SOUND CARD |
Inputs and Outputs |
Inputs | Line in Microphone in MIDI in | |
Outputs | Line out
Headphone out
MIDI OUT (To an external Synthesizer)Digital out (SPDF) The numbers are sent out bypassing the DAC resulting in no loss of sound quality | |
| Internal |
| Synthesizer | Used by software programs to play MIDI files Cheaper sound cards have only FM synthesis. Better sound cards have powerful samplers | |
| DAC | Converts numbers into an electrical signal that can be used by speakers or an external device Consumer cards (sound blaster) have a high latency (the time it takes the sound card to generate sound). Profession cards (Audiophile) have a low latency | Signal is sent to the Line Out |
| ADC | Converts an audio signal into numbers for processing and storage in the computer | Signal arrives from either the Line In or Mic In |
| MIDI | Transmits and/or received data from an external device - Keyboard or Synthesizer | Data is transmitted through the game port - A special adaptor is needed to connect to a keyboard |
