Videologic Sonic Storm Pro

Simon King - Last updated February 12, 2001

Overview

Update : The lack of EAX support and only 8 3D Streams make this card a poor choice for anyone that cares about 3D sound in games.

While Creative and Aureal battle it out for the high end sound card market, there are plenty of people looking to buy a no-frills soundcard for basic games and Windows use. VideoLogic hope to offer this with the SonicStorm Pro, the successor to the highly successful SonicStorm (Surprise!)

Now the Sonic Storm wasn't exactly hi-tech. Boasting an ESS-Maestro 1, it was more a DirectSound than DS3D accelerator, though it did have host-based Q-Sound algorithms. This time round, we have an ESS Maestro 2E, capable of up to 8 DS3D streams (with driver update). 64 channels of hardware MIDI are also along for the ride, as is a coaxial SP/DIF output.

On the software side, we do indeed have the kitchen sink. The Yamaha XG softsynth, Jet Audio rack software, a full mp3 suite (shareware) and a few other bits and pieces. The RRP for all this is £49.99, US $69 ex Tax. Mail order the SonicStorm Pro hits out for £32 plus VAT.

Installation

Anyone remember the old Microsoft Windows Sound System sound card? It was weird in the fact that it asked you to install the software before the card. Videologic have taken this route, and you are thoughtfully reminded by a little leaflet as soon as you open this box.

What this means is that when you actually plug in the card, it should marry up with the drivers, and not ask you to shuffle any CD's. Yeah, right, I thought. Imagine my surprise when Windows detected the card, sorted out the drivers and kicked up the desktop, complete with the now obligatory dinky little system tray utility.

Provided you left the CD in the drive, the Videologic Menu appears. This is in fact fancy HTML through Internet Explorer, but it works very well. From here, you can install whatever software you want, plus there are rather good explanations of why you'd want to install each tidbit.

Overall 9/10. Probably the most painless, and certainly excellent for a newcomer.

Sound - Wave and Midi

Hmm. I suppose I've been spoiled - I normally have an SB Live! and an MX300 with DB50XG installed for some block-rockin' sounds. But even playing straight wave sounds, the SonicStorm Pro sounds muddy. First, you have to activate the treble and bass controls - they're under 'Other' in the mixer, not 'Advanced Controls'. But even then, the midrange sounds muffled, and lacking in sparkle. The output level is certainly high, and there's plenty of bass, but kicking out the tunes with Winamp didn't have the same appeal. The acoustic mix of Alexia's 'Ooh La La La' lost all the sparkle, whilst Radiohead's 'Paranoid Android' lost most of its detail, although see the software section for a solution to this.

The Midi is another tale of woe. You can have the usual 2 or 4 meg patchsets, and the 4 is definitely superior, but they still both stink. Out of tune instruments, differing volume levels all paint quite an ugly picture. Bizarrely, the synth sounds are wonderfully analogue, and would be worthy of a rip for a soundfont if anyone has the time.

Oh, and of all the 'Spatializers' and '3d Audio' gimmicks I've heard, the 3D Spreader has to be the worst piece of midrange murdering garbage I've ever heard in my life.

Overall 5/10. Pretty darn average.

OK,  but what does it sound like in games and how do I enter the contest?

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