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sharing a soundsystem?

Forum CPU & Components : Sound Cards - sharing a soundsystem?

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Hairballs   06-21-2003 at 01:02:13 AM

hi,

i have 2 rigs setup. each is 5.1 capable. now i want to share 1 speaker system. is there some kind of hardware that will allow 2 inputs for the speaker? sort of like a kvm switch for sound? thanks for your answers.

-hairballs

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  06-23-2003 at 09:58:02 PM
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Yes, the device exists. It is known as a switch.

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Hairballs   06-24-2003 at 02:18:25 AM
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hmmm, maybe a little more explanation is called for....

like what kind of switch is it, where can i get one, how much do they cost, how does it work....

information is always appreciated

-hairballs

Reply to Hairballs
  06-25-2003 at 04:39:33 AM
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I haven't seen anything off the shelf. Audio purists wouldn't use a switch unless it's digital signal because of the extra impedance switches add. You might have to get creative and rig something on your own.

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sturm   06-25-2003 at 10:10:38 PM
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are you using the digital or analog outputs?
if its the analog just use a "Y" splitter in reverse on each channel.

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rubikian   06-26-2003 at 04:54:05 AM
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If you know electronics, and if the output to your amplifier is analog signal, you can just connect the output to a series resistor (about 4.7kOhm) and joined the two resistors from both output and connect them to the amplifier input. This is effective if one of the output is off, else you'll be hearing 2 sounds.

And another thing is that, don't your amplifier has multiple inputs like auxiliary, line in, cd, dvd, tuner etc.?

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Hairballs   06-26-2003 at 05:14:58 AM
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@ sturm: i'm planning on using analog, could u explain in more detail about using the "y" splitters in reverse?

@ boot: i dont know anything about electronics unfortunately, and i am also confused about ur reference to an amplifier. i only have the 2 sounds cards that i want to both be able to use on one set of speakers.

thnx for the responses so far, it only confirms that this is looking far harder that i thought it would be.

-hairballs

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the_Prisoner   06-26-2003 at 02:21:22 PM
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I'm a little confused also. Do you want to have both computers on at the same time using one set of speakers? Or just one at a time? Low tech solution is to switch the wires or buy an audio splitter.

Pris

I'm not a number, I'm a free man! :mad:

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sturm   06-26-2003 at 07:10:34 PM
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Normally the Y splitter is used to split the signal to goto two sources. If you plug the output from each sound card into the female ends of the y splitter and then put the male end into the speakers you will combine the two signals instead of splitting it. A and B are the computers.
{A} out
\
------[speaker input]
/
{b} out

Well it should be spaced out more but hopefully you get the picture.

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  06-27-2003 at 05:33:11 AM
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danger. bad idea.

never connect an amplifier out to another amplifier out.

bad.

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Hairballs   06-28-2003 at 09:14:11 AM
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so this "y" splitter thing wont work? anyone have any actual experience with this product or is it all just theory?

@ theprisoner: im not goin to use them both at the same time, i just want to be able to share 1 speaker system. so i dont have two sets of speakers on my table.

though the way things are looking i may have to just deal with the clutter and the expense.

once again thx for the responses so far. if any one else has anything better in mind please speak up.

-hairballs

Reply to Hairballs
  06-28-2003 at 05:20:31 PM
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If they exist they are surely intended for an output to drive two inputs. What you propose is just too dangerous.

What you guys are proposing would result in amp outputs being direct connected with a wire....not a good scenario for the amps in question. One or both will probably break if you try to use them simultaneously.

There are exceptions to this rule however, and two that come to mind are: 1. wire orring the amp outs. this is usually OK. this basically is saying if you can POSITIVELY GUARANTEE the two outputs would NOT be on at the same time, then everything will be fine. Just don't forget or else... 2. you could mix the outputs properly, then you could hear both PC's sound at once coming out of the speakers. You might be able to find commercially available circuits for this, but generally you need to know what you are doing to pull it off with good results.

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the_Prisoner   06-29-2003 at 12:49:04 PM
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Danger, Danger Will Robinson!!! NO powered outputs put into other powered outputs!

Just curious, with 2 computers in the same room why do you need to connect the computers to one set of speakers? If the computers are not that near to each other, things like games or movies wouldnt "sound" right. I'm still confused, tell us what the use is that might help. Also, if anything their must be some kind of external switcher box.

the Prisoner

I'm not a number, I'm a free man! :mad:

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Hairballs   06-29-2003 at 09:28:29 PM
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@ theprisoner: i guess i havent explained myself clearly enough. I have 2 machines but they are both sharing 1 monitor,keyboard, mouse set up. so i just would like that kind of sharing with my sound. they arent 2 whole seperate systems. so far i think im just goin to have 2 speakers systems on my desk.

hope that clears it up some. if you can think up something else please let me know.

-hairballs

Reply to Hairballs
the_Prisoner   07-01-2003 at 10:18:17 AM
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Ok, so one computer is the main one and the other is networked, file sharer type device? I assume you arent moving your keyboard, mouse and monitor connections to use one or the other? I'm still confused on what you needs are, for a quick fix to share the speakers, i cant think of without but just by switching the connections.

Pris

I'm not a number, I'm a free man! :mad:

Reply to the_Prisoner
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