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Implement the Covox Sound Master#7082

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OBattler merged 11 commits into
86Box:masterfrom
win2kgamer:soundmaster
Apr 22, 2026
Merged

Implement the Covox Sound Master#7082
OBattler merged 11 commits into
86Box:masterfrom
win2kgamer:soundmaster

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@win2kgamer win2kgamer commented Apr 22, 2026

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Summary

Implement the original 1989 Covox Sound Master which has an AY8930 PSG (currently implemented using Ayumi's AY-3-8910 emulation as no software uses the extended feature set), a DAC that runs in direct-drive (similar to the Speech Thing) and DMA (using channel C of the AY8930 for timing) modes and a non-standard joystick interface (not implemented) that works with Atari/Commodore-style joysticks.

The joystick interface was only supported by SimCity (and the CSM_TEST utility).

Also a few games listed as having Covox Sound Master support either lack support for this version of the hardware or shipped broken support:

  • Conan the Cimmerian: Silent due to buggy sound code (sets amplitude to 0/silent).
  • MegaTraveller 2: Music is missing a channel due to buggy sound code (disables channel C then tries to use it).
  • The Punisher: Doesn't attempt to access any of the Sound Master registers either due to buggy sound code which is likely due to the "No Sound" option having no effect or being intended for another Covox device.

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References

Provide links to datasheets or other documentation that helped you implement this pull request.

AY8930 extended features are not implemented yet, DAC is working and some games have working music with the existing AY-3-8910 based emulation
…ty and timing issues in Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego
…ght-shift values greater than 0x0f so Ayumi can work with them
…er DMA playback completes, fixes music in several games

Some Broderbund titles expect the card to switch back to PSG mode through an unknown mechanism (and real hardware recordings of Prince of Persia confirm this)
@OBattler OBattler merged commit 2016e19 into 86Box:master Apr 22, 2026
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@win2kgamer win2kgamer deleted the soundmaster branch April 22, 2026 04:31
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2 participants