Constant Audio Ouput

[Kevin Mullins]

Not sure quite how to describe this.....

But I'm trying to figure out if there is a way to make a variable audio output set at a constant level. I want to split off the audio output, one that still varies with volume control, but the other I would like to set at a constant level from the same source to run sound activated lights. The problem is if you adjust the volume right now it effects the lights at the same level. So I'd like to be able to adjust the sensitivity and "volume" for the lights and then keep that side at a constant. And of course the other side adjusts with the volume control for the actual sound output volume.

Make any sense?

Anyone know of any electronic gizmos and such for doing something like this?

[whammoed]

I am doing something like this, but using the signal that is unaltered by volume control to a second zone for amplification instead of to lights:
I use winamp.  There is a plugin available that lets you set up more than one output.  I use a second sound card for the secondary output and it is unaffected by any of the volume controls.

[Kevin Mullins]

I use a second sound card for the secondary output and it is unaffected by any of the volume controls.

So is it possible to use the onboard audio for one thing (output to light control) and then a pci sound card for the other (actual audio output) then?

I'll have to play with Winamp a bit to see if it will work in conjunction with the music software I'm already running. (jukebox software actually)

Is this the plug-in you are using?
http://www.winamp.com/plugins/details/147344

[Barry Barcrest]

The simple solution is split the audio feed before it goes into your amp. That war your amp controls the main volume for the speakers and the lights run on the constant level from your pc sound card.

[mccoy178]

Barry,
In my situation, I'm using that usb volume control that kneivel uses, thus rendering that idea unusable.  With Randy's software, it doesn't appear to affect the strength of the output based on volume, just the actual sound.

[Kevin Mullins]

The simple solution is split the audio feed before it goes into your amp.

I would agree..... BUT.... the amp volume is currently being controlled by the PC.
I'm trying to avoid re-wiring a complete external potentiometer to control the amps output.
Right now I can control it all from my numeric keypad by using the shift function of the KeyWiz.
I still can wire in an external pot for the amp control, just would rather not just yet.

With Randy's software, it doesn't appear to affect the strength of the output based on volume, just the actual sound.

What hardware is this for?
Sounds interesting to look into.

 

[mccoy178]

It is for his LEDWiz's.  Here is the thread with the software announcement:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=69607.0

Here is my jukebox announcement thread in which I use 12 rgb's and two LEDWiz's:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvjJbsXfW14]http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=69257.0[/url

And here is a youtube video of the jukebox in operation.  The video was darker than real life:

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvjJbsXfW14

[whammoed]

I use a second sound card for the secondary output and it is unaffected by any of the volume controls.

So is it possible to use the onboard audio for one thing (output to light control) and then a pci sound card for the other (actual audio output) then?

I'll have to play with Winamp a bit to see if it will work in conjunction with the music software I'm already running. (jukebox software actually)

Is this the plug-in you are using?
http://www.winamp.com/plugins/details/147344

Yes, you can use onboard sound as a source, that's what I'm doing.
Yes, that is the plugin.
I use Touchtone juke software which can be set to use winamp.