| In the last few years we have seen a major | | | | Then when you start the CD audio is enough to |
| evolution in the computer industry especially in | | | | click on CD Player. Since the CD Player runs per |
| multimedia. | | | | background, you can listen to audio CDs while |
| Multimedia and Internet are two of the dominant | | | | working on other applications on your PC. |
| trends in the field of high technology equipment, | | | | From the sound of old boards that were limited |
| software and telecommunications. Both subjects | | | | to beeps from a small speaker on the |
| are represented more in Windows operating | | | | motherboard, towards the end of the '80 when |
| system, which contains very well known | | | | sound cards have begun to work, multimedia and |
| multimedia features. Another major trend is the | | | | computer games led to a computer completely |
| explosion of computers on the PC households. | | | | different level. Today these systems are more |
| Most computers sold on the market now include | | | | complex when it comes to high professional |
| at least DVD-ROM unit. | | | | standards. Motherboard and the sound and the |
| In addition the sound boards market accept | | | | interface have more diverse features. Computer |
| additional advanced audio performance, such as | | | | motherboard, also called the main board, is the |
| MIDI, which saw a spectacularly growing. With this | | | | most important component in the computer case. |
| technology evolution it is no wonder that Windows | | | | On it, there are applied following components: |
| operating system includes a lot of multimedia | | | | microprocessor, memory and other cards |
| features. Until few years ago multimedia features | | | | inserted into special slots: sound, modem, network |
| usually included only the sounds of closing | | | | card, etc.. In addition, there are installed parallel and |
| windows, opening windows, programs, etc and | | | | serial ports used to connect to peripheral devices |
| some warnings and a kind of "music" - electronic | | | | such as mice - the printer, modem. |
| music. In the beginning electronic music was | | | | Usually sound cards are installed in the PCI slot, |
| composed of combined sounds that could | | | | while the older ones were usually installed on the |
| reproduce some musical and even some vague | | | | ISA bus. Many computers today incorporate |
| melodies which was extraordinary because it was | | | | sound chips directly on the motherboard. That |
| easier to use than a audio cassette. After '95 | | | | leaves one slot free for other peripherals. Sound |
| when the Windows 95 operating system | | | | cards can be connected to: |
| appeared, special software and hardware was | | | | * Headset |
| created to convert music from tapes on audio | | | | * Speakers with amplifier |
| CDs. Conversion was not total, but a transfer | | | | * A source of analog input as a microphone, a |
| from the CD audio on the PC. Slowly things began | | | | radio, a deck with a box or a CD player |
| to evolve appearing more advanced systems and | | | | * A source of digital input as a digital audio tape |
| more efficient components. Today music is used | | | | (DAT) or a CD-ROM |
| mostly in compressed MP3 format, but it is | | | | * A source of analog output - with cassette deck |
| heading to different types of media. In the past, | | | | * A source of digital output as DAT writing a CD |
| computers tended to offer users a range of poor | | | | (CD-R) |
| quality media, text and graphics. But the improved | | | | Some sound cards provide through a socket a |
| performance of hardware components in the | | | | very efficient output for 4 speakers and a digital |
| industry have led to a wider range of products | | | | output interface. For audio, there is a new |
| which use intensively the CPU, graphics functions, | | | | generation of digital sound card. A sound card is |
| the sound and full-motion video. To benefit from | | | | practical for digital applications that require digital |
| the advantages of multimedia components you | | | | sound. The digital sound cards have digital sound |
| need additional hardware, more RAM (16-32 MB | | | | inputs and digital outputs, so you can transfer |
| of RAM) and probably a bigger hard disk on which | | | | data from DAT, CD or DVD directly to hard disk |
| to store video and sound files that you use. | | | | in the computer. Normally, a sound card can do |
| Today, music and sound on the computer has | | | | more things with sound: |
| become something vital. It should be process and | | | | - to reproduce recorded music (from CDs or |
| compress in many ways but anyways quality | | | | audio files like WAV or MP3), from games or |
| should be provided. That's why some musical | | | | from DVDs, |
| instruments started to be provided with the | | | | - to record audio in various media formats from |
| factory plugs (MIDI) Musical Instrument Interface. | | | | different external sources (microphone or tape |
| MIDI is a protocol which allows data transfer of | | | | deck to) |
| digital music between electronic devices, whether | | | | - to synthesize sound. |
| PC or keyboard. Without the necessary hardware | | | | The DAC (digital audio controller) and the ADC |
| such as PC card with MIDI playback options, you | | | | (analog-digital converter) bring the transmission |
| will not have sound from MIDI data. So MIDI data | | | | into and out of the sound card while the DSP |
| contain only instructions that allow the desired | | | | (digital sound processor) oversee the process. |
| musical sound to be reproduced. One of the | | | | The DSP also deals with any other sound |
| advantages it has MIDI, compared to a normal | | | | alteration as an echo or 3D sound. Because the |
| WAV file is the file size. WAV files recorded all | | | | DSP focus on sound processing, the processor of |
| the sound and therefore can have huge | | | | the computer can deal with other things. |
| dimensions. MIDI files contain only instructions for | | | | Sound cards used old synthesizer to create FM |
| reproducing the sounds, and therefore are much | | | | sounds. Synthesizer takes tones of varied FM |
| smaller. | | | | frequencies and combines them to create an |
| As the number of multimedia and games, including | | | | approximation of a certain sound, such as a |
| MIDI, grows, the number of sound cards that are | | | | trumpet. While the FM synthesizer has developed |
| sold with these possibilities (such as a standard | | | | to the point that sounds very realistic, it does not |
| MIDI port for connecting MIDI instruments) grows | | | | compare with Wave Table synthesizer which |
| too. In addition for example you can use MIDI to | | | | works by recording a small part of the actual |
| emphasize the effect of multimedia presentations, | | | | instrument sound. This is continuing to play a |
| which can sound realistic to emphasize visual | | | | sound exactly like the one made with incredible |
| presentation, which appears on the screen. | | | | accuracy. Wave Table synthesizer has become |
| Still to record an album of quality music is not an | | | | the new standard for most sound cards, but |
| easy process. You need computer processing. But | | | | some brands still use more cheaply FM |
| the technician can not work without a good | | | | synthesizer. Few sound cards include both of |
| musician and a musician can't work well without a | | | | them. Sound cards have a very sophisticated |
| technician. | | | | support higher for MIDI instruments. Using a |
| Windows offers several ways to use multimedia | | | | program of music, an instrument equipped with |
| audio, including the ability to play audio compact | | | | MIDI can be attached to the sound card to allow |
| disks and customizing the sound recording and | | | | you to see on-screen musical notes to your song. |
| playback. Playing audio CD on a CD-ROM installed | | | | Some people so-called "musicians" produce music |
| on your computer is possible using the CD | | | | using computer programs that produce sounds |
| function Player. If you have a card, inserting the | | | | and rhythms and with the help of synthesizers . |
| CD in the drive is enough to launch the CD Player: | | | | The music made by these methods is quality |
| 1. Open the Start menu and choose the | | | | music even if it sounds real and it is clear. It is |
| Accessories. 2. Select Multimedia and then select | | | | made by the tool itself. That's why classical music |
| the CD player. 3. Access the CD Play. | | | | and the live music is superior because it's made |
| Windows can also recognize automatically | | | | by real musicians (professionals). |
| compact audio discs, when placed in the CD-ROM. | | | | |