My "SoundBlaster 16" sound card.

[NLAlston]

Hi there,

I have a question on a sound card that I know doesn't even come close to what would be needed for someone who's interested in recording. But it is all that I have to work with until such time as I can afford better. It came with my system, and mentions something about being in the "MPU-410 UART mode". My main question is this: Does selectable 'Automatic Gain Control' mean the same thing as preamplification?

 

[AlChuck]

"Automatic Gain Control" is basically a form of compression -- a circuit that will increase the level for quiter passages, and keep louder passages from being too loud. They used to have these on the built-in mics on portable cassette recorders. They are pretty much useless for musical applications.

 

[NLAlston]

Thanks Alchuck. Now that you mention it, I do remember something of that order being incorporated into cassette units - under the term ALC (automatic level control).

Oh well, I thought that I could "skate" until I was able to afford a better setup - but I guess I was wrong.

Peace, Nathan.