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I have seen multiple user posts strongly suggest that new users should invest in a computer sound card or an audio interface versus using the (normally) Realtec (but sometimes Intel or Cirrus) audio solution built-into the computer motherboard.
While that's not bad advice I don't necessarily agree a sound card or audio interface will resolve the posted issue I see in many threads. In particular I don't believe cards or interfaces will resolve any issue where playback or mixing is part of a question.
However, I do agree an audio interface can make recording audio easier and very possibly capture audio better than the built-in solution.
I suggest there are Band-in-a-Box users that do not record but instead exclusively use BiaB for arranging, mixing and/or audio playback.
I would love to better understand how a sound card or audio interface will help users that do not record.
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............................
I would love to better understand how a sound card or audio interface will help users that do not record. If one does not record then one does not need an audio interface. Realtek is fine for just listening regardless of it its a movie, Youtube, TV, Realtracks etc. Having a good set of speakers or near field monitors is another story. Those small computer speakers just don't hack it. YMMV
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64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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That’s a valuable clarification. You’re right. I just said what you referred to, today in another thread.
The built-in chips are designed to do one thing very well: play back audio. That would include mixing if mixing just means adjust track volumes.
So I would say if you are recording, you should use something better than a built-in RealTec chip running a generic ASIO emulating driver.
I would also say the CPU becomes more important than the sound card when using plugins including effects and software synths. Mixing with effects and virtual instruments can involve severe stress on a computer, but again, purely audio playback is the one thing any computer should handle well because that’s what the vendors are building them for.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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............................
I would love to better understand how a sound card or audio interface will help users that do not record. If one does not record then one does not need an audio interface. … I use an interface for recording only. Although one can use monitor controllers and interfaces for playback on a Mac, they are never necessary for stereo. They can be convenient which is why I use a monitor controller. Having a good set of speakers or near field monitors is another story. Those small computer speakers just don't hack it. Yeah
BIAB 2026 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia/Tahoe, M1 & M5 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, Logic, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScore/Notion/Overture
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The built-in chips are designed to do one thing very well: play back audio. That would include mixing if mixing just means adjust track volumes. I'm fairly happy listening to built-in audio through headphones. I've had no end of troubles with built-in audio trying to drive anything else, mostly with ground loops and CPU etc. 'twitter', but also because so often the connectors are just plain poor. Mini-jacks, RCAs and the like. Most or all external interfaces offer proper connectors, seem to have the grounding sorted, seem to keep out the noises that so often happens and usually also offer pretty good pre-amps and phantom power. For me, external interfaces seem like money well spent.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
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I’m ok with RCA jacks, dating back to my audiophile stereo equipment days of the later 60s. But there are many posts on here where I disparage mini-jacks.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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RCAs are "OK", but I personally wouldn't go further than that. I have a pair on my mixer and on each of two speakers that are their primarily for connecting a laptop or a tablet, which are normally fine if not powered, otherwise there's the usual issue of hums and twitters. If I need them, in practice I usually feed into them the output of a Logitech Bluetooth audio module and connect via that.
I'm thinking more of live sound than studio here, so perhaps I'm being a bit harsh. Any board within the PC is potentially exposed to whatever supply and EMI issue there may be inside the box and/or coming out of the box on signal and ground wires. A DI box can often resolve things, but it's another box and another set of cables and connectors, probably another plug-top power supply (as for the Logitech) and so on.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
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I agree that can be a problem. I fix it by buying RCA cables that have a little cylinder they wrap around (I’m thinking it is called a toroidal transformer or something like that). Usually takes the hum out. If not, I go after cable runs to make them perpendicular to power cables. Etc. etc.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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I suspect those are ferrite beads. They're usually to filter out EMI/EMC rather than clean up the audio, though they can help protect inputs from RF. They usually look rather like this: clip-on ferrite bead, or are heat-shrunk on.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
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Yes, that’s one tool and they work. I thought another way involved a cylinder but it’s possible that is just one of these with a case.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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I live in an electrically noisy environment in the middle of the Silicon Valley. All of my cables are star-quad from SESCOM via Markertek including TS and RCA. The bottom line on star-quad: If you can hear the noise reduction, you need them. If you can't, you don't. I do and that makes them worth every penny. Sescom Audio Cable Canare Star-Quad 1/4-Inch TS Mono Male to RCA Male
BIAB 2026 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia/Tahoe, M1 & M5 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, Logic, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScore/Notion/Overture
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I live in an electrically noisy environment in the middle of the Silicon Valley. All of my cables are star-quad from SESCOM via Markertek including TS and RCA. The bottom line on star-quad: If you can hear the noise reduction, you need them. If you can't, you don't. I do and that makes them worth every penny. Sescom Audio Cable Canare Star-Quad 1/4-Inch TS Mono Male to RCA MaleThough star-quad only deals with RF/magnetic pickup, not electrical noise originating within the, e./g., laptop itself. FWIW, most of the internal noises I personally have had have been when the laptop/tablet has been on charge. If desperate, unplugging the PSU often cleans things up. YMMV. I wish I'd known about star-quad fifty years ago when I lived close to and line of sight of the Crystal Palace TV transmitter in London. I can't now remember how much of TV and FM it transmitted 20MW or so, I think. Mind you, it used to get right into the phono cartridge, so may not have helped that much anyway. 
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
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