how do I easily change sound cards?

  • Thread starter Thread starter plasticsmith
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plasticsmith

Hi,

I have two sound cards in my computer. Is there any way I can create
an icon to change the default sound card? Currently, I change the
default sound device through the control panel. I find that too slow.

What I want is the ability to just double click an icon on the desktop
to change the device. I'm thinking it may be possible to do it by
adding info to the registry, but I have no idea which values to edit.
Can someone help me out?
 
Hi,

I have two sound cards in my computer. Is there any way I can create
an icon to change the default sound card? Currently, I change the
default sound device through the control panel. I find that too slow.
Click to expand...

Well, you can make a shortcut to System from the Control Panel, and you'll
be prompted to put it on the desktop. But you'll still have to open it up
and select the sound card.

I have a batch file I use for access to Device Manager which also allows
hidden devices to be viewed and handled:

@set DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES=1
@start devmgmt.msc
@exit

The above helps if you've removed a device and software but still find
remnants perhaps causing trouble with a new device. Sometimes - surprise! -
the device hasn't been removed from the 'hidden' list that shows via the
above. The critical line, however, is the "start devmgmt.msc", which goes
right to Device Manager. (The "exit" closes the window running the batch
file, as the Device Manager window has been opened.)

What about doing the selection change via the program you're using the sound
card with? Usually one can select a device from an Options menu, whether
it's a game or a recording program.
What I want is the ability to just double click an icon on the desktop
to change the device. I'm thinking it may be possible to do it by
adding info to the registry, but I have no idea which values to edit.
Can someone help me out?
Click to expand...

I suspect a kind of script will do the trick.

--
Stephen Goodman

* Cartoons about DVDs and Stuff
* http://www.earthlight.net/HiddenTrack
* The Loop Of The Week since 1996!
* http://www.earthlight.net/Studios
 
John Jay Smith said:
This will do what you want

System Tray Audio Card Switcher freeware

http://www.winsite.com/bin/Info?19000000037599
Click to expand...

Maybe so, but does it change the settings in whatever recording package etc.
he's using with it? Seems if you've got CoolEdit etc. set to use Card #1,
and you switch to Card #2, you've still got to re-set CoolEdit to use Card
#1, as it's a per-application setting.
 
Can you explain this further.... I never really understood the
reason why someone would use 2 cards. I have 2 but I use only one...

can you give me some examples?

Thanks

--
Kenny - www.ComputerBoom.com

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

-Arthur C. Clarke
--
 
John Jay Smith said:
Can you explain this further.... I never really understood the
reason why someone would use 2 cards. I have 2 but I use only one...

can you give me some examples?
Click to expand...

The only scenario I can think of that "plasticsmith" might be using is one
where he's got Audio I/O happening at two separate points, perhaps one's a
mixer and the other's his home stereo/entertainment system. When one would
want to record from the mixer, or output to it, choose card #1. Record/play
to the stereo, card #2. Shame nobody's come up with a way to have multiple
cards working together; one could make a full-on mixing console for
multi-channel without spending scads of money for a Big Five-level audio
rig.
 
Hi guys,

Thanks for your suggestions. I'm going to try out that bit of freeware
that John Jay Smith recommended.

I use two sound cards because I have a set of USB headphones that I use
for gaming. When I plug them in, I they show up as a seperate sound
card. Now, I can easily change the default setting in the sounds and
audio devices area of the control pannel, but I'm looking for a
solution that the rest of my computer illeterate users can use. In
other words, I'm sick of hearing "Honey, there's no sound on the
computer! Can you come and show me how to fix it again?"

My ideal solution would be an icon that, once clicked, toggles between
the two sound card devices. Another solution would be two icons, one
to switch to speakers and one for headphones.
 
the one I said will do what you want.. thats why the developer made it :-)

You could have used normal earphones. pluged into your sound card...
why did you get USB ones?

in any case tell us how it works out ;-)

--
Kenny - www.ComputerBoom.com

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

-Arthur C. Clarke
 
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