Sound

Speakers

Speakers can be used with your computer to listen to video soundtracks, radio stations, music and voices when using a webcam.

If you do not have speakers, you will need a pair of headphones plugged into your computer to hear any audio.

Controlling your speaker’s sound

You can adjust the sound for your speakers by either using the volume control on the speakers themselves or you can right click on the on speaker icon in the bottom right of your computer monitor and opening the volume control.

Where can you buy speakers?

Speakers can be purchased in most computer hardware shops. If there isn’t one near you, then try the Internet (see Internet shopping) and have the speakers delivered to your door step.

Their prices can vary hugely from as little as eight pounds to hundreds of pounds, but some computer monitors (see previous topic) and laptops have basic speakers built-in.

Microphone

A microphone is a very useful piece of equipment that you can use with your computer to:

• record personal messages and send them to people
• talk to people on instant messaging software and webcams
• talk to people when playing games online.

Where can you get a microphone?

You can purchase microphones for your computer in most computer hardware shops. If there isn’t one near you, you can purchase them off of the Internet (see Internet shopping) and have it delivered to your door step. Some computers and laptops come with microphones already built in.