Any good ideas for 2 sound inputs to 2 outputs on a single PC?

[Mr Fantastic]

I want to find a way to have 2 outputs for sound in my PC, one for the headset and one for the speakers, so I can play whatever I want and still be able to have music in the room for my kids.

Anyone have an easy solution to accomplish this with some combination of hardware and software?

[Mr Fantastic]

Originally posted by Kasper Skywalker:

headset to motherboard back IO panel, speakers to case front panel

but Im not sure, would sound quite complicated to direct individual softwares to use different audio output

I read about that and one of the downsides might be sound delay if I use windows options. I'm expecting a new USB headset will try it out when it arrives.

I also read about possibly using a mixer with the above instead of windows, which might end up being the best option if I can find a good simple one.

Lastly I read about using a Y splitter which might be the simplest solution, but I can't understand if this would allow two different sources of sound. A Y splitter looks just like a means to have the same input in 2 outputs.

[Mr Fantastic]

Originally posted by Kasper Skywalker:

umm, as far as I know most of the cable splitters are just to divide one audio port (phones and other mobile devices, which combines input and output into one port) to one input and one output (headset/speaker and microphone, for PCs and maybe some consoles), I am not sure if there are any actual output only cable splitters

well, maybe you would look for some boxes with like 5+ audio ports, some professional grade hardware Im not really sure how people call it, but I do remember seeing some of them

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1x8-1-8-8-Way-Composite-RCA-Video-Splitter-Distribution-Amplifier-SB-3706RCA-/254435454745
just some Idea, I know you would not use 8 audio output ports

Sound splitting into two outputs is easy with a ugreen Y splitter that costs 6 euros on amazon.

The problem is on how to send different sound to the headset and to the speakers.

[Talby]

check out VoiceMeeter[vb-audio.com] can take 2 hardware inputs and 2 audio outputs

[Mr Fantastic]

Originally posted by Talby:

check out VoiceMeeter[vb-audio.com] can take 2 hardware inputs and 2 audio outputs

Nice tip. I had that page open but was ready to quit on it since I don't understand yet how to configure it.

[Spec_Ops_Ape]

If you have a motherboard with the Realtek audio chip you can set it up so the front and rear jacks can play seperate audio tracks.
In programs such as VLC or Windows Media Player you can tell it which audio device to use.

Another way: Does your monitor have audio pass-through/headphone jack? If yes then set the monitor as the default audio device in windows and plug your headphones into it. Then tell your music player to use the speakers.

[Mr Fantastic]

Originally posted by Spec_Ops_Ape:

In programs such as VLC or Windows Media Player you can tell it which audio device to use.

Thanks I ended up using this solution since it's the most simple to implement and I can have windows media player exclusive to the speakers and the rest to headphones without much trouble.

[Mr Fantastic]

I just found out the option: App volume app preferences under windows advanced sound options which lets you change the output device as well, so it's quite easy to set browser or media player to speakers.

Would be cool if they had put this option in the volume mixer instead of hidden away, but it's really useful nonetheless.

[Kobs]

Get a cheapo outdated PC for your music all you need is the audio jacks Lot less complicated than trying to figure out a way to make one PC play two things at once

[xSOSxHawkens]

Che volume

[Mr Fantastic]

Originally posted by Kobs:

Get a cheapo outdated PC for your music all you need is the audio jacks Lot less complicated than trying to figure out a way to make one PC play two things at once

It's actually super easy

App volume app preferences under windows advanced sound options lets you change the output device as well, so it's quite easy to set browser or media player to speakers.

Would be cool if they had put this option in the volume mixer instead of hidden away, but it's really useful nonetheless.

[Tiberius]

Why not connect your phone to the speaker and play the music from it?

[Spec_Ops_Ape]

If you haven't already, grab the wmpkeys extension for Windows media player. Gives you shortcut keys to control Windows media player without the need for the app to be in focus.

[Mr Fantastic]

Originally posted by Spec_Ops_Ape:

If you haven't already, grab the wmpkeys extension for Windows media player. Gives you shortcut keys to control Windows media player without the need for the app to be in focus.

Thanks my keyboard has keys for those already