Windows 7: using USB headset and onboard audio plugs at same time

I have a USB headset that I use for gaming, but want to use the 3.5mm jacks on the back of my pc to run a pair of desktop speakers to play music or youtube, etc. I do not want to have to switch the default between the USB headset and the speakers, but to have sound coming out of both at the same time. Is this possible with windows 7?

ctanner, welcome to the forums.

In Windows default audio settings, no it isn't possible. You can however do it if the media player you are using is anything other than WMP and allows you to select which audio device to use when more than two are present. Winamp for example allows you to choose which device to use for playback in its settings.

It'd be possible if you added an external USB soundcard, but who can discern
between two simultaneous yet different autio streams?

A USB headset is essentially an external sound card, it in no way makes any use of a sound card whether onboard or actual card.

If you have an internal soundcard as the OP does, and you can't select two output devices to stream two different audio feeds to - adding a USB soundcard would enable him to have two soundcards in effect, and achieve his aim

Can't say as I've ever done it - however it's possible.

With a Logitech Clearchat USB headset I use it doesn't process the audio stream by itself, I have to set it as the device my internal soundcard points to. When I make that selection it will cut the audio from my 3.5mm jacks if, say, I already had WMP playing music and choose to use the USB headset in conjunction with an IM program for arguments sake...

That's why I said to use something other than WMP as I don't know of any setting in it that allows you to choose which audio device to use. Winamp I know does (and quite a few others have it as well) have the option to choose which of however many audio devices are installed/enabled,



the only reason the ATI HDMI output (from my video card) isn't in the Winamp dropdown is because as it says, not plugged in. If it was connected, then I could choose to use either my X-Fi or the ATI out.