Soundcards

Soundcards are essential for your music technology system. They vary in specification but will perform the necessary role of converting analogue audio signals into the digital audio utilized by music and sound production technology. Software will only operate as intended if the soundcard used features perfomance specific to music production and this relationship between soundcard and software can normally be condensed down to the 'driver' type available and 'latency' compensation capability.

The 'driver' is the software interface that permits the music application to interact with the processing functions of the soundcard. Soundcards will invariably require that you install this driver software before using the soundcard. You would then select the soundcard [and its driver] you wish to use in your music software's preferences. The most widely used driver type for music production is the ASIO driver [Audio Signal 'In'/'Out'] which offers the required signal signal processing and latency compensation features.

Latency is the delay that can occur between making sound or playing control instruments and their realization in the system. Examples include a possible delay between playing a note on a MIDI controller keyboard and hearing the resultant triggered sound [which would mean playing in time with previously recorded parts very difficult]. In recording latency can cause a delay between making or playing a sound and monitoring through the recording device, such as recording a vocal overdub to accompany a backing track since any delay heard in the monitoring headphones would make it extremely difficult for the singer to sing in time with the backing music. Soundcards will compensate for this latency and overcome any problems with delay. In fact, if you are experiencing delay like the kind described above then you have probably got the wrong kind of soundcard, have the wrong driver for your soundcard or have a problem with the setting relating to latency compensation.

As well as the essential basic features as described above, soundcards offer connections to which microphones, instruments and other devices can be connected. These would be the 'audio capture' capabilities of the soundcard. For instance, most - if not all - soundcard will offer connections for speakers or headphones so that you can monitor the sound. Often you will find microphone connection and instrument connections with pre-amps for adjusting signal levels. Some card have just one or two of these input and output connectors for simple overdub recording capability [which means just being able to record one sound source, or group of sound sources, at a time and to a single track]; whereas others offer multiple connections for multi-track recording of numerous sound sources [which would mean being able to record separate sound sources to separate tracks at the same time]. Other soundcard features could include digital audio connectors for conncting to digital audio ports such as ADAT or Coaxial for examples. These would be used for transmitting digital audio signals between devices.

Soundcards are often used in more advanced systems as the interface between a mixer of some kind and the music workstation. In this instance the sound sources would be connected to the mixer where they could be manipulated as desired and then sent to the soundcard which in turn converts the signal for use in the recording/sequencing application. If using an analogue mixing desk you would use analogue connectors between the desk outputs and soundcard inputs, whereas if using a digital mixing desk you would connect the digital desk to a digital port on your soundcard.

Many soundcards offer MIDI ports for connection to MIDI devices such as controllers or sound modules.

When deciding upon a soundcard you should determine whether you need connections for microphones and instruments for recording sound sources. If you do, then how many - do you need to have multi-track capability? Most student workistations in an educational context allow for overdub recording of sound sources whereas in recording rooms or studios you should probably look to installing a multi-track system - especially if intending to deliver a vocational music technology course or the A Level in Music Technology.

Featured Categories