Soundcard with Multiple Stereo Outputs

j7n · TweakNOOB Joined: 10 Apr 2006 Posts: 3

I am planning to buy Terratec Aureon 7.1 Space sound card. I couldn't find in any reviews if it installs multiple waveOut devices for the 8 channels, so that I can use the outputs as multiple stereo. I have no use for real surround. Maybe there's another sound card who does this?

I would appreciate if someone could answer my question.

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fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

By multiple stereo, you mean being able to play one song on one set of speakers, and another song on another set, say, in the next room? There's no way to do that. Windows can only run one instance of the WDM driver at a time, even if you have two or more soundcards installed.

If you mean using 4 speakers to play the same song, then yes, you'd set the soundcard speaker properties to 2 speaker sound, and your surround speakers to 2/4 channel sound. You could also use two seperate sets of 2.1 speakers, if you wanted, but there's a limit to how long you can make the connection cable from the speakers to the soundcard without introducing a ton of noise........15 feet max.
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j7n · TweakNOOB Joined: 10 Apr 2006 Posts: 3

Thank you for your reply. ;)

Zero_Fresh · Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 9:02 am Post subject:

The cards themselves can. There are pieces of audio equipment out there with the same "electronics" that can do what you are talking about, but they are specifically designed for it. I think what FnF is saying is that it isn't the card that can't handle it, it's the OS.
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sickofsoyo · Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 9:29 am Post subject:

maybe vista will be able to handle more than 1 WDM?
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ToggleHead · TWEAKGURU Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 4360 Location: Jersey

you might be able to get away installing the drivers in several different directories.....then pointing those directories to multiple outputs....

then panning those channels to.....oh you can take it from there....=]
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fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

That's wierd.........I know I posted a response.........

Anyway, no, that won't work either. Windows can only run one instance of WDM (or ASIO drivers, if you use them), no matter where they're installed. Even if you have multiple soundcards, it's impossible to send two discreet signals to seperate soundcards or outputs.

What DOES work, is using a studio mixing program, like Cubase, creating two stereo channels, and loading an MP3 into each channel. The drawback is this won't work with your typical Soundblaster type card. You need an interface with discreet inputs and outputs.

The only way to do what the OP wants is to either use two computers (one streaming the music to the other) or a streaming box, like the Sonos units.
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ToggleHead · TWEAKGURU Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 4360 Location: Jersey

interesting.....
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j7n · TweakNOOB Joined: 10 Apr 2006 Posts: 3

ToggleHead · TWEAKGURU Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 4360 Location: Jersey

us audio nuts will have to keep dreaming for a bit.....

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