analog controler through sound card

[hanelyp]

Dusting out the inside of my computer this morning, it occurred to me that the line-in port of the sound card is a 2 channel analog input, which with the right interface hardware and software could accommodate an analog stick.  Since the port doesn't respond to DC levels, It'll necessary to use an AC tone, which introduces to possability of more channels encoded as different tones, pealed off in software.  Funneling the decoded data into a stream that most game software recognises threatens to be the hardest part on a certain OS.

[Ed_McCarron]

I gotta ask why?

If you've got a sound card, you probably have a joystick port, no?

If its the "Because its there" factor, I understand and wish you luck.

[hanelyp]

In my case I have a 'sound card on motherboard', but no joystick port.
Interfacing through USB might be easier.

[ahofle]

Or you could just buy a cheap $10 sound card.

 

[hanelyp]

No ISA slots inside, just 3 PCI.

[tetsujin]

In my case I have a 'sound card on motherboard', but no joystick port.
Interfacing through USB might be easier.

You can buy an adaptor at Radio Shack for around $20 that connects to USB and gives you a game port.  (Four analog axes and four buttons.)  There are also similar devices you can buy elsewhere, but which will provide more buttons.  (I know there's the AKI control boards, at least...  but I don't remember their cost.)

This assuming you don't want to go the DIY route and make your own USB device as I have. 

Sending analog axes into a soundcard's audio input, and then digitizing and measuring frequencies seems like more trouble than it's worth.  There's easier and cheaper ways to measure analog axes with a computer.

[ahofle]

No ISA slots inside, just 3 PCI.

Huh?  The only sound cards made anymore are PCI.  Here's a cheapo for $9 shipped:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-4-Ch-ESS1938-Audio-PCI-Internal-PC-Sound-Card-PC_W0QQitemZ6837957884QQcategoryZ3701QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem