In the old days, computers rarely produced sounds other than the occasional bleep.

Noises were used to alert users of errors or malfunctions and little else. But music is so fundamental to our lives that it wasn’t long before it started creeping into computer use.

Now most computers come with a CD drive and audio-processing technology capable of producing high-quality sound and music.

Microsoft has incorporated a range of new music features into Windows Vista ­ all that’s needed is the right equipment and a little know-how to make the most of them. In this feature we’ll explain what you need to take full advantage of Vista’s music talents, and how to set Vista up to get the best sound.

If you’re a music fan in two minds over whether or not to upgrade to Vista, then it’s worth taking a moment to weigh up the pros and cons. It’s true that Vista ­ particularly the Home Premium edition ­ has a vastly improved selection of multimedia features, including improved support for all kinds of music-based activities. But it offers little that’s actually new: it’s more like a collection of music features that, until now, have been available elsewhere.

For example, the main area of focus for music lovers in Vista will be the built-in Windows Media Player 11. This is included with all versions of Vista and includes all the tools needed to import, organise, burn and stream music. But the same software is also available for Windows XP as a free download.

Even if Vista doesn’t include many music features that are brand new, the way that it integrates lots of useful features makes it simple to use. Pop a CD in your drive and Vista will instantly ask you what you want to do with it. Transferring tracks from a disc to the PC’s music library can be done in a single click, and it’s equally easy to organise a music collection, put together a playlist or copy tracks to a blank CD.

Get the right kit
It’s important to make sure you have the right hardware to take advantage of Vista’s music features. If you’re buying a new Vista PC and want to set it up as an entertainment system, then you might want to pay special attention to its audio capabilities.

Look out for digital audio outputs, as they make it possible to connect the computer to a hi-fi amplifier or receiver. This is an expensive alternative to using speakers connected directly to the computer, but it allows for the best sound quality. There are several types of digital connection, so make sure the digital connection on your PC matches the one on any hi-fi equipment ­ see the section ‘The best connections’.

Almost all computers today include a sound processor that enables them to play sound effects and music files, but for the best audio quality it’s a good idea to invest in a computer with a dedicated sound card, such as the Creative X-Fi Xtrememusic. Dedicated sound cards usually include more connections and often several digital audio outputs, and with higher-quality audio processing they sound better, too.

If you want to upgrade an existing Vista PC to make the most of music, or if you are upgrading a Windows XP computer with a sound card that doesn’t support Vista, adding a new card needn’t cost the earth. The Creative X-Fi card mentioned above is available from www.dabs.com. It’s Vista-compatible and has a digital optical output and 24-bit audio enhancements that can help bolster the sound quality of DVD audio soundtracks ­ see ‘The best connections’ on page 33. You can even upgrade your audio without opening up your PC by adding a sound card that connects to a USB port.