[SOLVED] ICUSBAUDIO7D - how to switch between headphones and speaker without having to open Xear Audio?

Cards, Drive Accessories, Tools
1

[SOLUTION]

Use bluetooth headphones and define it as audio output by default.

Windows 11 will switch to headset and mute all other speakers when turning on the headset, and will revert to Startech card and speakers when turning off the headset.

Remaining issue : windows 11 takes 20 seconds to switch audio from the speakers to the headset ( strangely enough, when turning off headset, audio comes back to speakers instantly… typical “Microsoft go figure"…)

[END SOLUTION]

Hi all

I am using the ICUSBAUDIO7D inside a virtual pinball cabinet, where a frontend (pinup popper) manages all the pinball interface and tables.

Soundcard works great in 7.1 with the option ‘speakers” selected in Xear audio software, but I need to be able to switch to Headphones for late evening playing (and back to speakers later on), directly from my pinball frontend without having to exit the frontend, launch Xear, rightclick speakers, switch to headphones, exit xear, restart pinball frontend.:head_shaking_vertically:

Is there a way to switch between headphones and speakers without having to open xear audio app, for example from a command line prompt, or by sending messages to Xear from another application ?

Second question : when I switch to headphones, I still have sound (stereo and not 7.1 anymore) through the pinball speakers. How can I fully mute speaker sounds when I switch to headphones ?

Thanks for your help !

3

Hello @Pierre and thank you for your interest in our Community.

I’m glad to hear you’ve found a workaround. Unfortunately, switching between output configurations on the ICUSBAUDIO7D isn’t possible without using the Xear interface.

However, you can alternate between the ICUSBAUDIO7D and another audio output (such as a Bluetooth headset or your computer’s onboard stereo) using command-line tools or third-party software. This approach bypasses the need to interact with Xear directly and also resolves the sound duplication between headphone and speaker output on our box by switching audio devices entirely.

I hope this helps, please let me know if you have any further question and have an excellent day!

Emmanuel B.
StarTech.com Support