Sound card mixer
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A sound card mixer is the part of a sound card that can mix the sound input from different sources.
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[edit] Mixer Controls
Sound card mixer controls are provided through the GUI interface in the computer's operating system. On most Windows systems, the mixer can be accessed via the Volume icon in the system tray.
Mixer controls are similar to that of a mixing console. They consist of volume sliders representing each individual source, accompanied by balance and mute controls. Most interfaces provide a method of switching between playback (output) sources and recording (input) sources. Additional hardware or software may add other effects such as low-pass filters and distortion.
[edit] Mixing scheme
The following schematic shows how a sound card's mixer manipulates sound from different sources:
[edit] Play controls on a typical sound mixer
Control | channels | Controlled source |
---|---|---|
Wave* | stereo | Sound generated by the computer when playing MP3, WAV,... Also the sound when playing a CD-DA in some programs (Windows Media Player, Media Player Classic) or playing a MIDI in certain programs (JetAudio) |
MIDI/SW Synth | stereo | Sound generated from a MIDI device or synthesizer (electronic keyboard, Windows Media Player, IrfanView, Media Player Classic, ...) |
CD playback | stereo | Sound generated when playing a CD-DA in most programs (JetAudio, IrfanView, ...) |
Microphone | mono | Sound entering through an internal microphone, or the microphone jack |
Line in/Aux | stereo | Sound from an external source (iPod, television, etc.) |
SPDIF | mono | Digital interface, uncommon in the PC world |
PC speaker | mono | Sound generated in the old internal PC speaker. This is the sound heard in old MS-DOS programs and on boot (on PCs) |
Volume control | stereo | Mixed sound sent to the speakers (output) |
- TV tuner cards and other similar devices output their sound via the Wave channel.
[edit] Record controls
Control | Channels | Source |
---|---|---|
Stereo mix | stereo | Mixed sound sent to the recorder |
Mono mix | mono | Mixed sound converted into mono, sent to the recorder |
Microphone | mono | Sound from the microphone that is directly going to be recorded |
[edit] Some tips
- Convert MIDI into WAV: Play a MIDI file with SW synth or Wave (depending on the playing software) controls at high volume. In record control select mono mix or stereo mix (depends of whether you want a mono or stereo output). The sound can be recorded using any recording software like Windows Sound Recorder.
In order to avoid interference, all other controls in play control should be muted. If you want to hear the sound while being recorded, care should be taken to avoid feedback, either by lowering speaker volume or repositioning the microphone. - Record streaming sound (i.e. sound from an internet-radio station): As this sound is controlled through wave control, you have to set this volume in the play control (maybe it's convenient to mute all others, except volume control if you want to hear it meanwhile) In record play select stereo mix or mono mix.
In this way you can also record any other internal sound of your PC, i.e. voices of TTS engines, sounds of the operating system, ... - A sound coupling can be easily produced by setting microphone and volume control controls to high volume, especially if the microphone's mic boost setting is turned on.