Audio source physical switch?

[LetThereBeLight]

Hello everyone!

I'm currently in a situation where I frequently change my audio source on my computer from my headphones to my speakers and it annoys me that I have to change this in the audio settings every time I want to switch the source. I understand there are ways to make this quicker by assigning a macro on my keyboard etc but I really like the idea of a physical switch that I've seen Casey Neistat create in his office set-up. I don't know much about audio cabling and I wanted to ask the forum for some help!

This is the switch I'm talking about on Casey video:
https://youtu.be/vb60rrtTddQ?t=850

Thanks,
Alan

[KaminKevCrew]

That's a really simple circuit. Basically, the wire carrying the audio goes into the box, then you split the signal, so that one side goes to one switch, and the other to the other switch, then have the wire continue out of the box to the amp/speakers. (I would recommend doing this straight from your computer, instead of running actual speaker level power, because you could easily electrocute yourself with the power that some amps put out.)

 

I think that you would want to wire the ground to the switches, since that's generally a common wire for stereo setups. 

 

If you want a wiring diagram, I can make one for you, so just let me know! Oh, and if you want me to, please let me know how many switches you want, as that would change the diagram slightly. 

 

Edit: I would actually probably use potentiometers instead of switches, just so that I could independently change volume with a hardware knob instead of through software. 

[LetThereBeLight]

That's a really simple circuit. Basically, the wire carrying the audio goes into the box, then you split the signal, so that one side goes to one switch, and the other to the other switch, then have the wire continue out of the box to the amp/speakers. (I would recommend doing this straight from your computer, instead of running actual speaker level power, because you could easily electrocute yourself with the power that some amps put out.)

 

I think that you would want to wire the ground to the switches, since that's generally a common wire for stereo setups. 

 

If you want a wiring diagram, I can make one for you, so just let me know! Oh, and if you want me to, please let me know how many switches you want, as that would change the diagram slightly. 

 

Edit: I would actually probably use potentiometers instead of switches, just so that I could independently change volume with a hardware knob instead of through software. 

Wow thanks for your help! I would like it to have 2 outputs. I like the idea of potentiometers that can independently change the volume of each output. So say I have a pair of headphones and studio speakers how would I wire that up with the potentiometers? If you can draw a diagram with the part names as well I would really appreciate it. 

Thanks!

[KaminKevCrew]

Wow thanks for your help! I would like it to have 2 outputs. I like the idea of potentiometers that can independently change the volume of each output. So say I have a pair of headphones and studio speakers how would I wire that up with the potentiometers? If you can draw a diagram with the part names as well I would really appreciate it. 

Thanks!

haha, if you want part names, give me a day or two, and I'll find the best parts (for cheap, I don't see this costing more than ~$20) and get back to you with a little diagram!

[LetThereBeLight]

haha, if you want part names, give me a day or two, and I'll find the best parts (for cheap, I don't see this costing more than ~$20) and get back to you with a little diagram!

Ok thanks!

[doits]

I use this, 1 input, and 4outputs http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-Pro-PHA40-4-Channel-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B003M8NVFS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439094235&sr=8-1&keywords=pyle+headphone+amp

[LetThereBeLight]

I use this, 1 input, and 4outputs http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-Pro-PHA40-4-Channel-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B003M8NVFS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439094235&sr=8-1&keywords=pyle+headphone+amp

This is exactly what I needed! Thanks!

[Charlie Hugall]

On 8 August 2015 at 1:53 AM, KaminKevCrew said:

haha, if you want part names, give me a day or two, and I'll find the best parts (for cheap, I don't see this costing more than ~$20) and get back to you with a little diagram!

Hey I'm looking for the same thing but the Amazon linked one is expensive in the UK, any chance you can send me the diagram just for one output though and part names please, in the casey neistat video he has switches so is there any chance it could have that aswell please, thank you very much 

[KaminKevCrew]

6 hours ago, Charlie Hugall said:

Hey I'm looking for the same thing but the Amazon linked one is expensive in the UK, any chance you can send me the diagram just for one output though and part names please, in the casey neistat video he has switches so is there any chance it could have that aswell please, thank you very much 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2/253-4280807-9821520?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=audio+switch Pretty much any of those would do you well, and they're likely cheaper than anything you would be able to make without buying many thousands of them.

[CallMeGroovy]

On 8/7/2015 at 3:00 AM, KaminKevCrew said:

That's a really simple circuit. Basically, the wire carrying the audio goes into the box, then you split the signal, so that one side goes to one switch, and the other to the other switch, then have the wire continue out of the box to the amp/speakers. (I would recommend doing this straight from your computer, instead of running actual speaker level power, because you could easily electrocute yourself with the power that some amps put out.)

 

I think that you would want to wire the ground to the switches, since that's generally a common wire for stereo setups. 

 

If you want a wiring diagram, I can make one for you, so just let me know! Oh, and if you want me to, please let me know how many switches you want, as that would change the diagram slightly. 

 

Edit: I would actually probably use potentiometers instead of switches, just so that I could independently change volume with a hardware knob instead of through software. 

1

I am from the future and really want to know about how to make something like the one in the video that the OP posted above,  I would like to use simple light switches if possible but I am also a complete novice about building shit like this and would appreciate some help. if you could list some parts (and maybe what goes into what) I would greatly appreciate it.

[KaminKevCrew]

40 minutes ago, CallMeGroovy said:

I am from the future and really want to know about how to make something like the one in the video that the OP posted above,  I would like to use simple light switches if possible but I am also a complete novice about building shit like this and would appreciate some help. if you could list some parts (and maybe what goes into what) I would greatly appreciate it.

Welcome to LTT!

 

Part of the rules is "no thread necroing" so make a new topic. I'll keep an eye out for that and reply to you there!