Sound Cards
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- What is a sound card?
- Tips for selecting a good sound card
- What is the FM synthesizer?
- What is a Wave Table Synthesizer?
- Which sound card should I purchase if I am
using the Internet?
- What is MIDI?
- What is Full Duplex Audio?
- What is 32-note polyphony?
- What is 16-part multi-timbral?
What is a sound card?
A sound card is an expansion board that enables a computer to manipulate and
output sounds. Sound cards are necessary for nearly all CD-ROMs and have become
commonplace in modern personal computers. Sound cards enable the computer to
output sound through speakers connected to the card, to record sound input from
a microphone connected to the computer, and to manipulate sound stored on a
disk.
Nearly all sound cards support MIDI, a standard for representing music
electronically. In addition, most sound cards are Sound Blaster®-compatible,
which means that they can process commands written for Sound Blaster card, the
de facto standard for PC sound.
Sound cards use two basic methods to translate digital data into analog
sounds:
FM synthesis mimics different musical instruments according to built-in
formulas.
Wave table synthesis relies on recordings of actual instruments to
produce sound. Wave table synthesis produces more accurate sound, but is also
more expensive.
Tips for selecting a good sound card.
The following are some of the criteria that should be considered when
choosing a sound card:
- Find a sound card made by a reputable manufacturer
- Look for good quality and reliability
- Good compatibility with the motherboard and other add-on cards
- Plug & Play for easy installation
- Full duplex capability for Internet and video conferencing applications
- High decibel, or signal-to-noise ratio for good sound clarity
What is the FM synthesizer?
The FM synthesizer is a component device based on the synthesis technique
called frequency modulation. This technique allows PC component manufacturers to
deliver complex sounds from simple, economically produced computer components.
What is a Wave Table Synthesizer?
The Wave Table Synthesizer is a component device that contains large numbers
of short digital recordings of real instruments, which are stored in ROM. The
amount of ROM required and the compression technology required makes the Wave
Table solution more expensive than the FM solution, but produces a richer sound.
Which sound card should I purchase if I am using the Internet?
The Internet may be used for voice communications as well as for the transfer
of data and programs. Using a PC for voice communications over the Internet
requires installation of a sound card with full duplex capability.
What is MIDI?
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is the interface standard for
connecting musical instruments to computers, and the MIDI standard provides the
format for playback of digitized sounds by computers. MIDI allows a computer to
turn 16 different sound channels on and off, and call up different instrumental
sounds in each of those channels. MIDI files are scalable, making it easy to
slow down or speed up processing to fit the desired sound. MIDI files may sound
different when played back on different sound cards, so it is important to use a
high quality sound card to get the best playback.
What is Full Duplex Audio?
Full Duplex audio is a protocol that enables the user to speak and listen at
the same time, making conversation as easy and natural as possible. This
function is necessary for operation of an Internet phone, video conferencing
applications, or other voice two-way communications devices that might utilize
the sound card.
What is 32-note polyphony?
Polyphony refers to the number of notes the sound card’s processor can
simultaneously play to create a sound. A sound card that features 32-note
polyphone can use up to 32 notes simultaneously to produce a sound.
What is 16-part multi-timbral?
Multi-timbrality refers to the number of different instrumental parts the
sound card’s synthesizer can play simultaneously. A sound card that features
16-part multi-timbral can use up to 16 instruments simultaneously to produce
sound.
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