Sound cards
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Posted on Mar 10, 2006 05:26 pm
adam fearnley
Fearn
Member Since: Jan 27, 2006
I would like to know what a sound card does. I have a laptop and I heard that a sound card is just for surround sound. If i got a sound card would it make music that I make sound better through the same speakers?? also if you record through the sound cars would it make the resultant sound better??? Is a sound card just for surround sound basically???????
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Mar 10, 2006 05:31 pm The sound card makes sound...it's job is to take sound in to the computer (if using a mic or whatever) and to send sound out of the computer to the speakers. Better cards make better sounds, and sound cards each have different features, some support MIDI some don't, some have digital I/O's some don't...
If you don't have a sound card, your computer doesn't make sound...with the possible exception of beeps and buzzes of little crap speakers built in to some computers.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Mar 10, 2006 05:35 pm Wow, where to start...
A sound card produces any and all sound coming from your computer. Well, except for the little PC speaker but that' does't count :) It is also responsible for accepting input from external sources.
Some sound cards are capable of producing surround sound, some are not.
Your laptop probably already contains a sound card. I can't think of a PC or laptop available today that doesn't have an integrated sound chip. These integrated cards are widely used because they're cheap and they do an OK job of producing sound and accepting input from cheapie PC microphones.
These integrated chips usually do a pretty good job at sound playback, but they usually suck for recording.
So buying a new sound card might make a difference in the quality of sound playback. But probably not a big difference unless you're using some pretty high fidelity speakers.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Mar 10, 2006 05:35 pm Haha, concurrent posting once again :)
Mar 10, 2006 06:20 pm The sound card in my laptop will just be a cheap one so do you think its worth buying a plug-in 24 bit card???
Mar 10, 2006 06:23 pm YES
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Mar 10, 2006 09:29 pm Adam, I agree with dB completely there. Yes it would be well worth it. If your laptop has a USB port there are several choices out there, one of which is the Line 6 UX-2 or UX-2. These are what I consider an all in one solution for the laptop user. Here is a review HRC just did on them. www.homerecordingconnecti...tory&id=727
AS well Echo makes a PCMCIA card that is called the Indigo which is a great card as well. A bit pricey when compared to what you will get with the Line 6 UX-2.
Mar 10, 2006 09:30 pm Quote:
one of which is the Line 6 UX-2 or UX-2
eh?
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Mar 10, 2006 09:36 pm Noize is all hopped up on goofballs
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Mar 10, 2006 09:56 pm OK, Line 6 UX-1 or UX-2. There, happy now.
Mar 11, 2006 12:47 pm Is a creative blaster live any good, its cheap though, can you suggest a good cheap card please people.
Mar 11, 2006 01:03 pm Live sucks, get an M-Audio Audiophile 2496, they are about $80 at zZounds
Mar 11, 2006 02:31 pm But does that work for a laptop??? I need to connect it to my laptop, with a USB. If you know of any others you can recomment I'll be grateful.
Mar 11, 2006 02:38 pm there are loads of good USB devices, browse the gear catalog.
Mar 11, 2006 05:18 pm i DONT REALLY HAVE THAT MUCH MONEY, SO WHAT ABOUT THE BEHRINGER FCA202?? WILL THAT DO A GOOD JOB????????
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Mar 11, 2006 06:33 pm It will do a good job as most Behringer gear does. But be wary of the Firewire connections. Read up well on what it will work with and what it wont. It seems as though many of the Firewire interfaces have compatability issues with certain operating systems as well as certain hardware. I know many people have gotten the interfaces to work, but some have had lots of trouble. Do a little research before you shell out the cash.
Mar 11, 2006 06:45 pm I have not heard anything about the Behringer devices...I tried to get one from them to look at and review but Behringer always blows me off...
