Interesting Question Concerning Networking Audio Cards

soundguy_99 · Oct 2, 2007, 07:22 AM

Hey guys,
Had a interesting question, that I posted on the cnet forums, and got some interesting responses so I thought I'd post here, with you guys being the audio guys.
Is there a way to share audio cards and their devices on a network?
We share printers with no problem. Even though a printer may be connected to another desktop on a network, we can still access it from a laptop and send data to it, why can`t we do the same thing with audio, or can we?
For example I would like to run a program like pcdj from a laptop, possibly using files located on an external driver some where else on the network, and send the audio output from pcdj to a soundcard located on a desktop on the network, thereby outputting that audio to the speaker system connected to that desktop.
I have heard of clubs having their d.j;s using a Ipod type device to cue up and play music from an desktop behind the bar, but can you do this with a laptop connected to the same network.
If its not possible maybe it might be something you guys involved with KX project can look at.
Any thoughts is greatly apreciated,
Thanks,
soundguy_99

Russ · Oct 2, 2007, 12:57 PM

Well I am not sure that this is the right forum for such a question, but why wouldn't it be possible?

You can take control of a PC remotely (PC Anywhere, etc), transfer files, and stream audio over the internet, etc.

You would not really share the audio card itself, rather you would probably run some program that accepts remote commands to play audio (and maybe have a central server program that maintains a list of remote clients, etc).

I would be surprised if such an application does not already exist (except that maybe there is not a big demand for it, as I think most people prefer to choose what the want to listen to, rather than have someone else choose for them remotely (and there is already streaming audio/internet radio, etc for those that want to listen to other peoples choices, etc.)).

Russ · Oct 2, 2007, 01:33 PM

BTW: Aside from the above (which might be more user friendly), any program that takes command line switches (or accepts scripts, etc) to tell it what to play (1 song vs a playlist, etc), should be easily controlled remotely (i.e. telnet or a similar network protocol could be used).

Maddogg6 · Oct 2, 2007, 04:01 PM

Quote:

...., but why wouldn't it be possible?

Multiple PCs audio sync - is the only benefit I could comprehend from the OP's idea (kX is aimed at musicians after all).
My thoughts - network protocols and audio sync/timing - just sounds like a nightmare to me. I would think sample accurate timing is not possible.

Consider - LAN switches and routers throughput speeds vary ... not to mention LAN (10/100/1000 Base-T) are a varying speed medium - the 10Mb/100Mb/1000Mb is not locked speed - its a max speed.

edit:
My friend is a DJ at a club - and was looking for some way to cue music remotely - and as russ mentioned - would be simple to do - if it wernt for the need to interface with PCDJ (hardware or software)
So - for that - a open source audio player may be needed - but then you would loose the lighting effects/control PCDJ offers (I presume is why you use PCDJ).

soundguy_99 · Oct 2, 2007, 06:56 PM

Hey guys thanks for the replies,
Russ I don`t think its a situation of forcing anyone to listen to music they don`t want too, rather taking advantage of a stationary system attached to another machine.
Obviously a sound system is comprised of wires,connections and numerous pecies of gear like amplifiers, receivers, satalite speakers and subs, amp connected to a desktop computer through a soundcard. If youre using a laptop within a house or place, you want to be mobile not tied down to a bunch of wires, even if means being connected to your stereo, not to mention the speakers on a laptop usually leave something to be desired to say the least. Now as for the same reason we choose to to use a network printer wirelessly on a network without using a remote desktop application, I am asking why can`t we do the same thing with audio.
As far as I am considerd the same options to share a pinter on a network, should apply to a soundcard. Once you shared the soundcard on the desktop, you should be able to see that soundcard appear in a program like PCDJ as an avalible option, and after choosing it be able to send audio across the network to that soundcard, thereby going to the speakers attached to it.
I understand the lag and delay argument, and not wanting someone to force someone to listen to music, but in a home environment, or situations like a club, where 1 person is controlling both the laptop and the desktop, I think its a reasonable application, and definetly worth discussing.
Again I appreciate any and all comments,
Thanks,
soundguy_99

Maddogg6 · Oct 2, 2007, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Now as for the same reason we choose to to use a network printer wirelessly on a network without using a remote desktop application, I am asking why can`t we do the same thing with audio.

We dont usually care if a print out takes 1 second or 1 minute - but imagine 1 minute of silence in a club - between every song..??

Quote:

Once you shared the soundcard on the desktop, you should be able to see that soundcard appear in a program like PCDJ as an avalible option, and after choosing it be able to send audio across the network to that soundcard, thereby going to the speakers attached to it.

AFAIK - PCDJ is proprietary - so adding options to that program is probably not likely - unless a special driver is made... then that gets into programming much fewer people are capable of - thats my understanding anyway...

Quote:

but in a home environment, or situations like a club, where 1 person is controlling both the laptop and the desktop, I think its a reasonable application, and definetly worth discussing.

well - this exists already.
Sling Media - Home

But I would not mention it to a working DJ until I had one to play with to know how they act/work - as most people at home will be more tolerant to faults that a bunch of drunks in a club...
Maybe a IR or RF remote control - and use something like GIRDER (and or Autohotkey/AutoIt) to control the PCDJ computer remotely - but is more on the lines of what Russ was talking about than 'sharing' audio. And you still have all the features PCDJ offers.

edit:
Another existing alternative is a 'Shoutcast' server.
Where audio data is sent via network/LAN - to a PC running winamp instead of PCDJ (remote control and/or receive audio streams) - so it may require one more computer on the local network..?? again, would need to play with a shoutcast server to fully understand how they act.
(measure delays etc..)

VLC (server) may be able to do this as well - but AFAIK - was meant for video and audio...?? but (VLC client) can also act as a shoutcast client.

Russ · Oct 2, 2007, 07:30 PM

Yeah, I knew what you meant, and I am sure it is possible, but it is a lot more complicated and I do not see it happening anytime soon, when there are alternate (easier) methods that would work fine (and again, I do not see a huge demand for it).

If there was more of a demand for such things, I would think it more likely that the audio programs themselves would just add a client/server interface, so that they may be controlled remotely (I would be surprised if there are not programs already that can do this) rather then sound cards becoming shared devices.

Oct 2, 2007, 07:22 AM	#1
soundguy_99 HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 31 Rep Power: 0	Interesting Question Concerning Networking Audio Cards Hey guys, Had a interesting question, that I posted on the cnet forums, and got some interesting responses so I thought I'd post here, with you guys being the audio guys. Is there a way to share audio cards and their devices on a network? We share printers with no problem. Even though a printer may be connected to another desktop on a network, we can still access it from a laptop and send data to it, why can`t we do the same thing with audio, or can we? For example I would like to run a program like pcdj from a laptop, possibly using files located on an external driver some where else on the network, and send the audio output from pcdj to a soundcard located on a desktop on the network, thereby outputting that audio to the speaker system connected to that desktop. I have heard of clubs having their d.j;s using a Ipod type device to cue up and play music from an desktop behind the bar, but can you do this with a laptop connected to the same network. If its not possible maybe it might be something you guys involved with KX project can look at. Any thoughts is greatly apreciated, Thanks, soundguy_99

Oct 2, 2007, 12:57 PM	#2
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,563 Rep Power: 62	Well I am not sure that this is the right forum for such a question, but why wouldn't it be possible? You can take control of a PC remotely (PC Anywhere, etc), transfer files, and stream audio over the internet, etc. You would not really share the audio card itself, rather you would probably run some program that accepts remote commands to play audio (and maybe have a central server program that maintains a list of remote clients, etc). I would be surprised if such an application does not already exist (except that maybe there is not a big demand for it, as I think most people prefer to choose what the want to listen to, rather than have someone else choose for them remotely (and there is already streaming audio/internet radio, etc for those that want to listen to other peoples choices, etc.)).

Oct 2, 2007, 01:33 PM	#3
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,563 Rep Power: 62	BTW: Aside from the above (which might be more user friendly), any program that takes command line switches (or accepts scripts, etc) to tell it what to play (1 song vs a playlist, etc), should be easily controlled remotely (i.e. telnet or a similar network protocol could be used).

Oct 2, 2007, 06:56 PM	Thread Starter #5
soundguy_99 HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 31 Rep Power: 0	Hey guys thanks for the replies, Russ I don`t think its a situation of forcing anyone to listen to music they don`t want too, rather taking advantage of a stationary system attached to another machine. Obviously a sound system is comprised of wires,connections and numerous pecies of gear like amplifiers, receivers, satalite speakers and subs, amp connected to a desktop computer through a soundcard. If youre using a laptop within a house or place, you want to be mobile not tied down to a bunch of wires, even if means being connected to your stereo, not to mention the speakers on a laptop usually leave something to be desired to say the least. Now as for the same reason we choose to to use a network printer wirelessly on a network without using a remote desktop application, I am asking why can`t we do the same thing with audio. As far as I am considerd the same options to share a pinter on a network, should apply to a soundcard. Once you shared the soundcard on the desktop, you should be able to see that soundcard appear in a program like PCDJ as an avalible option, and after choosing it be able to send audio across the network to that soundcard, thereby going to the speakers attached to it. I understand the lag and delay argument, and not wanting someone to force someone to listen to music, but in a home environment, or situations like a club, where 1 person is controlling both the laptop and the desktop, I think its a reasonable application, and definetly worth discussing. Again I appreciate any and all comments, Thanks, soundguy_99

Oct 2, 2007, 07:30 PM	#7
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,563 Rep Power: 62	Yeah, I knew what you meant, and I am sure it is possible, but it is a lot more complicated and I do not see it happening anytime soon, when there are alternate (easier) methods that would work fine (and again, I do not see a huge demand for it). If there was more of a demand for such things, I would think it more likely that the audio programs themselves would just add a client/server interface, so that they may be controlled remotely (I would be surprised if there are not programs already that can do this) rather then sound cards becoming shared devices.