How to use two sound cards simultaneously?

Maarten_Holland · 02-13-2006, 01:54 AM

Hi All,

I use SuSE Linux 9.2 (no KDE or other graphical interface) and am relatively new the subject of sound. I have two sound cards in my PC. One of them is connected to my stereo on another floor and one is connected to 'normal' PC speakers.

Using 'alsaconf' I can configure and use both sound cards, but not at once.

Is it possible that my output is sent to both sound cards simultaneously? If so, could you please point me in the right direction?

Thanks,

Maarten

PTrenholme · 02-13-2006, 07:22 PM

I've only one sound card, so I'm guessing, but look at /etc/asound.conf and /etc/alsa/cards/ and /etc/alsa/pcm/ for clues.

aldimeneira · 02-14-2006, 12:46 AM

Are you trying to use two soundcards so that your stereo can play music at the same time than when it's playing in your PC (like Mac OS X + iTunes + WiFi + Airport Express with AirTunes already does)?

This may sound as an unelegant and cheap solution but you may try using one soundcard with a 1/8 audio cable converter that splits to two 1/8 audio cables (one for your PC speakers and the other for your stereo). An audio card with 2 or more channels may also work.

Electro · 02-14-2006, 01:03 AM

It is possible to copy the PCM stream to the second sound card, but the program that you are using have to use ALSA as the output device. Next you need to add some lines to ~/.asoundrc. Probably the multi pcm will work. For programs that only handle OSS, you will have to run those programs with aoss utility.

I do not recommend using a Y connector for audio because it reduces sound quality. It is better to use an audio distributor amplifier or using an OP-AMP set as an unity gain follower.