[NFBCS] Audiophile question | 3.5mm stereo combiner

Sun Sep 19 21:12:09 UTC 2021

I've got a Yamaha MG10XU (I believe I've got that right on the model.  It's probably 12in by 8in and several inches high.  Truth be told the size doesn't matter too much as really I could put it anywhere because I'm unlikely to stop using the sound blaster as it's super simple to flip that to earbuds while leaving everything else on speakers because while the cardioid mic is good it's not perfect.

-----Original Message-----
From: Littlefield, Tyler <tyler at tysdomain.com> 
Sent: Sunday, September 19, 2021 3:40 PM
To: charles.vanek at gmail.com; 'NFB in Computer Science Mailing List' <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [NFBCS] Audiophile question | 3.5mm stereo combiner

What do you mean by bulky? in terms of height or width?

I have a couple types, one of them is a flat boxy looking thing, maybe the height of a pizza box. it's longer because it's supposed to be rack mounted (I have one of them in a rack), but you could easily slide it under a desk shelf. would that be okay or are you looking for something smaller? I like the rack configuration because even if you dont' mount it like that, the knobs and everything aren't all on the top, they're on the front panel. This also doesn't include EQ or anything like that, if you want that I can point you to a left/right eq that you can run your output through. I tend to use it when I am mixing to isolate bands when I'm not sure of something specific.

On 9/19/2021 4:36 PM, charles.vanek at gmail.com wrote:
> Thanks for the info.  Agree on the quality degradation with a splitter cable which is why I asked.
>
> Do you have any recommendations on a mini mixer?  The one I have now is bulky and vast overkill.  A 4 to 1 is really all I need and everything in this setup is all 3.5mm stereo.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Littlefield, Tyler <tyler at tysdomain.com>
> Sent: Sunday, September 19, 2021 2:44 PM
> To: NFB in Computer Science Mailing List <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: charles.vanek at gmail.com
> Subject: Re: [NFBCS] Audiophile question | 3.5mm stereo combiner
>
> 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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