Sounding Off with Soundcards

Polyphony refers to the number of consecutive notes that can be played at the same time. In terms of a musical keyboard, this means the number of keys you can press at the same time. For example, for a musician to play the chord of C, they have to play the musical notes G, C and E (3 notes). Then there is the "tune" usually played on the right hand. Then, with synthesisers, you can press a single key to produce more than one note. Before long - it can add up to quite a few notes being played at the same time!

Soundbanks

Just as your word processor can print a document in more than one font, a soundcard can use sets of sound banks (or sound fonts as they are sometimes known as).

This allows you to record your own set of sounds that relate to MIDI instruments. In theory (although it would be tedious!), you could record yourself coughing, sneezing, snoring or whatever and map each sound to an instrument. When your sound font is loaded, anything that normally plays "piano" could be a sneeze, a trumpet could be a cough. There are endless permutations!

You could record yourself playing a variety of instruments that you play. I also play Trombone and Saxophone so I could set up a sound bank that actually records ME playing rather than the sampled sound that comes on the soundcard.

3D Surround Sound

This is a simulation you can experience in a cinema. Go to your cinema and look around at the speakers - you will find them behind you as well as in front. If for example, a jet fighter scream towards you on screen, first the front speakers will play then they will fade into the back speakers - giving the impression that the jet has flown over your head.

PC sound systems can simulate the same effect - even when you don't have speakers behind you. It's done as an "audio illusion." Just like an optical illusion tricks your eyes, an audio illusion tricks your ears. A slight delay in a sound gives it the effect of distant and by careful programming; the "home cinema" comes to life.

I have a DVD drive that plays movies on CD and it uses this technique. The effect is just like the cinema where you get the impression of sound all around you. It's not as loud and maybe not as

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