chip and Sound
RAM.

The data register and address pointer are used to transfer information to
and

from the dedicated 64K of Sound RAM to the Ensoniq digital oscillator chip.

 

Ensoniq Digital Oscillator Chip

 

The Ensoniq chip contains 32 oscillators, two of which are reserved for
use

by the Apple IIGS itself. The remaining 30 oscillators are used in pairs to

produce 15 sound voices. Each oscillator uses seven DOC registers which

contain such parameters as the frequency rate at which the oscillator
steps

through its wavetable, the size and starting address of the wavetable,
data

obtained from the wavetable, and the volume and mode of the oscillator.

 

Sound RAM

 

64K of RAM is provided for the exclusive use of the Ensoniq DOC. It
contains

wavetables, which are digitized waveforms, for each of the oscillators.

Apple Technical Communications