36.2 Hardware: Sound

Sound

Sounds card for PC's are internal expansion cards which provide the system with input and output of audio signals which can be controlled with built-in software within the computer system or downloaded software from the manufacturers website. The sound card is also applied to external audio interfaces for professional audio software. Sound can also be used within the motherboard with components such as plug-in cards. Sound will be inputted within video cards and HDMI to output audio and video when a connector is used. Sound cards are used for providing audio for multimedia applications such as video games. It can also be used to communicate with VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol). The sound card which was most popular for the PC was the SoundBlaster cards which were manufactured by Creative Labs. Now, PC’s motherboards have sound chips were a pre-built in however they may vary in quality.

Audio processors are used to differ audio signals which improves the quality of the sound created. The features which can be changed are the volume, tone and sounds which are created by the console as well as a computer. Computer systems have software which can change audio levels and sound quality etc. However, with consoles they have a pre-built audio processor within the motherboard of the console. This allows the audio quality to be changed. An example of this would be the PlayStation 4 which allows the user to change audio preferences such as pitch, volume and input/output devices such as USB devices and optical SPDIF within the settings of the console’s operating system. Optical SPDIF is an interface to transmit digital audio. USB audio can be connected to the console to output the audio to e.g. a headset or headphones when the peripheral is connected to the USB port of the console. Headsets/headphones allow for individual hearing as when playing on a T.V. etc. everyone in the room will be able to hear the audio and in games which have audio used as an advantage, headsets/headphones allow for better hearing and can be used tactically within video games e.g. in the game Dead by Daylight you can hear the heartbeat when the killer is close to you so this could give you an indication to run which helps you. Also, it gives the game a sense of realism as the user is using their senses also the sound works if it comes from the left, it will be a lot louder within the left ear and vice versa.

Monophonic (Mono) sound uses a single channel of audio for sound output and it is the most standard form of sound as it makes use of one speaker. Mono uses one channel to emit the same sound. Whereas Stereophonic (Stereo) sound sends sounds across two channels for sound output. The sounds from stereo sound are recorded on two different sources which are mixed, and therefore sound comes out from the right output device such as a speaker as well as the left. Stereo sound is better as it can combine sounds to make other sounds whereas mono is just one sound. For video games, stereo audio is better suited as it is more realistic, and it sounds natural. Also, users can use stereo sound to their advantage within video games as in some games sound is an advantage for example, within Call of Duty, you can hear of footsteps of enemies so instead you can anticipate where they’re coming from and have the advantage.

Surround sound is a type of audio output which feels to the user that it surrounds them. More than three speakers are usually used which are placed in different directions of the user to create the surrounding area of sound. There are many ways to setup surround sound. One example would be Surround Sound 5.1, this has five speakers and a low frequency to create surround sound. The base is non-directional sound and its one audio channel that’s why it travels further (.1) there are 5 speakers and they base bin this is 5.1 surround sound. Another example is Surround Sound 7.1, this has seven speakers and with this the sound is crisp and realistic e.g. When playing single player games such as Spider-Man if an enemy is coming from behind the person you are playing it will sound like that for you as audio will just come out of the back speaker to indicate that someone is behind. However, for gaming a surround sound system isn’t ideal as it would be too hard to pinpoint where someone is coming from as other sounds would be simultaneously be playing and it may be too loud e.g. For games such as call of duty where there is a lot of action and shooting. However, if a headset or headphones had surround sound implemented this would be useful as you would hear from any direction where enemies are coming from. Surround sound systems for gaming would be for single player games with cutscenes such as Spider-Man on the PS4.