Audio switcher / router?

[Zephyrus_47]

Hey, does anyone know of a product that I could plug the 3.5mm from my desktop, laptop, PlayStation into and then have 3 outputs? One to speakers, one to amp then headset, and one to Bluetooth transmitter (bonus if Bluetooth is built in).

I'm thinking it's basically like a HDMI switcher but for 3.5mm jacks.

 

I saw someone recommend using the line in on ur PC and then using windows playback option. But I rather have a dedicated piece of hardware to do this. If anyone knows of any way I can accomplish this or anything close to it please let me know.

 

Or at least what's the proper name for this, so my googling can be easier.

 

Thanks in advance!

[piratemonkey]

As far as I know, there isn't a dedicated type of hardware. Though you could probably use something like a behringer 802 (a mixer). You just plug in everything, then use the phones output

[Ahoy Hoy]

The proper name is a audio mixer.

BUT
they dont make them normally with 3.5mm jacks and I've never seen one with blue tooth.
Another but
To find one which also does 3 way mixing which isnt expensive is again even rarer.

From my knowledge there is no one item which solves your problem. I can think of multiple items to do it but it will get expensive quickly.

[VoidX]

18 hours ago, Zephyrus_47 said:

Hey, does anyone know of a product that I could plug the 3.5mm from my desktop, laptop, PlayStation into and then have 3 outputs? One to speakers, one to amp then headset, and one to Bluetooth transmitter (bonus if Bluetooth is built in).

I'm thinking it's basically like a HDMI switcher but for 3.5mm jacks.

 

I saw someone recommend using the line in on ur PC and then using windows playback option. But I rather have a dedicated piece of hardware to do this. If anyone knows of any way I can accomplish this or anything close to it please let me know.

 

Or at least what's the proper name for this, so my googling can be easier.

 

Thanks in advance!

This sounds like a DIY project. You can build a completely analog device with switches for a few dollars.

[dalekphalm]

11 minutes ago, VoidX said:

This sounds like a DIY project. You can build a completely analog device with switches for a few dollars.

I don't think it'll be that easy unless you have very low standards for audio quality. Without the proper components and shielding, a DIY solution will probably add a ton of noise and interference.

 

I suppose it could be done though - but honestly, a Mixer w/ USB or Audio Interface is literally exactly what they need.

[VoidX]

2 minutes ago, dalekphalm said:

I don't think it'll be that easy unless you have very low standards for audio quality. Without the proper components and shielding, a DIY solution will probably add a ton of noise and interference.

 

I suppose it could be done though - but honestly, a Mixer w/ USB or Audio Interface is literally exactly what they need.

If you use the switches properly, then you can completely cut any circuit other than the active one, which only adds a few inches of extra cables. That's not enough to pick up any significant noise. Yes, it can be done digitally, thus perfectly, but we're talking about $5 vs $500.

[dalekphalm]

21 minutes ago, VoidX said:

If you use the switches properly, then you can completely cut any circuit other than the active one, which only adds a few inches of extra cables. That's not enough to pick up any significant noise. Yes, it can be done digitally, thus perfectly, but we're talking about $5 vs $500.

You don’t need to spend $500 to do this “digitally”. 
 

Decent 4x4 Audio Interfaces can be had for under $400. You can get mixers w/USB for even cheaper (though usually an audio interface has better pre-amps). 

[Throgmorton]

On 9/4/2020 at 6:33 AM, dalekphalm said:

You don’t need to spend $500 to do this “digitally”. 
 

Decent 4x4 Audio Interfaces can be had for under $400. You can get mixers w/USB for even cheaper (though usually an audio interface has better pre-amps). 

I agree, the digital version is costly and can potentially add additional load to your CPU. Although DAC's are also expensive but are great if you want high quality audio, although most are built for Music Production/Audio engineering and the cost is mostly for the mic pre-amps and the overall build quality. With a DAC you will also need to spend more on professional audio adapter cables/adapters, as they only use the twin XLR or 1/4" jacks. This will add to the cost if you really need to use 3.5mm jacks.

 

Perhaps try something like the link below first, as it cheap and may just do the trick. But shop around to see what is out there. Search "3.5mm audio mixer" and see what fits your needs best.

 

https://www.amazon.com/MIXER-Bluetooth-Input-Audio-Output/dp/B0721SBHVD

 

With the mixer in the link, it seems to have Bluetooth and enough 3.5mm inputs, but you may need an audio splitter cable on the output for your plans. They are also very cheap on amazon.

 

Hope this helps :)

Throg

[Zephyrus_47]

Thanks to everyone for all the idea and help!

 

I'll have to figure out what to do, but I'll try the just hart mixer suggested above. Looks to be the closest to what I'm looking for.