Choosing the best external sound card depends on understanding the necessary features and computer compatibility. External sound cards range from basic to professional recording consoles. Consider HD audio, stereo/surround sound, and recording features. USB and Firewire® are common connectors. Ensure computer compatibility, read reviews, and consider bundled software.
The best external sound card is different for every situation. Getting the best external sound card is all about understanding the features you need and what your computer can handle. External sound cards can vary widely in quality, features, and price, and range from basic sound cards to professional recording consoles. To choose the best external sound card, know what you want, research external sound choices on the Internet, read product reviews online, then go to a computer hardware store and compare external sound cards for yourself. Features to consider include high definition (HD) audio, stereo or surround sound capabilities, and recording features.
An external sound card adds audio functionality without the hassle of installing an internal sound chip and is usually a Firewire® or Universal Serial Bus (USB) audio device. The biggest advantage of an external sound card over an internal sound card is its ability to quickly provide audio functionality to a computer without sound. Typically, Firewire® and USB are the two types of connectors used to allow external devices to interface with the computer. Firewire® is considered faster than USB, but connectors for FireWire® devices are less common on home computers than USB jacks.
Professional audio recording engineers often use expensive high-end external sound cards as recording consoles, but for most people a relatively inexpensive sound card with the right capabilities will offer more than enough audio control. External sound card configurations for home theaters must have multi-channel audio capabilities to get the best sound from movies and television. If you will be watching movies on your computer and want high quality sound, look for a sound card with high definition HD and 5.1 or 7.1 stereo capability.
Before buying an external sound card, make sure your computer has enough random access memory (RAM) to run it. Make sure your computer has available connectors that can accept a plug from your audio device, and make sure you have speakers and headphones with compatible connectors to plug into your new sound card. If you’ll be carrying your external sound card in a laptop case, make sure it’s not too bulky to be portable. Read product reviews to find out if previous customers liked your choice of sound cards. Exploring product reviews can help reveal common problems users are experiencing with audio hardware.
Every internal and external sound card, even a cheap sound card, needs a sound card driver to work on a computer. External sound card drivers for new sound cards are included in the retail purchase package. For many external sound cards, the driver software to run them is already pre-installed on major operating systems. Some new sound cards come with additional software that gives you more control over your computer’s audio. If you’re looking to record and organize audio using your new sound card, check the additional sound programs included with the sound card packages you consider, as they may add extra value to your sound card.
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