What is 'sound device' on a computer?

What is a sound device on a computer?

• Answer:

  In computer electronics, a sound device is any in a wide range of internal or external devices that connect to a computer to facilitate audio rendering, recording, manipulation or playback.Sound CardsSound cards, which are commonly built into personal computers, work with the computer's central processing unit to handle the input and output of audio signals. These devices typically feature an interface to connect audio peripherals such as speakers and microphones.SpeakersSpeakers are internal or external sound devices responsible for transforming an audio signal to sound that can be perceived by the human ear. Most personal computers contain built-in speakers, though built-in speakers are often considered inadequate for some computing activities, such as gaming or DVD playback. Computer-ready external speakers, which often connect to a computer via USB or stereo cable, range significantly in price and quality.MicrophonesAnother common sound device is the microphone, which transforms sound waves into an electronic signal that can be processed by the computer. Many personal computers feature built-in microphones, though external microphones are preferred in many situations, such as high-fidelity voice recording, Internet telephony and other applications that require precise audio input. Microphones and speakers are commonly combined in headsets, another popular sound device.Musical InstrumentsMusical instruments can also send and receive audio signals from computers, and as such can also be considered sound devices. Often the connection between the instrument and the computer requires an adapter, and a wide range of additional devices, such as sound mixers, turntables, equalizers and other sound processors, are commonly used in conjunction with musical instruments during professional audio production.Other DevicesHighly specialized devices, and devices that handle audio only as a secondary function, such as a camcorder, may also be interpreted as a sound device by a computer. Additionally, a computer may interpret software as a sound input or output device, particularly if the program requires audio rendering.Source:http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/audio/default.mspxhttp://support.creative.com/kb/ShowArticle.aspx?sid=10571http://www.microphones.com/links.cfm?catid=Voice%20Recognition%20USB%20Headsets