[mythtv-users] Re: offboard audio signal processor

[Jay Goldberg]

Joseph A. Caputo writes:

 > >>> > Hi Folks
 > >>> >
 > >>> > Just wondering if anyone is using an offboard device that takes
 > >>> > the signal from the speaker output of a soundboard and prepares
 > >>> > it nicely for input to a (stereo component) amplifier.
 > >>> >
 > >>> > Sorry if this is an oddly-phrased question - but the builtin sound
 > >>> > on my Intel motherboard doesn't have a Line-Out, just a
 > >>> > Speaker-Out. And I'd rather not try to feed a noisy,
 > >>> > badly-amplified signal into my amplifier.
 > >>> >
 > >>> > I'm not sure exactly what sort of component I'm looking for (which
 > >>> > is probably why a few rounds of googling have been fruitless!), but
 > >>> > I do remember seeing some such devices advertised in the past few
 > >>> > years.
 > >
 > >>
 > >> Unless I have misunderstood, it sounds like you just want to disable
 > >> your on-board sound and plug any decent PCI sound card in to take
 > >> it's place.  An SB Live! or Audigy seem to work quite well, with lots
 > >> of options for getting the sound in and out of your system.
 >
 >
 > I agree that would be the obvious solution, except I interpreted the
 > qualifier "off-board" to mean "external device" (either the OP didn't
 > realize a PCI sound card was the answer, or wants an "out-of-the-box"
 > solution due to lack of PCI slots or some other reason).
 >

Hey all

Thanks for the input - I do have a spare SB that might do the
trick (as well as an *excellent* Turtle Beach Montego that I've
never been able to get to work under Linux...)

I just got a great answer from a friend who's a musician and
is very schooled in electronics.  Hope it's not too OT to share:

   In the recording world, this is called a "Direct Box" application.
   (references to expensive solutions deleted)
   Luckily, there is an "on the cheap" method to do this, assuming that
   you're willing to do a small bit of construction.  The design should
   suffice for normal listening.   Keep in mind that any distortion
   already created by the Intel amplification section will still be
   there, but extremely little new distortion and no overload will be
   produced.  Of course you'll use the volume control of your speaker
   output in concert with this circuit to get the level right.

   http://www.epanorama.net/circuits/speaker_to_line.html

The good news is that I have half the parts after building my IR
transmitter, so this solution is about $0.99 at Radio Shack - and
includes a bit of a learning experience to boot.  Not to mention
the fact that it was enough trouble getting alsa working with my
current setup :)

	Cheers
		Jay

-- 
jay at ransdoc.com                                                             .