Sound Cards

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Audio playback is achieved via speakers or headphones, which are connected to a sound card via an audio jack.

• used to record input from a microphone
• Most audio jacks are 3.5 mm (⅛ inch) mono or stereo jacks
• referred to as phone plugs or mini tip, ring, sleeve (TRS) connectors

• Sound cards supporting multiple output channels with an appropriate speaker system can provide various levels of playback:
  • mono (on legacy systems)
  • stereo
  • surround sound
    • uses multiple speakers positioned around the listener to provide a “cinematic” audio experience
• basic sound chip may be provided as part of the motherboard chipset
• better-quality audio functions can be provided as a PCIe or PCI expansion card
• Pro-level cards may also feature onboard memory, flash memory storing sound samples (wavetables), and additional jack types for different input sources

Info

• Audio hardware built into a computer may be susceptible to noise from other internal components when using recording functionality
• Consequently, most audio interfaces designed for professional use are external units connected via USB or Thunderbolt