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BeavisUltrasound

schlae

This repository provides open-source hardware and software files for building a replica of the Gravis Ultrasound PnP ISA sound card using the AMD InterWave chip.

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License

CERN-OHL-P-2.0

Last updated

2026-07-13

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FR-AI / ANALYSIS

Why it is worth attention

It is one of the few open-source hardware clones of the classic Gravis Ultrasound card, including reverse-engineered GAL source code and full schematic, enabling retro audio enthusiasts to recreate or study the design.

Who it is for

  • Retro computing and DOS gaming enthusiasts
  • Hardware hackers and reverse engineers
  • DIY PCB fabricators and makers
  • Vintage sound card collectors and restorers

Use cases

  • Building a working Gravis Ultrasound clone for authentic vintage DOS audio
  • Learning about ISA bus sound card design and PnP configuration
  • Experimenting with custom PnP settings using the provided EEPROM tools
  • Studying the reverse-engineered GAL logic for educational purposes

Strengths

  • Complete open-source design with schematic PDF and GAL source code
  • Uses the easily obtainable AMD InterWave chip for core functionality
  • Detailed fabrication and assembly notes including substitution options for op-amps and ferrite beads
  • Includes precompiled GAL JED file and EEPROM binary for straightforward programming

Considerations

  • Board has not been fabricated or tested by the author, so functionality is unverified
  • Requires hard-to-find components such as the 1MB sample ROM and a now-obsolete PLL chip
  • 4-layer PCB construction may be costly and complex for hobbyists to manufacture

README quick start

Beavis Ultrasound PnP ISA Sound Card Replica

Uhhh... I'm, like, angry at numbers.
Yeah, there's like, too many of them and stuff.

The Beavis Ultrasound PnP is an open source replica of the Gravis Ultrasound Pnp. Unlike other clones, this design includes the entire schematic as well as the reverse-engineered source code of the GAL.

If you want to build this board, first make sure you have an AMD InterWave chip, the AM78C201. The design of the card is quite simple since essentially all sound card functionality is built into the AMD chip.

Note: I have not generated the fab package since I have not actually fabricated the board and tested it for functionality. Build this board at your own risk.

Schematic PDF

Fab Notes

The board is 8.2 x 4.2 inches (208 x 107mm) and 4 layers. Feel free to go with ENIG plating for the edge fingers; although hard gold is technically better, it is ludicrously expensive.

Assembly Notes

The dual op amps may be substituted. The BOM calls out the LM833 but the JRC5532 will also work. Basically, any ~10MHz low noise op amp that can handle a +/-8V input power supply will suffice. If you want to get fancy, install sockets and experiment.

The ferrite beads were missing from the card I started with so their values are unknown but you can replace them with a 0 ohm resistor or a piece of wire. It's a little odd using ferrite beads to filter the voltage regulators when they are really only effective at frequencies far higher than the audio range.

JPR12 and JPR13 are not installed. Presumably these were for testing the isolation of the 5V analog power planes, which have cuts to reduce crosstalk between the analog and digital supplies of the InterWave chip.

U100 is there for completeness but in practice is never used since it hosts a PLL chip that doesn't seem to exist anymore. Use the two crystals instead.

Programmable Devices

U8, the IW78C21M1, is the 1MB sample ROM. If you can't find this chip, then go find and download the sample ROM from around the internet and burn it to a 27C800, and install it (preferably socketed) at U80.

U6/U60 is the 93C66 EEPROM containing the plug-n-play configuration data. You should program it with the contents of ultrasound_pnp.bin using a TL866 or equivalent device programmer. Note that the order of bits is reversed in the EEP

Description

Open source clone of the Gravis Ultrasound PnP

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