Jim asks, "I would like to separate sound devices on my PC but receive input to my headset from both cards and have Mic function on one. I use a headset to eliminate speaker noise into the house. On my game I get the sound of the game and voice with other players. I want to separate the voice side to another sound and communication program but need reception for both game and communication program into one headset with microphone. How do I do it?"

Believe it or not, you can use multiple sound cards on one machine. As long as you have the drivers for it, Windows should be able to happily use it. The problem isn't actually having two sound cards installed, it's getting those devices to work in each program.

First, Windows has a series of default devices for sound output, recording input, and MIDI output. The device you set in the Sound and Audio Devices Properties settings window (in control panel) will be the device that Windows sends all audio out through by default. This is important to keep in mind, because many Windows programs (including games) won't let you select an alternate sound device.

If your programs support it, you should be able to select which sound card you want to use. Most games probably won't let you select a sound card, but your voice application should let you select which device it will output to. So, your primary sound card is more than likely going to be used by your game, and the "unused" device will be used by the voice application (again, assuming that it supports using anything other than the default device).

Now, getting the output from both sound cards out to one headset will be a bit tricky. You could try to invert a Y-splitter and use a female to female stereo extension cable to attach the splitter to your headphones, but you'll more than likely end up blowing out your headphones.

What you might want to seriously consider doing is using a male to male cable to connect the secondary cards output to the line-in jack of the primary sound card. You then connect your headphones to your primary sound card. This will let you control the volume of both sound cards independently, while still keeping both audio channels separate.

Of course, you could just stick to using one sound card in the first place and save yourself the trouble. Unless your programs were created by the devil himself, they should be able to use the same sound card without any problems.

Do you have a question you need answered? E-mail me! lordkat@gmail.com

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Be safe,

Jason