How To Set Up And Use Multiple Audio Outputs On Windows 10

Are you trying to find an answer to the query of how to use multiple audio outputs Windows 10? Nowadays, many users frequently connect multiple audio output devices to their PCs. Fortunately, Windows 10 do have the option to select the audio output source.

Multiple audio outputs Windows 10

Want to use headphones to listen to low-key beats at work? Or you wish to enable multiple audio output devices. For example, connect stereo speakers and a gaming headset to your game station. 

This article explains how to play sounds on multiple audio outputs on Windows 10 computer.

How To Set Up And Use Multiple Audio Outputs On Windows 10

You might have noticed that a window pops up when you plug your headphone cable and ask you to choose a playback device. This procedure is a default setting of Windows 10 OS. 

However, can you choose to play sound on two or more audio output devices? The answer is Yes. Fortunately, Windows has a built-in feature called Stereo Mix. This feature allows users to customize their primary and secondary audio playback devices.

This article will explain how to simultaneously play sounds from multiple audio output sources.

  • Play sounds from multiple audio outputs Windows 10 using Stereo Mix.
  • Customize different audio output devices for alternate apps.
  • Using a third-party tool to streamline audio playback.
  1. Enable Stereo Mix
  2. Select Sound Output Devices To Play Audio From Specific Apps
  3. Use Third-Party Tool

1. Enable Stereo Mix

You can use the Stereo Mix feature in Windows 10 to simultaneously play audio from two different devices. But on Windows 10, the Stereo Mix feature is disabled by default. 

As a result, you must enable Stereo Mix in Windows 10 and customize its parameters to mirror the same given in this article.

  • First, access the Sound properties window—Right-click on the Speakers icon in the system tray and select Sounds.
Right-click on the speaker icon and select Sounds
  • Go to the Playback tab. Choose a speaker to be your default playback device and click Set default.
Set a playback device as Default device in the Playback tab
Setting a Default playback device
  • Go to the Recording tab.
  • Now right-click on a blank space inside the Recording tab and select ‘Show Disabled Devices.’
Display the hidden disabled devices in the Recording tab
  • You can now see the Stereo Mix option in the Recording tab list. Right-click the Stereo Mix and choose Enable.
Enable Stereo Mix
  • Again right-click on the Stereo Mix option and select Set as Default Device.
Set Stereo Mix as Default Device
  • Now open the Stereo Mix Properties menu by clicking on the Properties option.
Open Stereo Mix Properties window
  • Go to the Listen tab in the Properties window.
Go to the Listen tab
  • Tick the checkbox option ‘Listen to this device.’
Enable Listen to this device option
  •  Choose your second playback device from the “Playback this device” drop-down menu.
Select a default device from the drop-down menu
  • Save the changes by clicking on Apply and Ok buttons in the given order.
Apply the changes. Click Apply then select Ok
  • Reboot your PC. After the restart, your desktop or laptop simultaneously plays sounds from two devices. That is sound from your default playback device and the second playback device.
Restart your PC

Note- There is a chance that your PC doesn’t support the Stereo Mix feature. You cannot see the Stereo Mix feature on PCs’ Disable device list with the latest sound drivers. Try to downgrade your sound driver if you want to use this feature to output audio from multiple devices.

2. Select Sound Output Devices To Play Audio From Specific Apps

Windows 10 enables the user to play or customize different sound output devices for various applications. For example, you can wire your default speakers to play music from the VLC Media player. And customize your headphone to play sounds from YouTube.

Below is the step-by-step guide to customizing your primary and secondary audio playback device.

  • Right-click the sound volume icon in the system tray’s bottom right corner.
  • Select Open Sound Settings.
Open Sound Settings
  • Scroll down to the Advanced sound options.
Select Apps volume and device preferences
  • Select App volume and device preferences.
  • Look through the list of apps in the Settings box that opens. Click on the drop-down menu beside the desired application and select the Output/Playback device.
Select different playback devices for different sounds
  • Restart your computer. When you relaunch a specific app, Windows will remember the output audio device you chose so that it may play audio for you the next time.
Restart your Windows 10 PC

3. Use Third-Party Tool

There are numerous third-party tools available to streamline your audio input and output. These tools enable users to switch between audio sources with a simple user interface.

Conclusion

It may appear challenging to divert audio to two devices on your Windows 10 PC, but it’s pretty straightforward once you know where to look. Most of the time, you can use built-in options, like the Stereo Mix feature or the default Sound settings. And these two options are more than enough for an amateur.

However, using a third-party program to customize your Windows 10 sound setup is helpful to professionals. You can streamline the procedure for multiple audio outputs with a single software.