Absolute Beginners Guide to Upgrading and Fixing Your PC

Upgrade #4: Adding an Audio Interface Box

If you're into home recording, you'll want more inputs than you get with a typical consumer-grade sound card. For example, if you want to connect a couple of MIDI keyboards, a guitar, and some microphones, you're pretty much out of luck with your standard Sound Blaster-type card.

What you need, in this instance, is a professional-quality audio interface box sometimes called a breakout box. These boxes connect to your PC (typically via the ubiquitous USB port; sometimes via Firewire) and provide a variety of different audio inputs line level RCA, XLR, 1/4-inch, S/PDIF digital, MIDI, and so on.

You won't find these devices in your local computer store; instead, you want to shop at a music store that caters to pro musicians. Look for models from the following companies:

  • Digidesign (www.digidesign.com)

  • Emagic (www.emagic.de)

  • Frontier Design Group (www.frontierdesign.com)

  • MOTU (www.moto.com)

Assuming that you purchase a USB-compatible interface box, installation is as easy as upgrading to a consumer-grade external sound box, as described in Upgrade #3. Non-USB interface boxes typically require the installation of a companion sound card; the box then connects to the new sound card.

THE ABSOLUTE MINIMUM

When you want to improve the sound of your computer system, keep these points in mind:

  • The best way to improve music playback is with a better speaker system preferably one that uses a separate subwoofer.

  • For serious gaming, consider a speaker/sound card combo that supports 3D audio.

  • A better sound card won't improve CD or DVD playback but will beef up the synthesized sounds of your PC games.

  • If you don't mind spending a few extra bucks, the easiest way to upgrade your sound card is via an external sound box, like the Sound Blaster Extigy, that connects via USB.

  • If you're a computer-based musician, consider a sound card with dedicated MIDI connectors or a pro-level audio interface box.

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