CAKEWALK sonar x3, Reference Manual

Page: 1689 / 2094

1689
Audio hardware (sound cards) and drivers
Beginner’s guide to Cakewalk software
Audio hardware (sound cards) and drivers
There are many different brands of sound cards on the market today. This section aims to help you
get the best out of yours.
See:
“Consumer and professional” on page 1689
Consumer and professional
There are many sound cards to choose from. Nearly every computer comes with one. Some are
nationally known brands and others are proprietary sound cards that are made specifically for a
single manufacturer. These sound cards are called “consumer” cards. They are designed to handle
the general multimedia tasks most computer users have, like playing CDs or MP3s, using your
computer as a telephone, or playing computer games. Most consumer sound cards fit the bill nicely
for the average computer user. They can play and record both audio and MIDI, but there are certain
limitations which are relevant for Cakewalk users. The following list covers the characteristics of
most consumer sound cards. This list is very general and does not necessarily reflect every sound
card that comes bundled with a computer.
Consumer grade sound card characteristics:
• Number of inputs and outputs. Consumer cards nearly always have two inputs, mic and line
in, and one output. Usually, these inputs and outputs are stereo, meaning there is a left and right
channel.
• Type of inputs and outputs. Consumer cards almost always have eighth inch jacks, requiring
an adapter to use with standard quarter inch cables (guitar cables, patch cables, etc.).
• Simultaneous recording and playback. Some older consumer sound cards aren’t capable of
simultaneous recording and playback. These cards are called half-duplex. Cards that are capable
of simultaneous recording a playback are called full-duplex.
• 16-bit, 44100 resolution. Consumer cards are only capable of 16-bit audio and a sampling rate
of 44.1 KHz. While these settings are at CD quality, Cakewalk software is capable of 32-bit audio
at a sampling rate of up to 192 KHz.
• Internal. Consumer sound cards are installed in PCI slots (or ISA for older sound cards) on your
computer’s motherboard. While professional sound cards are also frequently installed in PCI
slots, some provide a “breakout box” which houses the analog to digital (A to D) and digital to
analog (D to A) converters, keeping them away from the internal noise a computer generates
(fans, hard drives, etc.).