Modern computers or laptops cannot be imagined without the presence of special devices designed to output sound to speakers or connect additional equipment to them to play music or watch videos. But this is not the only thing. In addition, depending on what actions are supposed to be performed and what software will be used, you need to know which card to choose and how to connect the sound card to the computer. Consider a few typical situations that occur most often. We will proceed from this when describing the choice, installation and use of several types of audio devices.
Why do I need a sound card on my computer?
Most ordinary users are somewhat misunderstood the true purpose and capabilities of modern soundcards, believing that with their help you can only listen to music, watch videos, movies or online TV. In a sense, this can be called the direct responsibilities of this type of equipment. In fact, the possibilities of sound devices are much wider. As already mentioned, various external sources (for example, players, music centers, etc.) can be connected to some models, they are extremely necessary for the functioning of sound and video processing programs. In addition, any musician will tell you that professional cards can be used to record parts when playing live instruments (guitars, synthesizers, etc.) or vocals using a microphone. In this regard, many questions arise regarding the selection of appropriate equipment, its connection to a computer and pre-configuration.
Where is the sound card on the computer?
The first step is to determine where to look for the built-in sound cards or where to install other types of audio equipment. Integrated cards are located directly on the motherboard and are, as it were, “wired” into it in the form of a corresponding chip (microcircuit).
Removable devices (for example, the popular ASUS Xonar DGX card) are connected to special connectors (slots) on the same motherboard, however, the slot for connection is selected based solely on the model of the card. External soundcards can be connected via USB-connectors.
What do you need for the built-in soundcard?
Before proceeding directly to the question of how to connect a sound card to a computer, it should be noted that simply connecting it to the corresponding connector or port makes absolutely no sense if drivers are not installed for the equipment. Like any other "iron" devices, soundcards simply will not work, even though the operating system can automatically install the most suitable driver for them, as it seems to it. As a rule, control and related software is delivered on removable media (for example, on optical disks) when purchasing equipment.
However, in the absence of the necessary drivers, you can check their presence in the system, install it again or update it yourself. First, you need to call the “Device Manager” (devmgmt.msc), select the section of audio game and video devices, and then make sure that there is no yellow triangle with a question mark opposite the name of the installed card, indicating the absence, incorrect installation or outdated driver.
Please note that there may be several devices. So, an integrated (internal) sound card for a computer in the title may have a wording like this: “Audio device with support for High Definition Audio”. Display drivers are software that is designed to control external monitors, including plug-in television panels. Removable cards like the ASUS Xonar DGX will be displayed by their searched name. External cards are also displayed, but only when connected. To view the entire list of equipment, you must enable the display of hidden devices in the view menu. In some cases, you can meet several virtual devices (as a rule, they can be installed during the installation of some specific software for working with sound). We will dwell on them later.
How to connect a sound card to the motherboard and install the appropriate software?
If we are talking about how to connect a sound card for a computer, which is a type of removable device, first determine its standard (usually PCI) and insert the device into the corresponding slot on the motherboard with a power-off computer. Then turn on the computer. After loading the operating system, a message should appear in the system tray stating that a new device has been found, drivers have been installed for it, and it is ready for use. If it is reported that for some reason the driver could not be installed or the equipment was not recognized, use the software from the disk (usually there is an installer in the form of an EXE file that launches a special “Installation Wizard”). If necessary, install additional software, and if necessary, reboot the system.
Installing external cards
The procedure for connecting a sound card to a computer, which refers to professional or semi-professional devices of the external type, is practically no different from the previous case, only the equipment is usually connected via the USB port.
Depending on the model of the card, you must select the port itself (either 2.0 or 3.0). The USB 3.0 ports inside are usually colored blue, so it will be very difficult to make a mistake. Accordingly, a driver installation will also be required for the card, and special attention should be paid to the drivers of the USB controller (there may also be several devices, it is quite possible that the drivers will have to be updated).
What if there are no suitable drivers?
If there is no driver or installation software, in the simplest case, you can give preference to automated programs like Driver Booster.
If a suitable driver is still not installed for a specific soundcard, in the “Device Manager” go to the properties of the selected equipment, select the display of the equipment ID on the details tab, copy the longest line with the DEV and VEN identifiers, search the Internet for it, download found software and install the driver yourself.
The simplest sound check in Windows
How to install a sound card on a computer is a little understandable. Now you need to check the settings.
To do this, it is best to use the “Sound” section in the “Control Panel” or use the item for displaying playback devices, which is available in the PCM menu on the volume icon in the system tray. After choosing the installed speakers, use either the setup button or the property button to access the options.
Note: when choosing an environment (Enhancements tab), initially turn off all additional effects to get the sound, so to speak, in its purest form.
Prerequisites for the use of equipment in sound recording
Finally, a few words about additional software. If you intend to use the computer as a home recording studio or write music in the appropriate sequencer programs, pay special attention to the installation of additional ASIO drivers.
When setting parameters on the ASIO panel, do not set the delay time too short. For MIDI keyboards, in order not to get too long response time, you can set 512 samples (approximately 10-12 ms). If external tools are not used, set the maximum for the buffer (this way you can unload the processor and RAM).
Total
That, in fact, is all about the question of how to connect a sound card to a computer. It is impossible to describe all possible situations. Here you should consider the type of plug-in sound card, the model of the motherboard, and many more factors. But in general, the steps described above will help in any situation. A snag can occur only when installing some non-standard equipment.