[NFBCS] Audiophile question | 3.5mm stereo combiner

[Littlefield, Tyler]

Hello:

I would highly recommend a line mixer. It combines all of this into one 
device. That would also et rid of at least 2 sets of speakers if I 
understand your setup correctly. You can handle cables by bundling them 
with velcrow once you've set them up so that they're in one cluster and 
not multiple bundles. You could plug each individual input into the 
inputs, and route all the output through a single set. I know that 
you're trying to get rid of this. The problem with a y-cable (which is 
what you want to split) is that it attenuates the signal and splits it. 
This will lead to reduced audio quality and also enerally mean you end 
up with a huge chain, the more you split the more the signal will decay. 
This also removes the option of managing volumes via a single place. I 
hope I understood your setup properly/this helps. I use mixers all over, 
I have one on my office desk where I plug my work computers and personal 
desktop and phone in, and one on in my recording area where I plug in 
the mac, my windows laptop when I'm using it, my phone and monitoring 
ports from my amp pedal and the audio interface i use to record. I use 
them because they let you individually control the volume of their 
respective inputs, and they also provide you a switch to mute/silence 
inputs so that you can easily cut out something if you dont' want to 
hear it.

HTH,


On 9/19/2021 3:32 PM, charles.vanek--- via NFBCS wrote:
> Hi group,
>
> First off.  I don't see that NFB has an audio mailing list, this question is
> somewhat computer related, but do let me know if there is a better list I
> missed.
>
>   
>
> The simple question is I want to combine audio live from two transmissions
> to one on my PC setup so that I can declutter my desk of speakers / mixers.
>
>
>   
>
> Here's the background as to what I have today and why it is.  First off I
> spend hours per day on Video Conferences.  I like to have conferences
> running out my external speakers.  I also like to have JAWS running out
> external speakers as well, but usually when not on a call.  I also need to
> be able to control the audio of each quickly and easily because I am
> frequently multi-tasking so thus need physical control and don't like using
> the layered keys.
>
>   
>
> The setup I have used for a while is basically this:
>
> 1.	Everything that is not JAWS runs through the computer sound card to
> external speakers with a physical volume knob.
> 2.	For JAWS, I have a Sound Blaster XG6 external USB sound card with
> physical volume knob also.  This has both a headphone and separate speaker
> output.  Which I always have connected to a second set of speakers.
> 3.	
>
> When on a Video Conference I typically plug headphones into the Sound
> Blaster so that I can hear JAWS in 1 earbud and control volume with the
> Sound Blaster independent of the Video Conference which I can also control
> via physical controls.  The nice thing I love about the Sound Blaster is
> when you physically plug in headphones there's no computer prompt or action
> required for the speakers to silence and the headphones to pick up.
>
>   
>
> This setup means that I have 2 sets (4 speakers) on my desk.  What I would
> like to do is route the sound blaster back into the original set of external
> speakers.  I know that this can be accomplished with a mixer which I have
> done and works nicely.  However it takes up space and requires bulkier
> cabling and more energy.  In fact I have a mixer with built in sound card
> eliminating the need for the sound blaster altogether but that is bulky.
>
>   
>
> It is also worth noting that I have 2 computers thus everything is nearly
> times two.
>
>   
>
> I've thought about just buying a 3.5mm splitter but using it in reverse if
> that's possible.  It would require some couplers like a female to female for
> connecting it to the speakers.  The volume knob on the speakers would also
> then effect both, however that isn't a problem as the computer and sound
> blaster will still have the independent physical volume control I desire.
>
>   
>
> Thoughts?
>
>   
>
> Best,
>
> Charles
>
>   
>
>   
>
>   
>
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