Sound card lingo...?

  • Thread starter Thread starter PRiZ
  • Start date Start date
P

PRiZ

New member
Sup!...I'm new at this board, I've been looking for a sound card for a while. I had the C-port or DSP24 with ADC & DAC in mind, but am not sure anymore what card I should buy.
Although I've generally learned alot about sound cards I can't seem to understand the Spec language...Please, if you could help me out with a few and eventually have them all explained so I can understand what each card is somewhat capable of...

what do they do and what are they needed for etc...

- channels (like multi-channels etc)
- lightpipe (often after something)
- ADAT
- AD/DA converters or A to D converters
- converters
- midi I/O (I/O = in and out, i know this)
- Digital I/O
- 24 bit internal DATA path
- 24-bit resolution
- Up to 96kHz sample rate conversion
- 120dB SNR
- 120dB Dynamic Range
- 1/4" TRS analog 4 In/8 Out I/O
- 4 16 channel MIDI jacks
- S/PDIF, Optical stereo digital I/O
- Real time (when it says real time effects or something)

The list goes on...
I read the post about converters and found it fascinating, but couldn't understand most of what was being said...
like noise floor db108 ect, is this how low the sound can go or what? Thnaks for reading, look forward to any replys.
 
Thats alot pf questions

I don't know if I have the knowlege or time to answer all of your questions but I'll start with:
.......Channels I was taught, are either indiviual paths or busses through a device as in a home stereo or mixer, or recordings that go together.as in the left and right "channels"on a stereo audio cassette. This becomes confusing when the term "tracks is used. Simply put, a stereo cassette would be considered a
"two channel" (L+R), "four track"(2xL&R on Two sides of the tape)
.......AD/DA C'mon you know this one!! Analouge to digital. Thats just where the real word is translated into 1's&0's, and back again
........Dynamic range is the ratio that represents the usable space for sound between noise and distortion. Try turning down the cable box and try to make up for it by turning up your tv. All that crap you hear is the noise floor that has been raised by improper gain setting. You already know about overloading something until it distorts. In a guitar, it's considered a good thing. But in recording you want to avoid it. the space between these two places is the dynamic range of a device.
I've got to run for now but I'll be back..........pouxhawk
 
thanks...

This post is a mistake though, I posted it twice and the other one got answers only, until you answered this one...still helped though. check the other post, same title.
 
Back
Top