It is hard to imagine a modern computer or laptop without the ability to listen to music or watch movies. The sound card for the computer is responsible for playing the sound. How to choose (tips will be given a little later) and what to look for when buying such a device? Read on for this and more.
First of all, any user who encounters similar problem, first of all, should be based on personal considerations and the area of \u200b\u200buse of the sound system. Today, the use of such devices is no longer limited to high-quality playback of music or tracks in a video or movie.
With the development of the gaming industry, the requirements for sound cards have increased tremendously, and they themselves began to offer the user much more opportunities in terms of the same surround sound reproduction or special effects that can immerse the gamer in the gameplay, creating a completely realistic atmosphere of what is happening.
The same applies to the direction that involves the creation and recording of music at home or in a professional studio. Here the requirements are even higher, and the cards themselves are much more expensive. Therefore, when deciding which sound card to choose for a computer, one should proceed from such considerations. Next, some aspects that affect the choice of a chip of one type or another will be considered, with an analysis of the main features and characteristics of several of the most popular sound chips.
In any case, the very first parameter is high-quality sound reproduction without distortion or unwanted side effects. Typically, most devices use either analog or digital inputs. The former can create additional interference when playing sound through the speaker system (speakers or speakers), the latter almost completely exclude their appearance.
In most cases, crystal clear sound can only be achieved if there is an S/PDIF interface for connecting a speaker system through the appropriate connector.
However, according to many professional musicians, digital devices, although they produce a clear sound without distortion, nevertheless, they lack the so-called analog warmth, which adds realism to any music track, which is quite difficult to achieve on digital devices.
The second point is related to the frequency range that the sound card itself for a computer can “give out to the top”. How to choose a device based on these considerations? You just need to pay attention to the lower and upper frequency limits. The lower limit is usually 16 Hz (followed by infrasound, which is not perceived by the human ear), and the upper limit is 18-22 kHz (above is ultrasound, which a person also cannot hear). However, today you can find devices that can reproduce 22 and even 24 kHz, but they are practically not used in everyday life.
Finally, if most modern sound cards support Dolby Digital and DTS Dolby Surround standards, game cards should declare support for EAX v.X technology or the same standard in the form of Advanced HD, without which to achieve realistic sound in gameplay it just won't work. Separately, it is worth mentioning that buying cards with support for 5 + 1 (7 + 1), if you have ordinary stereo speakers at home, is absolutely inappropriate.
As for the main types of sound cards on the market, they can be divided into integrated (built into motherboards), internal (connected via PCI slots) and external.
All of them have very different characteristics and quite different principles of operation and connection. But external devices of this type have the advantage that they can have built-in memory, and due to the lack of size restrictions, they can have more connectors.
In addition, internal and integrated cards can be exposed to electromagnetic radiation and the resulting interference, and external devices are almost completely immune from this. Finally, the use of external sound cards is the only solution to improve the sound quality and connect 5 + 1 acoustics to laptops.
Nevertheless, in everyday life, when only listening to audio tracks or watching videos will be performed, and sound quality is not a priority, an integrated sound card for a computer can be used. How to choose such a device? Actually, you don't have to choose. It is already built into the motherboard. Another thing is the replacement of the chip.
The most common are WDM-type devices (such as Realtek) with High Definition Audio drivers. Therefore, any chip of this kind will do here.
If you need higher quality using surround sound systems, you will have to deal with the problem of how to choose a sound card for a 5.1 computer. Most experts consider buying an Audigy Fx PCI device (Creative's Sound Blaster line) an optimal purchase, which has decent characteristics and a fairly low cost.
With games, it's not that easy. When choosing a device, the main emphasis is on the availability of support for EAX v.X and OpenAL technologies.
Judging by the reviews of gamers, the most popular and relatively inexpensive models of sound chips in this series are the following:
All these devices reproduce multi-channel sound, are equipped with 24-bit DACs, and the sampling rate in stereo mode is 96-192 kHz. You can, of course, stop at 192 kHz, but this is not necessary, since the difference will not be distinguishable by ear.
Musicians also need a sound card for a computer like air. How to choose a chip? It is necessary to proceed from what the device will be used for. To record music from a MIDI keyboard, any simple chip will do, even at the level of outdated Wavetable-enabled cards like the Yamaha WDM.
To work with sequencers, it is better to use cards like Terratec or the same Audigy card, but support for the previously used Full Duplex standard and modern ASIO drivers is a prerequisite.
But for recording live instruments in studios, an external sound card for a computer should be used. How to choose a device of this type?
You can refer to the list of the most popular and sought-after soundcards, which is compiled based on the feedback from the musicians and sound engineers themselves:
There are many different sound cards on the market today, but only a few of them are positioned as gaming. With the improvement in the quality of integrated audio interfaces, very cheap products turned out to be of little demand, and the main demand shifted to the pro-audio and portable Hi-Fi segments.
Thus, due to the lack of high demand, manufacturers have been selling the same products for years. There is nothing critical in this, because audio interfaces are not smartphones and become morally obsolete much more slowly, but healthy competition would definitely not hurt here.
If we talk about leaders, then there are two of them: ASUS and Creative. The first has an extensive Xonar gaming line and another smaller one - Strix, and the second is no less large Sound Blaster and Sound BlasterX. There is something from Sennheiser, BenQ, Astro Gaming and Sewell Direct, but they cannot be compared with ASUS and Creative in terms of assortment.
All sound cards on the market can be divided into internal (PCI-e slot, rarely PCI), external (separate module with a patch panel and USB connection) and combined (PCI-e card + external module). The performance on the board, due to the design features, is not very convenient for connecting headphones, and the output volume control and profile switching buttons, often present on external audio interfaces, are more convenient than software controls, to access which you will have to stop the game. Therefore, almost all top products are either external or hybrids.
Internal and external sound cards
Sound cards are divided into internal and external. External cards are stand-alone devices that connect to your computer via USB or FireWire. Internal cards connect to the motherboard expansion slots inside the computer. Internal cards with comparable quality are usually cheaper due to the lack of an external case. The disadvantage of internal cards is usually a high risk of poor-quality power supply to the computer and numerous pickups. External sound cards are often more convenient to control due to separate external controls and inputs / outputs that are at hand. In addition, the external card can work with both desktop computers and laptops.
ESI Juli@ internal sound card and ASUS Xonar Essence One external sound card
Professional and household
Between themselves, sound cards are divided into home and professional. Professional cards use the types of connectors typical of musical equipment, such as 6.3 mm jack and balanced XLR, while consumer cards use RCA or 3.5 mm jack connectors.
NuForce Icon uDAC-2 consumer sound card and professional E-MU 0404 USB
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What features are worth paying attention to?
For external sound cards - external power or USB bus power is used. When using an external power supply, the sound card may work better, because. does not depend on the noisy power supply of the computer. In contrast, USB-powered cards are more mobile because they do not require an additional outlet and can work connected to a laptop on the go.
This is a special protocol for transferring data from programs to the sound card driver. ASIO allows you to transfer sound from a program to a sound card without distortion. The second possibility, demanded only by musicians, is to set the minimum delay level for sending a signal from the program to the sound card, which is important when playing/recording instruments live.
This is a free driver that adds ASIO support to any sound card. From the point of view of sound quality and accuracy of data transfer, the driver unfortunately does not provide bit-by-bit transmission and is necessary in cases where the sound card does not have its own ASIO support, and the program with which you are working can only output an audio stream in ASIO.
For Windows 7 and 8, there is an alternative way to transmit distortion-free sound through WASAPI, but fewer sound programs support it. WASAPI is an alternative to ASIO for accurate music reproduction.
Microphone support and phantom power
There are microphones various types, but most modern ones are dynamic and condenser / electret. The first type does not require a separate power supply and will work with both home and professional sound cards. The second type of microphone requires phantom power, which for consumer microphones is in the region of 5 V, and for professional microphones from 12 to 48 V. For this reason, consumer condenser / electret microphones cannot be connected to professional cards (phantom power will be too high and the microphone may be damaged) , and a professional microphone connected to a household card will not work due to insufficient phantom power.
Your computer or laptop needs a sound card, also known as an audio card, to operate audio playback devices. Such devices are external, internal.
They are also distinguished by the type of connection: USB, PCI, PCI-E, FireWire, ExpressCard, PCMCIA. Buying a sound card for a computer is a difficult task that requires knowing the exact characteristics of the device in which it will be installed.
The audio card is sound card responsible for creating, converting, amplifying, editing the sound played by a personal computer, laptop or any other similar device. Maps are divided into several classes according to the nature of their location:
The sound card is needed for the correct, accurate and timely reproduction of the sounds requested computer programs And operating system devices through speakers, headphones. Without it, a computer or laptop will not be able to send any sound signal to external playback modules, since it does not have another component with similar functions.
The sound card of a computer consists of several related hardware systems responsible for the collection, production, and processing of audio data. The purpose of the two main audio systems is to "audio capture" and work with music: its synthesis, playback. The device's memory is accessed directly via a coaxial or optical cable. Sound generation takes place in the processor digital signals(DSP): it plays certain notes, adjusts their tone, frequency. The power of the DSP and the total amount of available notes is called polyphony.
You can find audio cards in the market in a shock-resistant, waterproof case. This type is better suited for connecting an advanced audio system, launching powerful games. Separate boards and integrated audio cards - more standard solution, which differs in averaged parameters. Cards are divided into three types according to the possibility of dismantling, location relative to the device:
Choosing a sound card is fraught with difficulties. Such devices are multifunctional, so the set of characteristics for one audio card can be very different from any other. Many expensive modules should only be purchased on sale or at a discount, because their price may be too high. To understand which sound cards are suitable for a particular purpose, check out the pros, cons, features and parameters of the best models.
This audio card occupies a class above other external devices on the market. She is an excellent choice for studio recording:
In the following model, Motu standards ensure high-quality signal processing, it is equipped with an external unit, and the design is pleasing to the eye:
The ST-Lab board will delight you for a long time with high-quality sound and the absence of digital noise:
ASUS is distinguished by reliability, quality, and durability of devices. See for yourself using the Xonar DGX as an example:
Internal discrete and integrated boards are famous for their excellent sound quality, high frequencies:
Creative boards will allow you to enjoy high-quality sound of any multimedia format:
Portable audio cards can deliver great audio anywhere:
External computer modules should be not only convenient, but also of high quality. Line 6 POD gives you the ability to place your extended audio system anywhere:
Fiber optic cables provide unsurpassed protection against interference. Experience pure sound with Universal Audio audio cards:
With ASUS, it has become even easier to purchase a high-quality audio card. An excellent combination of cost / quality and clear sound will help to appreciate any track:
If you find it difficult to find a good inexpensive audio card, the portability, reliability, ergonomics and advanced control of this model will reveal all the possibilities of the audio system:
Multi-channel analog audio outputs make listening to your favorite music comfortable with any audio system:
The common 5.1 format is suitable for both simple and advanced audio systems:
Creative SB Live! 5.1 is suitable for connecting professional sound systems and studio recording:
True music lovers will appreciate the perfect sound experience available with ASUS Sonar Essence audio cards:
quality sound and unique solutions in the driver settings will improve the performance of your audio system with ASUS xonar Phoebus:
Not all headphones can accurately transmit the audio signal. MOTU Audio Express converters solve this problem:
Tascam offers audio boards that help musicians work with excellent signal transmission:
Laptop audio cards are gaining popularity. External modules will improve the sound:
Sound quality on laptops has always been a problem. Solve it with Creative sound blaster:
There are inexpensive audio cards on sale that are not inferior in quality to expensive options:
Creative offers cards that do not exceed 2000 rubles in value:
To find the right sound card for your laptop or computer, pay attention to the following criteria when choosing:
The discrete sound card is designed to connect powerful professional audio systems that create near-perfect sound. It is suitable for lovers computer games in which the sound component plays an important role. Important parameters:
The choice of an internal audio card or board is built mainly around the presence of a slot for it or the type of fastening to motherboard, but there are other criteria:
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. Today we will talk about how to choose a good sound card for a computer or laptop. It would seem that such a simple device, and there are many different models on the market, you can just take and install the first one that comes across. However, in reality it is not so simple. The problem of such a choice is primarily faced by those who often listen to music, like to watch movies through a PC, or play 3D games. The best sound card is capable of transmitting a high-quality signal without problems, but here's which one is actually the best, let's take a closer look.
Everyone knows that most modern motherboards contain a good integrated sound card. It is quite suitable for everyday use for those people who do not need high-quality sound. Of course, if a person wants to completely plunge into the world sound effects, then not even the coolest sound card of the integrated type will allow him to do this. Here it is necessary to talk about external devices. of this type. It is well known that DTS Digital Surround and Dolby Digital are standards that will allow you to watch movies with surround sound. Even if an inexpensive sound card can read these standards, it will allow you to watch movies with a minimum number of noise and sound distortion. This is very important in order to achieve the effect of presence when watching a movie. The presence of the standard - EAX ADVANCED HD allows you to get surround sound in the most advanced games.
Thanks to this component, all the sounds that will come from the speakers will become much more realistic. Both analog and digital inputs can be present here. The first one almost always works with interference, which is almost impossible to eliminate due to its design features. The digital input almost completely excludes their formation. You should always keep this in mind when it comes to choosing a great sound card. It is worth noting the fact that some integrated systems have connectors for high-frequency signal transmission, and it is these that are recommended for use. The amount of interference in this case will be minimal.
Another problem that every person who decides to purchase a popular sound card will have to face is its type. However, the choice in this case not great. There are two types of devices - external and internal.
The second type should not be confused with the integrated one. Almost any budget sound card is connected internally system block to the PCI slot. It occupies a minimum of space, and does not contain any additional wires. A very convenient option that most people use.
The external version of the device also has the right to exist. This is a separate unit that is installed outside personal computer. It is worth noting the fact that it has relatively small geometric dimensions, so it does not create any additional interference during operation. The external map may contain a large number of various conclusions, which significantly expands its functionality. However, she is the only possible option connecting a 5.1 system to a laptop. It is she who is the very link between him and sound system.
All modern sound cards are divided into certain types depending on their functionality. Any device must have at least 8 connectors, each of which performs a specific function. These include: a connector for connecting to external device, that is, a computer or laptop, output to the front, rear speakers, center channel, microphone, headphones, line channel, as well as a number of additional connectors that may come in handy for certain cases.
Of course, the functionality of good sound cards depends on what they will be used for. For living conditions, the three types of cards that were listed above will be enough. If we are talking about the computer of a professional musician, then here you should think about the possibility of connecting additional devices and about high quality production of the board itself. Of course, this cannot but affect the cost of the device. In terms of price-quality ratio of a sound card, for a person who simply listens to music and watches movies, an option that has high-quality connectors of the above types is suitable.
And for musicians, high-quality sound cards are created, which are quite expensive. You can find a huge amount of information about such devices on specialized resources on the Internet. The sound card forum will tell the novice musician which option to pay attention to when buying. We bring to the attention of dear readers a small rating of inexpensive, but high-quality sound cards for computers.
Here is a summary of everything you should pay attention to when buying a sound card. And one more piece of advice: after you have decided on the model of the card, it will not be superfluous to read reviews of its real owners on the thematic forums. Don't forget to check Youtube for video reviews of the maps. And now I present to your attention a small rating of the best internal sound cards in an inexpensive segment.
Internal sound card ASUS Xonar HDAV1.3 with connection type - PCI-E, has r bit depth of DAC and ADC -24 bit and oh signal-to-noise ratio DAC and ADC –120 dB. The maximum frequency of the stereo DAC, multichannel DAC and ADC is 192 kHz. The card has 4 analog inputs and 4 analog outputs. In addition, it has an optical input, coaxial output and HDMI 1.3 output/output. The device supports standards: EAX - v. 2, ASIO-v. 2.0 and OpenAL. According to reviews, this is a wonderful sound card for watching movies with a 7.1 audio system.
The internal sound card ASUS Xonar DG with the connection type - PCI 2.2, received the ability to output multi-channel sound. The card has a 24-bit DAC with a maximum stereo frequency of 96 kHz. The device has an optical output, 4 analog inputs, 6 output analog channels and 3 analog output connectors. The model delivers clear and surround sound, supports EAX-v. 2 and ASIO- v. 2.0. According to reviews, this is one of the best sound cards for listening to music through headphones. The owners of the device on the forums recommend installing drivers not from a disk. but from the internet.
Internal sound card ASUS Xonar DGX with connection type - PCI-E, has the ability to output multi-channel audio. The card has a 24-bit DAC with a maximum stereo frequency of 96 kHz. The device has an optical output, 2 analog inputs, 6 analog output channels, 3 analog output connectors and a connector for connecting to the front panel of a PC. The model supports the standard - EAX v. 5. To connect it, you need a PCI-Express slot on the motherboard. The card itself has a 7-pin (2 by 4 and one empty) output, where plugs are attached for output to the front panel, headphones and a microphone. The card understands that if you insert headphones in front, then the speakers in the back are turned off. Card owners recommend downloading drivers for the card from the Asus website, and not from a disk. The model has a high-quality separate headphone amplifier.
The Creative Recon3D PCIe internal sound card with connection type - PCI-E has the ability to output multi-channel audio. The card has a 24-bit DAC with a maximum stereo frequency of 96 kHz. The device has an optical input / output, 4 analog inputs, 6 analog output channels, a connector for connecting to the front panel of a PC, 3 analog output connectors and an independent headphone output connector. The model supports standards - EAX v. 2 and OpenAL . The map has flexible configuration from Windows, and according to reviews, it has proven itself well with the sound accompaniment of 3D games, striking with the quality of sound effects. It behaves similarly when watching movies. Playing music with a card through any Hi-Fi headphones up to $ 200 fully reveals their potential.
