The line input is an analog input of an acoustic signal that does not require additional processing. This connector in a personal computer is designed to connect acoustic equipment, such as CD and DVD players, radio, etc.
Appointment
Line-in (stereo) is a standard interface designed to receive analog signals from various audio devices. This connector is used to connect devices that have a linear output. That is, it is the input of a device in which the input signal level is proportional to the output level of the device with which it is connected. These connectors are used to connect a guitar, radio, CD player, etc. to the sound carriage, the output signal of which does not require additional processing.
Connector Design
On the sound cards of personal computers, the linear input is represented by a jack-type connector (“mother”) in blue. This socket is located on the panel at the rear of the system unit. Most laptops do not have a line input, but there are jacks for connecting a microphone and headphones. They are usually located on the front or left side of the laptop.
Computer Line-in Setup
If you connect an external device to your PC to dub audio, you will need to make some adjustments. This procedure can be performed using standard utilities that are in each operating system, or using professional software. First check the drivers for your sound card. It often happens that they are installed incorrectly. To do this, go to the "Device Manager" and find your sound card there. If it functions normally, then the drivers are installed correctly. If not, then install again. Insert the plug of the device to be connected into the line input of the (blue) sound card. After that, through the “Toolbar” go to “Sounds and Audio Devices” and select the “Audio” tab. Next, in the recording section, you should find the connected device and open its volume menu. Then the mixers for tuning are displayed. Set them to your preference. Everything, you can begin to capture the sound.
Why do I need a multi-channel line input?
Such a question can often be heard from people with little interest in music. However, any music lover knows: thanks to this input, you can connect speakers to a DVD player, home theater or personal computer in multi-channel mode (standard 5.1 or 7.1), which will provide high-quality surround sound. The device to which the speakers are connected must have a built-in decoder for multi-channel sound and, accordingly, the necessary connectors.
Conclusion
To summarize, we note that the system of connectors corresponding to the linear input and output allows you to create a whole network of various acoustic devices that will work together. They are able to complement each other and amplify acoustic signals.