iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
PicoGUS 2.0 is an ISA card built around a Raspberry Pi RP2040 that emulates several classic PC audio and peripheral interfaces. Its modes include Gravis UltraSound, Sound Blaster, AdLib, MIDI, Tandy and CMS audio, plus joystick and Panasonic/MKE CD-ROM functions. It is a flexible emulator—not a set of original sound cards, and not a guarantee that every DOS game or PC will behave exactly as it did with the hardware it emulates.
What PicoGUS 2.0 is
PicoGUS 2.0 is an integrated ISA board developed by Ian Scott. Unlike the earlier approach of mounting a separate Raspberry Pi Pico board, version 2.0 incorporates the RP2040-based design on the card itself. The project describes its central purpose as emulating a Gravis UltraSound (GUS), while offering several other classic interfaces as selectable modes. See the PicoGUS project site for the project overview.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Fx Pro Hi-Res PCIe Sound Card | $69.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Creative - Sound Blaster Audigy FX V2 Sound Card | $79.00 | Buy on Amazon |
These are emulations implemented by one device, not independent original sound cards installed together. What the card can do depends on the selected mode, firmware, PC configuration and software support.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Which sound cards and interfaces it emulates
- Gravis UltraSound: the project’s primary focus and its most developed emulation mode.
- Sound Blaster: Sound Blaster 16 and Sound Blaster Pro 2.0 behavior, including OPL3.
- AdLib: AdLib-compatible sound.
- MIDI: MPU-401 intelligent-mode MIDI output.
- Tandy and CMS: Tandy 3-voice and CMS/Game Blaster modes.
- Other functions: a gameport joystick and Panasonic/MKE CD-ROM emulation.
Not every capability is available in every mode or firmware version. In particular, CD-ROM emulation has its own firmware and storage requirements.
#1 Best Overall
- HIGH-RESOLUTION AUDIO - Delivers ultra-clear playback with 32-bit / 384 kHz and up to 120 dB SNR
- SURROUND SOUND - Supports discrete 7.1-channel analog output for immersive multi-channel audio on your PC
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY - Connects effortlessly to multi-channel PC speaker systems, SPDIF output and headset outputs, mic-in, as well as line-in sources
- ALL-NEW CREATIVE NEXUS APP - AutoEq customization that allows users to simulate the frequency response of various headphones for a tailored listening experience
- COMPACT LOW-PROFILE DESIGN - The card is 10.5 cm in length and comes with a half-height bracket to ensure compatibility with smaller cases and different build needs
How to configure PicoGUS for DOS
Configuration is mode-specific. The maintainer’s guide uses the pgusinit utility to select a mode with pgusinit /mode x; use /save to save settings to flash. For modes that do not need DMA, PicoGUS 1.2 and 2.0 can operate without DMA jumpers. GUS and Sound Blaster use may require jumpers and settings appropriate to the target PC and software. Follow the maintainer’s setup documentation for the card revision and mode you are using.
GUS mode
The guide identifies GUS as the most developed mode and gives port 240, DMA 1 and IRQ 5 as example settings. For that example, the DOS environment variables are:
SET ULTRASND=240,1,1,5,5
SET ULTRADIR=C:ULTRASNDThose values are an example, not universal settings: the PC’s resource configuration and the game’s requirements still matter. The maintainer recommends using pgusinit rather than assuming the original Gravis setup program will work with PicoGUS.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Sound Blaster mode
Sound Blaster mode emulates SB16/Pro/2.0 behavior and OPL3. The maintainer reports good accuracy for Sound Blaster Pro stereo and support for SB16 in most DOS games and Windows 95/98. There are important limits: PicoGUS is an 8-bit card, does not support high DMA, and does not support ADPCM. Software that depends on those capabilities may not work as expected.
MIDI output
The documented MIDI output uses a 3.5 mm MIDI TRS Type A connector. PicoGUS 2.0 boards bought from the official sellers include an adapter, according to the maintainer. If you use a replacement cable or adapter, verify that it follows the Type A wiring standard; the connector size alone does not establish compatibility.
Can PicoGUS 2.0 run your DOS games?
It may, but there is no universal compatibility guarantee. A game’s audio support, chosen PicoGUS mode, IRQ and DMA settings, PC hardware and firmware can all affect the result. The project repository calls its software “perpetual beta” and says it is a work in progress; it also warns that the RP2040’s limits, software expectations and differences among retro PCs make perfect compatibility unlikely. Consult the project’s repository and compatibility notes for the particular program and configuration you care about.
Rank #2
Treat compatibility as a per-game and per-machine question rather than inferring it from the list of emulated devices. The project’s coverage of several sound standards is useful, but it does not mean every game that supported an original card will behave identically on PicoGUS.
Using PicoGUS as a CD-ROM drive
With firmware 3.0.0 or higher, CD-ROM emulation is available in Sound Blaster and USB modes. It emulates a Panasonic/MKE interface and reads ISO or BIN/CUE disc images from a USB drive. The maintainer reports testing in DOS and Windows 9x and says CD audio is supported.
- The USB drive must use FAT32; exFAT is unsupported.
- A quality USB drive is recommended because some drives can cause choppy audio.
- In Sound Blaster mode, the RP2040 must mix audio while handling CD data, and some games may stutter.
- USB mode avoids that particular Sound Blaster-mode constraint, but requires a separate sound card.
These are the maintainer’s documented operating conditions, not a guarantee that every USB drive or game will perform alike. See the CD-ROM setup guide for the current procedure.
Is PicoGUS 2.0 open hardware?
Yes. The Open Source Hardware Association lists PicoGUS version 2.0 as certified under UID US002687. The record gives October 21, 2024 as the certification date and lists CERN-OHL-P-2.0 for hardware and GPL for software and documentation. Details are in the OSHWA certification record.
Who should consider PicoGUS 2.0?
PicoGUS is worth considering if you have an ISA-equipped retro PC and want one card that can cover several legacy audio or peripheral needs. Whether it suits you depends on more than the number of modes. Check these points before choosing it:
- Your PC: confirm that it has a compatible ISA slot and that you can configure the required resources.
- Your software: check the project’s compatibility notes for the games, operating systems and mode you plan to use.
- Your priorities: decide whether you need GUS, Sound Blaster, MIDI, joystick or CD-ROM functions, and whether their documented limits affect your use.
- Your setup tolerance: expect mode selection, DOS environment settings and possibly legacy drivers or IRQ/DMA configuration.
- Your preference: consider whether emulation meets your needs or whether original hardware or software emulation is a better fit.
The project site lists Joe’s Computer Museum in the US, Serdashop in the EU and Flamelily IT in the UK as sellers. Serdashop offers bundles with DreamBlaster MIDI wavetable cards, according to the project site. Availability, bundle contents and current terms can vary; check the seller’s listing directly. The official project site is picogus.com.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
