Archive for the ‘Articles’ category

Sound Technology Online – A Higher Education

February 13th, 2012

Schools and colleges are growing and providing a better means for all students to gain an education by offering online programs. Students who are interested in pursuing a career in the exciting field of recording may look to an online sound technology program. With an online education students will train for employment in the entertainment or music industry working with equipment to produce DVD’s, CD’s, and sound for television and more. As a sound technician student you can learn the use of technology and the various types of equipment needed to create recordings. Technicians and other degree holders in this field utilize computer software and other equipment to mix and record music and sound effects. Degrees in sound technology are available at several levels including associates, bachelors, and masters.

There are a number of online schools that offer training for associate degree programs. Online instruction in sound technology can provide students with the training and experience they need for a career in engineering technology and audio recording. An accredited associate’s degree program for sound technology usually includes somewhere around 72 semester credit hours that can be completed in one to two years. Coursework for a student pursuing an associate’s degree may include the study of:

  • analog and digital recording devices
  • audio mixing techniques
  • digital recording, audio mastering
  • analog tape recording
  • post-recording engineering

» Read more: Sound Technology Online – A Higher Education

A Guide to Updating Your Sound Card

February 13th, 2012

There are many signs that will let you know that you need to update your sound card. If your speakers aren’t playing back any sound, or you hear crackled or distorted static coming from those speakers, then you’re almost always dealing with outdated drivers. Let’s go over how you can resolve these problems fairly rapidly.

Doing a Once-Over of the Hardware

The first thing to do is to completely check your hardware. This means you have to follow the cords from your computer to your speakers and make sure that the proper line-in jacks are connected to the right inputs. Actually grab the cables to make sure they’re firmly set in place. Mixed cables or incorrectly installed hardware will often cause sound problems. You should also ensure that your speakers are compatible with your machine. Some computers require specific inputs and outputs for their speaker input.

It’s necessary to open up Volume Control and check your sound settings. Sometimes Windows will mute sounds or keep the volume low by default. This can cause problems if you’re intending to run basic sounds from the machine. You can test sounds in the “Hardware and Sound” setting found within the Control Panel. All of your audio devices should be clearly listed here. Headphones, headsets, microphones, and speakers will all have readily available settings that you can adjust and calibrate.

» Read more: A Guide to Updating Your Sound Card