Chapter 21: Audio/Visual Devices^545
Some of the better-known audio software publishers include: Sonic Foundry http://www.sonicfoundry.com
Steinberg http://www.steinberg.net
Cakewalk http://www.cakewalk.com
RealNetworks http://www.real.com
Waves http://www.waves.com
Nullsoft http://www.winamp.com
Microsoft http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmediaDevice Drivers
Another piece of software that must be installed before your PC can be turned into a juke-
box is the device driver for the sound card and any other audio devices on your system.
Typically, device drivers are included with the device on either a diskette or a CD-ROM.
You should also check the Web site of the manufacturer of the sound card or audio device
for updates or newly released drivers.
Here are some excellent sites that you can use to track down device drivers for sound
cards, as well as device drivers for any other device: The Driver Guide http://www.driverguide.com
The Driver Zone http://www.driverzone.com
Windrivers.com http://www.windrivers.com
WinFiles.com http://www.winfiles.comSound Capture and Playback
After you have installed the sound card into the PC and installed the appropriate device
drivers and playback control software, you can begin recording or playing sound files on
yourPC.Technically,theseactionsarecalledcapture(recording)andplayback(listening).Capture
A sound card typically is able to capture audio data from a number of different audio
data sources. Exactly which input is used to capture the audio varies depending upon the
source of the sound data. If the source is an electronic device like a CD player, stereo re-
ceiver, or synthesizer, a line-level input is used. If the source is a live human voice or an
acoustic musical instrument captured by a microphone, the source is connected to the
sound card through a mic-level jack.
Most sound cards use 1/8-inch phone jacks for their inputs, but very few sound play-
back devices use these jacks and instead use 1/4-inch or RCA jacks. In order to connect a
stand-alone playback device, you will need to use a special cable or adapter that can be found
at any electronics supply store. In most situations, connecting your PC to a home stereo