In the case of the SB 16 that is correct.  However, the AWE 32 and AWE 64
cards are still 16bit devices.  The 32 in "AWE 32" relates to the number of
sounds (voices) that the card can produce simultaneously.  Ditto for the AWE
64.

Additionally, the AWE 64 is essentially an AWE 32 device with an additional
32 voices provided by software.  The effect of 64 voice polyphonic sound is
impressive (I own one).  However, with only 32 voices provided by the
hardware, the CPU takes a hit in order to produce the other 32 voices.  Just
a consideration if your not using a fast Pentium chip.

Take Care,
Dave

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Meagher <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Friday, April 24, 1998 8:32 AM
Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] Sound Cards


>The letters refer to the model.
>    SB = Sound Blaster
>    AWE = Advanced Wave Effect
>
>The numbers indicate how many bits of data are in one sound byte.
>More bits mean more complex sounds.  Like the number of singers
>in a choir -- the more there are, the richer and fuller the sound is.
>
>Jim Meagher
>==========
>Micro Solutions Consulting    Member of the HTML Writers Guild & the
>[log in to unmask]              International Web Masters Association
>==========
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: PCBUILD - PC Hardware discussion List
>> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Richard Tan
>> Sent: Thursday, April 23, 1998 9:48 AM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: [PCBUILD] Sound Cards
>>
>>
>> Dear all,
>>
>> Could somebody tell me the difference in sound cards.  For example a SB
16
>> and the AWE 64?
>>
>> TIA,
>> Richard Tan
>>
>