So, this is kind of an interesting question. Is it possible to get two sound systems to work on a single computer with a single sound card? See, I ask this because I have a sound system hooked up to my current laptop, mainly cause the built-in speakers suck, and I have a new computer and it came with a free sound system. I had a nifty idea of hooking both of them up and creating a pseudo surround sound. Problem is, I can only seem to hook up one, because if I try to hook up two, it will mute one. Any ideas?
Sound system help on a computer.
- Thread starter Snowalker
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Audio industry guy to the rescue.
It's do-able. The trick is to fool the computer into thinking that it's only dealing with one sound system, not two. Do this by splitting the stereo audio signal into two separate stereo signals after it leaves the computer, using something like this, plugged into the audio output of your laptop:
http://www.getprice.com.au/2-x-3-5mm-Stereo-Mini-Jacks-Female-to-3-5mm-Stereo-Mini-Jack-Male-Adaptor-Gpnc_41--23451974.htm
Then you can take those signals and put them into any audio device you want.
Another alternative is to use a patch bay or mini mixing desk to split the signals, but the above option is certainly cheaper and less fuss. Make sure you buy the right adaptor though, these things come in mono and stereo variants, you want stereo for the male jack and stereo for each of the two female jacks. Some of these adaptors split one stereo signal into two mono signals which is not what you want.
It's do-able. The trick is to fool the computer into thinking that it's only dealing with one sound system, not two. Do this by splitting the stereo audio signal into two separate stereo signals after it leaves the computer, using something like this, plugged into the audio output of your laptop:
http://www.getprice.com.au/2-x-3-5mm-Stereo-Mini-Jacks-Female-to-3-5mm-Stereo-Mini-Jack-Male-Adaptor-Gpnc_41--23451974.htm
Then you can take those signals and put them into any audio device you want.
Another alternative is to use a patch bay or mini mixing desk to split the signals, but the above option is certainly cheaper and less fuss. Make sure you buy the right adaptor though, these things come in mono and stereo variants, you want stereo for the male jack and stereo for each of the two female jacks. Some of these adaptors split one stereo signal into two mono signals which is not what you want.
Alright, I've seen a similar thing in my local RadioShack, but it said it was for splitting headphones, but considering my sound system hooked up to my laptop is plugged into a headphone jack, I'd think it'd work. Or does it need something specific? like one specifically for computer sound systems? Also, do you think I'd get a weird sound effect from two sub-woofers or would it just be extremely loud(which is cool)? As far as the stereo thing, thanks for the tip.BonsaiK said:
Like BonsaiK said you can use a splitter, or depending on your sound card you could set each jack port to output different/same things (Onboard Realtek sound card has this function so an aftermarket one should definatly have this function).
It also shouldn't sound weird with 2 subs so long as they aren't to close together.
It also shouldn't sound weird with 2 subs so long as they aren't to close together.
Two subwoofers is fine. Might be a bit muddy if the bass is up too high but it won't sound "weird" unless you stack them on top of each other or something.Snowalker said:
Look at the metal jack pin that goes from your sound system and plugs into the computer. Does it have two stripes going around it? Then you're fine. Three or more? You're in trouble.