How to share (not switch) audio between two PCs?

[e_h]

I play Escape from Tarkov with friends and use Discord to communicate and stream my gameplay for them while we play, and vice versa to see their screens on my Discord overlay (all on one monitor). When doing this and pre-recording at the same time my fps take a hit (I think both my CPU and GPU may be limiting factors), so I'm considering a dual PC setup with the game running on the main PC and Discord on the streaming PC with a separate monitor. I will initially be using my old laptop as the streaming PC+monitor.
I have three audio devices connected by USB to the main PC: a Rode USB mic, a SBX DAC+JDS headphone amp feeding HD800s, and lastly my 2+1 Genelecs (using their internal DAC/amps).
Neither PC has optical/spdif connection.

What I need to do is basically the following:

1. Share my main PC screen to the streaming PC (using a capture card I assume) for recording and Discord stream
2. Share my game audio from main PC to streaming PC for recording and Discord stream
3. Have my mic audio on the recording and Discord stream (separate from the game audio so that my friends can choose to have my game audio turned off in Discord while still hearing me talk)
4. Have the audio from Discord (streaming PC) and the game (main PC) simultaneously in my headphones
5. The Genelecs don't necessarily need to be playable from the streaming PC but it would be a nice bonus if possible
6. All three audio devices above still need to work on the main PC when the streaming PC is turned off, but not necessarily vice versa

Is there a way to accomplish this by adding one simple interface (what would that be)? If not, how can I do it (preferably without completely reworking my current setup)?
I would be very grateful for any input.

 

[RayDunzl]

Have you considered sending the sound from both PCs to a mixer with the headphones plugged into the mixer?

Google Search

 

[rcstevensonaz]

You need a mixer. Unfortunately, most of the decent mixers are designed for audio recording and production (e.g., microphones, instruments, etc.) rather than digital sources. A HUGE FRUSTRATION for me.

I solved that issue by getting an analog stereo mixer (Ashly LX-308B) and then using a bunch of cheap DACs (e.g., TOPPING D10) to take my various PCs into analog. I like this since I can very easily control the line-level input gain by simply adjusting the dials.

Your other option is VB Audio Mixer. And then route all of your input sources to that PC to do the mixing. Any laptop or small form factor is more than sufficient.

Edit: if your PCs have a motherboard, double check to be sure there is not an S/PDIF header connector pins on the board. Most PCs boards do have that; but not all. Laptops won't.

 

[xanalog]

Would Dante Audio Networking work for you?
You can use the DanteController software to map any Dante network audio node to any other; as long as you have enough (Power-Over-Ethernet (POE)) network ports locally. You can also even share those Dante nodes on the WAN.
You can let whichever interconnected PC control what I/O node is mapped to what O/I node-- while at the same time -- that PC is also doing the mixing.

 

[kyuu]

Something like this seems to be purpose-made for your situation. Note I can't vouch for the actual product.

 

[e_h]

Thank you kindly for all your replies, I haven't had the time recently but I will continue to look into it based on your suggestions!

 

[Hoki]

I play Escape from Tarkov with friends and use Discord to communicate and stream my gameplay for them while we play, and vice versa to see their screens on my Discord overlay (all on one monitor). When doing this and pre-recording at the same time my fps take a hit (I think both my CPU and GPU may be limiting factors), so I'm considering a dual PC setup with the game running on the main PC and Discord on the streaming PC with a separate monitor. I will initially be using my old laptop as the streaming PC+monitor.
I have three audio devices connected by USB to the main PC: a Rode USB mic, a SBX DAC+JDS headphone amp feeding HD800s, and lastly my 2+1 Genelecs (using their internal DAC/amps).
Neither PC has optical/spdif connection.

What I need to do is basically the following:

1. Share my main PC screen to the streaming PC (using a capture card I assume) for recording and Discord stream
2. Share my game audio from main PC to streaming PC for recording and Discord stream
3. Have my mic audio on the recording and Discord stream (separate from the game audio so that my friends can choose to have my game audio turned off in Discord while still hearing me talk)
4. Have the audio from Discord (streaming PC) and the game (main PC) simultaneously in my headphones
5. The Genelecs don't necessarily need to be playable from the streaming PC but it would be a nice bonus if possible
6. All three audio devices above still need to work on the main PC when the streaming PC is turned off, but not necessarily vice versa

Is there a way to accomplish this by adding one simple interface (what would that be)? If not, how can I do it (preferably without completely reworking my current setup)?
I would be very grateful for any input.

Since you want separate routing for game, Discord, and mic audio, a USB audio interface with multiple outputs and loopback functionality is ideal. Something like the Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 or 6i6 could work

 

[Hoki]

I play Escape from Tarkov with friends and use Discord to communicate and stream my gameplay for them while we play, and vice versa to see their screens on my Discord overlay (all on one monitor). When doing this and pre-recording at the same time my fps take a hit (I think both my CPU and GPU may be limiting factors), so I'm considering a dual PC setup with the game running on the main PC and Discord on the streaming PC with a separate monitor. I will initially be using my old laptop as the streaming PC+monitor.
I have three audio devices connected by USB to the main PC: a Rode USB mic, a SBX DAC+JDS headphone amp feeding HD800s, and lastly my 2+1 Genelecs (using their internal DAC/amps).
Neither PC has optical/spdif connection.
What I need to do is basically the following:

1. Share my main PC screen to the streaming PC (using a capture card I assume) for recording and Discord stream
2. Share my game audio from main PC to streaming PC for recording and Discord stream
3. Have my mic audio on the recording and Discord stream (separate from the game audio so that my friends can choose to have my game audio turned off in Discord while still hearing me talk)
4. Have the audio from Discord (streaming PC) and the game (main PC) simultaneously in my headphones
5. The Genelecs don't necessarily need to be playable from the streaming PC but it would be a nice bonus if possible
6. All three audio devices above still need to work on the main PC when the streaming PC is turned off, but not necessarily vice versa

Is there a way to accomplish this by adding one simple interface (what would that be)? If not, how can I do it (preferably without completely reworking my current setup)?
I would be very grateful for any input.

I launched this game a year ago and haven't noticed any significant changes yet. Are the developers working on updates at all?

 

[G|force]

SSL SiX mixer. Sounds superb; Not cheap.
It has 3 mic pres and a lot of other stuff you don't need- but it will mix 2 (balanced) stereo line signals into a (balanced) stereo line signal with excellent fidelity.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

SSL SiX mixer. Sounds superb; Not cheap.
It has 3 mic pres and a lot of other stuff you don't need- but it will mix 2 (balanced) stereo line signals into a (balanced) stereo line signal with excellent fidelity.

As @G|force notes, a stereo mixer is the way to go. But you want to find one that is geared towards stereo inputs and not heavy on separate mic inputs.

Other examples:

• Ashly LX-308B <<= this is what I have, and love it!
• Cerwin Vega CVM-1022 <<= had this before I converted to a rack-mounted form factor
• Yamaha MG10 Analog Mixer
• Etc.

My audio style is that I wanted to be able to have every source active all the time, so that lead me to getting a stereo mixer. I control what plays by starting / stopping from the device, or I can easily quickly mute at the stereo mixer.

My one caution: even if the mixer supports balanced audio, be careful going down that route since mixing consumer voltage and professional voltage can be challenging. So best to either be all consumer level or all professional level. All of the devices above work fantastic at consumer level; and some can also support full power balanced audio.

 

[nad2315]

I play Escape from Tarkov with friends and use Discord to communicate and stream my gameplay for them while we play, and vice versa to see their screens on my Discord overlay (all on one monitor). When doing this and pre-recording at the same time my fps take a hit (I think both my CPU and GPU may be limiting factors), so I'm considering a dual PC setup with the game running on the main PC and Discord on the streaming PC with a separate monitor. I will initially be using my old laptop as the streaming PC+monitor.
I have three audio devices connected by USB to the main PC: a Rode USB mic, a SBX DAC+JDS headphone amp feeding HD800s, and lastly my 2+1 Genelecs (using their internal DAC/amps).
Neither PC has optical/spdif connection.

What I need to do is basically the following:

1. Share my main PC screen to the streaming PC (using a capture card I assume) for recording and Discord stream
2. Share my game audio from main PC to streaming PC for recording and Discord stream
3. Have my mic audio on the recording and Discord stream (separate from the game audio so that my friends can choose to have my game audio turned off in Discord while still hearing me talk)
4. Have the audio from Discord (streaming PC) and the game (main PC) simultaneously in my headphones
5. The Genelecs don't necessarily need to be playable from the streaming PC but it would be a nice bonus if possible
6. All three audio devices above still need to work on the main PC when the streaming PC is turned off, but not necessarily vice versa

Is there a way to accomplish this by adding one simple interface (what would that be)? If not, how can I do it (preferably without completely reworking my current setup)?
I would be very grateful for any input.

Most people in dual-PC setups run the main PC’s HDMI into a capture card on the streaming PC, then route game audio through the audio interface. Your mic stays on the streaming PC, and you return Discord audio back to the main PC through another output on the interface. This keeps everything separate and still works normally when the second PC is off.

 

[Naqus]

I play Escape from Tarkov with friends and use Discord to communicate and stream my gameplay for them while we play, and vice versa to see their screens on my Discord overlay (all on one monitor). When doing this and pre-recording at the same time my fps take a hit (I think both my CPU and GPU may be limiting factors), so I'm considering a dual PC setup with the game running on the main PC and Discord on the streaming PC with a separate monitor. I will initially be using my old laptop as the streaming PC+monitor.
I have three audio devices connected by USB to the main PC: a Rode USB mic, a SBX DAC+JDS headphone amp feeding HD800s, and lastly my 2+1 Genelecs (using their internal DAC/amps).
Neither PC has optical/spdif connection.

What I need to do is basically the following:

1. Share my main PC screen to the streaming PC (using a capture card I assume) for recording and Discord stream
2. Share my game audio from main PC to streaming PC for recording and Discord stream
3. Have my mic audio on the recording and Discord stream (separate from the game audio so that my friends can choose to have my game audio turned off in Discord while still hearing me talk)
4. Have the audio from Discord (streaming PC) and the game (main PC) simultaneously in my headphones
5. The Genelecs don't necessarily need to be playable from the streaming PC but it would be a nice bonus if possible
6. All three audio devices above still need to work on the main PC when the streaming PC is turned off, but not necessarily vice versa

Is there a way to accomplish this by adding one simple interface (what would that be)? If not, how can I do it (preferably without completely reworking my current setup)?
I would be very grateful for any input.

Yes - this is doable without tearing everything apart, but it won’t be one magic box. The cleanest setup is a capture card + software routing.