Community: Message List - Controlling PC sound out of USB

Re: Controlling PC sound out of USB

support@line6.com — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 03:07:44 GMT

awe snap, i knew that

Re: Controlling PC sound out of USB

support@line6.com — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 03:02:33 GMT

Okay, success! Thanks Inerzia for the info, it got me back to thinking about things the way I needed to.

What I did was went to Control Panel --> Sound. Under Playback I tried to set the "Independent Headphones" and "Speakers and Headphones" as defaults, but the backing tracks kept coming though the amp. Not sure why this did not work! The sources I use are various so picking it as the defaulted sounded like the best idea.

So I went to "Speakers" (2- Line 6 POD HD500), clicked on Properties, then at the bottom it says "Device usage:". I changed this to "Don't use this device (disable)", and wa-la, no PC sound through the USB!

Night and day sound difference for the backing tracks!!! Sounded like poo though the guitar amp (Deluxe 112, not a PA).

Re: Controlling PC sound out of USB

support@line6.com — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 02:54:32 GMT

cans = headphones

Re: Controlling PC sound out of USB

support@line6.com — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 02:44:37 GMT

Thx hitchface... I wasn't wearing headphones, just using the output jack. I have an amplified sound source sitting on top of my amp that I am sending it to. Not sure what you mean by run though your cans.

Re: Controlling PC sound out of USB

support@line6.com — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 01:53:48 GMT

If you mean the laptop's headphone jack (not the HD500's), the answer is yes, it can be made.

You need to, either configure Win7 to use the integrated soundcard as default, or configure the specific program you're using to play the backing tracks to do just the same, that is, using the integrated soundcard as output device.
This way, the presence of a connection between the Pod and the computer won't make any difference in the output path. The computer will keep using the Pod's USB to exchange data.ce

Hitchface: there are ways to get many soundcards to run in tandem, not just two, though windows will only use the one you have selected as default to output the audio of those programs that don't admit custom audio output settings, like windows media player.
Example 1: I have a MOTU 828mkII plugged to this computer. Each of the stereo pairs of outputs it provides can be selected as windows' default sound output, or I can choose the integrated soundcard... or hdmi, or any other audio device I happen to have in (or plugged to) the computer.

Example 2: Somebody at home wants to use the computer to play music while I'm using it to watch a movie. I can do that using two different media player programs. One of them (at least) must admit custom audio output settings (i.e.: Winamp) and the other may use windows' default audio device. I configure Winamp to use the computer's integrated soundcard as default, so that anything Winamp plays will be output through the mini jack connectors on the back (and/or front) of your computer. Then I configure Win7 to use the Pod's stereo out as default audio device, so that Windows Media Player will use the Pod. Both players can be producing an audio output simultaneously through different devices.

If you have further questions or doubts feel free to ask.

Re: Controlling PC sound out of USB

support@line6.com — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 22:46:21 GMT

I THINK I know what you are saying, but correct me if I am wrong.

The HD500 effectively replaces your sound card, and as far as I know there is no way to get 2 sound cards to run in tandem.

Out of curiosity, why would you be wearing headphones and using your amp at the same time? Why not just run everything through your cans (via the HD500) when you jam to the track?

Controlling PC sound out of USB

support@line6.com — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 22:28:40 GMT

I like to play backing tracks from my PC (laptop Windows7), the same PC that is running POD500 Edit. But I don't want them to play THROUGH the USB/POD500 and onto my amp, just through the headphone jack. Is there a way to limit the audio output to the USB? I don't think unplugging the USB every time I go to play a backing track is a good answer, though it works. I know this is not a POD500 specific issue, though one of its users may have already figured this out.