Hi folks, I am working on a system for disabled persons who can't speak, and I use a combination of voicemodem, soundcard and a speaker/reader software program to enable persons to talk via the computer/phone. I'm not the vendor, nor the salesman, just a simple guy helping the disabled, and since the vendor is out of business I stand here with nothing but a little hope someone can help me.. :) This problem wasn't a fact before, but nowadays they just don't make soundcards like they do anymore.. :) Well, here goes: I'm setting up a system with a voice modem and a soundcard, regardless the make of any of those. The voicemodem has: both analog 'Line out' and 'line in'. The soundcard must have: All analoge - Line in, line out and speaker out. Soundcard in the past (like Soundblaster 16, 32, AWE64 and Vibra) had this setup, and worked fine. They stopped making theese cards, and offcourse I could go looking for theese cards in the used maked, but they're all ISA bus, and I need PCI to match todays modern setup on PC's. I'll 'illstrate the setup here, so you get a hint of what my problem is.. Voice modem:............PC/Soundcard: Phone line<-->wall Line out<-------------->Line in Line in<--------------->Line out ...................................Spk out<-->Speaker Nowaday, they seem to have (example Live!) have a rear out instead of 'line out' and this output is somehow lowered in the amp or it has something to do with only triggered if an rear signal on a surround system is outputted, as in this system will never occur, since it's only a 'normal' telephone system. I could use the speaker out with an 'Y' connector, sending the signal to the modem and the speaker at the same time, but belive me, this creates an insane feedback since the signal then goes in loop from the modem-computer-modem-etc.... Cards tried: SB Live! SB Audigy Terratec 96 (with front bracket) My question then, is as follows: 1. Is there a way to 'manipulate' this rear output to permanent be a analoge 'line out'? (soldering, software whatever it takes) 2. Is there any modern cards wich have this functions as described above here? (analoge line out, line in and speaker out) My frustration is taking overhand here, but i'll have to hang on to see if anyone else have an idea of what the sollution might be. I thank you in advance, both to repliers and this great community! Petter / Norway

"Soundcard in the past (like Soundblaster 16, 32, AWE64 and Vibra) had this setup, and worked fine. They stopped making theese cards, and offcourse I could go looking for theese cards in the used maked, but they're all ISA bus, and I need PCI to match todays modern setup on PC's." Although there were a lot of older soundblaster cards that used ISA, there were also PCI ones - SB16 PCI, SB64, SB128, SB512 Equisonic, SB Wave Effects, etc. At least some of these would have the ports you require.Take a look on the SoundBlaster sites. Some places may still have these, especially the SB128, SB512 , available, or you may find any of these used. Another obscure possibility is using the game/midi port on the card, and a midi adapter cable, or a custom wired cable, and using midi out/midi in.

G'day, If you don't get any joy with Mike's suggestion, I believe some of the so-called SOHO (Small Office/ Home Office) modems do have earpiece and speaker outputs (I'm not sure about an analogue line out); this could be a possibility. Unfortunately, signal definitions of soundcards is very difficult to find (ie pk-pk level, output inpedance etc), and so suggesting any signal matching circuit is difficult. As for using the newer cards, it would not be wise because the operation of the software would be unpredictable in that use. From an engineering point of view, signals can be conditioned for whatever purpose you want; you would, however, have to come up with the specification of the signal you want. Good luck, Elric

Hi again and thanks for the good replys. I have faced the fact that hardware isn't what it was some time ago, and with your tips I've managed to make an little 'hardware-hack' who actually helped me out of the problem, though not 100%, but it'll do the trick for now. Ok, thanks again, and take care folks, your help has been very helpful. Petter