2.2.15 Sound Cards - Notes
Types of Audio
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Integrated or onboard audio | Basic sound chip built into the motherboard chipset |
| PCIe or PCI sound card | Expansion card offering better quality and more features |
| Pro-level sound card | Includes onboard memory, wavetables, and additional jack types |
What Sound Cards Do
- Audio playback for speakers and headphones
- Audio recording through microphone input
- Support multiple output channels from mono to stereo to surround sound
Audio Jack Types on a Sound Card
| Jack Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Audio In | Line-level input |
| Mic In | Microphone input |
| Audio Out | Speaker or headphone output |
Key Things to Remember
- 3.5 mm jack, phone plug, and mini TRS connector all refer to the same style of connector.
- Onboard audio is basic, while a dedicated sound card gives better audio quality and more features.
- Wavetables are flash memory on pro-level cards that store pre-recorded sound samples.
- Multi-channel support enables surround sound setups.