TWO sound cards ?

[Ex-Bay]

Is it possible (or even practical) to use two sound cards on one PC ?
My requirement for sound has increased in the last year or two; mostly for the purposes of Ham Radio, although I do like to listen to stations on the web and music, etc..

With multiple sources to feed the PC I guess I could switch things (given the ability to match levels, etc.)
But I don't fancy the idea and it might be better to have two sound cards and take the bloody lot.

The problem as I see it is that you only have the ability to set-up for one Sound card thingy.

PC = CPU, AMD Phenom II X2 545
XP pro, SP3.

So, please, experts, can it be done and what are the pitfalls ?

 

[Barch]

You would probably be as well routing your Ham Radio & music through the PC and then purchasing an internet radio for your normal radio listening.

 

[rest have risen above me]

Could you not use multiple USB adaptors?

 

[Gonterseed]

Is it possible (or even practical) to use two sound cards on one PC ?
My requirement for sound has increased in the last year or two; mostly for the purposes of Ham Radio, although I do like to listen to stations on the web and music, etc..

With multiple sources to feed the PC I guess I could switch things (given the ability to match levels, etc.)
But I don't fancy the idea and it might be better to have two sound cards and take the bloody lot.

The problem as I see it is that you only have the ability to set-up for one Sound card thingy.

PC = CPU, AMD Phenom II X2 545
XP pro, SP3.

So, please, experts, can it be done and what are the pitfalls ?

It is possible on XP. The trouble is that once you've installed them you have to switch between them using the audio set-up which is a bit of a pain just to switch an input/output. There is a software programme I use to switch inputs to outputs, it's quite simple to install and use (if you are into HAM Radio then it shouldn't be beyond your savvy) The software, PulseAudio, is free and while it is designed for Linux (I use UBUNTU - it's free too) it has been tested on XP.

PulseAudio SW. http://www.freedesktop.org/wiki/Software/PulseAudio

Some links for using multi-sound cards. http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/240894-49-using-sound-cards-board-installed

http://www.ehow.com/how_5940963_use-sound-cards-xp.html

There is loads more stuff if you google it. Also I do remember looking at a multi-channel sound card when I was setting up my system but they tend to cost...

 

[Malesu]

I'm sure your best solution would be to look for the Sound Blaster solutions that have the extra unit, which either plugs into a spare front bay, or an external unit...

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-085-CL&groupid=701&catid=11

Previous versions (like mine which is about 5+ years old now) have a lot more inputs. I'm sure ASUS have also done something similar in the past. Might be worth checking on Fleebay.

 

[Ex-Bay]

It is possible on XP. The trouble is that once you've installed them you have to switch between them using the audio set-up which is a bit of a pain just to switch an input/output. There is a software programme I use to switch inputs to outputs, it's quite simple to install and use (if you are into HAM Radio then it shouldn't be beyond your savvy) The software, PulseAudio, is free and while it is designed for Linux (I use UBUNTU - it's free too) it has been tested on XP.

PulseAudio SW. http://www.freedesktop.org/wiki/Software/PulseAudio

Some links for using multi-sound cards. http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/240894-49-using-sound-cards-board-installed

http://www.ehow.com/how_5940963_use-sound-cards-xp.html

There is loads more stuff if you google it. Also I do remember looking at a multi-channel sound card when I was setting up my system but they tend to cost...

Thanks for the info. I'll check on that lot later.

I'm sure your best solution would be to look for the Sound Blaster solutions that have the extra unit, which either plugs into a spare front bay, or an external unit...

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-085-CL&groupid=701&catid=11

Previous versions (like mine which is about 5+ years old now) have a lot more inputs. I'm sure ASUS have also done something similar in the past. Might be worth checking on Fleebay.

I'd rather hoped that I would not need to spend that much for the job.

But thank you for the info.