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HandGunPat
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Joined: 16 Aug 2009
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 Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 7:12 pm Post subject: Audio/MIC input switch |
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| So the problem I'm having is that everytime I want to use my headset, I have to go unplug my speakers and plug in my headset, yes they are both 3.5MM jacks. So I was wondering if there was some external device that I could keep on my desk that I could just both have them plugged in and press a button and it switches inputs. Or if I could just unplug them and plug them back in, I just dont want to have to get up and than reach behind my pc and guess the input for the headset. Thanks in advance! HandGunPat |
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Camrm
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Joined: 22 Jul 2009
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| Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:35 pm Post subject: |
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You don't have front panel audio?
In that case, your speakers don't have a headphone jack?
There are probably switches available. |
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CharBroiled
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:02 am Post subject: |
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| instead of a switch another possibility is a 3.5 mm stereo (for speakers) and mono (for mic if needed just make sure this one is shielded) extension cables. just run the extension cable to somewhere convenient and unplug and replug the stuff from there. |
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Camrm
Little Foot
Joined: 22 Jul 2009
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:14 am Post subject: |
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| CharBroiled wrote: | | instead of a switch another possibility is a 3.5 mm stereo (for speakers) and mono (for mic if needed just make sure this one is shielded) extension cables. just run the extension cable to somewhere convenient and unplug and replug the stuff from there. |
The only problem with constantly unplugging and replugging in peripherals that use jacks that use "spring" pressure to hold in the male end is that you will end up weakening the metal inside which will lead to loose connections and for stereo headphones, very often a loss of one channel or the other. You usually end up twisting the plug in the socket to try and fix the sound to try and find a place where it all contacts. |
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CharBroiled
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:34 am Post subject: |
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| Camrm wrote: |
The only problem with constantly unplugging and replugging in peripherals that use jacks that use "spring" pressure to hold in the male end is that you will end up weakening the metal inside which will lead to loose connections and for stereo headphones, very often a loss of one channel or the other. You usually end up twisting the plug in the socket to try and fix the sound to try and find a place where it all contacts. |
thats why you use an extension cable. the the extension cable is only plugged into the computer once, so the computer jacks sees less wear. all wear and tear will be on the (easily replaceable) extension cable jack.
its pretty rare for jacks to fail in general anyway unless they are really cheap. I play with professional sound reinforcement gear all the time, we see maybe 1% jack failure rate and thats pretty much from abuse (yanking a cable out sideways and such). we have stage monitors, direct boxes, mixers etc that have had stuff plugged and unplugged into them literally thousands of times with no issues but of course this is professional quality gear.
much more common is cable failure from improperly coiling the cable for storage, stepping on them, pulling the plug out by the pulling on the cable itself instead of the connectors barrel, etc.
Last edited by CharBroiled on Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:41 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Camrm
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:40 am Post subject: |
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| CharBroiled wrote: | thats why you use an extension cable. the the extension cable is only plugged into the computer once, so the computer jacks sees less wear. all wear and tear will be on the (easily replaceable) extension cable jack.
its pretty rare for jacks to fail in general anyway unless they are really cheap. I play with professional sound reinforcement gear all the time, we see maybe 1% jack failure rate ad thats pretty much from abuse (yanking a cable out sideways and such). we have stage monitors, direct boxes, mixers etc that have had stuff plugged and unplugged into then literally thousands of times with no issues but of course this is professional quality gear.
much more common is cable failure from improperly coiling the cable for storage, stepping on them, pulling the plug out by the pulling on the cable itself instead of the connectors barrel, etc. |
Yeah, I'm not so sure the average gamer/computer using is going to have professional equipment, but all right.
I suppose the "easily replaceable" extension cord is an option. |
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CharBroiled
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:45 am Post subject: |
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Im not sure what youre getting at.
they way the OP is going, he is constant plugging and unplugging something into the computer or soundcard itself. those jacks may indeed be cheap, and not easily fixed.
by plugging extension cables into the computer once, and then plugging and unplugging stuff into the extension cable, there is no wear to the computers jacks. all wear is in the cable jack, not computer. |
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Camrm
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Joined: 22 Jul 2009
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:52 am Post subject: |
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| CharBroiled wrote: | Im not sure what youre getting at.
they way the OP is going, he is constant plugging and unplugging something into the computer or soundcard itself. those jacks may indeed be cheap, and not easily fixed.
by plugging extension cables into the computer once, and then plugging and unplugging stuff into the extension cable, there is no wear to the computers jacks. all wear is in the cable jack, not computer. |
I'm mostly getting at that most average equipment is going to have more than a 1% (a number that I assume you created) failure rate. Most average people will purchase this average equipment.
I've already conceded that the extension cables are a solution (albeit, not a completely desirable one), so we really have nothing to debate dude. |
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CharBroiled
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 11:05 am Post subject: |
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no debate, I just wasnt sure if I was clear on how to set it up. I am no stranger to creating less than clear posts 
what other realistic solution is there though? extension cables are cheap, and some sort of switch box that would probably (I assume) still need cables would presumably be much more expensive.
that 1% was my own figure. at least 200 heavily used jacks in our sound reinforcement system, maybe 2 or 3 bad ones in 5 years. one on a monitor, one on a head amp, one on a snake that may of been bad before I got there. but again, pro stuff.
bad cables OTOH.. man, easily 20 a year, mainly abuse  |
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HandGunPat
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 12:52 pm Post subject: |
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| I would much prefer a box that I could plug stuff into and switch between the whole idea of the extension cables sounds like a good back up though. Anyone have links where I can get these? Im thinking radioshack? Anyway Can we stop flamming each other in the thread and stick to the question? lol sorry i had to. |
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Camrm
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 3:42 pm Post subject: |
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| CharBroiled wrote: | no debate, I just wasnt sure if I was clear on how to set it up. I am no stranger to creating less than clear posts
what other realistic solution is there though? extension cables are cheap, and some sort of switch box that would probably (I assume) still need cables would presumably be much more expensive.
that 1% was my own figure. at least 200 heavily used jacks in our sound reinforcement system, maybe 2 or 3 bad ones in 5 years. one on a monitor, one on a head amp, one on a snake that may of been bad before I got there. but again, pro stuff.
bad cables OTOH.. man, easily 20 a year, mainly abuse |
I suppose I think that a switch box is a better solution. What could be a decent solution as well is for the OP to get something like an all-in-one media card/USB/front panel audio 3.5" drive bay device. That'd give him front panel audio so that he could have the speakers plugged into the back and his headset plugged into the 3.5" drive bay device.
| HandGunPat wrote: | | I would much prefer a box that I could plug stuff into and switch between the whole idea of the extension cables sounds like a good back up though. Anyone have links where I can get these? Im thinking radioshack? Anyway Can we stop flamming each other in the thread and stick to the question? lol sorry i had to. |
You've got a lot to learn about the internet if you think that was flaming, dude. |
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bingojubes
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Joined: 06 Feb 2009
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 4:00 pm Post subject: |
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how about a 2-in-1 audio jack splitter? then the audio will come out of both anyways, i think, and you can mute the other when you need to?
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Camrm
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 4:05 pm Post subject: |
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| bingojubes wrote: | how about a 2-in-1 audio jack splitter? then the audio will come out of both anyways, i think, and you can mute the other when you need to?
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From my experience with those, it almost halves the volume of the source when it comes out of either of the end, making each socket very quiet.
It could work though if he had an headphone amp like the one I built out of a small PCB that runs on a 9v battery. |
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CharBroiled
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 4:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Camrm wrote: |
I suppose I think that a switch box is a better solution. What could be a decent solution as well is for the OP to get something like an all-in-one media card/USB/front panel audio 3.5" drive bay device. That'd give him front panel audio so that he could have the speakers plugged into the back and his headset plugged into the 3.5" drive bay device.
| HandGunPat wrote: | | I would much prefer a box that I could plug stuff into and switch between the whole idea of the extension cables sounds like a good back up though. Anyone have links where I can get these? Im thinking radioshack? Anyway Can we stop flamming each other in the thread and stick to the question? lol sorry i had to. |
You've got a lot to learn about the internet if you think that was flaming, dude. |
lol yeah no flaming was intended. but its easy to misunderstand so I just clarified if needed
yep, you can get audio extension cables at RS.
what are you thinking for money? 5.25" and 3.5" "all in one" bays are nice but they need to be plugged into the existing sound solution by (included) extension cables that plug into either the existing rear jacks or to an internal header. depends on what you have and what you buy.
you obviously have no front jacks or you would be using them (I assume).
we need more info:
what sound card or motherboard do you have?
what headset?
what speaker system? |
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CharBroiled
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 4:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Camrm wrote: | | bingojubes wrote: | | how about a 2-in-1 audio jack splitter? then the audio will come out of both anyways, i think, and you can mute the other when you need to? |
From my experience with those, it almost halves the volume of the source when it comes out of either of the end, making each socket very quiet.
It could work though if he had an headphone amp like the one I built out of a small PCB that runs on a 9v battery. |
generally true, this. typical sound card line out cant drive both loads at once (even if the speakers are muted or even turned off the load is still there) and it will cause an impedance mismatch as well, effecting frequency response.
might work though, depends on the speaker system and headphones as to whether youll get decent volume. the better stuff is more sensitive and obviously will be louder given the same input.
good headphone amps overcome this as they are designed to drive into much higher loads. |
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HandGunPat
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 5:13 pm Post subject: |
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| CharBroiled wrote: |
what are you thinking for money? 5.25" and 3.5" "all in one" bays are nice but they need to be plugged into the existing sound solution by (included) extension cables that plug into either the existing rear jacks or to an internal header. depends on what you have and what you buy.
you obviously have no front jacks or you would be using them (I assume).
we need more info:
what sound card or motherboard do you have?
what headset?
what speaker system? |
The thing about that is my pc is on top of a dresser to my right and If i get a front panel Ill still have to get up and switch them. I dont run my front panel audio because I don't use it at all, Plus that would be pointless because thats even higher I have a Antec 900. I remember when I used to play WoW, one of my friends on there said he had a box that he could just keep them both plugged in and switch between the devices independently. Motherboard: XFX 750a SLI onboard 8 channel audio. Headset: Creative Fatal1ty MKII Speakers: Logitech X-240's. My speakers have an audio port on the little control panel that Is below and not near my PC. The headset wires are together up to a certain point before they split if they split more I could solve this problem but there just isnt enough room. And im not about to try and cut it and see if it will work because If i screw up Ill be done for and have to buy a new headset. |
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CharBroiled
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 5:43 pm Post subject: |
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OK, based on your setup and needs, pretty much seems this (or something along these lines) is what you you are looking for then. not endorsing it in particular but it seems to be what you are describing. you will still need some appropriate length cables for it though, just look at the hookup diagram and youll see what I mean. however see my last paragraph for something else a lot cheaper that may work for you.
all the previous back and forth with cables, breakout boxes etc was because we try to advise based on whats best (and cheapest) for a particular situation.
now that youve described the situation in more detail I was thinking you might simply go with mic extension cable that is always left plugged in the back of the computer and the other end left next to the speaker control pod. then plug your headset mic plug into that extension cable and the headphone plug into the control pods headphone jack when needed. same result but total cost is about $3, vs about $35 or so (that includes needed cables and shipping) for the switch above. basically it comes down to convenience vs cost. |
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HandGunPat
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Joined: 16 Aug 2009
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:21 pm Post subject: |
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| CharBroiled wrote: | OK, based on your setup and needs, pretty much seems this (or something along these lines) is what you you are looking for then. not endorsing it in particular but it seems to be what you are describing. you will still need some appropriate length cables for it though, just look at the hookup diagram and youll see what I mean. however see my last paragraph for something else a lot cheaper that may work for you.
all the previous back and forth with cables, breakout boxes etc was because we try to advise based on whats best (and cheapest) for a particular situation.
now that youve described the situation in more detail I was thinking you might simply go with mic extension cable that is always left plugged in the back of the computer and the other end left next to the speaker control pod. then plug your headset mic plug into that extension cable and the headphone plug into the control pods headphone jack when needed. same result but total cost is about $3, vs about $35 or so (that includes needed cables and shipping) for the switch above. basically it comes down to convenience vs cost. |
Alright sweet, The pod seems kind of iffy, I've never heard of them or seen the site so I dont think im going to get that. I like that mic extension cable idea so can you show me that?
EDIT: I just found them on newegg for 6$ with free shipping, thanks guys I appreciate it alot, you saved me back trouble and getting up a couple times a day to fix one stupid little wire, basically you let me be a little bit more lazier! Thank you MaximumPC and all of you that have helped me. (:
Last edited by HandGunPat on Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:39 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Airheadq
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Location: Up in you attic...Wi-Fi is delicious
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:21 pm Post subject: |
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| I have some cheapo speakers with a headphone jack in the front. You might try looking for those. |
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CharBroiled
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Location: Gallifrey
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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Hangunpat:
something like this.. it needs to have good shielding as its a mic level signal and is much weaker than a regular line level signal. can you post a link to what you are looking at at newegg?
Airheadq:
he already has speakers with a headphone jack in the control pod. |
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