SB-Pro generally refers to a line of sound cards produced by Creative Labs, specifically the Sound Blaster Pro. It was a significant upgrade from the original Sound Blaster and Sound Blaster 1.5, offering improved audio capabilities and compatibility with existing standards.
The Sound Blaster Pro was notable for the following features:
- Stereo Sound: Unlike its predecessors, the SB-Pro supported stereo audio output, providing a more immersive listening experience.
- Dual OPL2 FM Synthesizers: This allowed for more complex and richer FM-based music synthesis compared to single OPL2 chips.
- AdLib Compatibility: The SB-Pro maintained compatibility with the popular AdLib standard, ensuring a wide range of games and software could utilize its sound capabilities.
- Sound Blaster Compatibility: It also retained compatibility with the original Sound Blaster, enabling it to run software designed for the earlier card.
- Microphone Input: The SB-Pro included a microphone input, facilitating voice recording and communication.
- Game Port: A standard game port was included for connecting joysticks and other gaming peripherals.
- CMS/Game Blaster Compatibility: Some versions offered compatibility with the Creative Music System (CMS), also known as Game Blaster.
The Sound Blaster Pro became a de facto standard for PC audio in the early 1990s, and its features and capabilities significantly influenced the development of future sound cards. It played a crucial role in enhancing the gaming and multimedia experiences on personal computers. It was eventually succeeded by more advanced Sound Blaster cards like the Sound Blaster 16.