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Mighty Magpie · Posted - Thu Jun 07, 2001 2:07 pm

Is there a device which I can plug into my sound card that will allow me to flick from headphones to speakers etc. At the moment, I have to unplug my headphones and then plug in my speakers, surely there must be a better way?. I use a pair of un-amplified speakers and/or the headphones straight from the soundcard. What do you guys do?

SteveG · Location: United Kingdom

I'm afraid that if you are looking for any sort of quality output, you'd be better off using the line output of your soundcard into a separate amp and a half-way decent set of speakers. Most amplifiers have a headphone socket anyway and if you get an amp with a speaker switch, just plug in the headphones when you need them.

Soundcard amps are notoriously bad!

Steve

clintfan · Location: USA

Steve's absolutely right in terms of quality and versatility. For mixing, I've heard speakers are a must (and not PC speakers), but phones are great for restoration work (declicking etc.).

But if you just want something basic, are already dealing with speaker outputs (sounds like you are), or yearn to get out your wire-cutters, here's one brute-force alternative. (Please pardon me if my instructions are either too basic or too complicated for you-- just tryin' to help. And experts, yes I know this is just one way and it's ugly, but at least it avoids any soldering Smile

).

Take $35 to Radio Shack and pick up an A/B speaker switchbox like their #40-240 (3 speakers) or #40-244 (4 speakers), plus 2 headphone extension cables like their #42-2462 (1/8") and/or #42-2442 (1/4"), preferably non-coiled. Or similar, if you don't have Radio Shack where you are and can't order it off radioshack.com. Be sure to choose plug/jack sizes that mate with your existing equipment.

After studying the connectors on the switchbox (i.e. press-in vs. screws), cut the first cable in half. Strip the cut ends. Plug the male end into your soundcard's output and run the cut wires to the box's input. Plug your speakers into its female end and run the cut wires to the box's A output. Now cut the male end off the other cable, discard the plug, and strip the remaining cut end. Plug your headphones into the female end and run the cut wires to the box's B output. Be sure to observe polarity/ color-coding when connecting the wires. Coil excess cable up out of sight, and/or shorten them to suit.

Now you can switch between speakers and phones by selecting A or B. And with the satisfaction (or frustration) of building it all yourself!

(Myself, I recently wanted something sort of similar. My PC output had "speaker" levels, yet my new powered speakers wanted "line" levels, plus I wanted headphone capability (yeah I coulld have bought speakers with a phones jack, but these sounded better). After being unable to find a box on the market, I wound up designing and building something more complicated than what I described above.)

Incidentally I'm still looking for a passive inline headphone volume control for my Sony MDR7506's, but haven't found one of those either. Likely I'll end up with a battery-powered volume/EQ unit, which I have seen, but isn't my first choice. If anyone's seen such a beast, please let me know!

-clintfan

noonie · Posted - Thu Jun 07, 2001 6:10 pm

I have found my Spirit Folio Notepad a great little tool. I have seen them available during blow out sales at Guitar Center for around $100. Headphone out, Line out ballanced, line out RCA/tape out, 2 stereo line inputs, switchable from standard line or phono, FX loop, Aux loop, 4 mono mic/line ins, small footprint. Plus it sounds better than my now sold home stereo preamp at a fraction of the price. Regular price is around $200.

http://www.soundcraft.com/products/spirit_notepad.html

David

Edited by - noonie on 06/07/2001 6:14:08 PM

NCG · Posted - Fri Jun 08, 2001 12:47 am

I have one of those spirits in my house.Actually i have 2 of them they are good for when im not at my studio and im at home I can audition new ideas out and if they are good enough then they roll up to the big studio. Great little items.