Solid Snake 88

Is it possible? I've been told that its impossible to run, say, an Audigy 2 and the onboard nForce 2 audio at the same time because they use the same IRQ. I've also been told that it is possible with 2 PCI cards, and then told that its not. I really need a straight answer.
What I need to do is have two programs (MSN and Winamp) output to different sound cards at the same time. If you're wondering why, it has to do with the radio show me and Renegade do.

Vampyromaniac

It sure is possible. I've got 2 PCI's: Turtle Beach Montego II and Philips Acoustic Edge.
I just installed the PAE a week or so ago, so I'm still trying to get everything ironed out. But it looks good.

OK, I know in WinAmp, you can specify what card to output thru. But, I don't know if you can in MSN.
If you can't, my guess would be this:
Set MSN's sound card as the preferred playback device, and keep the "Use only preferred devices" box un-checked.
And set Winamp to use the other sound card.
I'm guessing this would have MSN use the preferred card, and WinAmp will use the other because of the setting.

In Winamp 2.80, the setting is in Output Plugins, under WaveOut plugin.
You just double-click that, and set the card you want to use from the Device drop-down list.
Of course, I don't know what version you have, or if it's in the same place.

But I'm no expert . . . btw, if you need clarification an anything I said, feel free to ask; I just rambled on
Hopefully Dallasstar can give you some input, he's run a dual-card setup before, and knows more than me I'm sure.
Good luck.



Oh, can you describe how you have it set up currently? Maybe it'll help.

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RIV@NVX

Of course, if you are using Win2k/XP you should use DirectSound in Winamp2. WaveOut is for Win9x.
Update if you are using some really old version of DirectSound and WaveOut - small size update, pre-2.82 plugins.

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-- Vedran

Solid Snake 88

Thanks for the advice. I've tried setting Winamp to use the nForce 2 audio while MSN uses the Audigy 2, but I get nothing out of the nForce 2. Is it possible to use a PCI card and integrated audio at the same time?

How I have what set up, my sound?
Sound Blast Audigy 2 set as primary device
"Use only default devices" unchecked

Vampyromaniac

Sorry, I forgot to say I'm in Win98 oops!

I don'y know whether or not you can mix integrated and PCI sound, I don't much about IRQ's either.
Are the nforce and audigy using the same IRQ in Device Manager? My 2 PCI's are separate (3 & 4)

Funny I was going to try using my old sound card with my integrated, before I got the new card.
But I never got around to it.

Does the nforce play sound if you use Winamp by itself?
Or does the nforce never play sound under any circumstance? (While audigy is set as default)


Oh, when I asked how you had it set up, I meant what program is playing what for your show, and how you have your wiring done, etc. I bet it's complicated

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Solid Snake 88

Well I just tried the nForce 2 on its own, and it didn't work (even when it was set as the default sound card). It must not be able to run at all if it detects a PCI sound card. I can try using two PCI cards though.

The show is set up like this:

- Renegade co-hosts through MSN voice chat
- Music and sound effects are played through Winamp
- Calls come in through a PCI 56k modem with audio jacks on the back, and get picked up by CallSoft
- I run a wire from the modem's Output jack to the sound card's Line In jack
- I hook a splitter up to the sound card's Output jack, one end goes to my headphones, the other goes to my home-made impedence tuner where it is downtuned and then goes to the modem's Mic In jack
- "What U Hear" mode is turned on in Recording Controls, and Microphone is unmuted in Playback Controls

Basically "What U Hear" mode pick up my voice, Renegade's voice, the callers voice, and any other soundcard output (Winamp) and sends it to the SHOUTcast plugin.
This is a very cheap and amateur method of doing things. The downsides to this are that Renegade has to hear himself come back to him (often times a second or so after he starts speaking), as do the callers (but it isn't as bad for them since its more instantanious over the phone).

If I was able to get Winamp to output to one soundcard and MSN to the other I could split the two voices instead of having them both come out of the same channel. I wouldn't have to turn on "What U Hear" mode. Instead I could take the wire with Winamp's output, the modem's output, and my microphone wire, and merge the three together. Then hook that into the Mic In jack on the soundcard where MSN is. Renegade would hear me, Winamp, and the caller, but not himself.
Likewise, I could take Renegade's output, my microphone, and Winamp, merge the three, and stick it into the modem's Mic In jack.
Then, to get all 4 channels to the SHOUTcast plugin for broadcasting I'd take my wire, Renegade's, the caller's, and Winamp's, merge them, and hook that into the Mic In jack on the soundcard where Winamp is.

Confusing, isn't it? This is only one of many possible scenarios.

Vampyromaniac

I'm gonna have to draw a picture to help me visualize that, lol

OK so we know the nforce2 doesn't work with another card, good we cleared that up.

I just ran a quick little test using both my PCI cards at the same time.
My PAE is set as default, and I set WinAmp to use DirectSound forcing my other card, TurtleBeach.
I played back one song in WinAmp, and TB played it. I played another in WindowsMediaplayer, and PAE played it.
Then I let 'em both rip at the same time, and sure enough, they each played their own song
I even tried stopping and starting each one several times in different order, and it's all good.

So, it looks like if you get another PCI, you can implement your diabolical little plan
Only thing I'm not sure of is if it'll work in your specific case, with MSN, winamp, shoutcast, etc. . .
. . . only time will tell

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Solid Snake 88

LOL, believe me I've had to do that numerous times myself. It gets even more complicated when you throw a mixer into the mix (I might be getting one soon, should help sound quality).

Thanks for the help.

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"Where'd I put that C4? Uh oh..."

Vampyromaniac

No prob, man

I just read that tangled description of your wiring again, and I suddenly understood it all, now

I'm actually a little sursprised I was able to help

"woot"


Btw, one thing I'm not sure anyone mentioned to you yet, but sometimes you need to speak up a bit in the show, or maybe the mic is far, or the sensitivity is down . . . but you sound quite quieter than Ren

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Solid Snake 88

Yeah, a few people have said that. I'll try to raise my mic volume next time.

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"Where'd I put that C4? Uh oh..."