3.2 COMPUTER HARDWARE

2.2. AUDIO INPUT DEVICES

Audio input is the process of entering any sound into the computer such as speech, music, and sound effects. To enter sound into a computer, it must have a sound card. Audio input devices are plugged into a port on the sound card. Examples of audio input devices include;

• Microphones,
• Tape players,
• CD/DVD players,
• MIDI devices
• Dictaphone, etc.

1. MICROPHONES

A microphone is an instrument for converting sound waves into electrical energy variations, which may then input into the computer for processing, recording or audio playback. Various types of Microphones available. Microphones are connected to the sound card in the system unit.

2. MIDI DEVICES

MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) is the standard that defines how digital musical devices represent sound electronically. MIDI devices such as electronic pianos allow users to record and edit music e.g. you can set the beat speed, and add notes, to produce sound.

3. DICTAPHONE

This is the earliest device most commonly used to record speech for later playback or to be typed into print. It was established by Alexander Graham Bell in Washington, D.C. in 1881.