[NFBCS] Audiophile question | 3.5mm stereo combiner

[Paul York]

To my knowledge, there's no good way to make a y-splitter into an effective
y-joiner. I've seen some folks talk of soldering in resisters and such, but
like I said, no "good" way.

I think a mixer is the right solution. But there are two mixer options.

One would leverage the way you currently have things. PC to 2 separate
sound cards to mixer to one pair of speakers/headphones. This is definitely
the easiest. If you're mostly worried about cables, you can get little
desktop mixers that are USB powered. Even if the one you get requires the
big 1/4 inch connectors, you can get simple 3.5mm to 1/4 inch adapters for
cheap and use the more compact 3.5mm cables. Just note that you'd probably
want to hook up the "line-level" outputs from the two sound cards to the
mixer, bypassing those volume knobs entirely and relying instead on the
mixer.

The other option is "free," but rather complicated. You can download and
install one of the shareware vb-audio products (probably Voicemeeter).
Effectively you can create multiple virtual sound cards, so you could
assign most apps to one and JAWS to another. Then "mix" them using their
application. Again exactly like the physical solution you have, but in
software, requiring no external device or cable. The output goes to a
single sound card. You'd control the "mix" using keyboard hotkeys or
something like an Elgato Stream Deck. This is what all the cool-kid video
game streamers are doing these days.

Good luck!


On Sun, Sep 19, 2021 at 3:34 PM charles.vanek--- via NFBCS <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
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
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> NFBCS mailing list
> NFBCS at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbcs_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NFBCS:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbcs_nfbnet.org/paul%40yorkfamily.com
>