Sound
Within sound i will be going sound cards, as well as all the different aspects to it such as mono, stereo, surround, channels, and various other aspects too.
Audio Processor:
Also known as audio signal processing, this is the intentional alteration of sound. This is often achieved with the use of audio effects. But what is Audio Processing? Well audio processors ICs (integrated circuits) are semiconductor devices used to detect, decode, and process digital or analog audio. The functions for these is include multi channel input section, treble and bass controls, and a surround sound matrix. As well as a voice cancelling function. With the use of a serial bus, the surround sound matrix can use phase shifters to crate music, as well as simulated stereo effects and movies. By loading an internal 8-bit control register can be loaded in order to provide hundreds of different arrangements for each effects.
Also known as audio signal processing, this is the intentional alteration of sound. This is often achieved with the use of audio effects. But what is Audio Processing? Well audio processors ICs (integrated circuits) are semiconductor devices used to detect, decode, and process digital or analog audio. The functions for these is include multi channel input section, treble and bass controls, and a surround sound matrix. As well as a voice cancelling function. With the use of a serial bus, the surround sound matrix can use phase shifters to crate music, as well as simulated stereo effects and movies. By loading an internal 8-bit control register can be loaded in order to provide hundreds of different arrangements for each effects.
Mono:
There are two types of sound that can be played, and this is mono or stereo. Mono is short for monophonic sound, and what makes it different from stereo is that it plays on a single channel. What this means is that the sound systems send the signal on a single stream and it often uses only one speaker. This results in the same audio being played by both speakers or earphones if both are being played through. This is different to stereo. |
Stereo:
Stereo is much different to mono, standing for Stereophonic sound, this divides sound across two channels instead of one,, then the recorded sounds are mixed so that some of the audio plays through left channel, and the other one right. What this means is that the audio is a lot less flat, and allows for a clearer and more surround sound, especially when listening through headphones. This is because it is much more noticeable as the audio is playing directly to ones ears, whereas speakers spread the sound throughout a room. Stereo gives a player a much stronger advantage within video games, as it allows players to be immersed a lot more, making sounds within the game seem like they are where they would be if the player was within the game. An example of this would be footsteps of another player. If they are approaching the user from the right, but the user could not see them, in mono all they would hear is footsteps form both sides getting louder, however i stereo they would hear the footsteps a lot louder in the right headphone or speaker compared to the left. This advantage is very useful in many games, especially online first person shooters, as it makes the player a lot more spacial aware. |
3D:
3D audio is a technique that gives more depth to traditional stereo sound. So it is basically a step up to the stereo sound. 3D sound is produced by placing a device in a room with stereo speakers. The device then analyzes the sound in a dynamic fashion, and sends feedback to the sound systems so that it may readjust the sound. By doing this it gives the impression that the speakers are further apart. This is why this type of stereo is popular among gamers also, as it provides an even more imersive sound system, even if the speaker set up is small. Below is a video which highlights a perfect example of 3D audio when using a headphone.
3D audio is a technique that gives more depth to traditional stereo sound. So it is basically a step up to the stereo sound. 3D sound is produced by placing a device in a room with stereo speakers. The device then analyzes the sound in a dynamic fashion, and sends feedback to the sound systems so that it may readjust the sound. By doing this it gives the impression that the speakers are further apart. This is why this type of stereo is popular among gamers also, as it provides an even more imersive sound system, even if the speaker set up is small. Below is a video which highlights a perfect example of 3D audio when using a headphone.
Surround:
Once again this is somewhat of an upgrade to stereo. Only instead of utilizing 2 audio channels, it uses 3. The third channel means a third stereo is needed, and means that it cannot be done using headphones. The third speaker goes either behind or in front of the user, and this creates a 360 degree audio surrounding, hence the name. It is not uncommon for even more channels to be added, creating more variation in where the sound is coming from. Sometimes having different channels focusing on certain frequencies to make it more realistic.
Once again this is somewhat of an upgrade to stereo. Only instead of utilizing 2 audio channels, it uses 3. The third channel means a third stereo is needed, and means that it cannot be done using headphones. The third speaker goes either behind or in front of the user, and this creates a 360 degree audio surrounding, hence the name. It is not uncommon for even more channels to be added, creating more variation in where the sound is coming from. Sometimes having different channels focusing on certain frequencies to make it more realistic.
Channels:
I have mentioned channels quite a lot in the paragraphs above, but i have yet to explain what they are in detail. A sound card has the ability to process and output multiple independent voices or sounds simultaneously. This is done by separating certain aspects within the audio into channels. Channels are seen as a number of audio outputs, which correspond to a speaker configuration. |
Sampling rate:
The sampling rate is where number of samples per second is used to digitize a sound. This is measured in hertz once again, and a PC sound card typically will sample a received analog signal and digitize it for use by the computer. A higher sampling rate provides a better quality than a lower one, so its better to have a higher Hz sampling rate within a sound card. |
Memory:
As with everything else i have covered thus far, a sound chip also requires memory. How the memory of audio is stored within a computer is by converting sound waves into numeric values. These values represent frequency and amplitude of the sound. This process is named ADC, which stands for Analogue to Digital Conversion.. The data is then stored in binary in the computers memory. This is then useful for when the computer needs the audio file, as it can find it and play it quickly and efficiently. |
Media Communications Processor:
Short for MCP, this tech was created by NVIDIA,. The nForce MPC provides all the starndard south brige features, which includes support for ultra ATA 100, 6 USB ports, and other specs such as AC'97 sound. Unlike the integrated ethernet found in south bridges by Intel and VIA. What makes nForce MPC vary so greatly from other south bridges is the APU, or Audio Processing Unit, has integrated into the chip.
There are two versions of the MPC, the difference between them is the support for real time Dolby Digital AC-3.
Short for MCP, this tech was created by NVIDIA,. The nForce MPC provides all the starndard south brige features, which includes support for ultra ATA 100, 6 USB ports, and other specs such as AC'97 sound. Unlike the integrated ethernet found in south bridges by Intel and VIA. What makes nForce MPC vary so greatly from other south bridges is the APU, or Audio Processing Unit, has integrated into the chip.
There are two versions of the MPC, the difference between them is the support for real time Dolby Digital AC-3.