How to use 1 speaker pair with many computers... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: AndersJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2019, 10:47:44 am
content: My lab has many computers.Sound is always convenient.Traditional speakers are messy, two speakers, many cables.Is there a convenient wireless way to connect many PC’s to one speaker pair?

author: KMoffett
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2019, 10:57:00 am
content: So, what if two or more computers are outputing audio at the same time? Or are you thinknig of some type of prioritized mixing?

author: AndersJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2019, 11:16:14 am
content: No single audio source has priority.All sources are logically in parallell, like a simple audiomixer.

author: A Hellene
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2019, 11:52:30 am
content: There are many solutions! How aboutcascadingthe machines?Meaning, to route the audio output of every machine to the next one's audio input?Just like:Computer #1 Line-Out connected to computer #2 Line-In,Computer #2 Line-Out connected to computer #3 Line-In,[...],Computer #(n-1) Line-Out connected to computer #n Line-In, and, finally,Computer #n Line-Out connected to the speakers audio input.Or, by the use of an external stand-alone audio mixer of a capable number of audio inputs.Or, using an audio card with as many audio inputs needed, installed to the computer connected to the speaker set.-George

author: Jeroen3
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2019, 12:11:53 pm
content: Quote from: AndersJ on August 20, 2019, 10:47:44 amYes.https://www.behringer.com

author: AndersJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2019, 02:02:59 pm
content: I can’t figure out which Behringer wireless product can do this.Please clarify what you mean.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2019, 02:16:14 pm
content: Quote from: AndersJ on August 20, 2019, 02:02:59 pmYou need an audio mixer.It's possible to make one using an op-amp, in the summing amplifier configuration, but by the time you've bought all of the components and spent time assembling it, it will work out much cheaper to just buy it from a reputable company, such as Behringer.

author: BrianHG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2019, 02:39:49 pm
content: You can always stream the windows audio output from all you different PCs to one final PC through your LAN network and have that final PC with the accumulated sound bluetooth feed the speakers. On that final PC, the Windows mixer will have independent volume controls for each received audio stream.But, that last PC will always need to be on and there, otherwise, no sound at all.Look for a low latency network audio streamer, preferably a lossless one unless you don not mind an additional mpeg audio layer.Even remote desktop software like teamviewer can do this, however, you may have 10 desktops open on one last PC and teamviewer's audio is crap quality as you cannot set the quality and it eats network and cpu usage since it also streams the desktop picture.Hmm, I think this feature might be built into Windows remote desktop feature.Also look here: (I've never tried this, but, maybe you will have luck)http://www.streamwhatyouhear.com/

author: Jeroen3
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2019, 06:16:13 am
content: Why would you make one yourself when you can buy one for€51 euro.https://www.bax-shop.nl/analoog-mengpaneel/behringer-xenyx-802-pa-en-studio-mixerFew cheap chinese bluetooth receivers ($10 ugreen) and you're set. Right?Or just use and use Equalizer APO and a PC as mixer.Just need a way to transmit the audio over the network.https://sourceforge.net/projects/equalizerapo/

author: grifftech
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2019, 02:34:33 pm
content: 2 AM radio transmitters per pc (one for left, one for right) and a central dual reciver

author: Bratster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2019, 08:22:31 pm
content: I'm going under the assumption that all your computers are running on the same network,This software costs $40 but will do exactly what you want in regards to audio sharing.For up to 9 computers.With the added benefit of also being able to share a keyboard/ mouse between multiple computers etc but you don't have to use that.https://www.stardock.com/products/multiplicity/If you want something to just work and not have to futz around with anything that would be my choice.I use this at home between two different computers and it works great.Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2019, 11:23:44 pm
content: I'd just build a mixer. In practice it will probably work fine to just use a resistor in series with each audio output to keep them from driving much current into each other and then feed that all into a set of amplified speakers.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2019, 11:39:08 pm
content: Quote from: james_s on August 21, 2019, 11:23:44 pmYou can even buy that premade as a Belkin Rockstar. Note carefully that it's designed to be usable as a mixer, most splitters are not!https://www.belkin.com/us/p/P-F8Z274/Or you can go all out and be able to adjust volumes individually as well as set individual equalization curves. Probably cost a bit more than you want to spend, but maybe you'll get lucky and find one going for cheap...

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2019, 12:19:04 am
content: No need to overthink this, doesn't sound like it requires audiophile quality or anything. A simple passive mixer will most likely work fine, it's not the best solution but it may well be the best value that will work acceptably well.

author: 001
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2019, 12:56:20 pm
content: Quote from: james_s on August 22, 2019, 12:19:04 amWhat about grounding problem with many switchable PS and long audiocables? I prefer bluetooth connection

author: TomS_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2019, 01:09:57 pm
content: Quote from: 001 on August 22, 2019, 12:56:20 pmOP said he wanted a wireless solution anyway.There must be some cheap bluetooth modules around that can pair to a PC and provide a sound output device. A couple of them, a simple mixer and an audio out jack and youre done.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2019, 08:07:13 pm
content: Sorry I missed the wireless part.Quote from: grifftech on August 21, 2019, 02:34:33 pmThat will work in theory, but the volume of each channel will depend on how much attenuation there is between the transmitter and the receiver. AM is also vulnerable to interference. A digital solution such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi wouldn't suffer from that problem.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2019, 06:08:12 am
content: Bluetooth audio transmitters and receivers are readily available. They're a lot more expensive than a wire, but not crazy expensive.