USB output would require the purchase, installation and use of a USB Audio Device.

Time and technology have marched on.

The old adage about laptop soundcards not being up to snuff has outlived technology, especially as far as the output side of things is concerned.

The general public has expressed such consumer interest in the playback of media files, DVDs especially, which utilize 96KHz samplerate, that the DACs and output circuitry in today's laptops (and even desktops with built in sound) is actually very good indeed. Certainly usable for live performance with BIAB thru your PA.

Rcording is another issue. The laptop and desktop builtin soundcards have not caught up in that regard, their INputs are still rather noisy in nature, the A to D converters not up to the task and if you are contemplating doing multitrack recording you should look into an aftermarket soundcard solution such as the aforementioned USB Sound Devices available today.

I use the built in soundcard of my laptop and the earphone output as Line Out to PA in live performance and it works very well. My laptop is a three year old HP business laptop. Just be sure to turn the Master Fader and Wav fader of the soundcard's software mixer applet up all the way and use proper stereo adaptors to plug into a line input on your PA. Adjust levels at the PA using hard knobs, not in the software mixer. This is because an Audio Line should be *driven* for best signal to noise ratio and full sound.



--Mac

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