# Sound Blaster Live!

> Sound card

**Wikidata**: [Q7564659](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7564659)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_Blaster_Live!)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sound-blaster-live

## Summary
The Sound Blaster Live! is a model series of sound cards introduced by Creative Technology in 1998, designed to enhance audio input and output for computers. It played a key role in improving sound quality for gaming and multimedia applications during the late 1990s. As part of the broader "sound card" class, it provided expanded audio capabilities beyond basic PC hardware.

## Key Facts
- **Inception**: 1998
- **Manufacturer**: Creative Technology
- **Instance Of**: Model series
- **Subclass Of**: Sound card
- **Notable Model**: CT-4830 (single-chip variant, depicted in technical imagery)
- **Aliases**: 사운드 블라스터 라이브 (Korean)
- **Wikipedia Title**: Sound Blaster Live!
- **Image**: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Soundblasterlive1024_1chip.png (Model CT-4830)
- **Logo**: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Sound_Blaster_Live!_logo.svg

## FAQs
### Q: When was the Sound Blaster Live! released?
A: The Sound Blaster Live! was introduced in 1998 by Creative Technology.

### Q: What is the significance of the Sound Blaster Live! in computing history?
A: It was a notable sound card model series that improved audio quality for gaming and multimedia on PCs in the late 1990s.

### Q: Who manufactured the Sound Blaster Live!?
A: The Sound Blaster Live! was developed and marketed by Creative Technology, a leading company in audio hardware.

## Why It Matters
The Sound Blaster Live! holds historical relevance as a product that addressed the growing demand for high-quality audio in personal computing during the 1990s. As computers became central to gaming and multimedia, stock audio solutions often lacked fidelity and features. This sound card series bridged that gap, offering enhanced audio processing and output capabilities. Its introduction in 1998 positioned it as a competitive product in the expanding market for PC peripherals, contributing to Creative Technology’s reputation as a leader in audio hardware. For users, it enabled richer gaming experiences, better music playback, and improved overall system audio performance, setting a benchmark for what consumers could expect from PC sound technology.

## Notable For
- **Model Series Design**: Part of a broader lineup of sound cards under the Sound Blaster brand, emphasizing versatility and incremental innovation.
- **Single-Chip Innovation**: The CT-4830 model showcased a compact, single-chip design (documented in technical imagery), reflecting advancements in hardware miniaturization.
- **International Market Presence**: Marketed in Korea under the localized name "사운드 블라스터 라이브," indicating global distribution efforts.
- **Cultural Impact**: Contributed to the normalization of high-quality audio as a standard expectation for gaming and multimedia PCs in the late 1990s.

## Body
### Introduction
The Sound Blaster Live! was launched in 1998 as a model series of sound cards developed by Creative Technology. It belonged to the broader category of expansion cards designed to enhance audio input and output for personal computers.

### Technical Specifications
- **Core Functionality**: Provided improved audio signal processing compared to onboard PC sound solutions.
- **Key Model**: The CT-4830 variant featured a single-chip design, as illustrated in archived technical diagrams.
- **Classification**: Categorized as both a "model series" and a subclass of the general "sound card" hardware class.

### Manufacturer Context
Creative Technology, the manufacturer, was a prominent player in the audio hardware sector. The Sound Blaster Live! reinforced the company’s position in the market, leveraging the established Sound Blaster brand to appeal to gamers and multimedia enthusiasts.

### Legacy
While specific technical details like audio fidelity metrics or compatibility standards are not enumerated in the source material, the product’s inclusion in Wikipedia documentation (across English, Hungarian, and Korean languages) underscores its recognition across different regions. Its release coincided with the late 1990s surge in PC gaming and multimedia usage, making it a relevant tool for users seeking enhanced audio experiences.