How to play sound on two devices at once in Windows 10

• Wondering if there’s a way to output audio to multiple devices in Windows 10? We’ve got a few quick tips for you.
• For example, you may easily use the Stereo Mix option in order to adjust it to play audio from two devices at once.
• This Audio Troubleshooting section can also help you remedy any sound issues you may encounter.
• Even if you lack the experience of a tech expert, check out our Windows 10 Tips Hub. The included comprehensive guides shouldn’t scare you off.

There is no secret that Windows plays audio through one connected output device by default.

Thus, users will usually need to switch between alternative connected speakers or headphones to select the required playback device.

However, you can configure Windows 10 so that it plays sound from two connected playback devices simultaneously.

This is how you can play audio from two connected playback devices at once in Windows 10.

How can I output audio to multiple devices in Windows 10?

1. Enable Stereo Mix
2. Select Output Devices to play audio from specific apps

1. Enable Stereo Mix

1. Right-click the Speakers icon on the system tray and select Sounds.
2. Select the Playback tab shown in the snapshot directly below.
3. Then select your primary speakers audio playback device and click Set as default. That will be one of the two playback devices that play the audio.
4. Select the Recording tab shown directly below.
5. Right-click a blank space on the Recording tab and select the Show Disabled Devices option. Then you will usually see Stereo Mix on the Recording tab.
6. Right-click Stereo Mix and select the Enable option.
7. Then right-click Stereo Mix to select the Set as Default Device option on its context menu.
8. Click Properties on Stereo Mix’s context menu to open the Stereo Mix Properties window.
9. Select the Listen tab on the Stereo Mix window.
10. Then click the Listen to this device checkbox.
11. Select the second playback device listed on the Playback this device drop-down menu.
12. Click the Apply and OK buttons on both the Stereo Mix Properties and Sound window.
13. Restart your desktop or laptop. Thereafter, Windows will play audio at the same time from your primary audio device and the one you selected on the Playback this device drop-down menu.

Windows 10 includes a Stereo Mix option that you can adjust to playing audio from two devices at once. However, that is not enabled by default in Windows 10.

Thus, you’ll need to enable Stereo Mix in Win 10 and then configure its settings as described above.

Note that not all users will always see Stereo Mix on the Recording tab even after selecting Show Disabled Devices. That’s usually due to your laptop’s or desktop’s sound driver.

Some of the latest sound drivers don’t support Stereo Mix anymore. So you might need to install an older sound driver if you can’t enable Stereo Mix.

If your HDMI doesn’t show up in playback devices on Windows 10, check out this step-by-step guide to solve the problem.

Also, if you’re sure that the problem is your driver, to avoid similar issues in the future you can block Windows 10 from auto-updating the driver with the help of this easy to follow guide.

2. Select Output Devices to play audio from specific apps

1. To select audio output for specific software, right-click the Speakers icon and select Open Sound settings.
2. Then click App volume and devices preferences to open the options shown in the image directly below.
3. The Settings lists all your open apps. Click the Output drop-down menu adjacent to the software you need to select a playback device for.
4. Then you can select a connected playback device from the drop-down menu. Note that Windows will save the chosen output audio device so that it plays audio when you open the software you selected it for.

The latest Window 10 build includes new settings that enable users to customize playback devices for software. Now users can select different audio playback devices for alternative apps.

For example, you could select one set of speakers to play music from Google Chrome and another pair of speakers to play audio from the Movies & TV app.

So you can play audio from two or more playback devices at once by selecting alternative sound output for software.

If you’re having trouble opening the Setting app, take a look at this quick article to solve the issue.

So you can play audio from two, or more, sound devices at once by enabling Stereo Mix or adjusting the volume and device preferences in Win 10.

Note that you can also enable Stereo Mix in earlier Windows platforms, but you can’t configure multiple output devices to play audio from specific apps in Windows 7 or 8.

However, you can still select specific audio playback devices for apps with the Audio Router software.

If you’re aware of another fix for the problem, share it in the comments section below so that other users can try it, too.

If you have any other questions, feel free to leave them there as well.

Can You Record with 2 USB Microphones into 1 Computer?

Here’s how to record your podcast with 2 USB microphones (or more!). On top of that, we suggest some more optimal setups.

Can you record with 2 USB microphones at the same time? Yes!

Should you record with 2 USB microphones at the same time? To be honest, probably not.

Recording with a USB microphone is a really simple way to podcast. They’re quick and simple to set up and use.

Adding in a second one can complicate things though. Yes, it can be done – and we’ll show you how in this article – but it’s never an optimal setup.

So first, let’s look at a couple of better solutions.

Best Options for Recording 2 or More People

If you want to record yourself and a co-host or interview guest in the same room, then here are a couple of great options. Both of them streets ahead of trying to record with 2 USB microphones.

Option 1 – Use a USB Audio Interface

If you like the simplicity of USB, then you might want to get your hands on something like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2.

It’s a great little audio interface that lets you plug in 2 XLR mics and run them straight into your computer.

Set your Podcast free with Launch Essentials

We’ll show you the exact steps, from recording, to editing, to release!

You can use any type of XLR mic with the 2i2. Check out our best mics for podcasting roundup to explore your choices on that front.

With this option, you’ll be able to record both of you on separate audio tracks, which will give you a bit more flexibility in post-production.

The 2i2 is brilliant, but there are other top USB audio interface options on the market right now, too.

Option 2 – Use a Digital Recorder

Why not take the computer out the equation altogether and use a digital recorder like the Zoom H5, Zoom H6, or Zoom PodTrak P4?

These recorders let you plug multiple XLR mics into them and record on individual audio tracks.

This setup works great in-house or in-studio, but its strength is in its flexibility. You can go out in the field or on location and record great audio, without being burdened by a tonne of gear.

With the Zoom H6, you can record up to 6 independent tracks simultaneously. With the PodTrak P4 you can plug in 4 XLR mics AND use it to record online calls.

Check out our best digital recorders roundup if you’d like to look into this option a little more.

Just Tell Me How To Record With 2 USB Microphones

Alright then! If you’ve got your heart set on recording with 2 USB mics, here’s 3 different options for you.

One thing I’ll say up front too – this is often easier if you have 2 different models of USB mic. Sometimes having 2 of the same (eg; 2 Blue Yeti‘s) can confuse the computer. This doesn’t always happen, but it can. If you’re having trouble, I’ll again refer you to the (much better) options above.

Incidentally, if you want to buy a second USB mic, then you can’t go wrong with the Samson Q2U. It’s a brilliant microphone that works as both a USB and XLR model.

Anyway, about those options…

Option 1 – VoiceMeeter/Audacity (Free)

A common way of recording 2 USB mics on the Windows platform, is with VoiceMeeter. This is a free virtual audio mixer that lets you set up a range of different input options.

Once downloaded, you can select and manage separate USB mics inside VoiceMeeter’s control panel.

Next, you’d create an Input and Output source called “VoiceMeeter”, which can then be selected inside Audacity.

Now, you can record with both of your USB mics at the same time.

The slight catch is that it’ll record both mics onto the same audio track (whether that’s in mono or joint-stereo) inside Audacity.

You can see how this appears in the image on the right. The left and right tracks are exactly the same, containing the input from both USB mics.

The ideal situation is that we can get one microphone on the left track, and the other on the right, but combining them in this way isn’t a massive problem. It just means that you’ll have a little less control over your audio in the post-production phase, since you can’t edit and process each voice separately.

If you do want that level of control, let’s look at how to record 2 USB mics on separate tracks.

Option 2 – ASIO4ALL/Adobe Audition

This option is slightly more complicated. Here, you’ll need recording/editing software such as Adobe Audition or Reaper, which are paid programmes.

With this setup, you’d also be using a free audio driver called ASIO4ALL.

It helps if you have 2 different models of USB mics too, as I’ve already mentioned.

I’ve put together a video tutorial of how to set this up with Adobe Audition. I used the Blue Yeti and Shure MV5 USB mics.

Check out our Best USB microphones roundup, if you’re still looking around for a good USB mic.

I’m adding in a transcription of the tutorial too, in case you need to return to this in the future…

Tutorial Transcription: Record With 2 USB Microphones Into Adobe Audition

Here’s how to use audio recording and editing software, Adobe Audition, to run two different USB mics into the PC at the same time.

I’m going to use the Shure MV5 and the Blue Yeti as my two USB mics. It’s better to use two different models of mic here, as it might not work if you have two of the exact same.

I’ll also need to go to asio4all.com to download and install an audio driver called ASIO4ALL.

ASIO stands for Audio Stream Input Output. And ASIO4ALL basically powers up your computer’s sound card, giving it access to multiple inputs and outputs independently at the same time.

Next, when you open up Adobe Audition, go to File, then Preferences.

Set your device class to ASIO and ASIO4All v2 as your device.

Open up Settings to the right of device drop-down menu. Inside this control panel, you’ll see a list titled WDM Device List, and you want to click and activate the little power buttons besides your USB mics.

Come out of Settings after that and go to Audio Channel Mapping. Select both your USB mics as your left and right channels.

Leave the Preferences section and start a new multi-track session. On track one and two, use the input drop-down menus titled Default Stereo Input to select both your USB mics. Hit the R on both tracks to arm each one to record. And when you hit record, that’s you up and running with two USB mics at the same time.

In these setups we used the Blue Yeti, the Shure MV5 and the Samson Meteor.

Option 3 – Use Separate Laptops

If you and your multiple co-hosts all own USB mics, you probably all own laptops.

With this option, you’d just get together in the same room and record your own individual audio into Audacity, each on your own computer.

A couple of loud claps before the episode starts will give you a good marker to then sync the different audio tracks together in post-production.

Summary: Should I Record With 2 USB Microphones?

So it’s definitely doable, but far from optimal.

If you’re podcasting regularly and don’t plan on stopping, then it’s worth considering an investment in something like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 or Zoom PodTrak P4.

Yes you can muddle by with either of the 3 options for recording with 2 USB microphones. But long term, they’re going to make life awkward, and could even start to hold you back. The easier your podcast is to record, the easier it’s going to be to stick with it, to keep putting out new episodes, and to grow your audience.

Need More Help?

We’re always available in The Podcast Host Academy if you need more help getting this set up, or want access to all of our equipment courses.

We’ve got courses on all aspects of podcasting in there. From planning and launching, to promotion and monetisation.

On top of that, we run weekly live Q&A sessions. It’s the ideal place to find the resources, help, support, advice, and motivation you need to stay on track and keep moving forwards.