Multi Speakers/multi Sound Cards

**PeterAGASSI** · 16-01-2006

I searched for related issues and didn't see anything to help me so I'm hoping someone knows how to do what I am visualizing in my head... here it goes

I have two sound cards on my computer. I have the built into motherboard sound card and a 7.1 M-Audio Revolution sound card. Both work just fine. I have one set of basic computer speakers. I have successfully set up my computer to play sound on my home stereo and tv, with no problems.

What I want to do is to have certain programs to play on a certain sound card. I want to use my multi-media (ie. DVD movies, windows media) on my TV and home stereo. I want to play my computer games and computer related software through my computer speakers

I'm looking through windows media and can't see how to select which speakers it goes through. BTW I know both sound cards can be used simutanousely, even when they are being used by the same program. It seems that you should be able to have a sound hardware scheme set up.

My other option (and what I have been doing up to this point) is to hook up one set of speakers to regular speaker outlet and the other set to surround sound outlet on the same video card (the Revolution card). I believe that dimineshes sound quality, and I'm constantly going behind the computer to unplug/replug in my speaker, which I really do not like doing. Also, some programs aren't sound surround quality so I don't get sound at all, which is understandable.

I am running Windows XP

So, does anybody have any ideas, or have you solved this problem already for yourself and wanna help me out... if you respond, I thank you in advance

**Techguru01** · 16-01-2006

If you have two sound cards active at one time you will have problems - guaranteed. I think you should choose one and use that.

**Mavericko** · 17-01-2006

It has to do with the applications.

Most of the applications just query for the "Default Device", to windows.
Windows returns them with the ID of the "Default Device" as configured in the 'Sounds and Audio Devices' in the control panel.

Good Music Applications like WinAmp, can be configured to play through a particular soundcard.

So the point is:
1. For dump apps -> Tweak the 'Sounds and Audio Devices' in the control panel.
to point to the right card.

2. For smart apps -> Change the settings in the applications preferences.

I hope you can find some working combination