how do I send sound to multiple outputs

  • Thread starter Thread starter barnes_jude
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barnes_jude

If I have a creative soundblaster and I have four different sources
I'd like to send sound to:
1. headphones
2. mini speakers
3. LCD TV
4. receiver

Is there some kind of good switching device out there to do this, or
is it more common to route the sound from the pc to the reciever, then
from the reciever to the other three sources, requiring me to have it
on whenever I want to hear sound from any of the four sources?
 
If I have a creative soundblaster and I have four different sources
I'd like to send sound to:
1. headphones
2. mini speakers
3. LCD TV
4. receiver

Is there some kind of good switching device out there to do this, or
is it more common to route the sound from the pc to the reciever, then
from the reciever to the other three sources, requiring me to have it
on whenever I want to hear sound from any of the four sources?
Click to expand...
For the output, you could use Y connectors.
If you don't need them all at the same time, you could get a switch box
(if available) or build one.
Something like this?
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=97929&doy=5m6&C=SO&U=strat15
 
If I have a creative soundblaster and I have four different sources
I'd like to send sound to:
1. headphones
2. mini speakers
3. LCD TV
4. receiver

Is there some kind of good switching device out there to do this, or
is it more common to route the sound from the pc to the reciever, then
from the reciever to the other three sources, requiring me to have it
on whenever I want to hear sound from any of the four sources?
Click to expand...

You can get "Y adapters".

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103870&cp=2032058

Headphones might present a 32 ohm load, and preferably should
go on their own dedicated output. That would mean less noise
and static on the other signals, if plugging and unplugging
the headphones. If the sound device only has one output connector,
then in a pinch, you could connect three Y adapters in a row,
and run all four loads off it. When the headphones are present,
they'll reduce the signal amplitude to the other devices, but
not a big deal.

The other three destinations are higher impedance, and won't
measurably load the signals. For those, you could go from
the green colors "Lineout" type connector on a sound card,
via a couple Y adapters, to make three output jacks. Then,
for the devices which don't use 1/8" stereo plugs on their
interface, you use a 1/8" to RCA adapter, and cable from
there as appropriate. (Audio cables with RCA/Cinch males
on each end.)

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103225&cp=2032058

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RCA_connector

Now, if you absolutely had to mute the signals individually,
going to those devices, that would be tougher.

Another simple minded approach, would be to purchase several
USB to audio products, and enable the one you want to drive.
But the thing I see wrong with this, is if you were gaming
on the PC, these likely wouldn't have EAX support. So a
solution like this, might be limited to more vanilla
audio applications. My thinking here is, you'd enable only
one of these at a time, as your audio output, in Windows.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812186035

Paul
 
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