Crystal CS-4235 / CX-4235 / CS-4239
The CS4235 / CS-4239 was Crystal's second combined multimedia audio controller and codec, introduced in 1997.
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Released | Late 1997 |
| Bus | ISA 16-bit | |
| FM Synth | None | |
| Sample Range | 4 - 50 kHz | |
| Packages | 100-pin TQFP (-JQ or -KQ) | |
| Standards | Sound Blaster, Sound Blaster Pro, Windows Sound System | |
| Plug & Play | Yes | |
| See Also | CS-4248 |
The CS4235 is a slightly later version of the CS4236B, adding what Crystal called "CrystalClear" 3D audio.
It supports full duplex, is Plug & Play, has an integrated FM synthesizer on-chip compatible with
Sound Blaster, Sound Blaster Pro and Windows Sound System.
In addition to its codec functions, it had a joystick port, MPU-401-compatible MIDI interface, and an optional CD-ROM interface.
Apparently the CS4235 got a very glitchy OPL3 FM synthesizer, so it's advisable to avoid cards or motherboards that have this chip. There are numerous reports of its FM audio sounding pretty dreadful. See my retro review of a sound card that had this CS4235, including recordings.
The CX4235 is the same as a CS4235 - Crystal used the 'CX' prefix whenever it was a custom product for one specific manufacturer.
A low-power version of the CS4235 was also released, called CS4239.
The CS4235, CX4235 and CS4239 can be found on the following sound cards:
- Miracle Crystal 4235 Sound
- Crystal (Cirrus Logic) Digimate 3D Sound (CRD4237B-5)
- Pine Technology PT-2318-20 (sometimes referred to as PT-231x)
- Digimate 3D Sound (CX4235-XQ3 EP)
Revisions
Competition
In the Media
Setting it Up
For DOS, unzip the CrystalWare drivers to a directory, e.g. C:\CRYSTAL, and then run CWDINIT. I ran through a full installation and review of a card with the CX4235, which you can read here.
For Windows or OS/2, use the Installation Guide in the Downloads section for guidance on how to install.
Downloads
The CS4235 is register-compatible with the CS4236B, CS4237B and CS4238B, so if you're looking for generic Crystal drivers for the 4235, you might try those as well.
Datasheet |
Crystal Software Install Guide A general CrystalWare driver installation guide for Windows 3.x, Windows 95, NT and OS/2. |
CrystalWare Drivers Extracted from the Turtle Beach Malibu driver disk, believed to be unmodified from the Crystal v1.8 reference drivers. |
CrystalWare Drivers |
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