Extremely Menacing Vibrations
July 7, 2006 10:19 AM Subscribe
Merging PC audio sources?
I have two desktop machines in my basement that get used for gaming and media output. I am wondering if there is an easy way to route the audio from one machine to the other, creating a conjoined output? I've got the ability to run cables if need be and I have a wireless router. Most of my searching is returning results for "distributed audio" throughout your entire house or something along those lines, or chintzy "switches" that change between single audio sources. The audio will be directed from one of the machines to a receiver or a set of standard speakers, one of which will be in a remote location. All machines are running XP. Hardware or software, I'll try anything.
I have two desktop machines in my basement that get used for gaming and media output. I am wondering if there is an easy way to route the audio from one machine to the other, creating a conjoined output? I've got the ability to run cables if need be and I have a wireless router. Most of my searching is returning results for "distributed audio" throughout your entire house or something along those lines, or chintzy "switches" that change between single audio sources. The audio will be directed from one of the machines to a receiver or a set of standard speakers, one of which will be in a remote location. All machines are running XP. Hardware or software, I'll try anything.
Best answer: Yes, do that and then you can use the mixer to adjust the volume of both streams independently.
posted by Rhomboid at 10:31 AM on July 7, 2006
posted by Rhomboid at 10:31 AM on July 7, 2006
Response by poster: Oh boy, I was definitely over thinking that problem. Thanks guys.
posted by prostyle at 10:53 AM on July 7, 2006
posted by prostyle at 10:53 AM on July 7, 2006
The Line Out trick will work okay. I've run that setup before.
If you think you might scale past 2 audio sources, though, I'd recommend thinking about a mixer. I haven't tried it, but I'm looking to pick one up for my two computers and a radio setup. You get a volume slider (actually, basically a whole equalizer) for each input, so if I want to quickly switch to one, it's easy to do. (Or if one is louder than the others.) Plus, many provide for a couple outlets, allowing me to choose between headphones or speakers without having to lean under my desk and switch all the time.
BTW, I'm puzzled by your title.
posted by fogster at 10:56 AM on July 7, 2006
If you think you might scale past 2 audio sources, though, I'd recommend thinking about a mixer. I haven't tried it, but I'm looking to pick one up for my two computers and a radio setup. You get a volume slider (actually, basically a whole equalizer) for each input, so if I want to quickly switch to one, it's easy to do. (Or if one is louder than the others.) Plus, many provide for a couple outlets, allowing me to choose between headphones or speakers without having to lean under my desk and switch all the time.
BTW, I'm puzzled by your title.
posted by fogster at 10:56 AM on July 7, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by utsutsu at 10:21 AM on July 7, 2006